Comments By Jim M.

Hi all,

Yesterday I went to the DMV to test for and obtain my CDL Permit, which I did in fact get, passed the tests without much ado.

The officer who recorded my eye exam was a little concerned with my inability to correctly recite all of the 15 numbers highlighted on lines three and four. He mentioned that he was allowing me to take the test and marking me down as passing but recommended get my eyes examined soon, as he thinks I may need glasses for driving to account for the distance vision handicap.

My question is thus: Should I take this test right away or wait until after I complete they CDL exams and have a CDL license? I'm pretty sure I know the answer to my own question but would like some feedback from all of you.

Thanks everyone.

Congratulations Ken,

I got my CDL permit yesterday also. Good luck on your endorsements!

Congrats Billy!

It is a lot of work but as you have eluded too... it will be well worth it!

Day Five:

I have CDL Permit in hand!!

Passed the General Knowledge 100% correct, passed Combination Vehicles 100%, passed Air Brakes getting the first two wrong. That was all I would have been allowed to get wrong, two, so I had to ace the remainder of the test,

So that is that, and I also went and did a required urinalysis drug test. All set to start on the range on Monday.

Day Four:

We reviewed section on Air Brakes this morning and ran through Combination Vehicles section, not too overwhelming, the review of Air Brakes was very helpful and reinforced some misunderstandings I had going in.

So we took practice tests today in preparation for our permit tests tomorrow, the actual exams at the DMV will be General Knowledge - 30 questions, Air Brakes - 10 questions and Combination Vehicles - 10 questions. The practice ones we did independently today were: 111, 50 and 50 respectively. I got 6 wrong out of 111 and 3 wrong on the combination of 100. Not too bad, I should be fine for tomorrow's tests. All my paperwork is in order, i.e.: medical form and card, S.S. card, license, form for the test and a CDL Self-certification that CT DMV requires now, not sure what that is but I did that online.

No class tomorrow due to the testing, and we are required to take drug tests (urinalysis) tomorrow as well at a local lab. I can't believe week one is just about done, next week we begin on the range, likely with pre-trip procedures but we will be outside and getting to it!!

Stoked...(I think), I'm still in "pinch me mode".

Old School,

I love these very informative and detailed posts, and I am getting a lot of tips from you for when I get started out there.

The pier you were on is the rebuilt pier that I used to walk down to gain access to the U.S. Navy Submarine Tender "Fulton", AS-11 back in 1981-84. Thanks for the pic.

Guy and Daniel,

I believe you, trust me, I've seen enough "messes" made by the same people that have to use these things everyday, it makes no sense and you just wonder, as you so aptly put it Guy, "sub-human". And lets not even get started on how these things get enough graffiti in them to make a sharpie go dry... good grief!

If they put as much energy into their jobs as they do making a mess or creating drawings and rude comments, imagine the progress that could be made?!!

Ernie,

I am in school now, the recruiter from J.B. Hunt was in yesterday to tell us all about their company and accounts and such. Sounds like a great company to drive for. I will be keeping them on my radar too for when I think it may be a good to time to move.

That's the same reaction most people have when they're embarrassed about something stupid they've done - they immediately look to blame others. That's why you find so much company bashing on the other trucking websites. Tons of people screw up and immediately try to save face by blaming someone else and deflecting the attention away from themselves.

Sorry I hit the submit button before typing...

Brett I guess this is tantamount to your point about me "spouting off" about the way I think WIA grant programs are run. I am sorry to you and everyone else on this forum for showing a color that looks hideous on me. When I did not for even a second take into account that I didn't do my due diligence in researching the ins and outs of this program, it wasn't going to work for me and my situation, I attacked it instead. I put it down, bashed it, blamed it entirely on the government as if they are responsible for my inability to find out all that I could find out before opening my mouth or putting my fingers on the keyboard.

I apologize for looking like a fool.

That's the same reaction most people have when they're embarrassed about something stupid they've done - they immediately look to blame others. That's why you find so much company bashing on the other trucking websites. Tons of people screw up and immediately try to save face by blaming someone else and deflecting the attention away from themselves.