YUGE Day Tomorrow

Topic 34124 | Page 1

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James M.'s Comment
member avatar

Hey all,

I got 3 tests tomorrow and this decides everything. Pre trip inspection, 4 maneuvers and city driving. If I can get past this, I'll get my CDL-A and start working for TMC. My roommate and another classmate are studying with me. I think I have the entire tractor almost perfectly memorized. The trailer...not so much. Just taking a quick break and then studying some more.

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.
BK's Comment
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James, good luck tomorrow, although the hardest working people are usually the luckiest. We’re all pulling for you! (I’m making this a short message so it doesn’t cut into your study time, lol)

NaeNaeInNC's Comment
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You can do this!

John Douglas Barrow's Comment
member avatar

Hey all,

I got 3 tests tomorrow and this decides everything. Pre trip inspection, 4 maneuvers and city driving. If I can get past this, I'll get my CDL-A and start working for TMC. My roommate and another classmate are studying with me. I think I have the entire tractor almost perfectly memorized. The trailer...not so much. Just taking a quick break and then studying some more.

The American military, NCO's, trains its personnel in-house to drive its own vehicles then issues them some sort of mil-spec administrative license. Military vehicles in the United States of America and in some other countries are exempt from any CDL requirements whatsoever. Inspecting a MILITARY vehicle that's dispatched to a soldier to operate (drive) includes before/during/after preventive maintenance checks and services. This might include checking for the presence of a fire extinguisher in the truck as well as warning triangles. A walk around to check the lights to make sure they are all working and that there is nothing obviously busted. It might also include checking fluids under the hood. Soldiers are never actually tested and graded on this to be licensed. They are simply given a manual that covers all these things. Military standards for operator-level vehicle inspections before operation (pre-trip) are notoriously lax.

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.

Dm:

Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager

The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.
Errol V.'s Comment
member avatar

Mr Barrow states:

Military standards for operator-level vehicle inspections before operation (pre-trip) are notoriously lax.

I had a veteran in my class that had worked in an Army motor pool. I asked him to demonstrate a pre-trip. He was so tight in his pre-trip. I felt I had to stand at attention while he did his assignment.

This is not being lax. I think that kind is pre-trip would be notorious only in its completeness.

James M.'s Comment
member avatar

I'm now communicating with you as a brand new CDL-A holder. I shocked myself...lol. I shocked the DOT officer. She said that for my pre trip of the entire truck and trailer....I got 98% correct. I have no idea how I pulled that off.

I freaked out a little but during the 4 maneuvers I had to do. I ran over the base of 1 of the cones. I was super nervous for the rest of that test.

After that, city driving. I took all turns deep and held it everytime and kept an eye on my side mirrors to make sure the trailer cleared all the curbs. At the end of that, she gave me directions back to the TMC yard. As I pulled in, she told me that she thought I was a very safe driver and that I had passed.

I don't think I've completely processed it yet. Maybe it will hit me sometime tomorrow...lol.

Thanks to everyone here for all your support, advice and that kick in the a@@ that I needed from time to time.

It's not my CDL-A license. It's a community license.

Thanks 😊 again!

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.

DOT:

Department Of Transportation

A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.

State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.

Harvey C.'s Comment
member avatar

That is great news, James, congratulations! I've been following your story and wish you the best for a successful career.

OWI:

Operating While Intoxicated

Old School's Comment
member avatar

Congratulations James!

That is awesome news!

Keep on keeping on.

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Sandman J's Comment
member avatar

Way to go, Driver!

dancing-banana.gif dancing-banana.gif

PJ's Comment
member avatar

Great news Congrats!! dancing-banana.gif

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