Took My Class A CDL Test This Morning......

[GG Allin]

....& failed!!!

I feel stupid. They made me feel stupid. They made me feel like I didn't even study.

I've had a Class B with air brakes since 1995. And I've had a Class A permit since October. My livelihood does not depend on me getting the upgrade, but I would really like to have it. From what I understand, a lot of times it comes down to the person you get giving you the test. I got the military drill sergeant type. Another problem is, I've gotten used to a Mack tractor. Had to take a Peterbilt for the test. A truck I'm not entirely familiar with. Being nervous didn't help either.

[mfiazzo]

Better luck next time! Keep practicing, you will get it

[Schrup]

You'll get it next time. I got mine shortly after I was hired 18 years ago. I had a ton of hazmat training & experience, but that was the test I had to retry because I missed it by one question. I took my test in a pole truck used for hauling & setting power poles (looks like a logging truck). It was an automatic & the test was administered by a fellow employee.

Getting the Class A CDL was required by my employer, but they made it super easy. It's not that way anymore. I used it for dump/boom trucks (all automatics) as an apprentice. Haven't needed it since I graduated & promoted indoors. If I jumped into a big rig now, I wouldn't have a clue, but I'll keep renewing it because you never know.

[GG Allin]

Originally Posted by Schrup

You'll get it next time. I got mine shortly after I was hired 18 years ago. I had a ton of hazmat training & experience, but that was the test I had to retry because I missed it by one question. I took my test in a pole truck used for hauling & setting power poles (looks like a logging truck). It was an automatic & the test was administered by a fellow employee.

Getting the Class A CDL was required by my employer, but they made it super easy. It's not that way anymore. I used it for dump/boom trucks (all automatics) as an apprentice. Haven't needed it since I graduated & promoted indoors. If I jumped into a big rig now, I wouldn't have a clue, but I'll keep renewing it because you never know.

In Illinois and I assume elsewhere, you can test in an auto trans tractor and we have a few of those, but you'll have a restriction on your license. The biggest problem I thought I'd have today was with shifting. You are required to double clutch, which is ridiculous. Never even got to that point.

[URY914]

Did you wear your cap on backwards, a sleeveless t-shirt and carry one of those wallets on a chain?

[GG Allin]

Originally Posted by URY914

Did you wear your cap on backwards, a sleeveless t-shirt and carry one of those wallets on a chain?

No, I don't look much like a trucker.

[unclebilly]

Here in Canada, you don't need to double clutch for the test. I taught myself how to drive my Mack CH613 with a Mack 18 speed and then one day did my test. I passed first try and was told by the tester to quit driving it like a 1/2 ton and use the gears to show I knew how.

I have never double clutched and don't know how anyway.

[craigster59]

I double clutched on my Class A test years ago but failed for shifting while crossing a "dead" railroad track. I passed on the second try.

[Mike80911]

Some of those motor vehicle people giving a road test take themselves way to seriously. I have taken tests on everything from motorcycles to tractor trailers. Sometimes you get a very pleasant person giving the test and sometimes you get an a hole. Maybe next time you will get someone with a better outlook and pass the test.

[crustychief]

Practice, practice. I got mine two years ago. I was nervous but tried not to show it. Good luck.

[stevej37]

In the area that I live..the person doing the road test part is notorious for flunking 50% or more for very trivial matters. The fee for the road test is split 50/50 between him and the SOS If you don't pass...pay again. The fee, a few years back was $60.
It depends on how his wallet is when taking the test.

[GG Allin]

So that was March, now it's June. Took the pretrip test again this morning and easily passed it. I did not pass the skills test though. They got me on the parallel parking to the right. Funny, I've practiced that maneuver countless times and I'm good at it. I just got the truck in a bad position and could not correct it. First he had me parallel park to the left, a maneuver I've practiced very little. Nailed it perfectly first attempt, go figure.

[dennis in se pa]

Got my CDL-A with Roehl 10 years ago. Didn't have to parallel park. Drove big rigs, tour busses and mass transit. Tour busses was good.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by GG Allin

So that was March, now it's June. Took the pretrip test again this morning and easily passed it. I did not pass the skills test though. They got me on the parallel parking to the right. Funny, I've practiced that maneuver countless times and I'm good at it. I just got the truck in a bad position and could not correct it. First he had me parallel park to the left, a maneuver I've practiced very little. Nailed it perfectly first attempt, go figure.

Man, that's rough. Keep at it. Even if you don't need it it will feel good to know you didn't let the bastages wear you down.
If it's any consolation, at the age of 16 I had been driving on the farm for 6 years, knew how to drive, knew the rules of the road - and failed my driver's license test twice. Often it isn't what you know, it's how you test.

[crustychief]

Dang. I am training a guy at work, I set up a standard DMV setup in a vacant lot and have been having him to all the possible skills test maneuvers over and over. then I shrink the boxes by a foot and have him do it again. He goes on the 27th for his test.

[Por_sha911]

Next time start out by telling the tester that you're sure you'll ace the test because you've been driving for years without the permit going across the border at night with no lights to avoid detection and avoiding all the checkpoints. That will impress him.

[glewis80SC]

I have a class B and had to take the HAZMAT only this year to renew....failed it...sat in my car for an hour reviewing again just passed the second time. Ya PITA !!!! Good luck.