Passing your written CDL exam is much easier if you use the online practice tests available to help get you ready. The written CDL exam is not very difficult for most to pass. In fact, very few people fail it. The driving portion of the test is a bit trickier, but the written part shouldn't be too much trouble if you spend a reasonable amount of time studying the CDL manual and you take our free online practice CDL Tests to help you out!
Here are the CDL practice tests we have right now:
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One of the most difficult parts of passing the written CDL test isn't a matter of knowing the correct answers. The problem often times involves understanding the wording of the questions and multiple choice answers. Believe it or not, they try to trip you up by the use of confusing wording or by making several of the answers very, very similar to each other. Another trick they'll use it to give you what seems like the correct answer as choice A, only to give you a little bit more thorough of an answer as choice C.
For instance, say they ask about checking the alternator during the pre-trip inspection. Choice A might read:
A. Check for loose or missing bolts, a bent or damaged bracket, and a cracked or damaged casing
....and right away you think, "Ah-ha! That's it! A."Well, you'd be wrong. Why? Because choice C. says:
C. Check for loose or missing bolts, a bent or damaged bracket, a cracked or damaged casing, and a loose, worn, or cracked belt
Ah - choice C is correct - they left off the belt in choice A. Now I know you're thinking, "Oh, those dirty DOT pigs!" Well, I've gotta tell ya - I've seen some questions on the CDL test that made me think the same thing - no doubt. I think there's enough to learn and enough pressure without having to resort to those type of tactics, but then again, maybe there is good reason for it.
You see, there are very few jobs out there that require the combination of attention to detail, thoroughness, knowledge, patience, and coolness under pressure that are required by the average truck driver. Truck driving is far from being an easy occupation. It takes a tremendous amount of character to be able to do it safely year in and year out, in all weather, road, and traffic conditions. Truck driving jobs, even in a rather slow economy, are generally pretty easy to come by in part because the job is so demanding that the turnover in the trucking industry is high.
Not only does being a truck driver require the character and traits that I mentioned, but life on the road is far from easy! You spend an enormous amount of time alone away from your family and friends. The hours are erratic, the traffic is rough, the weather is unpredictable, and the trucks are by no means easy to drive safely. Everybody is pushing you to get the job done, and even after your dispatcher is sitting home drinking beer on the couch, you've got 6 hours of driving ahead of you in terrible traffic and weather.
So on the one hand, it may seem unnecessary to check if you're paying attention to detail, being thorough, being patient, and noticing all of the little things on your CDL test, but those traits are all indeed a big part of being a truck driver. So if you plan on becoming a truck driver, then you better be able to pass a written test that has a few tricky questions, or you can forget being able to pass the real test on the highways with that 80,000 pound rig.
A pre-trip inspection is a thorough inspection of the truck completed before driving for the first time each day.
Federal and state laws require that drivers inspect their vehicles. Federal and state inspectors also may inspect your vehicles. If they judge a vehicle to be unsafe, they will put it “out of service” until it is repaired.
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
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.
Operating While Intoxicated
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
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Did you know you can fill out one quick form here on TruckingTruth and apply to several companies at once for paid CDL training? Seriously! The application only takes one minute. You will speak with recruiters today. There is no obligation whatsoever. Learn more and apply here:
TruckingTruth was founded by Brett Aquila (that's me!), a 15 year truck driving veteran, in January 2007. After 15 years on the road I wanted to help people understand the trucking industry and everything that came with the career and lifestyle of an over the road trucker. We'll help you make the right choices and prepare for a great start to your trucking career.
Becoming A Truck Driver is a dream we've all pondered at some point in our lives. We've all wondered if the adventure and challenges of life on the open road would suit us better than the ordinary day to day lives we've always known. At TruckingTruth we'll help you decide if trucking is right for you and help you get your career off to a great start.
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