Failed My CDL Road Test - Need Advice

I failed my CDL road test, Passed everything else its just that I stalled the truck on a small hill and they failed me for impending traffic, I feel very disappointed with myself If anyone can shed some advice on how to do better next time. Our school truck is a 10 speed and they have us take off on 4th gear if I would've used a lower gear do you guys think it would've been easier or should I just practice more on the feel of the clutch ?

any advice would be helpful thank you

I failed my CDL road test, Passed everything else its just that I stalled the truck on a small hill and they failed me for impending traffic, I feel very disappointed with myself If anyone can shed some advice on how to do better next time. Our school truck is a 10 speed and they have us take off on 4th gear if I would've used a lower gear do you guys think it would've been easier or should I just practice more on the feel of the clutch ?

any advice would be helpful thank you

I will start in 2nd, 3rd or 4th depending on the steepness of the hill, and my weight. Sometimes, especially in traffic, it helps to start in the lower gear. I ease off the clutch until I feel the truck want to move forward, and then I give it gradual "gas" as I finish releasing the clutch. And then shift accordingly.

I actually stalled my truck today, starting in 4th, when I should have been in 2nd or 3rd. 3rd gear is my bread and butter gear, for most starts from stop. The trick is to feel what the truck wants to do. It can be harder5in a school truck, but practice slowly releasing the clutch until you feel the "want to go." then push the clutch back in, and repeat. This will help you get a better feel.

Oh, and and plenty of us failed the 1st attempt. Don't let it get you down.

Octavio, you kinda answered your own question. You started in 4 but stalled. Drop to 3. This is helpful to do when you are learning.

@ Danielsahn thanks for the great info man really appreciate it I will definitely try 3rd gear the hill is really not that that steep but it was steep enough for me to stall lol and the trailer is empty and trailer is only 13 feet.

@ bruce I just thought that 4th gear was mandatory to start off In since my instructors told me to start off no matter what and at the dmv road test do they care that you start off in 3rd or not ? just wondering

@ Danielsahn thanks for the great info man really appreciate it I will definitely try 3rd gear the hill is really not that that steep but it was steep enough for me to stall lol and the trailer is empty and trailer is only 13 feet.

@ bruce I just thought that 4th gear was mandatory to start off In since my instructors told me to start off no matter what and at the dmv road test do they care that you start off in 3rd or not ? just wondering

A 13 foot trailer? Are you sure?

It shouldn't matter that you start in 3rd. But with an empty trailer, unless the hill is really steep, 4th shouldn't be an issue. Let the clutch out slowly while holding the brake until you feel it starting to grab, then slowly let it out as you release the brakes and slide your foot to the accelerator and start to accelerate.

I can start in 3rd on level ground with 40,000 pounds, 4th empty shouldn't be a problem, but if you are good at shifting, use 3rd. Your instructors probably have you start in 4th because it is easier to shift from 4th to 5th for a beginner.

4th gear is definitely not mandatory for the test. In all my schooling I was never taught to start in 4. 3rd is much safer to start in for the test. Besides, shifting is fun, why eliminate 3rd?

@grumpyoldman yea definitely not a 13 foot trailer my bad haha its a little bit more than that its not one of those 53 feet trailers like about half of a 53 haha and yea I mean my shifting is ok and I just have problems stalling out at 4 I just didn't feel confident about my driving when i went to go test probably another reason I failed and stalled out ..

@bruce and definitely 3rd gear sounds better to start off for a beginner I always had a problem stalling out even at stops from 4th gear will try 3rd gear for sure now but will also practice feeling for the clutch a bit more

Definitely start lower imo. No harm doing 3rd or even 2nd. I remember I went up a hill in my CDL test, and I took the entire thing in like 5th gear cause I didn't wanna risk stalling. Traffic behind me mighta got a bit annoyed but I didn't stall, and the Examiner didn't say a word.

Tomorrow's another day. Very very few of us on here past everything the first time. I know it's stressful but when you get through it, that's when the real stress starts... LOL go knock it out of the park tomorrow.

Thanks for everyone's positive responses I'm so grateful you guys took some time to reply and help a brother out.