A Head's-Up On The CDL Permit Test.

This is just something I found out the hard way on Monday when I took the computerized test to get the CDL A permit to drive in the truck school. The pictures to the right of the question are not there to give you hints to the answer. When you take the test you are told immediately if you missed the question or not. (At least that's how they do it around here.) The way I found out the pictures are not right is that I got a question that gave a choice between: Emergency Brake Line, Service Brake Line, and some other brake line that only exists in fantasy park. Anyway, I chose Emergency Line. Then I looked to the right and the picture showed a glad hand painted blue. The service lines are blue, when they have paint on them at all. I thought, "Well hell, look at this, they just gave me the answer." So I changed my answer from Emergency Line to Service Line and lo and behold it was wrong. After that I took those pictures as just being there for decoration because even if they are supposed to give some kind of info, the info I got made me choose the wrong answer. I ignored those pictures after that and didn't get any more wrong. In conclusion, it's best to ignore those pictures. They're more trouble than they are worth. Now you're ready to ace that test.

Bad Bob

Hey Bad Bob...glad you passed. Interesting isn't it. Great advice "ignore the pictures". A preview of the future perhaps.

There are so many distractions that if you allow them, can compromise focus and concentration while performing this job, and not just driving. Many preventable accidents occur outside of the truck (ask the skateboard drivers). Always exercise care when walking in a truck stop lot or a shipper/receiver. These places are typically a beehive of activity that can easily injure a weary driver not paying attention. Wish I had a dollar every time I see a driver or passenger walking in a rush, directly in front of trucks (too close) at the fuel pad, never pausing to determine if there is a driver about to pull away. Granted, the driver should always look before proceeding, but never assume that is the case. Seen way too many close calls...

Hey Bad Bob...glad you passed. Interesting isn't it. Great advice "ignore the pictures". A preview of the future perhaps.

There are so many distractions that if you allow them, can compromise focus and concentration while performing this job, and not just driving. Many preventable accidents occur outside of the truck (ask the skateboard drivers). Always exercise care when walking in a truck stop lot or a shipper/receiver. These places are typically a beehive of activity that can easily injure a weary driver not paying attention. Wish I had a dollar every time I see a driver or passenger walking in a rush, directly in front of trucks (too close) at the fuel pad, never pausing to determine if there is a driver about to pull away. Granted, the driver should always look before proceeding, but never assume that is the case. Seen way too many close calls...

G-Town:

Thanks for that advice. I may want to leave my mark on the world but I don't want it to be as a spot in front of the fuel lane. Getting squished is not one of my goals.

Bad Bob

Did you take your test in Tennessee Bob?

Unless the question says look at the picture just ignore them.

Did you take your test in Tennessee Bob?

Meathead:

Nope!

Bad Bob

Unless the question says look at the picture just ignore them.

Phil C.:

Yep, that's definitely the truth.

I may ask you some questions about the Phoenix area since when the schooling is over we're moving out there. I've driven trucks on the east coast and on the west coast and definitely prefer the west coast. We've also been through the area several times many years ago and loved it.

Bad Bob