Need Advice On Passing The CDL Driving Test!

I'm going for my drive test next week and I'm nervous.I'm being trained by two different people who seem to have different ideas about what I'm supposed to do and not supposed to do with the examiner in the cab. One of the issues is the clutch. While stopped at a traffic light one person says the truck should be in neutral with the clutch disengaged. The other says the truck should be in gear with the clutch engaged. Which one is correct? I don't want to get ringed for something like that. Please help. Thank you in advance.

I will let someone who has tested really answer this question...but in my way of driving, I have the truck in gear, the clutch in, and my other foot on the brake. That way, its less likely that you will roll backward, when you do start out. OK...come on you rookies...answer this question........

For me it depends. Long light or short light. If long I am in neutral with clutch out and foot firmly on brake. If short light, in gear, clutch in, foot on brake.

But as far as testing... I think you need to be in gear with clutch in and foot on brake. Don't quote me though lol.

I tested about a month ago (seems so long), anyway, in gear clutch in. You will be ready to go and will not be halfway through your turn and the light goes red. Nuetral when you are applying the parking break. Relax dude, they are not going to throw you in jail or anything if you screw up. Take deep breaths and do not overthink simple tasks, you will do fine. I was extremely nervous but did not show it. Do what you were taught methodically and with purpose.

Great advice Rolling Thunder...I hope your enjoying your adventure !!! be sure and hollar at us, and let us know how your doing....

Relax dude

This is great advice from Rolling Thunder. Let me just tell you Chris that those testers at the DMV realize that you are a beginner and, believe me, they have seen it all. Here's what they are looking for: They want to see that you have a basic grasp of the mechanics of operating a commercial vehicle in a safe manner. They want to see that you understand how that trailer tracks in a different path than the tractor, that's why it's an automatic fail when you bump the curb with a tire. They like to see a little confidence, if you're so nervous that you can't even get enough grip on yourself to at least try and look calm and composed they aren't gonna be impressed. And they want to see you put that seat belt on, don't forget that step.

Hey, we were all nervous when we went through this same thing, but we survived it, and we were just as happy as a rooster with 30 hens to himself when they told us we passed. The learning curve is just barely getting started for you at this point, but you have come a long way already if you are about to test. Just remember to be calm and execute the basics like you know what your doing, and then you too can know just how happy a rooster with thirty hens to himself really feels.

I wrote an article on this recently that will help you out called Passing The CDL Road Test: What Are CDL Examiners Looking For?. Go check that out.

Great advice Rolling Thunder...I hope your enjoying your adventure !!! be sure and hollar at us, and let us know how your doing....

Thanks Starcar! I am doing good. I have just finished up my third out of five weeks with a trainer. He let me do all the work today which was pretty easy. I did alright but still need practice backing and on macros (qualcom). I know I will get my own rhythm and be able to start building my own routine in a couple weeks.

The back of your CDL manual in every state tells uyou word for word what they test forr but in all my test clutch in truck in gear. If its in neutral thats a safety hazard.

Oh and also as long as you dont rub a curb or stall out or speed you should pass.