Now is the Time for Hiring Great Truck Drivers

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there will be a 21% increase in hiring truck drivers over the next decade. This is a conservative figure, with a huge potential of growth, as trucks continue to be the leader in transportation of goods. With the economy starting to emerge from a tired and troubling status quo, employment for good truck drivers is looking better than ever.

Why the Increase in Truck Driving Jobs?

It is no surprise that the baby boomer generation is now exiting the work force in big numbers. Many of these drivers found a career in truck driving as soon as graduating high school. They worked hard, saved for retirement, and that time has finally come. Demand for goods has increased through manufacturers making a bigger and better mousetrap. Here are a few of the new areas in goods that were just a dream 20 years ago.

• Natural Gas
• Bio Fuels
• Solar Panels
• Corrugated Cardboard

The new discovery of natural gas extraction by means of fracking, has opened up a whole new area of specialized transportation to different parts of the country. Ethanol and bio diesel haulers are also in big demand, given the government regulations of adding higher percentages of bio fuels into gasoline and diesel-run vehicles. Every state in the nation has transporters hauling in or out of terminals, where the product made available to the public.

The use of solar panels has not grown as fast as many have hoped, but the potential is still climbing. Towns and villages are turning to alternative means to deliver power, in case of blackouts, and entire housing communities are discovering the cost savings that solar power can bring.

Corrugated cardboard may not sound new, but the incredible capacity for using as a form of green products and building supplies, is phenomenal. In addition to corrugated cardboard, building supplies of all types are on the move, after recovering from a slumping housing market.

Changes in the Transportation Industry

If you have heard stories about how diesel engines are unhealthy, the paperwork tiresome, and runs, long and hard, you haven't been keeping up. New technology is replacing this old era with promising results. Here are a few items that have been updated and improved over the past 10 years.

• Environmentally Clean Diesel Engines
• The Ability to Measure an Economical Lifecycle
• Reliable Cost Management
• Expansion of Job Selection

Retrofits, such as diesel oxidation catalysts, diesel particle filters, and closed crankcase ventilation, can change a normal semi diesel engine into an EPA approved emissions reduction system. Many newer models are being delivered with this type of equipment and parts, already installed. In addition to creating a better air quality, drivers are also benefiting by breathing cleaner air.

Measuring the economical life cycle of a tractor trailer used to consist of keeping a journal of repair costs and frequency of breakdowns. By changing certain materials, like iron and metal, to aluminum or magnesium, a lighter weight can be produced. These materials cannot replace every part on a 13,000-pound tractor, but can replace a lot of unnecessary weight. The design of cabs, for instance, does not have to be built for plowing through a forest, but to keep a driver safe on the open road. Alternatives to conventional fuels is another way that the life cycle of an engine can be better prepared for running thousands of miles.

Cost management of a fleet of tractor trailers has always been a problem for trucking companies. Thanks to new software in maintenance and routes, there is never a question of when regular maintenance needs to be performed, or the best routes taken. Paperwork is heavily eliminated when programs that allow drivers to feed the information into a computer that is delivered safely, to the home office. With all of these new features, much of the work is taken off of the driver, handed electronically to the office, and further, turned into schedules and reports for forecasting cost management.

Hauling cargo that a driver despises, is not a good working environment for anyone. Companies want happy drivers and post jobs that give them a selection of contracts, goods, hours and days, that suit their lifestyle. Whether your preference is steel hauling, foodstuffs, or liquid transport, by meeting the requirements of each type of cargo, you can have your choice. Some drivers enjoy traveling across the country and seeing the beauty of our nation, while others prefer the short hauls because of a family at home. Scheduling runs has improved over time and the choices are immense.

A New Type of Career

It seems that once an individual chooses to receive the proper training for driving a semi, there is nothing else. While truck driving careers are not for everyone, some of these benefits appeal to several.

• Freedom of the Open Road
• Forming Friendships with Like Minded People
• Great Pay and Benefits
• No Expensive College Fees

Sitting in an office can turn off a nature-loving individual in a hurry. Being out in the open air, but inside a cab and protected from the elements, can be a perfect way to have the best of both worlds. The feel of experiencing life as it takes place around you, is often a dream come true for many drivers. Visiting places that are foreign, meeting interesting people, and just enjoying the seasons, can provide the perfect career for the right person. So if you are ready to start your trucking career, visit my friends at Trucking Unlimited:

If you're still hesitant about going into a brand-new industry, don't worry! It doesn't take long to strike up a band of close friends when you pursue the trucking industry. There is always something new and exciting to share, plus hobbies and cookouts to enjoy with your new found friends.

The pay and benefits are different in each type of cargo hauling, but are all above average for good drivers. While many businesses and industries are changing their way of treating employees with more duties and less benefits, the trucking industry prides itself in paying a good wage for a good day's work. Seniority is still an important factor when your record is kept clean and your work habits good. Trucking will provide a good career for those that follow the rules.

How many people do you know that are still paying for their college tuition 10 to 20 years after graduating? Once you have completed your truck school training, there are no future costs. Many trucking companies will even provide the training in exchange for your employment with their firm. Look for companies that are recruiting for new employees and you could be pleasantly surprised of the outcome of a promising career.

What Trucking Company Employers Look for in Drivers

If you are looking for a truck driving career with a company that is no nonsense and appreciative of your driving skills, you will not have far to look. Being able to do the work is just part of the job. Being responsible, prompt, caring and loyal, are traits that recruiters look for in potential employees.

Take the attitude that this could be your ticket to a great future and never let an employer down. If you are looking to get into the owner-operator field, there is no better experience than working for a trucking company that knows all of the ropes. You may also want to specialize in a higher paying type of cargo, such as flammable liquids, or perhaps find that truck driving is not for you. But if it is, learn as much as you can and be as positive as possible. Present yourself with pride and honor for your company and your skills will take you to wherever you wish to go with your new truck driving career.

Voyager Voyeur – A Glimpse At Life From High Above

Eighty percent of male truck drivers admit to glancing down into passing cars hoping to see a naked woman. The other 20 percent are liars.

Some days, on monotonous routes (I-90 from Chicago to Boston), the opportunity to look into vehicles as they cruise past, makes a boring day almost enjoyable. Hours-long stretches of overly familiar interstate requires creative ways to pass time – and people watching is safer than doing
Sudoku puzzles on my cell phone.
On weekdays, in populated areas, it’s conceivable that several hundred vehicles (possibly thousands) pass my driver’s window. When traffic flow smoothens out, and I allow myself to lower my guard down one notch from hyper-alert, I admit – I look. Ladies, you needn’t worry about being leered at by creepy truckers while you drive. We save that for the Walmart parking lot. Besides, it’s not really “looking”, but more like instantaneous glancing. With my truck’s top speed at 65 mph, and other vehicles flying past at 70-75, I get a one-second glimpse into the lives of my motoring countrymen.
For the most part, passing vehicles contain normal people busily doing activities normal people do – shopping, working, and picking up the kids from the sitter. A vehicle’s contents and activities reveal who’s on vacation, who’s a hoarder, and who smokes with kids in the back seat. It’s what I don’t expect to see that makes long days worthwhile.

FOOD AND DRINK

People eat and drink in their vehicles. That’s why cup holders and stain-resistant upholstery were invented. My anecdotal observations indicate water, coffee, Mountain Dew, and fast food breakfast sandwiches are the most popular consumables. Near Cleveland, one woman decided she needed to take her homemade spaghetti to go. With one hand under her glass plate, one on the fork, and a knee controlling the wheel, she maneuvered her car at 55 mph through the center lane of a busy freeway interchange. Another woman, enjoying her morning doughnut on a workday commute, cruised past with a box of 50 pastries in her lap.
After 5:00 on Friday nights I expect seeing construction workers, factory workers, and college guys starting their weekend parties early. It’s not only the young and blue collared who enjoy car parties, but also well-to-do couples in Vermont who “put wheels” on their crystal wine glasses.

WHAT GOES IN MUST COME OUT

When cars jam on the brakes in front of me and pull over in a cloud of dust, I no longer expect a deer in the road, only persons in various stages of digestive distress. I’ve witnessed countless liquid arches whizzing semi-discretely from behind open doors, grown men returning from the woods with a shredded newspaper under their arms, and a grandmother holding back a little girl’s ponytail as the child emptied the contents of her stomach into the ditch as the grandmother emptied the contents of her soupy handbag.

FREAKS

After seven months on the road I’ve seen so many quirky sights that little surprises me now. Except for the New York woman with her face tattooed (not grease painted) like the drummer from KISS. Or the woman with a 100+ Winston cigarette packs scattered front seat and back. And the amateur maestro near Bismarck, who, at 5:30 am, enjoys animatedly conducting an imaginary orchestra with a cigarette, a Miller Lite tallboy, and his penis.
For the record, of the tens of thousands of cars that have passed by my window only three have had naked ladies in them. To the woman on Chicago’s south side: I’m guessing you were trying to keep your outfit from getting wrinkled on the drive to the office.
Then again, who’s looking?

What Causes People To Fail CDL School?

We usually talk about success here on TruckingTruth. Whether you receive our High Road Newsletter, chat in the forum, or simply read our blogs, the common theme is success and how to achieve that success. But this blog article will discuss the elephant in the room. Fact is, not everyone makes it through truck driving school. Some people do fail (albeit a very small percentage). This blog post will discuss why people fail and how to avoid that happening to you.
Having The Wrong Attitude

beautiful big rig show truck

Many people don’t realize just how difficult truck driving is. Virtually everyone thinks they are a great driver. But driving a truck is much different than driving a Ford Explorer or even a U-Haul truck. Not to mention all of the bookwork and studying that needs to be done! Truck driving school is hard and its meant to be that way. Do not go into this career thinking it’s going to be easy. Whether you’ve been driving a truck for 4 days or 40 years, the first day you stop learning something new is the first day you become a dangerous trucker. Go in with the attitude that this is going to be tough, because it will be!

So be ready for long days, lots of studying, a little bit of sweating while in the drivers seat, and the challenge of a lifetime. Think I’m exaggerating? Take a peak at our free online CDL training program and you’ll understand just how much information you’re expected to learn! But at the same time, the experience can be incredibly fun and exciting. You’re learning how to drive huge and powerful trucks which you’ll soon be taking all over the country crisscrossing nearly every mile of interstate. Trucks are cool – enjoy the experience! You’re embarking on something most people would love to do, but are simply too terrified to give it a shot!
Hanging Out With The Wrong Crowd

Within the first week of truck driving school, you’ll notice some cliques forming. There’s no doubt that a bond forms between students but be very careful with who you’re hanging around. There will be those who study hard and do whatever it takes to be the best. Not just to pass their exams, but to be the very best. Then, there are others, who have an attitude. They feel as if truck driving is easy and they don’t need to put in much effort. They think anyone can be a truck driver. Overall, they are negative and generally don’t have anything positive to say. People like this show up in virtually every class. Steer clear of those people. They are typically the ones that have problems later on. Always stay positive and try to only hang out with those who bring more positivity into the situation. Don’t aim to pass your CDL exams. Aim to be the best!
Failure To Have Self Discipline

The written exam can be passed by virtually anyone. Yet, thousands of people fail the written exams every month. How can this be? Simple. Those who fail the exams didn’t put in the time to study. From free state CDL study manuals to free online training programs, all the resources you could ever need are there for you. All it takes is some self-discipline to study the material. If you don’t study, you will fail. Plain and simple. Most truck driving schools expect you to obtain your CDL permit after the first week. That’s a lot of information to learn in one week. Study now or get left behind later.
Inability To Keep Calm

One of the biggest obstacles most new drivers have to overcome is their nervousness. Now is a great time to learn how to control your emotions. Many students do just fine during class, but come test time, they get nervous and fail an exam due to poor decision making skills. Is it fair to be judged under this kind of stressful situation? Absolutely! You’re going to get yourself into some sticky situations as a truck driver. It’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when. Every driver has a story to tell about getting lost in a major city, driving through a wicked snowstorm, dealing with congestion, roads which weren’t designed for trucks, and many other unique situations where stress and emotions run high. You absolutely must learn how to keep cool under pressure. Everyone expects you to be nervous both during training and during your exam. But you must be able to show that you can control your nervousness and make sound decisions at the same time.
Giving Up

Quite a few students never stand a chance at ever obtaining their CDL. Why? Because they give up before they even have a chance to start their career. Time and time again we hear from people who struggle with various aspects of their truck driver training. Whether they are having trouble shifting, backing, learning how to properly pre-trip a truck or anything in between, some people get real down on themselves. During these struggles, do not compare yourself to other students in your class. As an example, if everyone is backing the truck perfectly except for you, don’t let that get into your head. Work with your instructors and keep pushing forward. When it comes to driving techniques like shifting and backing, drastic improvements can be made in a single day. Most people do struggle for a while until something just seems to “click” one day. For some people, that “click” comes sooner than others. But don’t ever feel like you’re doomed to failure if you don’t catch on as quickly as other students in your class. All it takes is that one day when it “clicks” and you’ve got it.

Of course, it’s difficult to explain all the reasons some people fail truck driving school. But it almost always comes down to the first reason listed in this article – attitude! When you think about it, all of the other reasons listed have something to do with your attitude and mindset in some way. Always think positive, always know that you can do it (you can!), always be willing to put in the hard work, and always be ready to learn something new. If you have the right attitude and stay positive, it’s nearly impossible to fail.

Until next time, drive safely!

Why Do People Decide To Become Truck Drivers?

It seems like nearly everyone has considered the trucking lifestyle at one point or another. For me, it started back when I was just 4 or 5 years old. I can still distinctly remember looking out the window of our old family van on road trips, wondering what it must be like to drive those big trucks. Where are they going? What are they hauling? What is it like to span the entire country in less than a week – and then do it all over again? Why do they look so darn cool? There was something so mysterious and romantic about truck driving.

Of course, as a kid, I was more than a decade away from being able to drive a big rig. So to wet my appetite in the meantime, I’d play with my toy trucks on the living room floor. Well, that was until I discovered a Radio Flyer wagon tied to the back of a Schwinn bicycle was much more realistic! Yep, I was hauling around cargo (anything I could find in the garage) with no destination in mind. I was just a kid having a blast pretending I was a trucker. If you’re interested in truck driving, chances are you have childhood memories like that, too.
Sometimes Life Goes In A Different Direction

But my life, like the lives of so many others, took a different path. Somehow the dream faded. I stopped thinking about truck driving entirely. Instead, I followed the path that was laid out before me, just like all the other kids where I grew up. It was a path that took me in the opposite direction of truck driving. The end result? I became a truck driver anyway.
Times They Are A Changin’

In late 2008, I was laid off from my job. No more income and no more security. And that was during the worst economy since the great depression. Panic time! What was I to do? Luckily, I remembered my childhood dream. I was certainly qualified and the timing was right. Am I crazy enough to do it? Do I take that leap? After quite a bit of research, I decided to go for it. That ended up being the best decision I’ve ever made for myself. I now know that I’ll never go back to a corporate office job ever again.

But not everyone gets into trucking because of a layoff or because it was some dream of theirs as a child. In fact, some people don’t even consider it until they are well into adulthood while holding perfectly stable jobs. A huge number of truck drivers are retirees or those who just want to experience the unique lifestyle. Some see it as an opportunity to travel the country and better yet, get paid to do it. I’ve met everyone from high school dropouts to former dentists and commercial pilots. Everyone has their own unique reason for trucking.
Trucking Is A Lifestyle

One thing to remember is that truck driving is not a job. It’s a lifestyle. You will work long hours and be away from home for about 3 to 6 weeks at a time. The money isn’t terrible, but it isn’t great either, especially considering the number of hours you’ll be expected to work. This should not be a “last resort” type of job. If you do this for the money and do it because you simply need a job, you’re setting yourself up for a big disappointment. This has to be a lifestyle you truly want. A challenge you’re ready for. And an experience you crave to have.

If the lifestyle sounds like your cup of tea, then get ready for a wild ride. Get ready for that first day behind the wheel while your leg shakes from nervousness. Get ready for your first mountain pass with 80,000 pounds pushing you downhill. Get ready to see some of the most beautiful sights in the world as well as some of the most rundown parts of our major cities. Get ready for independence and solitude. Get ready to meet some incredibly unique people in some even more incredibly unique places. This is truck driving. It’s a crazy lifestyle, but it might just be the change you’re looking for.

Until next time, drive safely!

The Next Chapter In My Trucking Journey

For the past few years, I’ve been living a childhood dream. Driving a truck all over this country has provided me with one of the most unique lifestyles that I can think of. It has been overwhelmingly positive and I’m grateful for everything I’ve been able to experience along this wonderful journey. But I’ve recently had some very exciting opportunities become available to me that I simply can’t pass up. And so, my final run as a truck driver has been completed. Luckily, this opportunity allows me to still be involved in the trucking industry in a big way!
It All Started With This Blog

truck driving journey

When I first got into trucking, Brett (the owner of this site) asked me if I’d like to blog about my experiences. I jumped at the opportunity as I love to write and thought it would be helpful for people just getting into the industry to read about the trucking life. I immediately enjoyed it and thought it was cool that literally hundreds of people every single day were reading what I had to say. Who knew I was so interesting!?

I finally thought about building my own websites on a part-time basis. Problem was, I didn’t know the first thing about building a website. Brett had always taken care of everything as far as my blog was concerned. So I decided to start learning as much as I possibly could and immediately I was hooked. While sitting at shippers and receivers, during my 34hr restarts, and even during my 10hr breaks, I was working on my websites and learning all I could about how to make a living online.

Slowly but surely, I started to grow and my websites became more and more successful. I finally reached a breaking point. I could either keep my sites at the same level or take a risk and focus on them full time. The decision was very hard for me to make, but I decided to take the risk and try my hand at becoming a full time web programmer.
Leaving On Good Terms

Since there is some risk to what I’m doing, I knew I had to leave my trucking job on good terms. I informed my dispatcher 2 weeks before the day I wanted to quit and was honest with him. I let him know exactly what I was doing and that I wanted to leave on good terms just in case this doesn’t work out. He was sad to see me go, but said the door is always open if I want to come back. That’s one of the great things about having a CDL – it’s a great insurance policy! Trucking companies are always hiring. So I ran for two weeks then turned in my truck. It was a bittersweet day. I’m so excited about my new venture, but I’m also going to miss the trucking lifestyle dearly.
An Unexpected Twist – And A Partnership With TruckingTruth!

After some discussion, Brett and I have decided to team up and work as hard as we can on improving this already great site. The growth over the past few years has been explosive, but we feel we can make things even better. And now that there’s two of us, the site will grow and improve by an even quicker pace.

Both Brett and I are passionate about what we do and we understand the pains you all face out on the road. A big complaint from truckers is that nobody cares about them. Well, we do. The things that are coming in the near future will blow you away, no matter what stage of truck driving you’re in. There are very few people that have the knowledge of trucking and the programming skills to build content, cell phone apps, and online programs to help truck drivers. It may sound melodramatic, but we’re about to change the way truckers do business. Two former truck drivers turned programmers working for you with a passion and desire to help that can’t be match by even the biggest corporations. These next few years will be very exciting and I hope you check back often to see what we’re building for you!

So while my life as a trucker has come to a close, I will still be involved with this website (more than ever, actually) and will be working hard to improve the lives of truckers nationwide. Great things are coming and no doubt, if you’re a trucker, you’ll be directly impacted by the wonderful things that are on the way.

Of course, if you ever would like to contact me personally, please don’t ever hesitate to send an email to TruckerMike@TruckingTruth.com. I love to help! That’s why I’m here!

So until next time, drive safely!

A Driver Trainer’s Perspective: Some Helpful Tips And Observations For Student Drivers

Being a CDL instructor or a driver trainer is a very unique experience. I’ve heard people claim that the best way to learn something inside and out is to teach it. After going through this whole experience, I definitely agree with that statement. I learned more about truck driving over the past 4 weeks than I have in the previous three years combined. It was an amazing learning experience for me. Here are some of the highlights I learned along the way.
Expressways Are Easy

Some new drivers are nervous about driving such a large vehicle on the expressway. Actually, this is the easiest part of truck driving. Yes, there are extra challenges when driving a huge vehicle (blind spots, merge points, dumb 4-wheelers, etc.), but quite frankly, anybody can learn how to drive a truck straight down a highway. When learning how to drive a truck, it’s all the other stuff you should be concerned with. Taking turns, managing stop lights, predicting what other cars and trucks around you will do, backing into tight spaces, city streets, tight pickup and delivery locations, and a million other things. The expressway is the fun part. Enjoy it! But be ready to learn as much as you can about the other 99% of trucking.
Don’t Worry About What Others Think

My student really struggled with this, and when I first started driving, I did too. Driving a big, slow truck is much different than driving a car. You have to take turns slowly, you accelerate slowly (if you’re on a hill you might not be able to speed up at all), it takes you longer to pass, it’s harder for others to pass you…. Basically, you are always in the way of people, always going too slow, and nobody ever wants to be behind you. That’s life as a trucker. You will make people upset. But the more you try to rush and the more of a hurry you’re in, the more you will make mistakes and increase the likelihood of an accident.
It Ain’t Easy Bein’ A Rookie

trucks rolling through mountain roads

But it’s not just the 4-wheelers. As a new driver, it will take you a while to get the feel of the truck. You’ll miss gears, you’ll take turns much slower than other truckers, it’ll take you longer to back into docks and parking spots, and you’ll do things that make it painfully obvious you are a rookie. On rare occasions, you might even get somebody on the CB radio who yells at you, gives you a hard time, makes fun of you, or tries to intimidate you. Ignore it! Every driver was new once (although some drivers will never admit that). You can never take a turn too slowly, but as soon as you take one too fast you’ll know it because your career will be over. You can never get out and look too many times at a truck stop when backing up. But if you decide not to get out and look, and hit Bubbas truck, you’ll know it!

Truckers are plucked from the general public, just like everyone else. Some of them are really nice and are willing to lend you a helping hand while others are jerks that feel they must prove something. Don’t be intimidated, and leave your ego at home.

Every time my student got intimidated by somebody, be it a 4-wheeler or another trucker, I’d ask my student “What is that guy’s name?” He could never give me an answer. You have no personal connection with anybody out there on the road. If they think you’re stupid, who cares!? You don’t know them, they don’t know you, and chances are you’ll never see them again in your life. It’s ok to be a rookie and do things extra cautiously. In fact, it’s a requirement.
Learning The Lifestyle

The hardest part of driving a truck, ironically, has nothing to do with driving a truck. It’s all the other stuff that goes along with it. Using dirty public restrooms, sitting at shippers and receivers for hours on end with poor facilities and crabby employees, the erratic schedules, missing a sporting event, missing friends and family, living in an extremely cramped space (with a stranger while you’re in training no less!), the paperwork, the rules and regulations, and a million other things. The list goes on and on. This is not an easy lifestyle. Nor is it glamorous. It takes some getting used to, but give it a chance. At first, you might not like it. Try to adjust and go with the flow. Because over time, you’ll learn some tricks to make it easier and more manageable. You’ll adapt. And after a while, the lifestyle becomes a part of you. It gets into your blood and you wouldn’t want to have it any other way. For many of us, this lifestyle is like a drug and we become addicted. No, you won’t understand that early on. But if you stick with it and keep a positive attitude, the payoff will be worth it.
Sharing A Truck

Remember, this is a temporary situation. Sharing a truck with a total stranger can and will test your patience at times. Maybe you’ll get lucky like I did and have a great trainer with a personality to match. But that might not be the case. As long as your trainer is safe, just stick it out. After company training you’ll never have to share a truck ever again. And remember, your trainer is giving up his personal space and freedom to have you on board. This isn’t a cakewalk for your trainer, either.

For more info about sharing a truck with your trainer, check out my blog post on types of trainers and how to deal with them.
This Was A One Time Deal

While I did enjoy the experience, this is the last time I will ever be a trainer. I simply love my personal space and laid back lifestyle. Training a new driver is stressful and takes a lot of work. Yes, the money was good. And yes, it was very exciting to see my student grow and improve over time. I got a lot of satisfaction out of helping my student start his new career. I also learned a ton along the way. However, I am glad to be back in my truck, by myself, where I can sing loudly, talk to myself, and fart freely!

Until next time, drive safely!

CDL Testing Day From A Trainers Perspective

Well, the day has come! My student is ready to take his CDL exam and get his CDL license. You can cut the tension with a knife! Here’s how the day went:
An Early Start

Just like when I took my CDL exam, we were required to be up early and meet up with other students and the CDL examiners at 6:30am. And just like on my CDL exam day, my student was up before 5am. He woke up and couldn’t get back to sleep due to the nervousness, so he simply began going over all of his pre-trip inspection study guides. I was also up early because I was nervous too!
A Long Day Ahead

At 6:30am we checked in and took a seat with about 15 other students and instructors. At that point, we were told that it was going to be a very long day. They only had 2 CDL examiners available for 15 of us taking our exam that day. So basically, it would be an all day ordeal and we needed to be patient.
The High Failure Rate

Then they started to lecture the instructors. Apparently, of the 15 students taking the exam, 10 of them were retesting due to failing at least one of the CDL exams (either the pre-trip, backing, or road test) earlier in the week. We were then told that in the past 7 days, only 4 students had passed all 3 exams on their first try. So they were telling instructors that if we weren’t 100% confident our student was ready, we needed to leave and come back another time. It was a very stern lecture about how our pass rate is way too low. Talk about making an already nervous group of people even more nervous!
The Long Wait

So once they were done lecturing everyone and we were all checked in, we went back out to the truck and had to simply wait our turn. During this time, we watched others being tested and practiced the pre-trip exam over and over again. It was a long, brutal, anxious waiting period. Finally, after about 6 hours of sitting around and waiting, my student’s number came up. Four weeks of preparation and it all came down to three tests and it was going to happen right now. I’m not sure who was more nervous, me or my student! As the instructor, I’m not allowed to be around during the testing. So I took the long walk to the waiting area.
Test #1 – The Pre-Trip

yellow Peterbuilt

Unfortunately, I couldn’t see my student performing the pre-trip exam from my vantage point due to some obstructions. So I was totally in the dark as to what was going on. As I paced around, another instructor came up to me and said “Hey man, you look like an expecting father right now! You alright!?” We both had a laugh and he shared some stories with me about some of his past students.

Then, I saw my student walking toward me. He was alone and his face was bright red. I began to worry even more. I asked him, “So, how did it go?” He said, “I did everything just like we practiced, but I think he failed me!” Awww, crap. Oh well, we’ll find out where things went wrong and prepare to take it again. Students get three tries in a one month period, so it’s certainly not the end of the world.

The CDL examiner came over and called us into the office. He said, “Good job, you are allowed to have a maximum of 30 points and you only received 2 points. You were a nervous wreck, but you did an excellent job.”

What!?! What a relief! Phew! We were then told to go back out to the truck and position it on the pad for the backing test. As soon as we were out of earshot of the examiner I told my student, “Man, you scared the (you know what!) out of me!!!” I guess due to the examiners body language, and the fact the examiner never told him he passed, my student figured he failed something. But in reality, he did fantastic!
Test #2 – The Backing Maneuvers

Once the truck was in position and the examiner was present, it was time for me to make that long walk again and wait. This time, I was able to see my student. There isn’t much of a story to tell here. My student performed nearly flawlessly. Each maneuver was done exactly how we did it during practice and was executed with very few issues. I couldn’t have been more proud of him during the backing tests. Just perfect.

This time, as he walked towards me, there was a bit more confidence in his face and he gave me a little thumbs up. Even the examiner seemed quite happy. As if finally there was a guy who was ready! Two down, one to go!
Test #3 – The Road Test

Of the three, this is where I was the most nervous. My student is an excellent driver – unless he’s under pressure. When he gets nervous, his driving really goes downhill. It was something I struggled with during the entire 4 week period he was on my truck. I couldn’t get him to relax and think clearly while under stress. Driving during the exam to get your CDL license is an extremely stressful situation. So I was worried. Once again, I had to wait while the testing was performed. Off they went!

When they returned, I immediately knew something was amiss. My student was clearly flustered and as soon as he saw me, he shook his head no. Well…crap.

We went into the examiners office and he looked directly at me and said “Well, your student passed today. But his shifting is horrendous. Nearly every point he received was due to his shifting. Before he goes out with his trainer, you have to take him out and refine his shifting abilities because he is still shifting like a first week student.” The examiner was clearly not happy with my student’s shifting, but apparently he did well enough to pass! And with that being the final test, he was done! No more! The paperwork was signed and no matter how bad his shifting was, they couldn’t take it away! WOO HOO!!!
A Dampened Celebration

I felt bad because my student wasn’t happy with himself. This should have been a fantastic experience and a very happy moment for him. But he admitted that if he were the examiner, he wouldn’t have passed himself. He said that his shifting was awful due his nervousness and the fatigue of a long day. The thing is, he knows how to shift and he knows how to shift well. It was a bit embarrassing for me too, as his instructor for the past 4 weeks, but it didn’t bother me nearly as much as it bothered him. The bottom line is he got his license and passed all of his exams on the very first try. This was excellent news, especially considering most people don’t pass on the first attempt. So really, he couldn’t have been that bad.

So that’s it! Four weeks worth of work paid off. Four weeks of minor heart attacks, struggles, accomplishments, studying, nervousness, tension, excitement, new experiences, and more information than he ever imagined he could ever cram into his head in such a short amount of time. He’s now out of my hands as he continues onto the next phase of training!

Until next time, drive safely!