what to expect on the skills test?

You up-shift and down-shift by watching the tach and then as you become familiar with the truck, by listening to the engine. Talk to your instructor about it. When an engine and transmission are in sync, you do not even need a clutch except for starting off or shifting into reverse. A road test will include: pre-trip inspection (major points), backing in a straight line, and some sort of dock like setting you back into. Out on the road will be (probably) an emergency stop, some turning onto multiple lanes from a two lane, the tester may ask you "What was the weight limit on that bridge?" or "How high was that overpass" just to see if you are observant. Otherwise they just want to know that you have a basic ability to handle the vehicle in traffic.

 

On the skills test. Here in CA you do a measured right hand, where the tire on trailer must be within 18 inches of a cone (in the middle of an intersection, where you do a 90 deg. right turn), Then you do an alley dock, then pull foreward for a measured stop (must be within 18 inches from the front of the truck), then straight back for 100 feet (maybe more), then pull foreward & paralell park it.

As far as shifting. on our trucks we used 10 speed trannies, & were instructed to double clutch durring the test. For down shifting you can skip gears (down shifting) on the test, & the instructor will appreciate not getting jerked around. I take the rpms down to 1000, clutch in, take it out of gear, clutch out, nail the skinny pedal (give it a good romp to get up to 1500 rpms quickly), off the gas, clutch in, into gear, clutch out, back on brake. so fron 10th (55mph), go 8th, then 6th, just leave it in 6th to come to your stop (assuming you are coming up to a stop light). if I am 9th, then 7th, then 6th...or 5th if I am feeling froggy...just remember to flip the high/low switch BEFORE you take it out of gear for 5th. 1000 & 1500 rpms really helped me, up shift just begore I hit 1500, & down shift at 1000. One of the guys in my class when down shifting would slap it to the floor & immediately release the go pedal, & it gave about the right rpms...just to give you an idea.

As far as the road test. Start, stop, 90 deg left & right, 2 lane, freeway, up & down hill, also will ask about what you do different down hill, over railroad tracks. figure 45 mintes or so of driving. Don't only float the gears on the test, or you will get a restruction on your license...at least in CA

 

I'll give you the same advice I give to all students, and the really old guys all agree.

Drive it as you know it, for one thing. Do what works for you now, and work on the other stuff as you go along in your training, and your career. Some skills can take a great deal of time to learn, like floating the proper gear after slowing down 20 mph in a hurry for traffic.

Driving a truck down the highway is driving the truck down the highway. In the city, or a terminal, or a truckstop, or parking lot, you are no longer driving a truck, you are leading a 53 foot van around by the nose with a long wheelbase tow vehicle. Best advice- always watch your tandems, because there will come a time that you cannot see them and you will have to KNOW where they are by your tractor's drive path.
I'm not so experienced that I don't get out to look when I'm backing, I don't care where I'm at or how bad the weather is.

If you can float up and down, fine. If you can't, double clutching during a driving exam is your better bet, it will not detract from your points score. Downshifting comes with practice and knowing the truck. No two trucks are the same. I would know, I've driven a few in my day. Every vehicle has its own personality. Try to test in a truck you know well.

Watch your mirrors, and spot the nasty little things out there like tailgaters before the examiner does, You will get good points for things like that. If there is something out of the ordinary, like a errant ball in the street, or a road hazard to avoid, its not a problem. Its an opportunity to show the examiner that you are able to deal with situations that come up every day.

Don't show off, just take the guy for a ride in your truck, and follow his route instructions.

For mechanical aspect, if you have learned any tricks from the experienced drivers around you, use them. Good inpection tactics are the key to keeping you safe, and those around you as well

Don't be nervous, the guy has already seen a lot worse than you, take my word for it.
Come in with a clear head, and be confident, but not ####y. You'll do fine.

 

I'll give you the same advice I give to all students, and the really old guys all agree.

Drive it as you know it, for one thing. Do what works for you now, and work on the other stuff as you go along in your training, and your career. Some skills can take a great deal of time to learn, like floating the proper gear after slowing down 20 mph in a hurry for traffic.

Driving a truck down the highway is driving the truck down the highway. In the city, or a terminal, or a truckstop, or parking lot, you are no longer driving a truck, you are leading a 53 foot van around by the nose with a long wheelbase tow vehicle. Best advice- always watch your tandems, because there will come a time that you cannot see them and you will have to KNOW where they are by your tractor's drive path.
I'm not so experienced that I don't get out to look when I'm backing, I don't care where I'm at or how bad the weather is.

If you can float up and down, fine. If you can't, double clutching during a driving exam is your better bet, it will not detract from your points score. Downshifting comes with practice and knowing the truck. No two trucks are the same. I would know, I've driven a few in my day. Every vehicle has its own personality. Try to test in a truck you know well.

Watch your mirrors, and spot the nasty little things out there like tailgaters before the examiner does, You will get good points for things like that. If there is something out of the ordinary, like a errant ball in the street, or a road hazard to avoid, its not a problem. Its an opportunity to show the examiner that you are able to deal with situations that come up every day.

Don't show off, just take the guy for a ride in your truck, and follow his route instructions.

For mechanical aspect, if you have learned any tricks from the experienced drivers around you, use them. Good inpection tactics are the key to keeping you safe, and those around you as well

Don't be nervous, the guy has already seen a lot worse than you, take my word for it.
Come in with a clear head, and be confident, but not ####y. You'll do fine.