Test today

If you pre-trip the trailer, make sure you tell the guy you would inspect the passenger side the same way you would inspect the driver side.

Don't get creative on the backing. Just do it exactly the way they taught you. And don't try to make it perfect, as long as you are in the box, you are good.

The driving, try not to stall your engine if you are in a manual transmission. Remember to roll your windows down when you cross a railroad track. Be verbal with the tester while you are driving calling out bridge heights and speed limits. If not when you pass a speed limit sign they might ask you what is the current speed limit, or what was the bridge height we just passed.

It's pretty easy. Just remember what you were taught.

 

Take you're time, don't rush, don't roll any curbs, don't shift/come out of gear going over railroad tracks, don't stall, don't miss a gear and fail to recover, make sure you're turning your head and checking your mirrors, don't forget to signal etc etc etc. It's been a while since I took the DOT driving test, but what I did was let the instructor know what I was doing, and why I was doing it when switching lanes, down-shifting, turning, what I was looking for etc etc. It creates conversation, show's you're aware and keeps you focused. Above all else, don't work yourself up, just stay CCC, Calm,Cool and Collected and you'll do fine. Good luck.

 

Don’t roll with clutch pressed more than distance of truck and trailer combined. Watch for bridge weights. If no sign it’s 40 tons.

 

In NC we were taught 40 tons unless otherwise posted and 13’6” unless otherwise posted

 

I was told no bridge height posted is 14 feet. LoL

 

Don't do what a guy did in Indiana last year. Got a mile or two too fast for a school zone. Then just did a 180 and drove back to the school. Examiner was mystified at why. The big dummy said well I failed the test anyway why fool around. I heard that one straight from the man that tested him.

 

Go slow on the drive, speed limit doesn't mean you have to go that speed. It seems dumb but its being careful and that shows you give a s***.
Read every sign, my tester asked "what did that last sign say?"
Narrate yourself constantly. Talk through the inspection. Check each thing for CDBorL (cracks, dents, breaks or leaks)
Talk loudly so they can hear you over the truck or traffic.
Come to complete stops and keep both hands on the wheel AT ALL TIMES. I almost failed it pulling back into the station.
Take....your....time.

Good luck!

 

Relax and know you can do it, just look at all the idiots who have.