Profile For Edward P.

All of the information provided to you is great, so I am going to touch on something that hasn't been addressed yet.

You said that you have been told that you need to work on turns. Ok, when you ask how you are doing on something and the answer is for you to work on something, follow that up by asking for specifics. Let the person know that you want to get better and that you would appreciate being told what things you can do in order to get better in the areas where you need the most improvement. Do this when you begin training out on the road after getting your license. The person who is seeing you operate the vehicle is best able to advise how to improve.

Will do! If I do fail, I do get an extension, so I'll ask for sure.

When making a left turn, you always start turning once you're in the middle of the intersection?

For right turns, are they always wide?

As RD pointed out not all turns are the same. The easiest way to handle turns is take all the room you have and/or need. Where your Tandems are will also play a role in how wide you need to take your turn.

For your CDL test the biggest things that will dock you points is impeding traffic, hitting curbs (automatic fail), speeding and swinging too wide to the point a car can squeeze in. You also want to do a buttonhook turn as opposed to a jug handle for your test. In the real world it isn't uncommon to straddle the center line to make some turns (particularly on surface streets) but not for the state test. For my state test the school had our tandems about the middle. We had to take a right turn onto a 4 lane road. During our practice runs the instructor was adamant we NOT do a buttonhook turn. His reasoning was if a car is there we will either end up waiting so we can do a buttonhook (impeding traffic since we have green light). He had us hug the center line while still in our lane, take as much room as we can to stay in our 2 lanes and make minor adjustments to "walk" the tandems around the curve and get the tractor back into the right lane as soon as our tandems cleared. They're not expecting you to be perfect but you need to demonstrate you can safely operate the vehicle. Right now you're just learning how to pass a test. You'll see that much of what they preach in CDL school isn't what happens in the real world. Your first company will teach you how to drive in the real world.

As Steve pointed out your instructors will be your best resource in this. They've had success getting other students to pass their test, they're familiar with the test route but more importantly what exactly you need to improve on.

Thank you!!

Hey all, I have my test on Wednesday and I'm real nervous.

When making a left turn, you always start turning once you're in the middle of the intersection?

For right turns, are they always wide?

I would hope your instructors have been getting you to drive the same route you’ll be testing on. That was my experience in both the road test and company orientation.

Have you been successful in your turns during the learning portion of your training? If so, keep doing it. If not, you’re probably not ready for testing and, if this is the case, your instructors should be able to point out where your improvements are needed.

Yeah, they've been decent. They'll just say I need to improve on turns, not really saying much else. But these answers are helpful

Let me start with good luck on that test Wednesday. I am going to guess you are referring to CDL permit test, correct?

To get to the questions at hand. So lefts you got more room so yeah turn about middle and your good. Keep in mind some trucks have different turning radius so some got to put more effort in turning or turn a bit early. Also about the right turns you don't typically have to make them wide when bobtailing but yes most the time you need them wide so the trailer doesn't hit something like a curb or pole unless your swift (just a joke). Again depends on truck some also like turning radius and if a long nose or round nose truck.

Hope this helped some not really great at explaining per say but I drive a lot at night and so I take my 30min like now and may be the only one awake on the forum currently. Might as well try helping out.

My actual test for the license!

Hey all, I have my test on Wednesday and I'm real nervous.

When making a left turn, you always start turning once you're in the middle of the intersection?

For right turns, are they always wide?

Testing on Wednesday and maneuvers were definitely something I struggled with.

Any advice on parallel parking? In TX, for my school, we need to be watching for our 4 and 2 cones. This is the part that I mess up on. Like, once you're ready for the straight back part. I can never seem to understand how to correct myself if cone 2 is not in view, same with if 4 is not in view. I do get an extension bc I'm going through workforce solutions here in TX but I'd like to just pass the first time around.

I have orientation for CDL school today at my local community College.

It might be wise to wait and see if you are eligible for hire before you go to CDL school.

If you earn CDL and don't use it for a long period of time (not sure how long) you may be required to take a refresher course before being hired. Although you could work around this by being hired (when eligible) by a company that has paid training, which you will be required to complete before going solo.

Luckily, I called the company that got me my pre-hire letter and they don't require it!

Your perspective company does not require training? Did I read that correctly?

Hm? The company doesn't require you to have your regular license for a set amount of time is all :) they do training once you have your CDL

First time driving and having a license for one month?

I've been driving for years. I just never actually got my license.

You mean you have been driving with no license all this time? If so, it does not bode well for you. Breaking laws will end your career before it even gets started. I hope I just misunderstood what you wrote.

That's obviously what I meant. My life was **** for 10 years and that was the last thing on my mind. My life is in order now and want to get things going. Thanks tho

Edward, nobody has walked in your shoes. If everything is in order, I wish you well. Stay connected with this forum as it can be an invaluable aid to you getting started.

Sorry if I came off rude! I appreciate it :)

First time driving and having a license for one month?

I've been driving for years. I just never actually got my license.

You mean you have been driving with no license all this time? If so, it does not bode well for you. Breaking laws will end your career before it even gets started. I hope I just misunderstood what you wrote.

That's obviously what I meant. My life was **** for 10 years and that was the last thing on my mind. My life is in order now and want to get things going. Thanks tho

I have orientation for CDL school today at my local community College.

It might be wise to wait and see if you are eligible for hire before you go to CDL school.

If you earn CDL and don't use it for a long period of time (not sure how long) you may be required to take a refresher course before being hired. Although you could work around this by being hired (when eligible) by a company that has paid training, which you will be required to complete before going solo.

Luckily, I called the company that got me my pre-hire letter and they don't require it!