Profile For Doug S.

I can't seem to find a clear answer anywhere. Some of these sites are hard to navigate. I have a scheduled appointment for a DOT medical exam, but it's expensive. I am going to school for CDL B license, and I only want to drive interstate. Do I still need to get an exam?

I am going for my permit test this coming week. I know I can past the general knowledge easily. I am currently studying air brakes, but I want to know if I need endorsements for my permit with the A License? Or can I just take the general knowledge test and get a permit without endorsements?

Thank you, Chris and G town. Yes, I am taking the high road program on this site. I am just about finished with 'driving safetly', and I have already studies some air brakes, double and triples. It's definitely better than just reading the manual. I think I got a little ahead of myself, watching videos on turning and backing before I ever even tried it. I take my permit test next week and I will send an update then!

I am almost ready to take my permit test. Last night I was watching youtube videos of how to make proper right and left turns. It scared the hell out of me. I know for right turns in one lane, you must position your trailer close to the curb so nobody passes you. Then, you drive the tractor slightly to the left and use some of the opposite lane to turn in, and swing back to the right once you have completed the turn. What these videos never showed is what to do if there is a car in the opposite lane stopped, which wouldn't give you room to make the wide turn.

Same for left turns. If I am making a left turn with two turning lanes onto a double lane road, I stop in the right most turning lane. Then, I move forward until my shoulder is facing the lane divider, and make the turn. My trailer would swing a little bit into the other lane, while I am turning into the right lane.

I am very intimidated about some of these things. I am going to a truck driving school after I get my permit, but could anyone help qualm my fears? Maybe link my to a helpful video? I would really appreciate it, today I have been kind of second guessing myself.

Good job Chad. I am currently studying for my permit and I have been reading training diaries to see what it's like for people. Glad it's going well so far.

I am planning on getting the DOT physical tomorrow. I have recently had to renew my insurance, and I have a prescription for Celexa, a depression medication, waiting for me at the pharmacy. I assume I am going to need a note from my doctor for the medication. My question is - can I get the DOT medical exam before getting this note? Or should I schedule an appointment and get the note first? It may take a week or so to see the doctor since my insurance as not kicked in yet.

I am trying to get the ball rolling here. I am taking the high road program on this site and I have a CDL permit study class at a trucking school on June 9th. If you want to share with me how much you had to study for the test, please do. I am spending a couple of hours a day studying but it makes me retake practice questions so often, even though I usually score 92%.

Then , once I get my permit, I begin training at this school.

I am 28 years old and I threw my back out working at a warehouse this winter. I am sick of living in poverty and I am dying to make a living wage. Truck driving is something I have been considering for a while, and I am now serious about it. I got the manual last year but decided I would need classes to really get it. When I read it, I see things like emergency air lines, and I have no idea what they would even look like, so it's tough to learn by just reading the words. I would rather have an instructor explain these things and show me in person.

I signed up for a local driving school CDL B package. I have a study class on June 9th. I initially considered local delivery jobs, but now I think I may want to go full on tractor trailer. I don't mind being away from home for long periods of time as I have no girlfriend or kids.

The problem is, I am intimidated by certain things. Driving a tractor trailer through heavy traffic just sounds tough. Learning all of these procedures I haven't even heard of, taking tests for the endorsements that each consist of 50+ questions. I read forums here written by people who went off to be trained for weeks by a company, and I think I might want to do that.

It's worth mentioning that while I am intimidated by learning to drive a 25,000 pound vehicle, I am a very good driver and have had no accidents in the 13 years I have had my license.

Does anyone have any advice for me? Should I apply for an on the job training if I pass my permit test? I am sure a lot of others went into this career and didn't know anything at first.