Starting CDL School With Western Pacific Truck School
Topic 3749 | Page 1
Day 1) Paper Log Books and Started on the CDL Manual study questions. The instructor just had us highlight only the stuff she wants us to read and nothing more. Apparently it's part of their system for passing the first stage of testing to get your permit, so you don't get overwhelmed. However, I'm glad I started the high road training program ahead of time cause I basically got no sleep last night. I'll try to post something everyday....
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.
The training program really works. The repetition helps. Go ahead and do as many as you can. I tested on the basics first when I got my permit including Tanker and Doubles. I went back later for the Hazmat. Good to get it all out of the way. Either way keep drilling it into your head. Good luck and keep us posted. I start Monday with Central in Fontana.
HAZMAT:
Hazardous Materials
Explosive, flammable, poisonous or otherwise potentially dangerous cargo. Large amounts of especially hazardous cargo are required to be placarded under HAZMAT regulations
Doubles:
Refers to pulling two trailers at the same time, otherwise known as "pups" or "pup trailers" because they're only about 28 feet long. However there are some states that allow doubles that are each 48 feet in length.
The training program really works. The repetition helps. Go ahead and do as many as you can. I tested on the basics first when I got my permit including Tanker and Doubles. I went back later for the Hazmat. Good to get it all out of the way. Either way keep drilling it into your head. Good luck and keep us posted. I start Monday with Central in Fontana.
Good Luck with Central! I'll get all my endorsements done by Monday or Tuesday of next week....It's going pretty good so far.
HAZMAT:
Hazardous Materials
Explosive, flammable, poisonous or otherwise potentially dangerous cargo. Large amounts of especially hazardous cargo are required to be placarded under HAZMAT regulations
Doubles:
Refers to pulling two trailers at the same time, otherwise known as "pups" or "pup trailers" because they're only about 28 feet long. However there are some states that allow doubles that are each 48 feet in length.
Day 2) Review on General Knowledge, Combination and Doubles and Triples plus we highlighted all the Air Brakes stuff we will be reading tomorrow. The instructor gave us homework; which is just reading ONLY THE HIGHLIGHTED AREAS WE HAVE COVERED SO FAR.....plus I have to study for the class C test as well since they will make me take that again. I just went to the DMV site and did the practice tests plus I read the manual.
Anyway, we waste alot of time waiting but the training seems to be pretty effective. I guess I'll know if I don't get my permit on Friday! 
Doubles:
Refers to pulling two trailers at the same time, otherwise known as "pups" or "pup trailers" because they're only about 28 feet long. However there are some states that allow doubles that are each 48 feet in length.
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.DMV:
Department of Motor Vehicles, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
The state agency that handles everything related to your driver's licences, including testing, issuance, transfers, and revocation.
Got My CDL Permit today and Doubles Endorsement...! 
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.
Doubles:
Refers to pulling two trailers at the same time, otherwise known as "pups" or "pup trailers" because they're only about 28 feet long. However there are some states that allow doubles that are each 48 feet in length.
Got My CDL Permit today and Doubles Endorsement...!
Way to go, John!!!!
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.
Doubles:
Refers to pulling two trailers at the same time, otherwise known as "pups" or "pup trailers" because they're only about 28 feet long. However there are some states that allow doubles that are each 48 feet in length.
Got My CDL Permit today and Doubles Endorsement...!
Way to go, John!!!!
Thanks Bud!
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.
Doubles:
Refers to pulling two trailers at the same time, otherwise known as "pups" or "pup trailers" because they're only about 28 feet long. However there are some states that allow doubles that are each 48 feet in length.
Week 2, 2nd Day - Finally got in the truck to start straight line backing and worked on the Pre-trip. Went to DMV and took my hazmat endorsement. Got 100% So now I have all my endorsements. Plus I enrolled online at TSA for the TSA background screening that is required before your hard copy license is given to you when you have the hazmat endorsement. I have to say this is alot of work but I sure am looking forward to digging in and doing my job again. It's hard for a fully functional person to be unemployed for a long duration without going crazy.....
HAZMAT:
Hazardous Materials
Explosive, flammable, poisonous or otherwise potentially dangerous cargo. Large amounts of especially hazardous cargo are required to be placarded under HAZMAT regulations
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.DMV:
Department of Motor Vehicles, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
The state agency that handles everything related to your driver's licences, including testing, issuance, transfers, and revocation.
2nd week 3rd Day,
Worked on 90 Degree Alley Dock and Straight line backing in the Morning and worked on the Pre-trip in between my turn at the wheel. Went out to "kindergarden" in the afternoon and worked on right hand turns with a 48' trailer. Shifting is still very problematic especially downshifting but even so I took my first run into traffic "yikes!" I would have preferred to get my shifting down first before into into the public roadways. I did pretty well controlling the truck and my space but shifting was a complete disaster. Overall, more positives than negatives but it was a tough emotionally draining day.
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Hello All,
Well I finally made my decision to get my CDL through a private school called Western Pacific Truck School in Sacramento, CA. Has anybody got any positive or negative things to say about this school? The reviews I've read have all been pretty good.
I'm really looking forward to beginning a new career as a truck driver and I'm leaning towards flat bedding as my chosen direction. I like the idea of breaking things up a little by adding some physical work during the day. Old School kind of inspired me with some of his posts.
Anyway, I'm going to try and update the forum with my experience as I go along....
Oh and Thank you for the high road training tests it is really an outstanding learning tool!
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.