Here is where the nerves start coming back. It was time for the 45 degree back. This is where most people fail. I did my set-up, put on my 4 way flashers, put the truck in reverse, stuck my head out the window, and started to back up. Everything looked good at first. The trailer was going where I wanted it to with no problems. Then I saw the trailer going a bit too far to the left so I cranked the wheel hard left. It was too late. If I kept going back, I would have hit a cone. Luckily, we are allowed one free 20ft pull-up. So I stopped the truck, turned the wheel hard right and began to pull forward. As I inched forward, I then swung the wheel hard left to re-center myself, then got the wheels straight. Now all I had to do was back it in straight and not go too far. I inched the truck back. For this part, there is a 3ft area. The first foot is worth 6 points, the second foot is worth 3 points, the last foot is worth zero points, and anything over 3ft is a fail. You are also allowed to get out and look one time. So even if you stop short, you can back it up a little further. Since I had zero points going into the backing test, I decided to play it safe. I stopped early, set the brakes, held my breath, and stepped out of the truck. I made the excruciating walk along the 48ft trailer to see where I was. I was at the 6 point mark. The examiner said, “you look straight between the cones and are centered in the 6 point marker. Since you had both zero’s going into this, you have a passing score. I’ll see you on the road test.” YES!!!! WooHoo!!! I began walking back to the building and gave all of my classmates a big thumbs up to let them know I passed. The relief I felt was unbelievable. I think I even gave somebody a hug, I’m not sure. It’s hard to describe the excitement I felt. I was on top of the world! Just one more test to go!
Unfortunately, a few of my classmates after me weren’t so lucky. One of them was too crooked on the 45 degree back and failed. Another went too far back on the 45 degree and also failed. The third person who failed hit a cone on the measured right turn. It was hard to stay excited when they came walking into the building. It really bummed everybody out. But as a whole we did pretty good. Those who didn’t pass get to retest tomorrow. And with the exception of one person, those who failed are people who have been having problems.
So here I was on the home stretch. I was not nearly as worried about the road test as the yard skills test. I don’t mean to sound conceded or over confident, but I can drive the truck very well. I know I still have a ton to learn, but that road course is cake and I can shift just fine. If you read my last post, you saw that the white road truck we were preparing to drive for the test broke down. They brought the white truck back in the morning and said it was fixed and ready to go. Well, it wasn’t. The truck started acting up again in our lot. So, we had to use the red truck. It didn’t matter much to me, but some of the students were a bit upset about it. We spent a lot of time driving the white truck and many of the students hadn’t been in the red truck for a week or so.
I was the third person to go on the road test. The examiner didn’t say much other than where to turn. Of course I already knew where to turn as we have driven the course many times before. The trip started without problems. I did miss a gear once though. I went to shift from 5th gear to 6th gear which requires you to move a “gear selector valve” as 6th gear shares the same position as 1st gear. I forgot to hit the selector valve which is something I haven’t done for a while. So the gear made a nasty grinding sound. I knew right away what I did, corrected the problem, and got her in gear smoothly. That is the single only problem I had on the entire trip. The trip lasted about 20 minutes. As I was on the home stretch just a few blocks from the school, I got the chills. I knew I had this in the bag. Left turn signal on, downshift, turn back into the school, and that was it! The CDL examiner said “congratulations, you passed. You can go to the DMV around 3pm and get your new license.”
YYYEEEEESSSSSSS!!!! I went inside and was greeted with three very happy instructors. The owner of the school said “Congratulations, you finally got your head out of your ass. Not bad for an amateur!” You really have to know that guy, but he said that all in fun. I’m truly going to miss the instructors I had.
There was some quick paperwork that I had to fill out, then I was free to go. As excited as I was to finally be done with training, I didn’t want to leave! Each of my instructors had their own personality and we all got along great. My fellow classmates became friends. The fun times I had while in training were now over. It was a little sad to go! I’m so happy that I chose the school I did, because I could not have had a better experience. I’m truly going to miss those instructors. We had some fun times. They brought me from never touching a truck before in my life, to obtaining my CDL in just 4 short weeks. I give a lot of credit to them. Their blood pressure must be through the roof!
Anyway, I did it! I already have my CDL license in my wallet. Next up, I will start the real training with a trucking company. As of right now, it appears the first or second week of March I will start with a company. I am still deciding between a couple outfits, so I don’t have an exact start date yet. But a full six weeks or so with a trainer out in the real world is going to be a valuable experience. I’m scared to death of backing up in a truck stop. My experience with backing up a truck so far is being surrounded by $5 orange cones. Now I’ll be backing between two trucks worth $150,000 a piece. Why am I doing this again!?!?
Thank you so much for all the support everyone has given me. Your comments and emails really do mean a lot. I hope you tag along as I start driving out in the real world. This is going to get very interesting!
Until next time, drive safely!
TruckerMike
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WAY TO GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Look at what you did in just 4 weeks. Awesome. You have learned a lot and there is a whole lot more coming. I am ready to read more on your next adventures with the trainer.
Those skill tests may seem silly to do and now that you are a licensed driver, you can understand why its done. But the road test is much better as it deals with the real world of driving. You will do just fine in your training.
Now just relax a little as you deserve it before you start the training.
That is totally awesome! Now the real fun begins – out on the road. Congrats on a job well done!
Yeah, Rhonda is right – wait til you get out on the road and see how often you use that stuff from the yard – all the backing maneuvers. They didn’t pick those randomly. You’re gonna be glad you had so much practice time and got to learn all of that – cuz you’re gonna use it!
Wait til you get to one of those docks where they tell ya – “Go ahead and put it right there” and you’re gonna be like “WHAT??? What is wrong with you guys???” But you’ll get it in there.
My attitude always was “If it can be done, then I can do it.” So don’t ever think for a moment that you can’t do something. If it’s been done, you can do it. Just laugh, shrug your shoulders, take your time, smile, and soon you’ll be nappin in the bunk while they’re working on loadin or unloadin the truck.
And don’t worry if one day you’re in Jersey and you’re blockin a four lane highway trying to get backed into a tight dock – and even though your nose is against the far side curb, a cop decides to drive completely onto the sidewalk with all four wheels to get around you instead of blocking traffic for a moment to help you out. That’s just Jersey! True story!
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TruckerMike,
You sounded nervous but you made it! It was really fun reading this blog and seeing the other side of the truck driving school. I’m glad you liked your instructors, having good instructors is important. The orange cones – $12 a piece, the owner with the big mouth, priceless.
Drive Safe,
Tanya