What you Need to know before you leave for school!

Hey all... I just graduated from a local private truck driving school. From my experience at school I wanted to pass along a few things that will help you succeed and make it less stressful.

1. Know where the states are! I realize how silly that may sound, but two of my classmates did not know where the states are, and trip planing was very difficult for them. I was lucky, I already knew where all the states are, and was fairly familiar with reading t atlas. I have traveled lot by car so i had a basic understanding of how mile markers go, and what even and odd interstates meant. it will help you to know this.

2. Read, read and read again the cdl manual, then take the free online practice test a few t several times till you can pass. You need to pass the general knowledge test at the dmv to get your cdl learner permit. At my school we took a practice test the first hour of school, those who passed went to the DMV and got their permit. Some schools will send you home (at your expense) if you don't pass the second time. So be able to pass, at least the general knowledge test, before you go.

3.Know how to, and be prepared to. study. if you haven't been in school lately, than your study skills may be rusty, and these schools like to move along at a good pace, I took a total of 22 written tests in 4 weeks. At my school anything below 80% was failing, and again some schools would rather send you home at your expense than teach you.

4. Know that you are making the best choice in what school you choose. I was originally going to go to CREngland, than after research, decided t go to Central, then after more research and good advice went to a local private school. there is no free schooling, so make sure you get the best school for your dollars, whether you pay upfront, or pay later.

5. Think through your decision to become a trucker. If you really want to become a truck driver tan realize it will take work, time and money and it won't be easy. Don't expect to make a lot of money in the beginning, and do expect to put through the ringer and pushed to your limits. If you last a year than you have earned your right to become a trucker, if you last 5 years then you are starting to have experience and a few more options, when you reach double digits in experience, well, then congrats, your a trucker!

Too many people go off to school very unprepared and get sent home. the school doesn't say, they are sending you home because they don't want to spend time teaching you, they just tell you to go. The private schools will spend more time helping you learn and pass the tests, but, the sooner you get you permit the sooner you can be behind the wheel learning to shift, turn corners and back.into tight spots.

So, do yourself a favor and know as much as you can before you go to school.

 

Wow... That just saddens me that an adult doesn't know right from left.. I know for me, along with learning to drive a truck, I also learned to bite my tongue, control my spontaneous jaw drops, and strengthened my belief in silent prayer while sitting in the jump seat while another student drove.

We would often change drivers at a truck stop, we would go in, go to the bathroom or whatever, and then hit the road again, and they taught us and expected us to always check the 5th wheel and make sure no one had pulled it. So who ever was driving was always suppose to check it, and the instructor would always ask and make sure you did. Well, we had this one guy who when he got in the truck the instructor asked if he checked the 5th wheel, he said yes, she asked again "did you check the 5th wheel?" and he said "yes, yes, I pulled it, it is out" sure enough he had pulled it out. So she explained all about the 5th wheel again. Next day, changing drivers at the truck stop,he gets in and she asks about the 5th wheel, he assures her he checked it. She gets out and double checks, gets in the cab and asks him why we check the 5th wheel. He says to make sure no one has pulled it. She then asks why the handle was pulled. He says "I pulled it, no one else, I made sure I did it". Well, we drove back to school and in the yard went all over the 5th wheel again and again. Next day, at the truck stop, guess what... he checks the 5th wheel, hops in the cab and says " the handle is in, is that okay or should I pull it?" The instructor took long pause before speaking and then finally said, "That is what we are checking, to make sure it is pushed in and in it's locked position" to which he says, "I didn't see a lock" I thought she was going to strangle him, but she didn't. Back at the yard we went over the 5th wheel again.
That, as hard as it is to believe is a true story. I would not f believed it had I not been there. Now whether he learned and understands what position the 5th wheel handle should be in, or just learned to look and answer correctly, I do not know.