How difficult was it for you to get your license?
 

First time I took the test they gave me demerit points for too slow, improper corner set-up, not looking enough in the mirrors, etc. etc.
Second time they took me around the city centre one right hand turn after the other until I finally ran a curb. I would have had to be in the oncoming lane to negotiate the turn on a crowded street. I have never seen professional drivers on the streets they made me make my right turns. I received no demerit points on my first test for left hand turns so on the second I was only asked to make 2.
The funny thing is that at the drivers school they were giving me good marks and comments on my daily reports such as "great job", "well done" etc.We never drove on busy inner city streets either where the turns could be very technical, certainly not easy for a beginner.
I have only 1 last try left but I think it will just be a waste of time as the driver's school instructor said they will pick on your weak points. Anyone else experienced similar situation? How is an inexperienced driver supposed to drive better than a fulltime professional and get a license?

How many in your class are having the same type of problem?

If only one or two then the problem may lay at your feet. If several then the problem could be the testers have something against your school/trainers, or the school is not doing a good job training you.

To answer your question, I got my CDL on the first try. I missed 2 points on the skills tests and 1 point on the driving exam.

And BTW, the first turn out of the school I went to is a hard right onto a narrow small town city street of the type two full size cars have to hug the ditches to pass each other, and I took my test pulling a 48 ft flatbed with a 10' spread axle which can be harder to turn than a 53 foot.

Road Test/Turns
 

"I would have had to be in the oncoming lane to negotiate the turn on a crowded street." Yup. I was taught it takes three lanes to make a right turn, the lane you're in and two others. And yes, I've sat in an oncoming turn lane in a small town in Georgia until the driver looking at me realized he had to back up in order for me to complete the turn without hitting the curb, or light pole, or stop sign, or any other thing that was on the corner, or him. BOL

steverb1,

I completely understand your dilema about the difficulties in getting your CDL. Are you a school graduate or a "walk-on"?. I let my CDL expire about 8 years ago and recently decided I'd get it back after closing my business. I studied the manual and watched a pre-trip DVD so I wasn't completely out in left field. As a "walk-on" (thats what the CDL instructors call the non-students) with over 9 years prior OTR experience, I had to pay $275 to "rent" the truck and do the pre-trip, yard manuevers and road test. First time they flunked me on the pre-trip because I didn't know some of the terminology I was pointing out. Instead I said "this isn't broken, bent or leaking" and when he said "what is this?" I blanked and couldn't remember what the mechanical part was.

So I rescheduled, another $275. This time a different instructor. I did the pre-trip fine but he flunked me on the yard manuevers, the angle parking test. It's to technical to explain in this email but he flunked me on a technicality. He said in the "real world" backing up to the dock I was correct, but for testing purposes I didn't adhere to their way of doing things and he flunked me again. I didn't hit any cones, lines or run anything over. It's bs!!!

IMO they make it way to easy to flunk the test, it's not hard to pass, it's just to easy to flunk it. I'm not a mechanic. I know if something isn't right, leaks, is broken or whatnot but just because I didn't know the correct terminology isn't cause to flunk me. They want you to cough up the $3k+ to go to the school or they get you to cough up the $275 each time you want to re-take the test. To me, they can stick it. I'm not playing their game and if I don't get my CDL back, then it's not meant to be. I have alot to offer a company with my professionalism, punctuality, skills etc. I have over 1 million accident-free miles OTR in my career and I at least understand how the trucking lifestyle is already compared to a student who goes to a school with no clue what he's getting into.

I think it's a freakin scam these schools are running for those of us who used to drive and got off the road and are now looking at getting our CDL's back and can't even get out of the freakin yard. I know I'm not the only walk-on these instructors are flunking to get you to re-pay and come back a 2nd,3rd, or 4th time.

If there is such a driver shortage, instead of having to re-pay another $275 each time, why don't they simply pro-rate the fee and have you re-take the part they flunked you on? Sounds logical to me. Considering how many empty trucks are sitting out there with no drivers and there's a few of us experienced drivers looking at jumping back into a truck and can't because of the ridiculous-ness the way the system is set up. And can't fight the system.

I'd really like to know if there are other OTR drivers on this forum who've let their CDL's expire and have recently decided to get it back and are having a difficult time doing so as well. Maybe it is just me and I am really dumber than a donut afterall but I don't think so. Anyone else on this forum having a difficult time getting their CDL back again?

I would have to say that not many pass the first time and some I have heard took 3 attempts but I don't really know the actual statistics as there was only 2 in my class. It's a 2 month course and the class after mine had 4 students and the class before 3 students. The school apparently has fired the manager and 1 of the 3 driver instructors and is closing the location where I took my course. They are only going to run a similator and do upgrading now for those who have their license already, but they have 1 other location which is far from here. The pont that erks me is that the road test had more difficult turns than the training provided.

Way back in the day when you didn't have to go get a CDL permit, Is when I got my CDL. I learned from a co-driver, and when I took my written, I passed the first time.
The third party tester for the practical, was a very easy going lady. I was taken around an area of town on a Sunday morning that was very quiet.
After 45 minutes of driving, I dropped off my tester. I've had my class A ever since.

Passed everything first try but that was many moons ago. Got points off for shifting in the turn.

rejected first time b/c I didn't have the insurance policy in the truck. passed the second time

"it don't matter how many times you take the test as long you get the plastic" my boss told me that

It was the easiest thing I have ever done. Really! But them I'm on of them Super Truckers. :lol: :shock: :roll: