Getting my class A CDL

[SouthernSVT]

I've been taking a month long class getting my class A license. I'm about half way through. Some of the stuff is pretty fun, but damn it gets boring sitting in the back while someone else is driving. Especially since some of the people I'm driving with aren't exactly the greatest drivers. Anyone else ever done one of these cdl classes?

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[Wish4svts]

Did mine a few years back. One of the trainees I was paired with had 3 accidents while we were in the truck... Also wrecked his car during lunch from the classroom. He didn't last.

Texas is pretty bad about giving away CDLs without knowing jackshit about driving. I did mine in Colorado for the oilfield and testing there is much more detailed.

[stephen4785]

I didnt do the class but Iv been a big rig mechanic for a while and knew how to drive the truck. When you go take your test make sure you dont hit any curbs and stop in front of every stop sign. I didnt hit any curbs but I kept pulling up to either the white line or just past the stop sign so I could see around corners. I have no clue how some people passed the cdl tests.

[JP135]

I read the DPS CDL book and rented a truck to take the test.

Know the airbrake test well - it's not hard at all, but if you miss a step you're done for the day. And waiting in line at DPS sucks balls. A guy I know failed the airbrake demo like 13 times.

[mikec]

I'm actually starting to study for one as well. Not looking forward to getting it as long as I have the Mustang...

[SouthernSVT]

Did mine a few years back. One of the trainees I was paired with had 3 accidents while we were in the truck... Also wrecked his car during lunch from the classroom. He didn't last.

Texas is pretty bad about giving away CDLs without knowing jackshit about driving. I did mine in Colorado for the oilfield and testing there is much more detailed.

Lol that's pretty bad. We have a lady that is in the same truck as me that I'm very amazed hasn't killed us yet. There's five of us that rotate. Me and another guy got it right away, two others caught on after about a week, but she shouldn't be allowed to get behind the wheel. She can't shift, can't corner, can't use the clutch correctly, can't drive in a straight line, doesn't pay attention, and has put the truck in reverse rather than 1st THREE TIMES in traffic. The rest of us hold on for dear life when she's driving, even the instructor gets scared.

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[SouthernSVT]

As far as the airbrake test and curbs go I'm good, but I like to creep past the stop signs a little too. I'm trying to get better, but its such a habit that I keep forgetting.

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[Redd]

for the stop signs, stop before the white stop bar wait a few seconds then your are allowed to creep up a bit.

I didnt take a class... working for TXDot I got free on job training.

[JP135]

I had to remind myself and I tell anyone else who asks, the test isn't about driving. The test is about making a show of driving. You can't drive the way you normally do. You have be on stage and make a point of showing the testing schmuck that you're the safest driver ever. Make a big deal of checking mirrors. Come to a COMPLETE stop before the white line - don't worry about pissing the guy behind you off. BOTH hands on the wheel. Make it obvious that you're checking your speedometer, signaling lane changes. Nobody drives 30 on a service road, but you will when you test. See what I'm saying? Play the game.

[Captain Crawfish]

what do you plan to do when you get your cdl? all i can say is wear hearing protection and take your time.

[SouthernSVT]

what do you plan to do when you get your cdl? all i can say is wear hearing protection and take your time.

Probably do cross country for a while. No kids or wife, and I wouldn't mind cruisin around the country for a little.


Our instructors are pretty good at getting us prepared for the test, while also teaching us how were really gunna do things on the job.

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[SMEGMA STENCH]

A month? Wow. I just got that little book and studied it off and on for about a week. Then went and took the test and passed. Got the tanker endorsement as well, though I don't use that aspect of it.

[tribaltalon]

at least you are taking the school instead of taking the easy way out and getting the cdl yourself. at least half of the school i went to was full of schmucks that already had their CDL but had realized it's impossible to actually get a job if you dont have any training. We have a lady like the one you're talking about working on our fleet. Everybody is terrified of her. Every time I've seen her she's either stuck, having major issues backing up a trailer, or stuck again. She's going to kill somebody some day, and she looks at you like you're an idiot when you try to help. I've been driving about 2 years now and still enjoy it, but fucking hate how poorly 99% of trucking jobs pay. I'm fortunate to have a really decent paying job, but our contract is up next October, and I have no idea where I'm going to go next. It's looking like I'm going to take at least 12K/Yr pay cut to go anywhere else that I can find. (to stay local or at least semi local)

[tribaltalon]

DO NOT GO TO SCHNEIDER, WERNER,SWIFT,JB HUNT, STEVENS.


In my experience the good (and i say that loosely) companies are KLLM, Crete, FFE.

do your research, alot of the companies pay under 30 cents a mile to start, which is ridiculous. KLLM and crete start out around 32 cents a mile, which is very fair.

[SouthernSVT]

Ya I figured that taking a class would be the best way to go. You get real training, and they help you get a job when you're done. The written tests were a piece of cake, so I went ahead and got my tanker and doubles endorsements too. I appreciate the recommendations of where to apply first, although I've actually heard mostly good things about werner until now. I'll look into the other ones u mentioned.

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