The High Road™ Online CDL Training Program

The Most Effective CDL Test Preparation Course On The Planet

This program is 100% free for everyone!
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  • Intro
  • Overview
  • Features
  • Testimonials
  • Tips/Advice

The High Road™ Online CDL Training Program Is Pure Awesomeness

We're not pulling any punches. We're going to say it like it is. This is the highest quality, most comprehensive online CDL training program ever created. As if that wasn't awesome enough, it also happens to be unconditionally free for everyone to use.

Our program has a ton of incredible features, and it's really user friendly. So grab a cup of coffee and strap yourself in because you're going to be blown away when you see what we have in store for you!

The Entire CDL Manual And Beyond

Our CDL training program has the entire CDL manual built right in. That alone will prepare you for all of the required written exams including the CDL learner's permit and all of the endorsement exams. Now that's pretty fantastic in itself, but as experienced drivers, we knew that wasn't nearly enough. No way.

Because passing the CDL exam isn't the real test. The real test begins when you're sitting behind the wheel of an 80,000 pound rig, and we want to make sure you have the knowledge it takes to survive out there in the trucking industry. So we've gone beyond the CDL manual and built several sections ourselves full of critical knowledge that will prepare you for a great start to your trucking career.

Who Designed This Training Program?

This training program was designed and built with the help of professional drivers, including certified CDL instructors with decades of safe driving experience. These experienced professionals know exactly what it takes to pass the CDL exams and become safe, productive drivers out on the road.

Our CDL training program has proven to be so effective that is has gone viral in the trucking community essentially overnight! We are blown away with the positive response to this program, and you're going to be amazed at how well it's put together. Take a couple minutes to browse the features, testimonials, and tips before you sign up and get going!

Features Of The High Road Training System

Includes The Complete CDL Manual & More

We've built the entire CDL manual right into our training system. But we didn't stop there! We've added several sections of our own to this training program so you'll be prepared for all of the written exams and life on the road.

This training system was built by experienced drivers and trainers who know there's a lot more to life on the road than what the CDL manual covers. We've added our own sections covering Logbook Rules and Weight & Balance so you'll be ready to tackle some of the toughest aspects of life in the trucking industry.

Sophisticated Review System

Repetition is the key to memorizing large amounts of information. By continuously analyzing your scores on each question as you progress through the program, our review system will determine which questions you are having the most trouble with.

These high priority questions will be repeated as many times as is necessary to reinforce the correct answers. This system is capable of determining each person's strengths and weaknesses and gives you continued reinforcement where you need it most.

Intelligent Halt System

Yellow Peterbuilt on the highway

When we find that you are beginning to struggle, we temporarily stop giving you new materials and have you review the questions you're having the most trouble with.

What would be the point of feeding you new materials if you're having trouble with what we've given you so far? The point is to learn the materials, not just fly through the program as quickly as possible.

If you miss a particular question too many times or your overall average drops below 85% we will help you review the areas you're struggling with until we see you're ready to continue on to new materials.

Dynamically Built, Interactive Quizzes

tractor trailer driving down the road

The multiple choice quizzes given on each page include questions from the page being loaded and review questions from pages you've already completed. The order of the questions and answers are randomized, and the answers to review questions from previous pages can be lookup up in an instant.

The quizzes are designed to work as a tool to help reinforce the information, not simply as a way to test your knowledge. We don't want you guessing at the answers, because guessing isn't learning. In fact, guessing can inhibit learning by reinforcing an incorrect answer.

When taking a quiz, the answer to each question can be quickly found in the content of the page, or in the case of review questions, with the click of a link which reveals the answer. This allows you to quickly find the correct answer, reinforces the information, and saves tons of precious time trying when having to look something up.

Complete The Materials In Any Order At Your Own Pace

We've designed our training program to be very flexible. You can complete the course materials in any order at your own pace. Simply jump to a different section of the program when you're ready for a change of pace.

The optimal experience means being able to work on the materials you're interested in learning at the moment, and working when you feel fresh and ready to take on a challenge. Instead of forcing everyone to work on the same materials at the same pace, our program allows you the flexibility to choose the materials you're working on and set your own schedule.

Even our review system and halt mechanism have been designed to adjust to your preferences. You can take the course in any order you like and we'll send the proper review questions from sections you've already completed. If you begin to struggle, we'll halt your progress and force a review of the materials before allowing you to move on.

Insights, Tips, And Suggestions Built In

Throught the program you'll find important tips, insights, and suggestions wherever you see the purple question mark () to help you understand the materials better and gain an understanding for how that knowledge will fit into the overall picture.

Not all information is created equal. Certain bits of information may be critically important to the safe operation of the vehicle, and some information will almost certainly show up on the CDL exam. We want to go beyond just teaching the information. We want you to understand why this information is so important and how it will affect your CDL testing and your career in the trucking industry.

What People Are Saying About The High Road Training System

"My own experience with the course itself was nothing short of amazing. To come into the course with absolutely no prior knowledge of the subject, and to be able to grasp the information, understand it, and retain it, has taken quite a bit off stress off me. Now I know that when I do enroll in a school, I can focus on the driving aspects, and not have to worry about the classroom side of things.

Being able to study at my own pace and in my own time was extremely helpful to me. Being able to see what areas I was having difficulty with, and being able to spend more time on those sections was so beneficial. The way the information is broken down and presented topic by topic keeps the course from being overwhelming, and the layout of the program itself is condusive to a variety of learning styles."

- Ahmalia

tractor trailer

"My experience so far has been fantastic. It is set up in such a way that it learns and adapts to what the student needs to pay closer attention to. If the program notices you need to go over a certain subject again, it will halt you for a review so that you dont continuously get a subject wrong.

I love the way it pulls refresher questions from other parts of the course that you have already covered. It reinforces the information needed to not only pass the permit test, but engrains it so it almost becomes second nature.

After studying for a week, and taking the practice tests here for the basic info needed to obtain a CDL learners permit, I can consistantly pass the practice tests for General Knowledge, Air Brakes, Combination Vehicles, Doubles and Triples, and Passengers at my State DMV. My lowest score so far is 94%.

I feel that anyone who doesn't use this before attending a school or taking their permit test is wasting a valuable asset. Before taking the course, I was lucky if I had gotten anything above 68% by just studying the manual alone.

Thanks again Brett. I'm gonna pass this on to anyone who is looking to get their CDL."

- Skip

Hi Brett,

I just want to say thank you for putting online such a valuable resource.

I used your CDL training course to study for my CDL, and when I took my written tests the DMV administrator was amazed as I finished the test faster than anyone she had ever had in her facility, and with the highest scores she had ever seen. I took all of my endorsements (Hazmat, Doubles - Triples, Tanker, and Air Brakes) all in one sitting and without hesitation I knew all of the answers. Some were tricky and not in the Colorado Manual (which I had also read) however because of the knowledge I had gained from your course I was able to logically figure out the answers.

I can honestly say that had I simply read the CDL manual I would have struggled to pass the test at all. I am convinced your course made all the difference. I went in prepared and knew what to expect and how to answer.

Thanks again Brett. I'm gonna pass this on to anyone who is looking to get their CDL."

- Tom Cooper

I wanted to share something that just made me pat myself on the back today... I am currently attending the FFE Driving Academy (Now KLLM). Today was our final written exam for the school, tomorrow we go take the DPS written tests. Once the class tests were graded, our instructor told me that in the more than two years the school had been open and with all the hundreds of students that had gone through the program, I was the third person EVER to get a perfect score on all 5 written exams.

WOW!

Darn right I'm proud of myself, but I didn't do it alone. I can't express enough how helpful The High Road Training Program is, and can't thank Brett and TruckingTruth enough for putting it together.

- Joseph

"I think that the program is great! I love the way the halt feature works if it feels you're having a lot of trouble or just guessing, and the way the review system reinforces learning by re-introducing material in the form of review questions.

Even with the limited amount that I've completed thus far, I feel as if I was much more prepared when I began my schooling, and was amazed by the amount of material covered at school that I already knew just from having done this program here!"

- Rob "Moe Rhonic"

"My stress was easily cut in half by taking TruckingTruth's High Road online CDL course. I've taken many courses online and never have I seen a better product that can produce better results! I have fond memories spending endless hours studying. It was simple, clear, and so well thought out. I have absolutely nothing to criticize.

If I were to try and put a price tag on it, $250-450 easily! You and your Team of Truckers, which I can now say I legitimately am one, are the greatest!"

- Jay

"I have taken several courses via computer (Navy, private/instrument pilot exams, and teacher courses) and this incorporates all of the best of each. It is obvious you have spent an incredible amount of time bringing all of this information together.

Great job!"

- Larry

Understanding The Review System

The High Road Training Program™ will continuously adjust to your strengths and weaknesses as you work your way through. Each page of the program has its own set of questions. Along with those questions you'll see a mix of review questions from pages you've already completed. These review questions were not selected at random. We track your scores throughout the program and choose the questions you're struggling with the most, and those are the ones you'll be reviewing.

For instance...say you're ready to begin page 10. Before page 10 loads we calculate your scores on every question you've done so far, including all review questions, and decide which questions you need the most help with right now. Those high priority questions from the previous 9 pages will be loaded along with the questions from page 10.

So you don't have to keep track of what you're learning well and what you need help with - we're already doing that for you. Just work your way straight through the program and focus on getting every single question correct. We'll feed you the review questions you need the most help with throughout the program.

Do Not Guess At The Answers - Look Them Up!

Consider the quizzes at the end of each page to be a learning tool as opposed to a way of testing your knowledge. Repetition is the key to learning a large amount of materials, and the quizzes will help reinforce the correct information time and time again.

Keep in mind that your goal is to learn the materials, and guessing is not learning. In fact, guessing wrong will reinforce the incorrect answer, requiring extra repetitions of the correct answer to force the incorrect answer out of your mind.

So when taking the quizzes, please look up the correct answers and shoot for a perfect score on every quiz. With every review question you will see a link that will say "This is a review question. Click here to look up the answer". Please do it! Do not guess at the answers. We've put that link there so you can quickly and easily look up the answer. We want you to look it up. It's not a weakness or a failure on your part to have to look up the answer - that's a victory! Getting a question wrong is the only failure. So shoot for a perfect score on each quiz by looking up the correct answers each and every time. You'll learn the materials better and get through the program more quickly.

The High Road Online CDL Training Program

Our High Road Online CDL Training Program is a complete CDL test preparation course. It has everything you'll need to pass the CDL permit exam, the endorsement exams, and prepare for the start of CDL training:

  • The entire CDL manual is built right in and split into small sections
  • A few multiple choice questions follow each section
  • Score tracking and progress reports throughout the program
  • A review system helps you learn by reinforcing the correct answers
  • A friendly and easy to use interface makes it a breeze to use

We've found a way to teach you the entire CDL manual faster and easier than you thought possible. By breaking it down into small sections and reviewing the questions several times you'll be well prepared for your CDL exams!

Random Questions From The High Road™ CDL Training Program

Review Questions - Click On The Picture To Begin...

These Questions Are From The Illinois CDL Manual

Who creates the written route plan for transporting division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 explosives?
  • Shippers prepare the route plan in advance and give the driver a copy
  • Receivers prepare the route plan in advance and give the driver a copy
  • Drivers are responsible for preparing their own route plan
  • Carriers prepare the route plan in advance and give the driver a copy
This is a review question from page 73 - click here to look up the answer

Quote From Page 101 Of The CDL Manual:

If transporting Division 1.1, 1.2 or 1.3 (Class A or Class B) explosives, you must have a written route plan and follow that plan. Carriers prepare the route plan in advance and give the driver a copy. You may plan the route yourself if you pick up the explosives at a location other than your employer's terminal. Write out the plan in advance. Keep a copy of it with you while transporting the explosives. Deliver shipments of explosives only to authorized persons or leave them in locked rooms designed for explosives storage.

Next

Which day below contains a 30 minute break violation?

Day 1

Day 2

  • Both days contain at least one 30 minute break violation
  • Day 2 contains at least one 30 minute break violation
  • There are no 30 minute break violations on either day
  • Day 1 contains at least one 30 minute break violation
This is a review question from page 104 - click here to look up the answer

Quote From Page 0 Of The CDL Manual:

Day 1

Day 2

Violations: There is a 30 minute break violation on Day 1 which occurred from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Then, on Day 2, there is another 30 minute break violation from 4:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. as well as an 11 hour rule violation from 4:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. and a 14 hour rule violation from 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Explanation - 11 Hour Limit: After 10 consecutive hours off duty, the driver had 11 hours of driving time available at 10:00 a.m. on Day 1. After driving 8 hours (3 + 2 + 3), the driver took 8 consecutive hours in the sleeper berth, which, combined with the earlier 2 consecutive hours in the sleeper from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Day 1, made the driver eligible for the split sleeper berth provision. This moves the 11 hour calculation point to the end of the first of the two qualifying breaks, or 9:00 p.m. on Day 1. Between 9:00 p.m. on Day 1 and 8:00 a.m. on Day 2, the driver had 3 hours of driving, so at 8:00 a.m. there were 8 hours remaining (11 - 3), but he or she continued to drive for an additional 5 hours, after reaching the 11 hour limit at 4:00 p.m.

Explanation - 30 Minute Break: On Day 1, the driver remained on duty for more than 8 consecutive hours. While remaining on duty for longer than 8 consecutive hours is perfectly legal, the driver may not operate a CMV after being on duty for more than 8 consecutive hours unless a 30 minute break is taken. In the Day 1 example, the driver didn't meet that requirement until being on duty for 9 hours (1 hour beyond the limit), thereby violating the 30 minute break provision from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The driver also failed to take a 30 minute break on Day 2. Since the driver was on duty (driving) for more than 8 hours beginning at 4:00 p.m., all drive time after 4:00 p.m. was in violation of the 30 minute break provision.

Explanation - 14 Hour Limit: After 10 consecutive hours off duty, the driver had 14 hours available at 10:00 a.m. on Day 1. The driver reached the 14 hour limit at midnight (the 2 hour sleeper berth period is included in the 14 hour calculation because it is less than 8 hours). The driver then entered the sleeper berth for 8 consecutive hours and took advantage of the split sleeper berth provision. This moves the 14 hour calculation point to 9:00 p.m. on Day 1, the end of the first of the two qualifying breaks. Counting forward from there (and excluding the 8-hour sleeper period), the driver had 11 hours remaining as of 8:00 a.m. on Day 2. Those 11 hours were used up by 7:00 pm

Prev
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If unsure of the exact location of the center of gravity of your cargo, where would you rather have the center of gravity located if you couldn't get it centered?
  • Directly centered above the trailer tandems
  • About 5-10 feet in front of the trailer tandems
  • A little closer to the front than to the rear
  • About 15 feet behind the tractor drive axles
This is a review question from page 114 - click here to look up the answer

Quote From Page 0 Of The CDL Manual:

If unsure of the exact location of the center of gravity of your cargo, you'd rather have the load a little closer to the front than to the rear. You can slide the trailer tandems forward as far as you would like to compensate for too much weight on the nose of the trailer, but the kingpin to trailer tandem length limitations will prevent you from going too far back with your trailer tandems.

TruckingTruth's Advice:

A lot of times you'll be loading mixed cargo which will make it quite difficult to determine the exact center of gravity of the load. So when you're making your best guess, try to make sure it's a little forward of the center point between the drive axles and trailer tandems. That will give you the best chance of being able to adjust the trailer tandems so that the load will be legal.
Prev
Next
Which device inside the cab of a truck controls the Tractor Protection Valve
  • The brake pedal
  • The trailer hand valve
  • The red "trailer air supply" control valve
  • The yellow "parking brake" control valve
This is a review question from page 49 - click here to look up the answer

Quote From Page 73 Of The CDL Manual:

The tractor protection valve keeps air in the tractor or truck should the trailer break away or develop a bad leak. The tractor protection valve is controlled by the "trailer air supply" control valve in the cab. The control valve allows you to open and shut the tractor protection valve. The tractor protection valve will close automatically if air pressure is low (in the range of 20 to 45 psi). When the tractor protection valve closes, it stops any air from going out of the tractor. It also lets the air out of the trailer emergency line. This causes the trailer emergency brakes to come on.

Prev
Next
'Blocking' is defined as:
  • A rail along the side of a vehicle that protects the side of the vehicle from impacts.
  • A tapered or wedge-shaped piece used to secure round articles against rolling.
  • A structure, device, or another substantial article placed against or around an article to prevent horizontal movement of the article.
  • A vertical barrier across the front of the deck of a vehicle to prevent forward movement of cargo.
This is a review question from page 121 - click here to look up the answer

Quote From Page 2 Of The CDL Manual:

Blocking:

A structure, device, or another substantial article placed against or around an article to prevent horizontal movement of the article.

Prev
Next
During a pre-trip inspection, all belts should be checked. Which item in the engine compartment may be belt driven?
  • Turbo
  • Camshaft
  • Water pump
  • All of these may be belt driven
This is a review question from page 9 - click here to look up the answer

Quote From Page 16 Of The CDL Manual:

Check belts for tightness and excessive wear (alternator, water pump, air compressor)-learn how much "give" the belts should have when adjusted right, and check each one.

TruckingTruth's Advice:

When checking any belts, be sure they aren't frayed, cracked, or broken.

Prev
Next
It is accepted that friction mats provide a resistance to horizontal movement equal to:
  • 100% of cargo weight.
  • 10,000 lbs.
  • 20% of cargo weight.
  • 50% of cargo weight.
This is a review question from page 156 - click here to look up the answer

Quote From Page 2 Of The CDL Manual:

Note: Friction mats provide a resistance to horizontal movement equal to 50% of the cargo weight that is resting on the mat.
Prev
Next
What is Controlled Braking?
  • Applying the brakes as hard as possible without locking the wheels
  • Applying the brakes as hard as possible and locking the wheels
  • Applying and releasing the brakes to avoid locking the wheels
  • Applying only the trailer brakes using the trailer brake valve to avoid a jackknife
This is a review question from page 28 - click here to look up the answer

Quote From Page 43 Of The CDL Manual:

Controlled braking: With this method, you apply the brakes as hard as you can without locking the wheels. Keep steering wheel movements very small while doing this. If you need to make a larger steering adjustment or if the wheels lock, release the brakes. Reapply the brakes as soon as you can.

TruckingTruth's Advice:

A question about Controlled Braking and/or Stab Braking will likely show up on your written exam. Be sure to know the difference of each:

Controlled braking: With this method, you apply the brakes as hard as you can without locking the wheels.

Stab braking: Use only on vehicles without anti-lock brake systems.

  • Apply your brakes all the way.
  • Release brakes when wheels lock up.
  • As soon as the wheels start rolling, apply the brakes fully again. (It can take up to 1 second for the wheels to start rolling after you release the brakes. If you reapply the brakes before the wheels start rolling, the vehicle will not straighten out.)

Note that most newer equipment (including trailers) have Anti-Lock Brake systems. That means controlled / stab braking is done automatically via the ABS system.

Prev
Next
Which statement is true regarding low bridges:
  • Some road surfaces can cause a vehicle to tilt, but warning signs always account for that
  • Road repaving or packed snow may reduce the clearance of the bridge since the sign was posted
  • If you were able to clear a low bridge with a loaded trailer, you will be able to clear it with an empty trailer as well
  • Bridge clearance signs always account for 3 inches of packed snow
This is a review question from page 22 - click here to look up the answer

Quote From Page 32 Of The CDL Manual:

Hitting overhead objects is a danger. Make sure you always have overhead clearance.

Do not assume that the weights and heights posted at bridges and overpasses are correct. Repaving or packed snow may have reduced the clearances since the heights were posted.

The weight of a cargo van changes its height. An empty van is higher than a loaded one. That you got under a bridge when you were loaded does not mean that you can do it when you are empty.

If you doubt you have safe space to pass under an object, go slowly. If you are not sure you can make it, take another route. Warnings are often posted on low bridges or underpasses, but sometimes they are not.

Some roads can cause a vehicle to tilt. There can be a problem clearing objects along the edge of the road, such as signs or trees or bridge supports. Where this is a problem, drive a little closer to the center of the road.

Before you back into an area, get out and check for over-hanging objects, such as trees, branches or electrical wires. It is easy to miss seeing them while you are backing. (Also check for other hazards at the same time.)

Prev
Next
A cleat is a short piece of wood used:
  • To make pallets.
  • To set cargo on top of.
  • To reinforce blocking.
  • To fill empty space between cargo.
This is a review question from page 154 - click here to look up the answer

Quote From Page 2 Of The CDL Manual:

  • Cleat:

    A short piece of material, usually wood, nailed to the deck to reinforce blocking.

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