Crazy CDL A Road Test!

Topic 27256 | Page 1

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Dave I's Comment
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Passed my CDL A test yesterday. Road test was conducted yesterday afternoon.....the Friday before Christmas. The traffic was crazy. Cars were flying around everywhere and I was suprised how tired my leg muscle was getting from using the clutch in bumper to bumper traffic. The test usually takes 45 min but yesterday it took 1:15 mins. Gained a different perspective and respect for professional truck drivers.

CDL:

Commercial Driver's License (CDL)

A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:

  • Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
  • Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
  • Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
  • Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Rob T.'s Comment
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Great job! I cant recall, where are you getting your start in the industry?
Jamie's Comment
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If you end up in a manual, you'll get used to it. I'm currently in a 10 speed manual, I generally take it out of gear if we are at a stand still, that way I don't have to hold the clutch and brake down and quickly put it in gear when we start to move.

Of course, I'm sure you couldn't do this for the test but once you get out there and if you are with a company with manual trucks.

PackRat's Comment
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Great job, Dave Diesel! You earned it!

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Dave I's Comment
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Great job! I cant recall, where are you getting your start in the industry?

Thanks! I'm a diesel mechanic at Penske. When the kids are grown, I'm might give flatbed a try.

smile.gif
Dave I's Comment
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I'm currently in a 10 speed manual

The truck was a 10 speed. Used gears 4-9 throughout the drive. Downshiffting took some practice. Really had to learn to pay attention to the RPMs. Was required to double clutch for the test but was told most drivers float the gears and use the clutch only to stop/start the truck.

Float The Gears:

An expression used to describe someone who is shifting gears without using the clutch at all. Drivers are taught to "Double Clutch" or press and release the clutch twice for each gear shift. If you're floating gears it means you're simply shifting without using the clutch at all.

Double Clutch:

To engage and then disengage the clutch twice for every gear change.

When double clutching you will push in the clutch, take the gearshift out of gear, release the clutch, press the clutch in again, shift the gearshift into the next gear, then release the clutch.

This is done on standard transmissions which do not have synchronizers in them, like those found in almost all Class A trucks.

Dave I's Comment
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Great job, Dave Diesel! You earned it!

Thanks!!
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