Comments By Onsdag

I'm still in training with Roehl, and I can't really speak with any authority, but my understanding is they mostly operate east of the Mississippi River. Sure, they do loads out west too, but realistically I'm not sure how often that'll happen on the National Fleet since most of their business is currently in the midwest and eastern states.

I'm really hoping they expand their presence, growth, and business out west. My trainer is on the Intermountain fleet and we are regularly running from the Midwestern states out to Idaho/Utah/Arizona and back, so maybe that's an option for you.

It could also be that you're new and so they're giving you a lot of local loads to see how you do before sending you farther afield. Again, speaking without any real knowledge or authority. I'd give it some more time, and then talk with your FM again if you're not seeing the variety you're hoping for.

Who is the other member and how did you meet?

I'm on the right snd Onsdag is on the left. He introduced himself to me on my first day of training at Roehl here in Marshfield, WI. It was his final week and my first.

Love this! Hope both y'all do AWESOME, and share the givings (and mis') in the diaries' section!

Best to you BOTH, y'all !!! Haven't seen HIM on here, in a short bit .. (?!?!)

~ Anne & Tom ~

ps: Next time you see him, ask him (or if you can?) explain his screen name; thanks!

Thanks Anne, it's been great and Roehl is an amazing company, perfect match for me!

Sorry for the lack of updates - the school is pretty intense and there's very little free time for updates. What little free time we have is usually best spent on homework assignments and prepping for the CDL exam.

As for the origins of the name - midnight fox nailed it. Though I don't drink alcohol or worship Norse deity. ;-)

I actually picked up the name a long time ago. Several family/friends began playing an online game together - Dark Age of Camelot - and one of the factions we played (Midgard) is based on Norse mythology. We wanted a fun and cool way for people to recognize that we were family/friends in the game and so we came up with the idea of using the Norse days of the week for our usernames - I just happened to choose Wednesday, or Onsdag in Norwegian, and it's kinda stuck ever since. ^_^

Who is the other member and how did you meet?

We met here on Trucking Truth. I saw that we were both going to the Roehl GYCDL program in Marshfield, WI and met up with him there. All students stay at the same hotel, and I recognized him from his profile pic so I made sure to say hi.

First day of training and already meeting other members! It was amazing. Good luck out there Onsdag, and hopefully we'll meet up again.

It was great meeting you! Before you know it you'll have your CDL too!

Hello-

I have to say that I'm really surprised at how complicated the process is to get a CDL. I'm enrolling at a local tech college for the ELDT and need to have my CLP to start there. I'm studying the manual and was wondering, are you able to test each section individually or do you take all the tests at one time? Glad I found this resource. I plan to use the course here after I finish reading the manual.

Thank you all for being so generous with your time and knowledge.

Craig

I don't know if other states differ (I doubt it), but in Utah the CDL written exam (to get your learner's permit) you will have to take and pass 3 tests: 1) General knowledge, 2) Combination vehicle, and 3) Airbrakes. You will take all 3 tests at the same time, though they are technically separate sections, and will pay one fee for the test ($52 in Utah). You can also choose to take any of the endorsement tests at that time by paying a ($9 in Utah) fee for each additional test, which includes Tankers, Hazmat, Doubles/Triples, Passenger, and Schoolbus.

I don't know if you are allowed to take each test separately (i.e. take/pass the 3 required, go home, study for and then return later to take whatever endorsements you want). I'm pretty sure you can add the endorsements later, but I would recommend going ahead and studying for and taking everything all at once. The actual tests don't take very long and doing so seems more practical to me than returning to the DMV later to retest. The only real reason I would consider taking them separately is if finances are limited. Even then I'd just save up and do it all at once.

Also, I think you do have to wait to take the hazmat endorsement until you're cleared by the TSA. Other than that though I see no reason not to take them all at once.

Well folks, I did it! I ACED ALL 3 Parts!! And I have my start date, May 31st in Marshfield Wisconsin. I'd like to thank everyone involved in the creation of the High Road Training program of all the great information that helped me pass the tests, for everyone's support and words of encouragement and well wishes, and now it's time for my own training diary to pay it forward to anyone who has concerns, thoughts, and to keep everyone apprised of what I'm up to. I can't say thank you enough to everyone on here, I am in your debt.

Congratulations! Absolutely stoked for you!

Maybe we'll cross paths as that's where I am and just started on the 16th. I'm really glad I applied for and was accepted by Roehl, as their values and especially their focus on safety closely mirrors my own. Everyone here has been absolutely wonderful and I know you'll have a great time!

Good luck and keep studying, it'll help make your transition smoother as the program here is pretty intense (in a good way)!

I just got hired on by Roehl and am in their GYCDL program. My past 3 years of work experience include Domino's Pizza, Instacart, and Doordash. They just required proof that I've worked for or am working with the gig economy jobs - such as tax documents, screenshots of driver profile and earnings within the apps, etc.

I don't know what goes on behind the scenes and what exactly their qualifications are, but they accepted me. I'm certain it probably helps to have a clean driving record.

I kinda wish I'd come across this thread earlier. But, since I didn't, I'd also like to proffer my thoughts, based on my own experience, to help others who may follow.

I studied all sections of the HRT and went through the tests about 1.25 times. I did this over the course of about 3 weeks as I had time. I had a basic grasp on much of the materials taught, but there were a few sections that I struggled through (pre-trip inspections - I'm more of a visual and hands-on learner. Also, struggled with logbooks and some of the mathematics and calculations, e.g. fuel weights, burnoff, mileage, etc. I can do it, it just takes a little bit). After successfully completing HRT I started studying my state (Utah) CDL manual. I got about 30 pages in before I tired of it as it covered much* of what the HRT did, and so I decided to go to take the real test at the DMV.

*Note: There were several things covered in the Utah CDL manual that the HRT did NOT cover. At all. At least that I could remember.

I initially tested for General, Combination, and Air Brakes. I failed the General, but passed the other two. As Travis and penn99 noted above there were a number of questions that were asked which were vastly different than what HRT covered. But it was also my fault as I had not prepared as I should have by finishing study of the Utah manual and instead relied too heavily on the knowledge gleaned from HRT. They asked if I wanted to retake the General and I said yes, as well as adding Doubles/Triples and Tanker. The second time I passed the General as they asked more questions that were covered by the HRT, and repeated several that I had failed on the first go so I knew the right answer (you can review your failed questions to learn what the right answer is and why). I also passed the other endorsements.

So, if I were to start over and take it again, or offer my advice to others, my personal opinion would be as follows:

1. Be patient with yourself and don't rush your studies, and, when the time comes, the actual test. 2. Read through your state's manual! It will likely contain material not found in the HRT (or other online practice tests), and may be more specific to your state laws. 3. Study and take the HRT (and/or other online practice tests). You can do this at your own speed, and the HRT test is fantastic in that it regularly tests your knowledge on previous chapters and material covered. Don't be afraid to restart the test or redo chapters that you struggle with. Also, make sure to click on the notes as they often expound on or emphasize important points that are key. 4. Read through your state's manual again, as this will give a refresher on material that is specific to your state and which WILL be found on the test. 5. Don't get too stressed out and worried about knowing every little detail. You don't have to get 100% to pass the test. Furthermore, you can take each test up to 2 times before a second fee is required. I don't know if there is an upper limit on how many times you can retake the test. 6. Go take the test! 7. Remember step 1 - Be patient with yourself. Even though the test is timed you'll find that you have plenty of time, especially if you have studied the material well. If you don't know the exact answer you can usually work through the problem with some common sense (though there are a few tricky ones that seem to go against reason!). Also remember step 5 - If at first you don't succeed, try try again! You will learn from your mistakes and you will also likely be asked many of the same questions, making it easier next time. 8. Success!

Congratulations!

I'm actually in the same position as you. Jumping in the deep end. Got my learners permit last week and applied for Roehl as well. Waiting to hear back from them, and hopefully I can get started in the next couple of weeks.

Hey guys,

Thanks again everyone for the helpful feedback and advice. I've just completed the High Road Online CDL Training Course and am looking now to take the next steps. I started the process of applying for company-sponsored paid CDL. I've taken a look through the companies suggested above, as well as a few others, and so far my short list is:

Roehl. I'm really liking what I'm seeing so far. Their focus on safety is a big plus for me, and everyone seems to agree their training program is top notch. Also, I'd be employed with them from day one, which is another big positive. A couple of things I'm not sure about though: 1) It appears they primarily operate in the Eastern U.S.? I'm ok with traveling for school, and of course I'm fine with OTR work, but it'd be nice to operate a little closer to home. I'm also uncertain of the logistics of it. I live in Utah and it doesn't look like they have any terminals or yards nearby, so how would I get to/from work? Would they fly me to/from work, or do they have operations in Utah I'm not aware of? 2) It appears they are mostly flatbed? I'm not opposed to hard work, but my age is starting to catch up with me and I'm not sure if I want to be adding the extra miles to the body that flatbed work would entail. Still, I'm not entirely opposed to it, it's just that I'd prefer to not have that extra work-load. And this may be a non-issue as they do have other fleets beside flatbed which I could likely get into.

Prime. They have a school in and also operate out of Salt Lake, which would be nice as it's close to home. This also ensures I get my CDL in my home state. I've heard good things about them as a company, and their training program is more one-on-one and hands on, which I like. A couple of holdbacks: 1) They won't start their next classes for a couple of months. While this does give me some time to get some other things in order, such as getting my learners permit and passport, I'd also like to get going quickly instead of waiting another couple months. 2) While it does look like they pay you while training, you're not officially employed by them until after you successfully complete training and get your CDL, which they say could take 3-4 months, which could be as late as October.