Profile For Wile E.

Our school training director did a YouTube video on the pre-trip. We were not required to do it in his exact order, but the video was a big help. I watched that thing every day. Also, one of my instructors showed me the order in which he did his in-cab portion, which made more sense to me and was easier to remember.

Also, we were allowed to use a cheat sheet during our on-field training. Some here have mentioned flash cards. I made an outline to use as a reminder (front and back of two pieces of paper), put it in a clear sleeve to keep the dirt/grime off of it, and carried it every pre-trip I did during training. Each time, I used the cheat sheet less and less, until I was getting through the pre-trip without help.

On exam day, I missed two things: I failed to call out check air pressure on the drive tires, and I missed a torsion bar on the trailer tandems.

The CDL school I attended had a simulator. Overall, I think they're a plus. Ours was a large simulator, 3 screens surrounding the driver, rear view mirrors were reasonably realistic, driver's seat, pedals, shifter, etc...

As FR8M4N said, it's the scenarios that really help. Is that driver going to back out of their driveway in front of me? Is that kid going to chase his football into the street? What impact is this rain or snow going to have on me?

As for how it felt to simply drive vs the real truck, I thought it was a bit lacking, but it's still valuable, especially if you're learning a manual transmission.

I think Biden forgets that on day one he stopped new federal leasing and banned fracking.

I think they would love for people to forget that and instead focus on Russia, Russia, Russia causing all this.

I've said this many times - we are living through the deliberate destruction of our economy, our laws, and our culture. Ultimate control for those who seek it will come in the form of a digital central currency and the elimination of physical currency. Once our currency is digital, the government will then have complete control over every facet of our lives.

To make this happen, they must first destroy the dollar completely, take us into a deep depression, then "build back better for our own good."

Harrison Bergeron?

Marc L,

I have spoken with one company that has a requirement along the lines of what you mentioned. I'll share the company name, and by doing so, understand that it is NOT meant negatively. In other words, I think they're a solid company, and they have a way of finding/hiring drivers that works for them. My info is not hearsay. I spoke with their recruiters multiple times, and they're very responsive on Messenger as well.

KLLM. They have their own school in three states, requiring that you have your permit, and they'll help you get your CDL. Those schools can only train students from those states, and a few other adjoining states. Their schools, as with many companies that offer company training, requires a year commitment.

If you don't live in one of their approved states (I don't), you must get your CDL through other means. For a new driver, that means a private school. After you get your CDL, they will then require you to go through their refresher course, which is only 8 or 9 days, and yes, you'll sign a contract for the cost of that refresher course, but it's only for 6 months, not a year or more.

At the time I was looking, their director of recruiting called me one day and said he was aware I was talking with their recruiters and wanted to update me on a change in their situation. He very politely went on to tell me they were temporarily hiring inexperienced drivers from their schools only. The reason was that they were struggling to have enough trainers to cover their own school graduates, and simply didn't have enough to also work with refresher course students. He said they only required 3 months experience to get you into your own truck, suggested I give them a call when I had earned that experience, and wished me well.

I've not spoken with them since July of this year, so I'm not aware if their situation has changed.

Anne is also correct about the new ELDT mandates. There is a list of schools that are in compliance with the mandate, and if the school isn't on that list, very likely a trucking company will not be interested in anyone coming from such a non-approved program.

Welcome aboard! As you're finding out, this site is a fantastic resource!

This happened earlier in the week in my home town of New Bern, NC, on the Trent River bridge. The driver survived, still in the hospital. The truck was not speeding, but thought to have been at or near the speed limit, which is 60 at this point, during heavy rain, tanker was empty.

Chuck Norris never has to trim his beard. It won't grow without his permission.

Congratulations!!

Congratulations! Wishing you all the best!

Best wishes on your test! You've got this!