Failed The CDL Exam? Don't Sweat It - Article By Rainy

We have a new article by Rainy called:

Failed The CDL Exam? Don't Sweat It.

For anyone who has yet to take the CDL driving exam this article is going to help relieve the pressure. Rainy had a tough go of it herself but persevered and triumphed. Her story is a great one and it'll be a great lesson and inspiration for all of you before test day.

Read up!

Failed The CDL Exam? Don't Sweat It.

Great write-up! And long overdue!

Couldn't believe how bad I was failing at backing and then on the road test. I didn't quit because I will rarely quit anything, but I just couldn't figure out how I was getting things so wrong. And then one day, like magic, (poof!) things just fell into place.

We had a tradition at our school whereby everyone who passed all three exams on the first try got a white hate with the schools logo on it. Everyone else received a black hat with the school logo upon passing all three tests.

I so craved and coveted that white hat! I so wanted to walk around proudly displaying my super-trucker hat. But I didn't get it, I had to wait almost a week before getting that measly black hat.

But wait... That measly black hat also came with a CDL , just like the white one! And what do ya know, I was qualified and ready to start real trucking training (just like those people with the white hats.) Really, there seemed little difference between any of us other than hat color.

Ahhhhhhhh... But there was a difference. The people with white hat's (not all, but many of them) were strutting around fairly well convinced that they knew all there was to know. Whereas the rest of us had spent quite a bit more time practicing and really working our butts off to understand what we were doing and how to really get it right.

I'm not saying that either hat-colored group was any better than the other. But I do know that some of us spent a lot more time learning and understanding each part of the processes involved. And I know those black hats sure had a lot more blood sweat, tears, and PRIDE soaked in to them than those pretty little white hats!

Failing any part of the CDL test the first time out is not a catastrophe. It's a blessing! Its a chance to learn more and grow better, and in my humble opinion, it's something that may one day make you a better (and safer) trucker than those who just seemed to get everything right the first time.

Great topic to focus on, Rainy!

Great write-up! And long overdue!

Couldn't believe how bad I was failing at backing and then on the road test. I didn't quit because I will rarely quit anything, but I just couldn't figure out how I was getting things so wrong. And then one day, like magic, (poof!) things just fell into place.

We had a tradition at our school whereby everyone who passed all three exams on the first try got a white hate with the schools logo on it. Everyone else received a black hat with the school logo upon passing all three tests.

I so craved and coveted that white hat! I so wanted to walk around proudly displaying my super-trucker hat. But I didn't get it, I had to wait almost a week before getting that measly black hat.

But wait... That measly black hat also came with a CDL , just like the white one! And what do ya know, I was qualified and ready to start real trucking training (just like those people with the white hats.) Really, there seemed little difference between any of us other than hat color.

Ahhhhhhhh... But there was a difference. The people with white hat's (not all, but many of them) were strutting around fairly well convinced that they knew all there was to know. Whereas the rest of us had spent quite a bit more time practicing and really working our butts off to understand what we were doing and how to really get it right.

I'm not saying that either hat-colored group was any better than the other. But I do know that some of us spent a lot more time learning and understanding each part of the processes involved. And I know those black hats sure had a lot more blood sweat, tears, and PRIDE soaked in to them than those pretty little white hats!

Failing any part of the CDL test the first time out is not a catastrophe. It's a blessing! Its a chance to learn more and grow better, and in my humble opinion, it's something that may one day make you a better (and safer) trucker than those who just seemed to get everything right the first time.

Great topic to focus on, Rainy!

Great response Jeremy. This is EXACTLY what its about. I was an experienced driver goin into NADTA and It still took me 3 attempts to pass the road exam. All I cared about was gettin my CDL back so I can change my life again for the better.

I passed the pre trip first shot. Failed the backing once and passed the driving in one shot. 3 total trips to the DMV. My CDL is equivalent to everyone's. Now if you see me coming, RUN!! I drive with my eyes closed.

Just kidding. After one year and 125,000 miles, I'm still learning. Have the right attitude and never stop learning.

I just failed my backing test yesterday. I'm scheduled for next Thursday. I hope I do better because my school is going to give me an entire hour to practice the day before. 😂

Great article and something I think I really needed to read.

I just failed my backing test yesterday. I'm scheduled for next Thursday. I hope I do better because my school is going to give me an entire hour to practice the day before. 😂

Hey Rob I heard people testing in Winslow say that the test site is horrible...uneven and beat up. You'll get it next time. Like Rainy said...don't stress.