Comments By Seatack

Day 11 (9/6/22)

We were given a reading assignment over the holiday weekend to prepare us for our first few days of CVD II.

-FMCSA: Part 395 Hours of Service Rules

-J.J.Keller ELDT textbook: Chapter 23: Hours of Service

We started the day outside on the training pad for our first walk thru of the pre-trip inspection. Our Instructor did an entire pre-trip inspection on the outside (engine, tractor, coupling system, and trailer). He advised us to make notes in our pre-trip packet and I also recorded the bulk of the inspection on my phone.

After the demo on the outside of the vehicle we broke into groups of 4 and each group was given a truck. We were instructed to start practicing our outside the vehicle pre trip until our instructor came back around to our group. He would be going group to group to do the in-cab inspection and brake check (safe start checklist, brake tests and exterior light check).

We continued with our pre-trip practice until it was lunchtime.

After lunch it was back to the classroom for a pop quiz on this weekend’s reading assignment. We followed that with a J.J. Keller video on “Hours of Service Regulations”.

We finished the video and then did a worksheet called “The 70 Hour Challenge”. This was our first introduction to the 70 hour / 8 day Rule ( and 60 hour / 7 day rule). We were also introduced to the 34 hour reset provision. That wrapped up our day.

Day 12 (9/7/22)

Our instructor told us today would be a half day for us. He had been selected to administer pre trip test for the students in the other class who were scheduled to begin their state testing.

We headed outside to do nothing pre-trip practice and in cab inspections and brake checks for the remainder of our class time. We were released for the day at what would have been our normal lunch break time.

Day 10 (9/2/22)

Today is the last day of CVD I, in order to move into the next section of the class you need to have a passing grade and have your CLP in hand.

We started the day with our instructor collecting and making copies of our driver’s license and CLP. There were 3 students who did not pass all the written tests at DMV to acquire their permits, one student left his wallet at home!

We had our final review for the course final and we played KAHOOT! Of course I was excited to get back at my rival classmate. And I did just that, back in 1st place.

After that we had our course final, a 75 question test on everything we covered in the 1st two weeks.

Our instructor began grading our tests and put on a video for us titled “Life on the Road”. It showed life as an OTR driver from 3 different driver perspectives. All 3 of the drivers had LoneStar edition International trucks. What a beautiful truck! All the bells and whistles and premium features!

We were given our final grades for the test and the course overall. I passed the course with a 96-A!

We were then given an option for the rest of the day. Students who still needed to acquire their CLP were released to go back to DMV and retest. The remaining students could either go home for the day or take lunch and return to get some simulator time.

Of course I couldn’t pass up getting some time on the simulator! So I went to lunch and came back. Of the 12 students who had their CLP 6 of us came back for the simulator.

There are 3 simulators, only 2 were working at the time. So we rotated seat time.

Our first activity was called “The Beat”. Preparing us for double clutching, we had to shift out of gear and into gear in a smooth, rhythmic timing. It didn’t matter what gear we shifted to just make sure we did it on time and we double clutched. It took me 2 tries but I made it thru. Most of the other students got it, but 2 greatly struggled.

Next up was actually double clutching and shifting to the right gears. Part one was only gears 1-5. We all struggled and took multiple attempts at passing this section. Only one student completed this task and it wasn’t me. The simulator has a lot of valuable tools. The issue I ran into while trying to complete this task was clutch depth. I was spot on with my clutch position when shifting out of gear ( from gear to neutral), but the simulator kept saying clutch too deep when shifting from neutral into gear.

My instructor could see my frustration and ensured me I was doing just fine. He told us we were doing just as well (or as bad for that matter), as his previous classes. He ensured us that clutch position on the real trucks would be more forgiving. He said the simulator wants everything to be perfect, and to not get down on ourselves. He even went thru the exercise himself to show us he is not perfect either. Still not sure if he did that on purpose or not.

He gave us an overview of what to expect in CVD II, and told us he would see us next week! Monday is Labor Day so our class would resume on Tuesday.

I took my ELDT training online for the Hazmat endorsement to satisfy the new law.

Seatack, were you able to take the online training/class for the Hazmat endorsement on your own before you started school, or were you already enrolled? I'm wanting to get this done but having trouble finding the info I need.

Sandman, everything that Mark stated is 100% correct. Even down to the website I got my training on!

Day 7 (8/30/22)

We continued our coverage on the general knowledge section of the CDL manual (anti-lock braking systems, skid control & recovery). We followed that by watching a J.J. Keller video on “Skid Management”. We then had a quiz on Skid Control and Recovery.

We had a short break and then we dove right back into the general knowledge section of CDL manual, this time the sub sections on Accident procedures and Fires. As you can probably see there is a pattern to this curriculum. Manual reading, then a J.J. Keller video. So of course, next up was a video on Accident procedures. I can’t lie I’m starting to get a little bored with all the manual reading. I understand the first few weeks is all about getting the CDL permit but, since I have mine already the repetitiveness is getting to me a little. I’m pushing through nonetheless.

Finally it was time for lunch, I really needed a pick me up. I had some Chinese takeout and Monster!

I returned to class so we could finish the last section under general knowledge, “Alcohol and Drugs” & “Hazardous Materials”. Onto chapter 3, Cargo Securement. We then watched a J.J. Keller video titled........ you guessed it, “Cargo Securement”.

We have finally covered all the sections in the CDL manual necessary for the CDL permit tests. We had our first 2 DMV practice tests for the CDL permit. This one was open-book.

We finished our day with our introduction to the FMCSA Safety Regulations manual. (The little green book, as my instructor calls it). We had a look-up exercise where we were given a regulation and then had to choose the appropriate multiple choice answer. I can honestly say some of those regulations felt like they were written to be more confusing than they actually needed to be. I guess it’s a good thing we aren’t expected to remember any of them, just need to know where to find them and to interpret it ( at least to the best of our knowledge).

That completed our day.

Day 8 (8/31/22)

Today is all about review. Tomorrow is the day everyone who doesn’t have their permit already goes to DMV.

We started with any final questions on anything we covered in the general knowledge section of the CDL manual.

Now it’s time for our favorite game so far..... KAHOOT! Time for me to defend my crown as the number 1 player in the class.

Well.....It didn’t go as well as I thought It would and I ended up back in the first loser’s position. The same student who’s been battling me all class took 1st. We had a lot of fun, our instructor even mixed in a few pop culture questions to mix it up.

We had our 2nd DMV practice test. Graded and reviewed. It seemed like most of the students are confident they will pass their written tests at DMV.

We finished the day with a J.J. Keller video on “Roadside Inspections”.

In anticipation of the DMV appointments we were released early.

Day 9 (9/1/22) No class! Today was the day to acquire the Commercial Learner’s Permit. For those of us who already have it, we got the day off.

Are you guys using this training module, by chance? JJ Keller Safe & Smart . When you have time (haha!) look that over. It deals with endorsements, and is pretty awesome, especially if available in your curriculum. It enables you to get the HazMat endorsement early on, while you're already studying and learning. It's harder for someone getting licensed after the ELDT to obtain later on, than it would be.. say, PackRat.

Our curriculum doesn’t deal with endorsements at all. Fortunately for me, I already have the tanker endorsement on my permit. I have also passed the doubles/triples as well. We have a week of “night driving” coming up and I will go to DMV and take the written for the Hazmat endorsement during the day then. I took my ELDT training online for the Hazmat endorsement to satisfy the new law. I actually already have my TWIC card too, which should speed up the background check thru TSA/Homeland Security. As you can probably tell, I wanted to get as far ahead as I could before starting CDL school.

Day 5 (8/26/22)

We started the morning continuing our discussion on the pre trip packet we received the previous day. Our instructor then told us about all the things that are listed in the “automatic fail” list for our state tests. We then watched a J.J. Keller video on pre and post trip inspections.

We had a short break and then took a non-graded quiz on “in-cab inspection”. After the quiz review, we dove right back into the general knowledge section of the CDL manual, specifically the section on vehicle control (accelerating, steering, stopping, backing safely and shifting). We then were released for lunch.

After returning from lunch we watched a YouTube video by CDL college on shifting. I was very familiar with this video as I had watched it multiple times already. I feel it really explains the concept of double clutching extremely well, as well as the positions of the “hard” and “soft” walls.

After that, we continued in the general knowledge section of the CDL manual.

It was now Friday and we made it through our 1st week successfully. We were rewarded by our instructor, who assigned us seven chapters to read in our ELDT textbook for the weekend! (Speed management, space management, hazard perception, night ops, extreme weather, railroad crossing, and skid control)

Day 6 (8/29/22)

Monday morning. We started the morning by setting DMV appointments for all students who didn’t have their permit already. There will be no class on Thursday, everyone will be given the day to go to DMV to test for their permits. Those of us who had it already would have a day off! Yay!

Another pop quiz! This time on turns, intersections and roundabouts. There were a bunch of students who evidently didn’t do the reading assignments over the weekend. Our instructor went on to tell us the importance of these tests and quizzes. Although passing the 3 state mandated tests will ensure you get your CDL license, this is a college course. You need an average score of 80% or C average, over the entire 8 week course in order to receive the 320-hour career certificate. A D is passing (70%) but not good enough for that career training certificate. He continued on by telling us the difficulties we would encounter as a rookie driver looking for work without it.

We were given a break from the reading and lectures we had encountered the first week. Today was video day!

We watched 8 videos in total.

6 from J.J.Keller - Road hazards - Distracted driving - Night driving - Railroad crossings - Mountain driving - Emergency maneuvers

2 from YouTube - Railroad crossings accidents - Trucks using runaway ramps

Lunch was sandwiched somewhere in between all theses videos. We were told tomorrow we would have our first quiz on general knowledge. Our instructor assigned a few chapters in the ELDT textbook (post crash procedures, drugs/alcohol, driver wellness and handling cargo). We were also told to read section 3 in the CDL manual on cargo securement. Then it was time to go home.

Good luck with your plan. I'll be following.

Thank you PackRat! As you can probably tell by the dates I'm a little further ahead in the class than my diary is so far. I have taken good notes, I'll be sure to get caught up ASAP.

Wish you the best, as well! Sure sounds like a great program, from a Florida (transplant!) and a NY'er BORN!

Glad to see ya stop back, sir! I'll be following, and hoping you all the best.

Let us know how it goes, all is well that ends well, good sir.

~ Anne ~

ps: Pre Hires, as TMC .. are a GOOD THING!

• Article: Understanding Pre-Hire Letters: The What, Why, And How Of This Important Step
• Trucker's Wiki: "Pre-Hire Letters"
• Forum Topics Tagged "CDL Pre-Hire Letters"

pps: for now, FOLLOW ALONG! Apply For Truck Driving Jobs

I'll still wonder .. Still not sure why you wouldn't go with Cypress . . . right in your back yard ~!

Thank you Anne! I will be sure to check out those links!

Honestly, I visited Cypress and wasnt impressed. It is close to me but, FSCJ was even closer. They also kept pushing the contract on me, and I really didn't want that. I was fine with paying for school on my own.

Day 3 (8/24/22)

Our class has been cut down to 15 students. One student failed his drug test.

Started the morning off playing Kahoot. (It’s a question and answer game online, you get points for answering correctly and bonus points for answering quickly). The instructor said we will use this multiple times as an interactive review. This time it was all about Air Brakes. I placed second.

We had Air Brake quiz number 2. It was graded and then we reviewed it. Next up we started on section 6 in the cdl manual, Combination Vehicles. We then watched a J.J. Keller video on backing (90 degree alley dock, straight, offset and parallel. After the video, it was time for lunch.

We returned from lunch and had our final written test on Air Brakes. Following that, we continued and finished the Combination Vehicles section of the CDL manual.

We watched another J.J. Keller video, this time on Coupling & Uncoupling. We then headed out to the pad for a demonstration on coupling and uncoupling. We were given 4 chapters to read in our ELDT textbook and then we were dismissed.

Day 4 (8/25/22)

Pop quiz! Surprise, surprise (not really).

Quiz was actually open book and all about combination vehicles. We once again reviewed and discussed the results. Now it was time for another Kahoot! I really wanted to win this one but ended up placing 2nd, again. This was all about Combination vehicles, we all had a good laugh at some of the answers that were put into the game (my instructor likes to add what he calls a bit of “dad” humor).

We then had Combination Vehicle quiz #2, which was closed book. Some students didn’t do so well. Some complained that there were questions on the quiz that we didn’t talk about. Our instructor agreed but, reiterated the need to read the designated chapters on our own as that information could be found there. If it’s in the manual, or textbook, it’s fair game!

We played 2 more Kahoot games on combination vehicles. This time I placed 1st on both! The guy who beat me out on the first two games placed second both times. It looks like he and I will be battling it out for the next few weeks. I love competition and I’m always up for the challenge!

We then broke for lunch. When we returned we had our Final test on combination vehicles.

After test review we had our first introduction to the Pre-Trip inspection. We were given a packet developed by the college with all the information needed to pass that portion of the state test. We were also told about our state testing procedures and given dates.

All 5 instructors at the college are state certified. We will do all of our testing with them. When we get to the driving portion of the course we will be split into groups of 4, and paired with one of the instructors for the entire 4 weeks. We will not be “tested out” by the instructor we were paired with. It will be one of the other 4.

Now onto the longest section of the CDL manual, general knowledge. We got thru about a fourth of that section and then we were dismissed for the day.

(There are 4 other students who also have their permit already. We have a bit of a head start seeing how this isn’t the first time we’ve reviewed these sections of the CDL manual.)

Day 2 (8/23/22)

Started the day with our first recruiter visit! The company was TMC. I was familiar with seeing those beautiful black and chrome Peterbilts rolling around town. (not to mention, I just had a friend start with them about 2 months ago). He answered lots of questions, left us with a pamphlet and his business card. The recruiter passed around a sheet for us to put our contact info down for anyone who was interested.

We will be working out of our CDL manual and the J.J. Keller ELDT textbook for the next two weeks.

We went through chapter 1 in the CDL MANUAL (Intro). Then proceeded to finish the chapter on Air Brakes we started the previous day. We watched a J.J. Keller video on air brakes and then we left for our 1 hour lunch.

After lunch we had an open book quiz on air brakes. After the instructor graded our quizzes and we reviewed them, we headed out to the pad for our first look at a truck. He gave us an overview of brake components and an air brake demonstration.

We headed back in for reading assignments and then were relased.

Day 1 (8/22/22)

First day of class. We started the day with our Instructor introducing himself and then giving us a course syllabus and outline. The class is broken down into 4 sections.

CVD 1 - 2 weeks, Intro into trucking. Preparation for state permit exams (general knowledge, combination vehicles, air brakes). Must obtain permit to proceed to next class.

CVD 2 - 2 weeks, overview of required operational and daily skill set of commercial drivers (hours of service, monthly summary, trip planning and eldt theory)

CVD 3 - 4 weeks, Vehicle Inspection and backing

CVD 4 - 4 weeks, Road driving

(**CVD 3 and 4 are ran concurrently.)

After that we proceeded to student intros and then had a visit from our campus admin and security briefing. We concluded the day by starting the chapter on air brakes in the cdl manual.