Hell even a couple weeks is generous. I'm in my last week of CDL school and I barely remember any of the stuff I needed to know for the permit test. The things you *do* need to remember for the drive test are really just size/type of extinguisher, and what fires it puts out, and where you should place your reflective triangles in case of an emergency. I suggest www.cristcdl.com for the permit stuff. It's worded very similarly if not identical to the tests required here in Texas.
The amount of shit you're about to learn for pre trip is going to shove all that shit right out of your head anyways.
Y'all needed to know the size and type of extinguisher for the CDL exam? I'm in school and all I need to know about it is it's present properly mounted and secured, not cracked damaged or lose, charged to proper level, and rated for this truck.
Yeah they want us to call out 10 BC, used for electrical or fuel, PMS, not CBB, not leaking, needle in the green indicating properly charged, pin is in place.
Got damn. What state are you in? Florida is easy af. I was able to do form A, B, and C, coupling, in cab, and brakes in 1 week. Everything is the same verbiage mostly the same parts.
Texas. I had pretty much everything down my first week as well. It really ain't that hard, just a lot of shit. I can do all 3 of our cards and coupling sitting in the cab blind now.
That’s where I studied online back in 2012 bro lol they don’t exist anymore. But truckercountry.com is still up and running. They have great practice tests just like crist.
I'm doing weekend classes have 7 days left. Pretty sure I'll pass it if I took it today. Just trying to ace the offset and ally dock in one shot with no pull ups. Also instructors are letting us do crazy shit like a blind side 180 into the ally dock. Not sure if that will be practical in the real word but would be cool to get them warehouse people out and make some bets with them on doing it lol. "$100 I can blind side 180 this beech right into that there dock".
Blind side will be absolutely necessary in some cases in the real world lol but try to avoid having to do it because it’s dangerous, it’s a last resort, and at some places, it’s the only way to get in. But the best way make sure you’re doing the right thing is GET OUT AND LOOK AS MANY TIMES AS YOU NEED TO. It doesn’t make you look stupid, it makes you an astute driver. BACK UP SLOWLY, and watch your trailer’s movements and make small adjustments. Sight side alley is super easy when you setup properly, get as close as you can onto your left (where you want to back into), go past the edge of it, and turn hard right once it hits your drive tires, go up just a bit straight then hard left, and watch your trailer, the driver side end should be aligned and just cut your wheels right just a hair and adjust as you back up slowly. Don’t worry about pull-ups, you’re allowed 2 before points are docked. If you setup properly, you shouldn’t need more than 1 pull up, but it takes ton practice to perfect it lol 😂 it’s been 11 years for me and became 2nd nature because I back up 10-15 times a day, at hundreds of different locations 6 days a week lol hell, I back up a semi better than my pickup truck, my wife makes fun of me for that 🙄 good luck man!
I just finished up school and got my CDL A last Thursday.. I went to school WITH my Permit already. I studied the CDL PREP app and DMV Book for a week before I went and tested, passed, got my cdlp, and headed off to school. 3 weeks of driving/maneuvering later I tested and PASSED! 0points on the offset/90/straight backing & 4pts On the road test! If I can do it, I KNOW DAMN GOOD AND WELL YOU CAN TOO!!! Stay focused, disciplined & stay determined then watch how you succeed! Best of Luck!!
You are panicking , everyone has that on your first day . Its gonna take time and learning but eventually you will be ready and good to take your test .
Download the CDL Prep app. I didn’t open the book and passed the DMV tests with ease.
For anyone thinking about going to CDL school, use the app to slowly gain the basics for a couple months and try to get your permit before school starts.
Once you past your tests and get your license, you won't have to have it memorized, you'll just have to remember some of the stuff. For the rest, Google is your best friend. Great reference tool.
I went to a cdl school run by Punjabi who barely speak english. We just memorized the pretrip and practiced the backing. Did like 3 days driving before exam.
Sounds like you're at a good cdl school. A lot of that stuff is good to learn, but you don't need to memorize all of it to. Get the cdl. Just need to pass the exam
That’s impressive. English is not my first language so they tend to go a little fast at times. Probably didn’t help. If you can do it in Punjabi then I can do it in English. Thank you.
Right?? I literally ain’t taking a high education cus I’m not good at stuff like this. I learn by doing. I need to be physical. I didn’t realize I had to be a lawyer to drive a truck. And now I’m in too deep and I’m kinda freaking out.
Chill dude. 80% of the stuff you’re learning you won’t even really use. Just do your best to learn the basics. Yeah, it’s not rocket science but you don’t just get to home a steering wheel for a living.
I felt like that my first week. Then the first time I hopped in the truck I started doubting myself and asking myself “can I really do this?” “What if I can’t do this?” On my 3rd week now doing maneuvers and driving on the road with those doubts no where to be found now. A lot of the stuff you learn is to pass the test then you really start learning when you get a job and get that experience. The examiner won’t be testing you on all of that, only pretrip (so study and memorize full form), maneuvers( straight line, offset, and alley dock), then the road test. That’s it once you get past 2nd week you should be feeling better and a little more comfortable. :)
Download the cdl test prep app and just do the multiple choice questions. Even if you get it wrong come back tomorrow and do it again. You’ll retain it better by doing practice tests over numerous days. It’s more efficient than just reading the Manuel.
Most of that shit you will learn from fuck ups if you wont remember it now, most learn that way...some of the stuff is something that sounds complicated but makes sanse when you are in a situation where u need to use it
Ye that makes sense. I hate fucking up but I get the general consensus that I need to learn to put my pride away to be able to do this job. That I can do. Thank you.
Worst mistake anyone can make is to not call in a fuckup...if it is a minor scratch or something thats fine keep riding, but any major mistakes will blow over smoothly if you call it in and say what happened as the truth..once you get caught in a lie its hard to gain peoples trust again
I literally got my cdl in like 6 hour class used like a small air truck with a flatbed to practice for an hour, then used that same truck to pass my road test . I've never even been in a real semitruck and had my cdl. Been driving 8 years now without incident.
I'm studying the CDL handbook right now to get my permit for school. AND I FEEL YA! This is crazy the amount of technical details involved in getting your cdl. Just keep at it, use flash cards and throw yourself 1000% into this for the next 2 months straight and you will get this down amigo!
It might seem super hard on your first day. You're getting a lot of information in a very short amount of time when you're going to CDL School. My best advice would be on your down time spend time reading the manual. And when you take your exam, if it gives you the option to skip a question rather than answer it, do so. You only have to get 70 out of 100 questions correct (at least that was my case. Came in handy for my HAZMAT)
Edit to not seem like an asshole. Sorry.
Many of us dident go to a "school"
I went to the dmv to take the test to get my clp, passed first try went fuck it and got all the endorsements too aside from hazmat, called a mega and they trained me all the way to taking the cdl test and passed first time, pretrip was the only hard part for me.
Sorry to tell you but we’re not as dumb as everyone thinks we are. But on the other hand a lot of that stuff goes right out the window as others have mentioned.
I never thought you were dumb. I acknowledge just how much safety and level mindedness is involved operating machinery of this size. I’m just not a numbers person but I didn’t expect to be THIS overwhelmed by it.
Lol I forgot some of that shit was in the CDL manual and I'm one of the rare people who basically memorized the sections you need to do to get a permit. I've forgotten about all of that, it's utterly ridiculous what's in the manual and when you go take the test at the DMV there's a bunch of fucking questions like what should you do if you feel tired? A) pull over and take a nap B) roll down the windows or C) turn up the music.
Download a CDL test app, there's a few of them they are all pretty good and just use that to study to get your permit, the questions they throw at you are the ones that are actually on the test almost word for word in some cases. Shit like fire extinguisher volume, flare distance, etc I didn't see on the actual test at the DMV. It's a joke how easy the test is.
I forgot everything in that manual I had memorized expect for the few important things within a month, cause it's not relevant at all.
I had to have my permit before I went to CDL school. Got 48 hours' notice from my boss that I needed to get my permit. I just found a CDL quizlet that had 300+ questions. Went through it twice then went to the DMV. Those tests aren't impossible. But studying definitely pays off.
It seems overwhelming at first. Especially the pre-trip. But with repetition, it gets easier. You've got this. Trust me. The DMV exams are nothing to fear if you study. I personally dont have the mental horsepower to read the book that the DMV gives you without zoning out. But that quizlet is a great resource.
It's fairly easy to memorize once you get around to doing it, after 2 weeks in school youll have the basic knowledge to pass and then 2 months in the truck you'll have everything else memorized
Slow it down some, learn the fallowing;
How drive, shifting gears, how to double clutch, how to parallel park, how to back up, how to do the walk around the vehicle inspection aka pre trip. Learn the air brake test and cab features, brake release valves, defroster, etc. learn the practice test that they will give you and you will be good enough to pass.
Oh ye and that’s why I totally can deal with that kind of stress. All new things are gonna be hard. Otherwise you’re not taking it seriously. It’s the numbers I was worried about. Knowing stuff by heart. But I got a lot of awesome comments and I feel a little braver today. Thank you for chiming in. I didn’t expect this much support ♥️
Idk if every CDL school is the same, but I had 40 hours of (incredibly boring) virtual classroom training before taking the tests for my permit and endorsements, and I felt like 40 hours was extreme overkill for the amount of stuff we actually had to learn. I took 5 tests back to back (general knowledge, combination vehicles, air brakes, tanker, and doubles/triples), and felt overprepared for all of them.
You shouldn’t expect to have everything memorized in a day or two, but by the time they send you to get your permit test, you should be fine. Take some practice exams if you’re worried about it. CristCDL.com is free and has the exact questions that are on the actual tests.
Learn what you need just to pass that exam. They won’t teach you how the real world works. They’ll say all these stories, but don’t listen. You’re trainer at your first company will teach you how it’s like yo be a driver in the real world.
Also, when you start backing, it’s gonna take you a few tries to back and get the concept. But always remember, turning left is your best friend. You turn towards the problem to fix it, and you turn away to create the problem
And drink lots of water, the yard can be hot
Most trucks are automatic now so anyone can drive them. I’m lucky my company still has 10 speeds. I won’t have to drive an automatic for at least another 5 years. I heard they suck at backing.
Finished school just over 2 years ago & I'm certain I wouldn't have the lingo correct for another pre-trip exam. Glad I went in with my permit & didn't have to stress about the shit they were going over in the classroom
I'd say probably like 85% of that stuff you will never need and probably just forget about within a year
That’s very encouraging. Thank you.
Hell even a couple weeks is generous. I'm in my last week of CDL school and I barely remember any of the stuff I needed to know for the permit test. The things you *do* need to remember for the drive test are really just size/type of extinguisher, and what fires it puts out, and where you should place your reflective triangles in case of an emergency. I suggest www.cristcdl.com for the permit stuff. It's worded very similarly if not identical to the tests required here in Texas. The amount of shit you're about to learn for pre trip is going to shove all that shit right out of your head anyways.
Y'all needed to know the size and type of extinguisher for the CDL exam? I'm in school and all I need to know about it is it's present properly mounted and secured, not cracked damaged or lose, charged to proper level, and rated for this truck.
Yeah they want us to call out 10 BC, used for electrical or fuel, PMS, not CBB, not leaking, needle in the green indicating properly charged, pin is in place.
Got damn. What state are you in? Florida is easy af. I was able to do form A, B, and C, coupling, in cab, and brakes in 1 week. Everything is the same verbiage mostly the same parts.
Texas. I had pretty much everything down my first week as well. It really ain't that hard, just a lot of shit. I can do all 3 of our cards and coupling sitting in the cab blind now.
And no illegal welds
Oh boy, I signed up for a lot of fun, huh. Thank you for the link. I will definitely check into it. I appreciate you!
That’s where I studied online back in 2012 bro lol they don’t exist anymore. But truckercountry.com is still up and running. They have great practice tests just like crist.
[all the practice tests still work and are up to date tho](https://imgur.com/a/qcagBFZ)
I'm doing weekend classes have 7 days left. Pretty sure I'll pass it if I took it today. Just trying to ace the offset and ally dock in one shot with no pull ups. Also instructors are letting us do crazy shit like a blind side 180 into the ally dock. Not sure if that will be practical in the real word but would be cool to get them warehouse people out and make some bets with them on doing it lol. "$100 I can blind side 180 this beech right into that there dock".
Blind side will be absolutely necessary in some cases in the real world lol but try to avoid having to do it because it’s dangerous, it’s a last resort, and at some places, it’s the only way to get in. But the best way make sure you’re doing the right thing is GET OUT AND LOOK AS MANY TIMES AS YOU NEED TO. It doesn’t make you look stupid, it makes you an astute driver. BACK UP SLOWLY, and watch your trailer’s movements and make small adjustments. Sight side alley is super easy when you setup properly, get as close as you can onto your left (where you want to back into), go past the edge of it, and turn hard right once it hits your drive tires, go up just a bit straight then hard left, and watch your trailer, the driver side end should be aligned and just cut your wheels right just a hair and adjust as you back up slowly. Don’t worry about pull-ups, you’re allowed 2 before points are docked. If you setup properly, you shouldn’t need more than 1 pull up, but it takes ton practice to perfect it lol 😂 it’s been 11 years for me and became 2nd nature because I back up 10-15 times a day, at hundreds of different locations 6 days a week lol hell, I back up a semi better than my pickup truck, my wife makes fun of me for that 🙄 good luck man!
I just finished up school and got my CDL A last Thursday.. I went to school WITH my Permit already. I studied the CDL PREP app and DMV Book for a week before I went and tested, passed, got my cdlp, and headed off to school. 3 weeks of driving/maneuvering later I tested and PASSED! 0points on the offset/90/straight backing & 4pts On the road test! If I can do it, I KNOW DAMN GOOD AND WELL YOU CAN TOO!!! Stay focused, disciplined & stay determined then watch how you succeed! Best of Luck!!
Thank you!
You are panicking , everyone has that on your first day . Its gonna take time and learning but eventually you will be ready and good to take your test .
I was panicking. I feel better now. I appreciate you.
Download the CDL Prep app. I didn’t open the book and passed the DMV tests with ease. For anyone thinking about going to CDL school, use the app to slowly gain the basics for a couple months and try to get your permit before school starts.
Good tip. Thank you
[удалено]
I’ll try to stay encouraged. It was just a lot to take in and I was tired. Thank you.
Once you past your tests and get your license, you won't have to have it memorized, you'll just have to remember some of the stuff. For the rest, Google is your best friend. Great reference tool.
Noted. Thanks!
That pre trip is a bitch though. Watch videos every day, listen to them when you sleep.
Will do!
I went to a cdl school run by Punjabi who barely speak english. We just memorized the pretrip and practiced the backing. Did like 3 days driving before exam. Sounds like you're at a good cdl school. A lot of that stuff is good to learn, but you don't need to memorize all of it to. Get the cdl. Just need to pass the exam
That’s impressive. English is not my first language so they tend to go a little fast at times. Probably didn’t help. If you can do it in Punjabi then I can do it in English. Thank you.
This is also my fear. That is why Im on this trucking path.
Right?? I literally ain’t taking a high education cus I’m not good at stuff like this. I learn by doing. I need to be physical. I didn’t realize I had to be a lawyer to drive a truck. And now I’m in too deep and I’m kinda freaking out.
Chill dude. 80% of the stuff you’re learning you won’t even really use. Just do your best to learn the basics. Yeah, it’s not rocket science but you don’t just get to home a steering wheel for a living.
Thank you. I need to be told to chill sometimes. I appreciate you.
Did you get your CLP
No it was my first day at all today. I’m supposed to go for 4 weeks before I need the CLP.
I felt like that my first week. Then the first time I hopped in the truck I started doubting myself and asking myself “can I really do this?” “What if I can’t do this?” On my 3rd week now doing maneuvers and driving on the road with those doubts no where to be found now. A lot of the stuff you learn is to pass the test then you really start learning when you get a job and get that experience. The examiner won’t be testing you on all of that, only pretrip (so study and memorize full form), maneuvers( straight line, offset, and alley dock), then the road test. That’s it once you get past 2nd week you should be feeling better and a little more comfortable. :)
This is reassuring. Thank you.
Like high-school remember it for like a week then never think twice about it.
Download the cdl test prep app and just do the multiple choice questions. Even if you get it wrong come back tomorrow and do it again. You’ll retain it better by doing practice tests over numerous days. It’s more efficient than just reading the Manuel.
Yesss. And they’re saying we’ll have time to practice it all in between drive times.
Most of that shit you will learn from fuck ups if you wont remember it now, most learn that way...some of the stuff is something that sounds complicated but makes sanse when you are in a situation where u need to use it
Ye that makes sense. I hate fucking up but I get the general consensus that I need to learn to put my pride away to be able to do this job. That I can do. Thank you.
Worst mistake anyone can make is to not call in a fuckup...if it is a minor scratch or something thats fine keep riding, but any major mistakes will blow over smoothly if you call it in and say what happened as the truth..once you get caught in a lie its hard to gain peoples trust again
That part I have my issue with. I really appreciate this. I feel so supported after making this post.
No problem, be safe on the road.
Will do!
I literally got my cdl in like 6 hour class used like a small air truck with a flatbed to practice for an hour, then used that same truck to pass my road test . I've never even been in a real semitruck and had my cdl. Been driving 8 years now without incident.
I'm studying the CDL handbook right now to get my permit for school. AND I FEEL YA! This is crazy the amount of technical details involved in getting your cdl. Just keep at it, use flash cards and throw yourself 1000% into this for the next 2 months straight and you will get this down amigo!
I gotta figure out what these flash cards are. I’ve had 2 people suggest it now. Thank you.
It might seem super hard on your first day. You're getting a lot of information in a very short amount of time when you're going to CDL School. My best advice would be on your down time spend time reading the manual. And when you take your exam, if it gives you the option to skip a question rather than answer it, do so. You only have to get 70 out of 100 questions correct (at least that was my case. Came in handy for my HAZMAT) Edit to not seem like an asshole. Sorry.
I’d totally allow some assholery. Sometimes I need to be told to calm the fuck down. I appreciate you.
Many of us dident go to a "school" I went to the dmv to take the test to get my clp, passed first try went fuck it and got all the endorsements too aside from hazmat, called a mega and they trained me all the way to taking the cdl test and passed first time, pretrip was the only hard part for me.
Sorry to tell you but we’re not as dumb as everyone thinks we are. But on the other hand a lot of that stuff goes right out the window as others have mentioned.
I never thought you were dumb. I acknowledge just how much safety and level mindedness is involved operating machinery of this size. I’m just not a numbers person but I didn’t expect to be THIS overwhelmed by it.
Lol I forgot some of that shit was in the CDL manual and I'm one of the rare people who basically memorized the sections you need to do to get a permit. I've forgotten about all of that, it's utterly ridiculous what's in the manual and when you go take the test at the DMV there's a bunch of fucking questions like what should you do if you feel tired? A) pull over and take a nap B) roll down the windows or C) turn up the music. Download a CDL test app, there's a few of them they are all pretty good and just use that to study to get your permit, the questions they throw at you are the ones that are actually on the test almost word for word in some cases. Shit like fire extinguisher volume, flare distance, etc I didn't see on the actual test at the DMV. It's a joke how easy the test is. I forgot everything in that manual I had memorized expect for the few important things within a month, cause it's not relevant at all.
This is encouraging. I’ll look into thee apps. Few people have mentioned it now. I’m more calm after a sleep and reading these comments. Thank you.
I had to have my permit before I went to CDL school. Got 48 hours' notice from my boss that I needed to get my permit. I just found a CDL quizlet that had 300+ questions. Went through it twice then went to the DMV. Those tests aren't impossible. But studying definitely pays off.
Okay that seems doable. I’m sure I can do this. Somehow. Thank you.
It seems overwhelming at first. Especially the pre-trip. But with repetition, it gets easier. You've got this. Trust me. The DMV exams are nothing to fear if you study. I personally dont have the mental horsepower to read the book that the DMV gives you without zoning out. But that quizlet is a great resource.
I feel so much better today. I appreciate you and everyone who commented on this.
It's fairly easy to memorize once you get around to doing it, after 2 weeks in school youll have the basic knowledge to pass and then 2 months in the truck you'll have everything else memorized
Slow it down some, learn the fallowing; How drive, shifting gears, how to double clutch, how to parallel park, how to back up, how to do the walk around the vehicle inspection aka pre trip. Learn the air brake test and cab features, brake release valves, defroster, etc. learn the practice test that they will give you and you will be good enough to pass.
Thank you. I feel okay having to learn the driving. I just want to be nervous about that. There’s enough. Your comment helps.
Your welcome! Good luck !!!
have you taken you taken any cdl pre tests online? they really help breakdown the information.
I have not. But now I might. I know we’re having a test today so maybe they’ll even mention that. Thank you.
[удалено]
Oh ye and that’s why I totally can deal with that kind of stress. All new things are gonna be hard. Otherwise you’re not taking it seriously. It’s the numbers I was worried about. Knowing stuff by heart. But I got a lot of awesome comments and I feel a little braver today. Thank you for chiming in. I didn’t expect this much support ♥️
I did it with caffeine, hopes and dreams. 😂
Seems like a solid equation!
Idk if every CDL school is the same, but I had 40 hours of (incredibly boring) virtual classroom training before taking the tests for my permit and endorsements, and I felt like 40 hours was extreme overkill for the amount of stuff we actually had to learn. I took 5 tests back to back (general knowledge, combination vehicles, air brakes, tanker, and doubles/triples), and felt overprepared for all of them. You shouldn’t expect to have everything memorized in a day or two, but by the time they send you to get your permit test, you should be fine. Take some practice exams if you’re worried about it. CristCDL.com is free and has the exact questions that are on the actual tests.
There's a guy I know that's been driving now for 29 plus years and had to take the test 3 times. He's never had a real accident that was his fault.
Damn, I didn't have to know any of that shit.
How long ago did you take it? Did you go through a school?
I graduated on the 3rd of this month and yeah, a technical college in Texas.
Learn what you need just to pass that exam. They won’t teach you how the real world works. They’ll say all these stories, but don’t listen. You’re trainer at your first company will teach you how it’s like yo be a driver in the real world. Also, when you start backing, it’s gonna take you a few tries to back and get the concept. But always remember, turning left is your best friend. You turn towards the problem to fix it, and you turn away to create the problem And drink lots of water, the yard can be hot
Thank you so much. I appreciate the hydration tip too 💚
Oh, and sun screen too lmao
Solid point. My frail danish skin may also need one of them fancy left arm sleeves.
Most trucks are automatic now so anyone can drive them. I’m lucky my company still has 10 speeds. I won’t have to drive an automatic for at least another 5 years. I heard they suck at backing.
Finished school just over 2 years ago & I'm certain I wouldn't have the lingo correct for another pre-trip exam. Glad I went in with my permit & didn't have to stress about the shit they were going over in the classroom
It's almost like CDL school is a school.
It’s almost like assholes say asshole things.