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» Northern California Ford Owners     » Automotive   » General Talk   » Taking my CDL license test soon..any advice? (Page 1)

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Author Topic: Taking my CDL license test soon..any advice?
SIC9250
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Been doin the school thing now for a bit between working and driving a 430 geared 5 spd car 140 miles a day i make it when i can lol I'm finally taking my test on the 27th at DMV..besides the obvious (air brakes/walk through etc..) what's some good advice from those of you fellow members that have been there done that? im antcy but not anymore than bein pre staged at sac raceway [burnout] just lookin for some tips thanks guys!

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Coyote_Mach1

Posts: 6959 | From: in the drivers seat. | Registered: Feb 2008  |  :
SLOWBACK 67
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I'm going to go out on a limb and say your taking this at the DMV of Harbor...... That being said, make sure during your drive test that when you shift, you put your hand back onto the wheel FAST. I just had a guy I trained fail because he was slow at putting his hand back onto the wheel SMH. FOLLOW ALL traffic laws. Don't stop on a railroad track or shift going over one, make sure you make you turns from the correct lane, make sure you constantly check your mirrors and look for truck related signs ( Overpass heights, weight restrictions.... )

DON'T SPEED, take you time on the skills test & try and stay a calm a possible during you walk around, don't be cocky....... But don't stutter and use words like; Fine, Ok or Good. The instructor won't give you credit for those discriptions.


Lastly don't beat yourself up if you don't pass on the first try. A lot of people get nervous and fail. Just take it as a learning experience and be more prepared IF you do mess up & have too many mistakes. [patriot]

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Originally posted by turbo50:
I have no intenions of keeping anyones parts or taking anyones money.

Posts: 8582 | From: Vallejo | Registered: Dec 2005  |  :
Secnd2nun64
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Remember to also make smooth starts and shifts. Also practice going in reverse strait and smoothly while feathering the clutch. No drag light launches/bucking.

If your not that good on a manual trans, maybe find someone with a small Automatic car to use for the test so you have less to focus on.

Posts: 1460 | From: CA | Registered: Jun 2002  |  :
5.0_707
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quote:
Originally posted by SLOWBACK 67:
I'm going to go out on a limb and say your taking this at the DMV of Harbor...... That being said, make sure during your drive test that when you shift, you put your hand back onto the wheel FAST. I just had a guy I trained fail because he was slow at putting his hand back onto the wheel SMH. FOLLOW ALL traffic laws. Don't stop on a railroad track or shift going over one, make sure you make you turns from the correct lane, make sure you constantly check your mirrors and look for truck related signs ( Overpass heights, weight restrictions.... )

DON'T SPEED, take you time on the skills test & try and stay a calm a possible during you walk around, don't be cocky....... But don't stutter and use words like; Fine, Ok or Good. The instructor won't give you credit for those discriptions.
Lastly don't beat yourself up if you don't pass on the first try. A lot of people get nervous and fail. Just take it as a learning experience and be more prepared IF you do mess up & have too many mistakes. [patriot]

Good info! Also make sure you DON'T JUMP CURBS! Instant fail if you do. Make your turns wide enough, and CHECK YOUR MIRRORS!
Posts: 888 | From: 707 | Registered: Aug 2005  |  :
SIC9250
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Damn good tips,didnt think of most of those,school hasn't mentioned some if the above either lol..ill be taking my test in Modesto..

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Coyote_Mach1

Posts: 6959 | From: in the drivers seat. | Registered: Feb 2008  |  :
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Make sure you know your vehicle top to bottom for your walk around test

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Posts: 3855 | From: SF | Registered: Oct 2006  |  :
Grants93GT
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Everybody i talked to when i was 16 said not to take it in Modesto, how its hard going downtown blah blah. I failed the turlock one and passed in Modesto!

They are going to make you back up along side the curb, if you rub the curb, you fail. So adjust your mirror good!

Posts: 208 | From: Central Valley | Registered: Jan 2011  |  :
Grants93GT
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I would not want to take the test in a manual tranny car. I had a manual car when i was 16 too and i took it in an auto. DMV people deal with shitty people throughout the day. If the guy is having an off day and doesnt like something about the way you drive stick he will probably take it out on your test score.
Posts: 208 | From: Central Valley | Registered: Jan 2011  |  :
SLOWBACK 67
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quote:
Originally posted by SIC9250:
Damn good tips,didnt think of most of those,school hasn't mentioned some if the above either lol..ill be taking my test in Modesto..

I didn't go to a school but my aunt worked for cal trans & was friends with the CDL trainer in Pinole. Great guy and taught me a lot before I took my test.

But seriously don't get yourself worked up. Your gonna most likely forget things if you rush your pre trip & air brakes. One thing I always suggest is do the pre trip talking out loud..... So what you'll look like a crazy person talking to yourself but it makes the whole pre trip feel more realistic. I acually have a copy of the walk around at work and pretend to be the instructor at work........ I talk & act like a prick to make it as real as possible so our guys already know what to expect. Some of the instructors get off on making people nervous LOL. They will try to throw you off your game in the middle of explaining something..
Example:

You: I am now checking the lug nuts to make sure they are not loose or.....
( Cuts you off )
Ins: How do you know if they are loose?
You: if its a steel wheel there would be rust streaks present around the lug nuts ( On a Steele wheel ) & black streets on an aluminum wheel.


Trust me. They will try to mind fuck you if you get an asshole instructor. Just be prepared and don't let him/her get under your skin. The ones like that won't wanna give you a perfect score and will look for anything to mark you down on. [Eek!]

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Originally posted by turbo50:
I have no intenions of keeping anyones parts or taking anyones money.

Posts: 8582 | From: Vallejo | Registered: Dec 2005  |  :
S550_Andres
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When I took my test, I did it in my 01 gt and when they asked to turn on my headlight I hella forgot where my switch was lol. Like other people say pull off smooth and stop smooth. Shift and put your hand back on the steering wheel. They lady that did my test was cool and told me some cool story's about mustangs, so that was a plus. I only got marked 1 point because I forgot to do my turn signal when she wanted me to park.

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Posts: 2747 | From: 650-408 | Registered: Jul 2011  |  :
5.0_707
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OP is referring to a commercial driving test (CDL) [Wink]
Posts: 888 | From: 707 | Registered: Aug 2005  |  :
*BlownMach1*- TRMYN8R
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Lmao at 85 on machs!! All B.S aside. If u wanna pass there is a few easy steps!

1- for written... Read the handbook completely! I passed all but the combination test first try without reading the book, then I got serious! Every answer is in that book!

2- for the walk around and driving test!- call class A in a day or CDL AorB, I think it's called! The 2nd on is WAY better.

He lets u use his truck and it's a sincronized 6 speed manual transmission! Way easier then the 10 speed or super 10's we use at work! U push in the clutch at any RPM and it will go in gear!

And the walk around and air brakes test, he goes over with you for like 4 hours before the test! Over and over! If u do not SAY the air brakes test exactly how they want it, automatic FAIL! No proceeding with the other tests!

And the walk around, same thing! If u do not say exactly like they want, u will be docked points! This test is very important! Very hard to pass!

I passed every test my first try! And I am very thankfull that my work paid for the guy to teach me! Without him I would have failed, for sure! It's like $600 for him to drill the test into your head for 6 hours before u take the test and use his truck and trailer! It's like a car trailer! Very easy to drive!

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Posts: 3535 | From: sac town | Registered: Feb 2005  |  :
S550_Andres
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quote:
Originally posted by *BlownMach1*- TRMYN8R:
Lmao at 85 on machs!! All B.S aside. If u wanna pass there is a few easy steps!

1- for written... Read the handbook completely! I passed all but the combination test first try without reading the book, then I got serious! Every answer is in that book!

2- for the walk around and driving test!- call class A in a day or CDL AorB, I think it's called! The 2nd on is WAY better.

He lets u use his truck and it's a sincronized 6 speed manual transmission! Way easier then the 10 speed or super 10's we use at work! U push in the clutch at any RPM and it will go in gear!

And the walk around and air brakes test, he goes over with you for like 4 hours before the test! Over and over! If u do not SAY the air brakes test exactly how they want it, automatic FAIL! No proceeding with the other tests!

And the walk around, same thing! If u do not say exactly like they want, u will be docked points! This test is very important! Very hard to pass!

I passed every test my first try! And I am very thankfull that my work paid for the guy to teach me! Without him I would have failed, for sure! It's like $600 for him to drill the test into your head for 6 hours before u take the test and use his truck and trailer! It's like a car trailer! Very easy to drive!

Lol I wanted to throw my story in there

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86 notch coyote swapped
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Posts: 2747 | From: 650-408 | Registered: Jul 2011  |  :
SIC9250
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I would have used class A in a day but if I fail I'm not spending another chunk of change to go back to class A in a day..with school if I fail I can return over and over,I got my air brakes pretty much dialed,walk throughs aswell,my backing is ok I should be set by my appointment..ill I've heard about Modesto is one instructor is a PITA the other is cool so well see! Thanks fellas!!

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Coyote_Mach1

Posts: 6959 | From: in the drivers seat. | Registered: Feb 2008  |  :
Camara90
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practice, practice, and then practice some more on that fucking pre-trip!

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Posts: 2351 | From: 707 | Registered: Jan 2001  |  :
Wildfire532FB
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Mention everything your looking at and why even if its not on the test it helps to say why your looking at this part.

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phonso302
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quote:
Originally posted by Secnd2nun64:
Remember to also make smooth starts and shifts. Also practice going in reverse strait and smoothly while feathering the clutch. No drag light launches/bucking.

If your not that good on a manual trans, maybe find someone with a small Automatic car to use for the test so you have less to focus on.

I'm sure the instructor will love him showing up for a cdl drive/skill test in a small automatic car...
Posts: 1820 | From: PINOLE | Registered: Jun 2009  |  :
50Reasons
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Another tip is make sure durring the drive test is never be out of gear for more then 60' ..out of gear means out of control .and also remember to turn your signals off after you complete the turn or lane change .also good luck on the parallel and alley dock parking lol . off set backing should be easy for you ..
And try not to grind gears , also rev high enough to do down shift to make sure you don't grind a gear and on the high way always stayin the two right lanes never in the fast lane and keep it at 55 also .. I tested with a 13 speed and passed first time good luck and hope to see you out there I'm writing this from my sleeper lol

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Posts: 9483 | From: Sacramento Ca | Registered: Jan 2006  |  :
SIC9250
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/\ thanks Daniel appriciate that man,I'm excited an nervous but I've been pretty solid so far,passed my permit with ease all in the first time I went,I can back decent and getting better,also have my air brakes and walk throughs down to a T,I go on the road tommorrow and the rest of the week,all day sat as well so I should be set for the 27th..

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Coyote_Mach1

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i
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Just stay COOL! Good Luck Hopefully in the future ill get mines

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86 Caged Coupe 5.0
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flores24v
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When going under a bridge make sure to look at the bridge height. They will ask and get you for it if you don't know it, try not to get nervous and don't be over confident. Take your time doing the pre trip air brake etc etc. Good luck!!!! [patriot]
Posts: 851 | From: Florida | Registered: Jan 2011  |  :
flores24v
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.dp

[ 2013-08-20, 01:10 PM: Message edited by: floreZ4.6 ]

Posts: 851 | From: Florida | Registered: Jan 2011  |  :
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quote:
Originally posted by floreZ4.6:
When going under a bridge make sure to look at the bridge height. They will ask and get you for it if you don't know it, try not to get nervous and don't be over confident. Take your time doing the pre trip air brake etc etc. Good luck!!!! [patriot]

the tester will not take you on a route with low bridges but as a driver trip planning is key using the truckers "bible" truck atlas is key do not rely on a truckers gps seen to many trucks wreck under bridges because they rely soley on the gps

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flores24v
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quote:
Originally posted by 50Reasons:
quote:
Originally posted by floreZ4.6:
When going under a bridge make sure to look at the bridge height. They will ask and get you for it if you don't know it, try not to get nervous and don't be over confident. Take your time doing the pre trip air brake etc etc. Good luck!!!! [patriot]

the tester will not take you on a route with low bridges but as a driver trip planning is key using the truckers "bible" truck atlas is key do not rely on a truckers gps seen to many trucks wreck under bridges because they rely soley on the gps
Well what I meant to say is when the dmv person takes you in the driving test if you go under a bridge they usually ask what was the bridge height.(they asked me lol)He said hes taking his in Modesto.that's where I took mines at, and they docked a point off for not knowing it. Mite not be a huge tip but hey its a tip right [Big Grin] [patriot]
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50Reasons
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quote:
Originally posted by floreZ4.6:
quote:
Originally posted by 50Reasons:
quote:
Originally posted by floreZ4.6:
When going under a bridge make sure to look at the bridge height. They will ask and get you for it if you don't know it, try not to get nervous and don't be over confident. Take your time doing the pre trip air brake etc etc. Good luck!!!! [patriot]

the tester will not take you on a route with low bridges but as a driver trip planning is key using the truckers "bible" truck atlas is key do not rely on a truckers gps seen to many trucks wreck under bridges because they rely soley on the gps
Well what I meant to say is when the dmv person takes you in the driving test if you go under a bridge they usually ask what was the bridge height.(they asked me lol)He said hes taking his in Modesto.that's where I took mines at, and they docked a point off for not knowing it. Mite not be a huge tip but hey its a tip right [Big Grin] [patriot]
Yea ok well you want to pay attention to all signs they will ask you what a signs that you past said to see if your paying attention

[ 2013-08-21, 02:36 AM: Message edited by: 50Reasons ]

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Posts: 9483 | From: Sacramento Ca | Registered: Jan 2006  |  :


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