I Forgot, Studying At 52 Bites. Questions Within

Good Day All, I remember from High School back in the 80’s that all words in a title must be capitalized, so at least I look literate ( I am ). I start my CDL school next week on 31st here in TN. I’ve got a driving job lined up for the Monday after Turkey Day. My wife was kind enough to share the Flu she had with me ( I was nurse for 2 days ) so I am currently laying in bed studying TN CDL. An 80% may be sufficient for the school and the state of TN, but not for me as I am an over-achiever.

* Once I finish this CDL studying and ace practice tests, what other study sources might you suggest I dive in to? * Understanding that I’m not a “Trucker” until I’ve got a year OTR under my belt and more to some companies like Fed Ex or Walmart @ 30 months, I’m curious about and this may be wrong terminology but “specialty trucking” such as like driving for a NASCAR team or transporting equipment for Led Zeppelin ( one can dream ). Are there routes into those gigs or is that a you’ve got to know someone who knows someone driving job? * Friendly bet(s) - Curios, what are the first “Oh Crap” mistakes I am going to make that every one of you has also made?

I’m a private pilot and I spend a lot of time before the wheels come up studying my flight path and making notes and alternative routes that may be caused by changing weather or other situations and conditions. I have to imagine that reviewing google earth images for where one is delivering could be an asset, just as long as those images are recent. I’m not looking forward to the wrong turn I will one day make and have to practice my backing skills a mile on a dirt road, but sure it’s coming.

Brett - Thanks for creating this site.

Make it a great night.

Jon

High Road CDL Training ProgramTruck Driver's Career Guide

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• Pre-Trip Inspection Practice Questions

Pack Rat - Thank you sir. I’ll work through those in the order you inserted them.

* Understanding that I’m not a “Trucker” until I’ve got a year OTR under my belt and more to some companies like Fed Ex or Walmart @ 30 months, I’m curious about and this may be wrong terminology but “specialty trucking” such as like driving for a NASCAR team or transporting equipment for Led Zeppelin ( one can dream ). Are there routes into those gigs or is that a you’ve got to know someone who knows someone driving job?

Jon, I'm only in training so I have very little info on it, but I know with Veriha's Entertainment Fleet, the minimum requirements vary based on the needs of the company, like how many drivers do they have on the Fleet and how many trucks/trailers are needed to haul all the concert equipment needed, but is usually one winter solo at least.

As far as "specialized hauling", that's a bridge too far at this point for you. The first step with getting into these is experience over several years safe driving, though.

Jon C,

When I started, I pretty much only studied this website. You've got the work ethic, years of wisdom and a keen awareness for anticipating the unexpected. Those will carry you far.

While I've never driven the specialty stuff, I have noticed that those rockstar equipment trucks are running hard in the late night/early morning hours, to the next gig. Think Jackson Browne's Get the Load Out/Stay. Likewise, the NASCAR haulers, mostly come out of NC (Concord, I think) and they're normally only running during the season. I wouldn't be surprised if many of the drivers of these specialty haulers, are mechanics (or other tradesmen) who also hold a CDL.

As for dumb stuff, well, just don't hit anything. I mean ANYTHING. You'd be surprised how much damage, a snow pile in a plowed truck stop can do to the front end of these fiberglass beasts.

Good luck to you and keep that positive vibe.

To be blunt, being a pilot doesn't mean **** when you get behind the wheel in trucking. I suspect your ego based in the "I'm a pilot......" arena is going to get you into some trouble. Humble yourself.

An 80% may be sufficient for the school and the state of TN, but not for me as I am an over-achiever.

* Once I finish this CDL studying and ace practice tests, what other study sources might you suggest I dive in to?

Jon,

It depends on the State on how they do your test. Idaho will cut the test off when you hit 80% correct. So, for example, you have a 50 question test on the basic test, once you hit 40 correct answers, the test stops and you go on to doubles/triples, or the combination set.

For studying I used CDL Prep Pro. It has a learning mode that immediately tells you the correct answer after you select an answer and a test mode that waits until you finish all the questions. When I took the DMV test about 85% of the questions and answers were WORD FOR WORD what they were on the app. I was the last one seated to take the test in my class and the first one finished.

Most of the entertainment industry driving positions require YEARS of experience and a record clean of tickets and accidents. If you want to see the job requirements here are the big players in the entertainment driving space:

Stage Call

Stage Door Transportation

Upstaging

No idea what your TT is but you could realistically get your ATP BEFORE you would be eligible for any of these jobs.

85% of the questions and answers were WORD FOR WORD what they were on the app

That is not learning. That is memorizing. What happens when you try to memorize a bunch of key items instead of learning the materials? Here is a review of the app you recommended:

I was able to pass GENERAL KNOWLEDGE and AIR BRAKES with the knowledge I gained from this app but I still had to guess on several questions because they were not on this app. COMBINATIONS really needs attention, it had more questions that were not on the app like “how to tell if your trailer is skidding and which combination is more likely to roll over during a curve. I studied this app religiously and my failing was 100% due to questions not being on the test.

We have the best materials around to learn the CDL Manual and retain that knowledge. Our High Road CDL Training Program goes way beyond memorizing a few key items in the hope they ask that exact question on the test. It makes you think things through, closely examine each question and answer and uses repetition to drive home the information you're struggling with.

Our High Road CDL Training Program has an extensive set of multiple-choice questions and an AI-based review system that allows you to review the questions you've struggled with during the program. The High Road adjusts to each student in real-time as they work their way through the program, giving extra attention where needed.

Nothing compares. Nothing.

After you've learned the materials using our High Road, you can use our CDL Practice Tests to review the information and keep it fresh in your mind.