Comments By Eric P.

So as I've mentioned before I currently go to school in Illinois but, I'll be testing in Indiana.

When I'm doing the 4 point air brake inspection I really only have to remember

1) Governor cuts in below 100 psi 2) Governor cuts out between 100-140 psi 3) Low air pressure warning light and buzzer should come on before 60 psi 4) BOTH tractor and trailer parking/spring/emergency brakes should pop out at 20-45 psi 5) During the static brake test I can't lose more than 3 psi in a minute and during the applied I can't lose more than 4 psi in a minute (in a combination vehicle). 6) and at approximately 150 psi the Safety release valve should expel excess air pressure to protect the system. 7) When starting any of the brake system tests (Tractor Parking, Trailer Parking, Tractor Service, and Trailer Service) I should make sure I have at least 100 psi in my air tanks.

Did I get all that right? Also, Will the SoS examiner ask me about how to perform a hydraulic brake test?

Yeah. I've already felt how to float the gears between 2-3. I mean I go through the motions of double clutching but, half the time it's slipped into 3rd before I'm really pressing the clutch the 2nd time around.

So I've been been out driving a couple of times and as I'm only taking weekend classes I have alot of time to criticize what I do wrong. Mostly according to my teachers. I go "too deep" on the clutch when shifting and I coast to long. AGH! I feel like whenever I'm coming to a stop I'm about to stall the truck.

It's easy enough to stop going to deep on the clutch by just shifting my seat back a bit more but, I suppose my question is how can you come to a complete stop while in gear without excessive coasting?

For example I'll be in 8th gear coming up to a red light. I take my foot off the fuel pedal ( leaving the truck in gear ) and slowly depress the brake pedal. But, before I can get to the red light the truck is down to about 500 rpm and feels like it's lugging and wants to stall so I push the clutch in and coast the rest of the way up... Is it just suppose to feel that way?

Still currently in school and I don't graduate until mid Dec. but, I'm already starting to research what companies I want to drive for and I've narrowed my choices down to my top 5 picks. Now I'm hoping some of you can shed some light on these companies:

U.S Xpress Averitt Werner KLLM/FFE Maverick

I already know out of all of those companies that Maverick uses Automatic transmissions in lieu of a manual transmission which would be a shame for me to go to all this trouble to learn shifting and then never use it... but, if the pay and benefits are good enough to support my family then I'll do what I have to do.

I already did the basic research so I know what each company pays new students, their benefits, training pay, Home time, CPM, Tuition Reimbursement etc.. What I want to know is how those companies treat their drivers? And if you know which ones make you wear uniforms. I think Averitt does but, not sure about the rest.

Thanks all,

Eric

I'm going to have to go to an approved Indiana testing facility. They rent trucks there. Which I think is another disadvantage for me. I won't be a familiar with the truck I'm testing in :(

I know you mentioned not floating gears but, what about skip shifting?

Hello all, First time poster here. So I've just started my CDL training at a private school in Illinois. Star Truck Driving School. So far I've had to do a lot of the things on my own. I had to pass the 3 DMV tests on my own in Indiana. Now the other students I'm with will all be taking their tests at the school with a DMV Tester coming out to the school. This gives them a huge advantage in that they already know the tractor's and most likely the route the tester will want them to take.

My problem/question comes up because my instructors told me NOT to tell the Indiana testing facility that I went to a school in Illinois. Is this really a problem? The 2nd part of my question is that the Illinois school is teaching me what I need to know to pass the Illinois test not Indiana and there are differences however subtle i.e. the parking brake knob will pop out at 20-40 psi. That's what I see in most DMV CDL guides. However in Indiana they want us to say 20-45 psi.

Can anyone assist me with testing in Indiana? Specific things they ask about, Pre-trip, Air Brakes, Skills Test and Road Trip. If I need to get out and look while parallel parking will I be marked down?