Alley Dock By Sight During CDL Test.

I'm in CDL school, and was taught backing maneuvers, and went to test for my CDL. During the test, I got past the Pre-Trip, AirBrake, Backing, Offset, and drew Alley Dock.

When I pulled up to set my truck up to begin, I attempted to walk to the back of my trailer to eyeball to see if I had pulled too far forward, I thought I had, but was told that I could not walk to the back of the trailer. After I started my maneuver and used a get out, to check my position, I was whistled for walking to the rear of the trailer. Why on earth would a person not be allowed to check all around the trailer to make sure no obstructions or people in the way? I was definitely not stepping anything off, or measuring, because that is not allowed. Flustered, I got back in the cab and attempted to sight back into the dock, albeit not very well, as I got timed out on the exercise, just as I got my tandems in position to clear the front cone and back into the dock.

My instructors told me that it is perfectly legal in the state of Missouri to walk around the truck and trailer during a backing maneuver, and I believe I read that in the state CDL manual. Has anyone else experienced anything like this during a CDL test?

I go back to retest in a couple of days and I just have a feeling I'm gonna draw alley dock again, and I'm assuming as a permit holder with not a lot of experience, I'm gonna have to sight back into the dock, which I haven't practiced at all.

Does anyone have any tips for negotiating this, that might aid me in successfully completing the exercise without getting timed out again?

The examiners I dealt with in MO wouldn't allow anyone to get out and precisely align their truck for the perfect set up. You simply have to practice where to setup the truck from the cab.

I always spent extra time with my students teaching them real world backing skills, so that in the event they got out of whack during the manuevers they could recover with sight-only backing. You could have benefitted from such practice.

Don't sweat it Dave. You know what to expect now, so even if you draw the alley again you'll go into it with a better mindset. It doesn't have to be pretty. Just get it in the hole.

I don't know about the "back of the trailer is off limits" rule. I've taken students to CDL tests in Tennessee and Mississippi and no one ever got out to GOAL at the start of a 90. You should feel free to ask the examiner about this ahead of time.

But your set up shouldn't need such precise positioning. As you pull into the alley dock start, watch the target cones and learn the view of them from the driver seat. There's plenty of time/ distance to make adjustments between the set up and your Moment of Truth. (Hint: within reason you're better off too far out than too close for your start.)

You didn't mention this but remember using a pull up is not a failure, it's simply an adjustment. Done properly you can use a pull up to literally move the back of the trailer left or right several feet to get between the cones.

Lastly, remember this: the CDL examiner is not out to fail you. I'm sure they want you to pass just as much as you do. You are simply demonstrating that you have the skills to safely maneuver that huge machine.

Some additional thoughts.

The skills test is a "perfect world". All the room you need, the target area is just the right size, no other trucks around to be in the way. In reality, that first GOAL you do is taking too much time. And in reality, you might be parking between two trailers, or worse, two owner ops who won't take excuses when you scrape their fender. Your starting "alley" might be just a bit too narrow. True, focus on getting through your skills test, but you'll rarely have those conveniences again.

My issue quickly became a non-issue as I drew blind side parallel on the next test. I passed that with no points. The previous day I did about a dozen alley docks with no issues either, only using a couple pull ups on each dock.

So, I've passed my CDL A, now on to locate employment.

Thank you for the responses.

DC

Congratulations Dave C!

Congrats,

Keep us updated on your job search.

Great job, Dave!!!

Don't be a stranger on here.

I start orientation with Prime in about 50 minutes.

I have no clue what to expect, but I'm ready for this new adventure.

I will update as I go along.

DC

That's awesome! I look forward to hearing how it goes with Prime. I'm sure you already know, but we have a ton of prime drivers here that will be able to help you with company specific information if you need it.

Good luck!