Got my Class A CDL Ya'll!!!!! Yes!! - Official Truckers Thread

[UpAndComing]

Finally got past my pre-trip and in-cab inspections stuff. I'm still not 100% confident at it yet but I did enough to move on to the skills test portion of the school.

Congrats breh, how's your backing skills?

 

[CW_1991]

Congrats breh, how's your backing skills?

A lot more complicated than I thought.

 

[UpAndComing]

A lot more complicated than I thought.

Let me guess, you're struggling on the 90 degree backing?

 

[CW_1991]

Let me guess, you're struggling on the 90 degree backing?

I was struggling with just the basic backing with the cones set up. Too heavy-handed with the steering wheel and kept looking out the window instead of the mirrors.

But today was literally my first day on this so, I'm sure as time progresses I'll get better at it.

Had my structure somewhat exasperated at times. Not a good feeling.

 

[UpAndComing]

I was struggling with just the basic backing with the cones set up. Too heavy-handed with the steering wheel and kept looking out the window instead of the mirrors.

But today was literally my first day on this so, I'm sure as time progresses I'll get better at it.

Had my structure somewhat exasperated at times. Not a good feeling.

Ok imma give you some pointers.

1. It's all about how mirrors, the windows are secondary. Adjust the windows so you see 25% the trailer, 75% open space
2. All types of turns on a backing test should be AT MOST a quarter turn. If you do over that, you are gonna fukk it up. Quarter turns are the best because if you make a mistake, the trailer won't go haywire
3. The brake is your friend. Never reverse normal speed. Don't care if you make those breaks burn lol, use the brake to slow you down always when you are first learning

 

[CW_1991]

Ok imma give you some pointers.

1. It's all about how mirrors, the windows are secondary. Adjust the windows so you see 25% the trailer, 75% open space
2. All types of turns on a backing test should be AT MOST a quarter turn. If you do over that, you are gonna fukk it up. Quarter turns are the best because if you make a mistake, the trailer won't go haywire
3. The brake is your friend. Never reverse normal speed. Don't care if you make those breaks burn lol, use the brake to slow you down always when you are first learning

Some things that I realize I was doing that was messing me up was thinking as though I was backing up a regular car. That and also giving it light acceleration when backing instead of just letting it slowly coast on its own while in reverse (and hovering over the breaks in case I need to apply them).

I also wasn't going back to the starting point with the steering wheel after I would turn it in a direction that I thought would straighten it out. I would just keep it in the turned position which we would throw me off completely.

 

[UpAndComing]

Some things that I realize I was doing that was messing me up was thinking as though I was backing up a regular car. That and also giving it light acceleration when backing instead of just letting it slowly coast on its own while in reverse (and hovering over the breaks in case I need to apply them).

I also wasn't going back to the starting point with the steering wheel after I would turn it in a direction that I thought would straighten it out. I would just keep it in the turned position which we would throw me off completely.

Yes you are right. Always go back to the starting point. Go a quarter turn, then go back to the starting point.... Go another quarter turn, then go back to the starting point

That's how touchy a truck is. For example if you do a quarter turn just one time without going back to the starting point, that truck can completely jack knife easily


And sometimes a CDL instructor would tell you to always look at the back tandems for reference point, which I think is completely retarded. As a new trucker, you have no idea how to judge the distance of the tandems when backing up. When I was learning, it got be confused as hell. It is best to use the back corners of the trailer. Make it simple. Match the back corners with the cones or lines

 

[CW_1991]

Yes you are right. Always go back to the starting point. Go a quarter turn, then go back to the starting point.... Go another quarter turn, then go back to the starting point

That's how touchy a truck is. For example if you do a quarter turn just one time without going back to the starting point, that truck can completely jack knife easily


And sometimes a CDL instructor would tell you to always look at the back tandems for reference point, which I think is completely retarded. As a new trucker, you have no idea how to judge the distance of the tandems when backing up. When I was learning, it got be confused as hell. It is best to use the back corners of the trailer. Make it simple. Match the back corners with the cones or lines

Going a bit further ahead, would you say that the skills test portion of the classes is the most difficult part? How does the road test stack up?

 

[UpAndComing]

Going a bit further ahead, would you say that the skills test portion of the classes is the most difficult part? How does the road test stack up?

I would say the skill test is a higher learning curve. Because backing up a Semi isn't a natural thing someone does if they aren't a Truck Driver

The road test is all nerves IMO. Driving, turning, and slowing down on the road is more about instincts and showing the instructor that you know how to control the Truck


So it depends how you look at it if it's tougher. My key for both of them is the break. It saves everything. Helps you go slower so you can think quicker

 

[CW_1991]

Question, if you have a class A license are you automatically eligible to drive class B vehicles? Or is there some kind of learning curve that you have to go through? Or separate permit

 

[CW_1991]

Getting into the dump truck game don't seem too bad either.

What are y'all thoughts on it? How's the money? Average hourly rates? Average hours?

 

[CW_1991]

Finally got my straight backing pretty much down pat. Now I'm trying to figure out offset backing (any tips?).

Also, the trucks that we're using at my school don't have cameras setup on the back to let you see what your backing into. Do most trucks at companies have those cameras? Would be extremely helpful if they did.

 

[J Money]

I'm over in London and as of the 15th November if you apply for your licence and pass the test, you qualify to drive any size truck and don't need to take another test. So you would get your class B and A licence at the same time. They also gonna provide free training via local funded training centres

I'm gonna take advantage of that

 

[CW_1991]

Finally got my alley dock more or less down pat



Definitely should be wrapping things up this month and get in my license.

 

[UpAndComing]

What Type of Truck Driver are you?


Funny quiz