Testing out w swift

After your time with a mentor at Swift, you will do a basic road test with ANOTHER instructor. This is to make sure the 1st instructor actually let you drive.... (J/K). Mine took 15 minutes. Only bad part is they put me in a 13 spd... I was used to a 9. The "tester" was totally cool about it and showed me how to work the new tranny.

Best of luck!

 

You will get a road test at orientation. This is basically for the tester to see were you need the most help.. Then you will get tested again after training.

 

There is also a written test. It's easy though, just 50 or so questions on company policy and log book requirements.

I also had to do an oral "Pre Trip" inspection. Was given five minutes to list all of the parts of the tractor/trailer that one needs to check.

Edit to add...

RE: Road test at orientation. Can't speak for all terminals, but at my home terminal an orientation road test was only given to people who...

1) It had been a few months since they had last driven a CMV, say at a DMV license test.
2) Had graduated from a CDL training course from a smaller, less known training organization.

Out of the 9 or so people in my orientation class, only 3 were given road tests.

 

Is it true that Swift "Rookies" have to bobtail 30 days before you get a trailer ? Knowing my better half who knows ... Darn guy's !!

 

UMMMMMM, no. LOL

 

30 days bobtailing?? Never heard that one before.

 

Yeah. We had to bobtail. A lot. In fact, we also weren't allowed to go past 4th gear. Required to keep hazard lights on while we did a rolling road block in the right lane.

Another one of the requirements is to take a 10 module web course in underwater basket weaving. What that has to do with anything outside of the price of tea in china... I'll never know.