What endorsements should I get at first?

While I can see your point, there was a guy in my class who went at the same time I did to test (at the same place), and he chose to do them ALL at once (except haz-mat), and while he was there taking (and failing) all those tests, I went in, took the AB, combo, and GK tests and kept it movin' like a U-Haul truck; he was still in there, frustrated because he bit off more than he could chew... The rest of us finished the class, and he STILL hadn't gotten his permit...

I'm not saying that this will happen to the OP, all I'm saying is that taking the CDL test (for a newbie) is overwhelming by itself, why add to the madness??

 

Did he bite off more than he could chew or maybe he was just not prepared. Not everyone tests the same or has the ability to keep alot of info stacked in their head. If I would have taken other tests at the same time as my CDL I probably would have failed, but Joe Smith might not have. The more endorsements you have the more doors you have available to be open to you and thats the name of the game when your out banging on them asking for a job.

 

First learn how to drive. Then later add other endorsements.

 

It appears that you just proved my point, and I see your point... And, yes, that driver bit off more than he could chew... We were in class for 1 week doing PTI, and CDL studying... He got there, decided to take them ALL, and failed...

I see your point, though... If the OP is confident enough and cognizant enough to take everything at once, then, you're right, he should... However, it could be disheartening and discouraging to try everything at once and fail... That's all I'm saying... Most people in school have NEVER been in an 80K pound vehicle, and getting used to it is a task in and of itself... New students have enough to worry about as it is...

Also, in spite of how many endorsements a NEW student has, only a limited amount of companies will take them right out of school anyways... Come on now... WHAT company (in their right mind) will take a NEW grad and put them in dbls/trpls, or a haz-mat load without experience??

I do agree, however, that the tanker test is pretty straight-forward, and he should get that at least...

 

If he can't pass the tests during the entire length of the class, he has bigger problems than just trying to get all the endorsements. He either didn't study at all, or is an idiot. A couple of 20-question tests aren't going to slow anyone down THAT much if they actually bother to read the book.

 

I'm not inclined to say if he's an idiot or didn't study, however, when I was there, he was frustrated, discouraged, and overwhelmed, and waited a few weeks before going back to take JUST the GK, AB, and combo...

 

The genkn is a hard test because it has so many questions and if you fail a test of course you will be upset !!! I know when I took the genkn and ab test I was soooo stressesd out just wanting to pass on the first go around and I did pass both of them I also failed the doubles test once and the hazmat test three times lol .... so I say to all drivers good luck !!!

 

No, i didn't say get the license and krup the endorsements. All i'm saying is technically get the cdl a license and then get the endorsements you want----you can get the endorsements 5 seconds after you get licensed or 5 days or 5 weeks after you get the license.

i truly believe thinking about endorsements or what company i can get hired with or what kind of truck i will get assigned etc. etc. etc. before even getting the license IS a distraction----i saw this when i was in school.

 

I just finished truck driving school and started with a company as a trainee.While in school I took GK first day then AB next then Comb. After taking the AB test I took D/T and after Comb.I took the tanker test.Went back later and took the HazMat test.I agree if you want to take extra tests take the required tests first then the endorsements.Didn't want to limit what job opportunities were open to me.

 

Labubba congratulations. ..