[CRST - TX] Passed CDL A Driven Test

Hello.

I passed the CDL A driving test earlier today. Unfortunately I scored an 89%.

I had -1% for parallel parking (failure to sound the horn; slightly nervous).

-4% for downshifting (at an exit ramp listed at 40mph: I slowed down to 36mph, and failed to smoothly shift into 9th gear); this one I understand

-4% for upshifting; this one I I do NOT understand. I shift smoothly on every gear. I went through every gear, everytime. Never ground, missed, jumped, or forced an upshift. I was in 9th when entering on-ramps (never shifted on the ramp).

-2% for observation; this one I also do not understand. I watch my mirrors like a hawk (old habit). I rolled the windows all the way down when crossing railroads. I slowed down to 15-20mph across those as well (I do that in both of my vehicles, to prevent damage to the shocks). Everyone who tested with the gentlemen was marked down for that.

I know a lot of people's opinions gravitate to: "You passed, so it doesn't matter!" I disagree. I could bomb it with a 0% and be totally happy so long as I know for a fact that I know all material.

I am shipping out to either Oklahoma, or Ohio come this Monday. Very excited. I have been waiting for a slot since Wednesday of last week to test out.

Thank you, Brett, and everyone else who has contributed to the information on this site. It had a heavy influence on my decisions in life.

Congrats and enjoy your training its one hell of a ride..... And you passed it doesn't say how many points you got on your cdl or how many pull ups.... Yes it's unfair but that's trucking....

Congratulations!

Trucking Truth has helped me as well. CRST seems to be a good organization with much advancement opportunity!

Congratulations!

Great job Daniel!

I know this may sound crazy to you, but some of these examiners are more concerned about their job performance reviews than they are with you actually knowing what your proper score was. If they see that you are a passing student they will count some points off here and there so that it at least looks like they are doing their job properly when a superior is reviewing their reports. Some people spend a great deal of effort at working the system rather than actually trying to excel at their job. This is a common occurrence in Government or State jobs.

Congrats and enjoy your training its one hell of a ride..... And you passed it doesn't say how many points you got on your cdl or how many pull ups.... Yes it's unfair but that's trucking....

Oh. My bad.

The parallel parking tooking a grand 15s. I didn't bother to use the clutch or brake until I came to the stopping point. I had 0 pull-ups. I nailed it perfectly the first go-around.

Employer's might not care: I definitely do though. And yes: They can see it. The school, the state, and I have copies of the score sheet.

@Old School: A good friend of mine is head of security for a state mental hospital. What you say isn't crazy, and sounds quite normal. Haha! The same goes for the programmers of the programs used by / paid by the state (another friend).

... And of course: A USPS veteran / friend / former co-worker. He always said to keep to yourself. He's been employed for 23 years and counting!

Congrats Daniel it is quite a accomplishment in itself. I've heard from one examiner (retired) he has never given a perfect score, even to seasoned drivers so be celebratory on your work. Nothing else matters except that little piece of plastic!

Congrats Daniel it is quite a accomplishment in itself. I've heard from one examiner (retired) he has never given a perfect score, even to seasoned drivers so be celebratory on your work. Nothing else matters except that little piece of plastic!

Thanks. And congratulations on you driver bonus. :)

I have gotten that vibe knowing what other students scored. I'm not going to go into specifics (one has never succeeded in starting out in 3rd gear! Let alone not hit the curb attempting to parallel park. We'll leave it at that).

And hah! I don't really care about the plastic. I'd like to know what I need to improve on!! When I asked the DOT officer at the end, "What do I need to improve on, or should change?" His response was, "You did pretty good." I just sat there quietly after that. Then he handed me 3-4 papers, and instructed me to take them to the office.

Very frustrating to run into answers like that. I did notice him discretely watching if I double-clutched at one point.. So I DO know he wasn't just staring at the clipboard during the drive.

Hold your head high my friend. Congrats on passing.

Hold your head high my friend. Congrats on passing.

Thank you. :)