Failed Offset Backing

Hello I’m trying to get my CDL A endorsement here in Minnesota. I’m a confident driver and my instructor says I am very good at driving a semi. However, I was born with a high pitched tone deafness and wear two hearing aids.

I am able to talk and communicate so this is not a problem. My DOT medical has a waiver for hearing aids and is valid until 2025.

On Oct 16,2023 the DMV changed up the way the endorsement exam is done. I believe this is a FMCSA rule as I also have to complete an ELDT which was easy.

In Minnesota the best place for me test is Faribault which is about 50 miles south of the Twin Cities. The reason why, in my case, is Faribault has a deaf school near the exam station. The examiners road test many deaf people as they are familiar with our disability.

So long story short, yesterday 11/9, I tested at Faribault. I use a 2016 Volvo sleeper truck with a 53 foot trailer. I’m very comfortable with operating and driving. First up was my pre trip inspection. According to the new rules the air brake portion is done first, rather than at end of pre trip. Did air brake, then in cab, then light checks, then engine then outside tractor and trailer. Passed with flying colors.

Then we drove out. The examiner takes you about two miles away to a Minnesota DOT yard for skills test/backing. The examiner sets up cones. First maneuver is straight. Bumper has to be inside of a box. Did that well.

Second maneuver is straight backing. Did that well.

Third is forward offset or the proximity test. Go forward turn to left slightly then there will be two cones on your right. Back tire of the trailer has to be on line by cones. I nailed that.

Now the fourth maneuver is back offset. You will see a line of cones on your left that is to simulate a wall or fence. If your tractor goes outside that it’s called an encroachment and that’s not good. So my mistake was after the third maneuver the proximity I was at an angle instead of pulling ahead straight. So while I was on an angle I can get into the box but I’m encroaching which is costing me points. So now I know after third maneuver the proximity to pull ahead straight, not at an angle and get inside the box I should be home free.

The examiner also stated my turns are sloppy. I turn left or right too wide and don’t come back into lane. What I mean is if I make a right turn, naturally you have to turn out wide then when trailer wheels clear curb come back into the right, instead I was staying to the left, same on my left turns so I got to improve on that

Now the fourth maneuver is back offset. You will see a line of cones on your left that is to simulate a wall or fence. If your tractor goes outside that it’s called an encroachment and that’s not good. So my mistake was after the third maneuver the proximity I was at an angle instead of pulling ahead straight

Your description says your state, Minnesota, is using the new, "Modernized" testing. The picture above is the fourth maneuver, "Reverse Offset Backing". Most of the people on Trucking Truth are not familiar with the new testing. Encroachments are still "bad" but you should actually be able to get away easily with one whistle blow & pull up.

Now you say you completed the Forward Offset but ended with an angle in your trailer. That is the angle you came out with, so it should not be hard to get back into the box. Here's what you wrote above:

The examiner also stated my turns are sloppy. I turn left or right too wide and don’t come back into lane. What I mean is if I make a right turn, naturally you have to turn out wide then when trailer wheels clear curb come back into the right, instead I was staying to the left, same on my left turns so I got to improve on that

The helpful examiner pointed out your backing is sloppy. That is the key, These backing skills have to be pretty precise. None of your turns should be "good enough" here, but they are either "good" or "no good". Since you just came out of that box, it is up to you to make the moves as exact as possible. When you finally are released to the OTR wilds, you can do what you want in any truck stop, but here you must be spot on.

I teach my students that going forward and backward, you are always driving the tandems . Watch

• where the tandems are,
• where they are going and
• where the trailer is pointing*

*(that means where the tandems will be going if you don't turn your steering wheel)..