Failing DMV Skills Test

I am an older woman who really wants to be a truck driver. I worked my way through getting funding in place and going to training. Did really well on permit tests, walk around, airbrakes. I do alright going forward, however I was totally scared of the whole driving a giant truck thing. Regardless I have poured my heart and soul into this process for months now! Any how backing is my biggest issue. So at the first test I turned into a jumble of nervous shaking jelly. OK got a little more practice, went back for my second time and failed on the alley dock. I think I know what I did wrong but it has been 2 weeks and I haven't driven at all. I find that I really want to finish this thing. I have one test left on this permit and I am not sure if I should go for it or give up and try something smaller. Should I go get some warm up? It has been a couple of weeks and I feel like I lost a lover. I mean I am pretty depressed! This is something I really want and one way or the other I am taking this test again. I will be driving something! Do I give up and go b or do I give it my best last shot at a?

I am an older woman who really wants to be a truck driver. I worked my way through getting funding in place and going to training. Did really well on permit tests, walk around, airbrakes. I do alright going forward, however I was totally scared of the whole driving a giant truck thing. Regardless I have poured my heart and soul into this process for months now! Any how backing is my biggest issue. So at the first test I turned into a jumble of nervous shaking jelly. OK got a little more practice, went back for my second time and failed on the alley dock. I think I know what I did wrong but it has been 2 weeks and I haven't driven at all. I find that I really want to finish this thing. I have one test left on this permit and I am not sure if I should go for it or give up and try something smaller. Should I go get some warm up? It has been a couple of weeks and I feel like I lost a lover. I mean I am pretty depressed! This is something I really want and one way or the other I am taking this test again. I will be driving something! Do I give up and go b or do I give it my best last shot at a?

Hey Athena welcome to TT!

You already answered your own question. So, lets move on to the real question which is, How are you going to get the practice that you need?

Why haven't you driven for the past two weeks? Are you still in school? What is the expiration date on your permit? In FL your permit is valid for 6 months. Is there a limit to the number of times you can take the test? Are you still scared of the "whole driving a giant truck thing"? Is your school company sponsored or are you paying for the course?

1. If you paid for the course, then speak with your guidance counselor. Ask what options you have in reference to getting more practice. For example, half way through the course, my school allowed me to start over with the class behind me at no extra charge. ref I had a lot of trouble backing also.

2. Do you know anyone with a truck that could help you practice?

3. Rent a small trailer that can hook up to your vehicle, find a large space for you to practice. If the space has no lines for you to follow, go to Walmart and buy a set of 4 or 8 mini cones (found in the soccer section) then outline your own dock space.

4. If/when you get that trailer on your vehicle, try this trick that has worked for me: After you've set up for your maneuver, instead of placing your hand at the top of the steering wheel, place your hand on the bottom. That way, if you need to move your trailer to the right , turn to the right and the same if you need it to go to the left.

a- If you do what I just mentioned, turn the steering wheel to the left until you can see the back of the trailer while leaning out of the window.

b- when you see the trailer, straighten your steer tires and let the vehicle roll back to see the direction the trailer wheels are moving towards.

c- picture an arc on the ground leading to the right inside of your cone.

d- make small adjustments to the right as your tandems follow the imaginary line.

e- if you need to make corrections to the left, try to get under the trailer so you can "push" the trailer in the direction that you want to go.

f- try to keep the left outer side of your tandems close to the inside of the cones.

g- when your trailer tires get in to the box, continue to make small adjustments to see how far you can go in without touching the inner right side cones.

h- if you see that you are about to touch the line while inside the box......stop!

i- turn your wheel to the left so that you can get under the trailer to set up for a straight line back.

j- do it as many times as you need in order to feel comfortable.

5. Last but not least, remember this quote, "“To escape fear, you have to go through it, not around.” ― Richie Norton. I'm sure you've faced your fears at some point in your life. Conjure that energy and face your fear again!

Cole

Thank Cole. I will try that. My school will give me a brief refresher before I take my third and final test. Besides that it is $400@day if I want more than that. I would have gone right back the next day but I didn't have the retest fee. Then my car took a crap and my families resources were exhausted and we needed to regroup. I may have someone to help me but ... Well it just hasn't happened yet. Then I was thinking about go fund me. I think 1day forward and one day backward will give me my best shot. I just want this so bad.

Cole u r wonderful...thats my problem too...the backing I can't get the concept of opposite but u just gave good directions