I Did NOT Pass My CDL Examination

Hello all,

Just wanted to give you an update for those who are interested. I did not pass my CDL examination. I did pass the Pre-Trip portion.

On the backing skills test, I successfully completed the straight back.

Although I successfully, completed the offset back, I was instructed to park the semi behind the first set of cones once I finished. Unfortunately, about an inch of my front bumper aligned with the cones so that my bumper was even with, not behind, the first cones. The examiner dinged me for ten points for not following instructions.

Finally, I was able to successfully put the truck in between the cones on the alley dock portion. However, as I attempted to put the back bumper in the three foot box, my bumper went past the box, which insta-failed me.

So I guess back to the drawing board. I successfully maneuvered the truck into the space between the cones but did not follow the parameters set by the examiner.

For what it's worth, when I have a big test, I am usually not able to sleep the night before, and such was the case here as well. My sleep deprived mind probably didn't help.

Gotta try again.

Pelican

Im sorry to hear. Im assuming you can retest after a specific time. That being the case, at least you know what you need to work on and can get a strategy for success. Now that you have been through the test, the next time you take it, perhaps its no longer a big test, and you can take some weight off yourself with it.

I understand all too well not sleeping, in my case its not with tests, Im just naturally wired to be up until 4 or 5 am. It causes me grief on some loads that are morning loads. When I was in CDL school, I dreaded it as we had a 6 am start time. I worked on it before I went to school and throughout there, never missed a day. Try to find some ways to relax and condition yourself to get sleep the night before the test no matter what. Another option is to sleep in the afternoon evening as long as you can, and then stay up all night, That way you still have sleep. I do that frequently for my AM appointments. In any case, persistence is key.

Thank you Davy!

Like Davey said, now you know exactly what you have to work on.

Someone else correct me if I'm wrong, but when you retest, I think you start after the last part you passed. So in your case, you may not have to pre trip test again. So there is that bit of hope.

This is where your GOALs are important, and knowing exactly where your truck is in your space is what will make or break you. My instructor told us to find a reference point that was easily remembered which I could identify quickly that the truck was "in" or not. I think one of mine wound up being the manufacturer info stamp on the passenger window kissing a specific cone.

Keep practicing, and you will get it.

Hang tough Pelican. Just go at it again. In the big picture it's no big deal that you had to test more than once. There are a lot of successful drivers out here who took their exam several times.

It sounds like you did good, but didn't GOAL (get out and look) when needed. It's okay to set your brakes and get out of the cab to better see where your bumper is. In fact, some examiners want to see you doing this.

Don't beat yourself up. Just go take care of business, and move on to the next phase in your journey. Keep trucking!

Sorry about the results, Pelican. It happens to the best of us.

When I practiced my backing on the pad, I'd look for markers on the ground that would help me gauge where to stop. For example, I'd see a crack and know I had to stop when my tires hit that crack because my bumper would be in the box.

When I took my road test, there was an out of place tar sploch on the asphalt that stood out. I knew that once my tires hit that spot, by bumper would be in the box and it was. It's a technique I still use today when backing.

As a CDL instructor, the first thing i thought was you didnt GOAL. You didnt get 10 points for not following instructions...you got 10 pts for being on a line. Not following instructions is an auto fail.

You didn't auto fail for blowing past the yellow box...you got 2 points. So i already know you did at least one extra pull up. Otherwise, even with 10 pts for the line and 2 pts for the encroachment, you would have passed.

Goal.. clear your head and think.

Thanks to everyone for the advice!

Very common to have to do the test twice, I know you’re disappointed, but it’s not something to fret about

When I tested in Wi, we also had to get the DOT bumper in the box. However, we were allowed multiple GOALs if we needed them and encouraged to make use of as many as necessary. I don’t know about other states, but the test was over only when the driver blew the horn.

The best backer in the class failed his first attempt because he was several inches too far back. Easily remedied if he had gotten out and looked before he blew the horn. He was good and he knew it, but he was also over-confident.

You’ll get it next time. How soon can you re-test?

First Attempt I Learned = F.A.I.L.

Remember any areas that were a problem during the first attempt. Don't repeat them! Use all of the tools available such as reference points, getting the big picture, visualize what will happen beforehand in your mind. Lastly, use all of the GOALs that are necessary.

It will never be noted on your CDL "Took 2 Attempts".