Anyone can start their trucking career. To do this, you need to be over 21 years old and have a CDL. It is worth noting that obtaining this license differs in different states. This is especially true of the West Coast, and specifically California. So make sure that you are aware of the local nuances before you apply.
Therefore, it is crucial to find a truly competent and reliable truck driving school that you can count on. You should also visit the official website of the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) of your chosen state. There you will find all the rules, materials, and step-by-step instructions on getting a license. In this review, we will look into some practical tips on how to prepare for the CDL exam.
How to Prepare for a Practice Test — Driving Instruction?
If you are over 21, there are two ways — study on your own or go to driving school. The chosen option will not affect the chances of passing; the main thing is practice. The recommended minimum for successful delivery is 50 hours, and at least 10 of them should be in the dark.
The standard CDL Class A program at driving schools is 160 hours (4 weeks), with independent practice in between. The theme discussed in each lesson is posted on the website of your chosen driving school, so you know what to expect. After that, the lesson in the cycle is intended directly for preparing for the driving test, and it is recommended that you take it when you have enough “experience.”
The best driving schools provide for the CDL class A Behind-the-Wheel Program, which is about 120 hours (or 3 weeks). Classes are not cheap, but for those who have never really driven trucks, they are a must-have.
Here are some of the recommendations of the DMV and professional instructors that will help you pass the test:
- Find out in advance the practical exam program in your state and be prepared. They are also very different. For the first, technical part of the exam, you should also prepare in advance to be confident and calm;
- Watch video on demand DMV Top-10 Fails in your state;
- Find recent driving test videos in your state;
- Practice hard the last week before the exam: 2 hours every day and at least 2 hours on the day of the exam.
What Should Be Remembered During the Practice Test?
Exams are always exciting, so it is essential to create the calmest and most health conditions for yourself. For this, you can perform the below:
- Don’t overload yourself the day before the exam;
- Prepare all the necessary documents in advance, in the evening;
- Go to bed early and get a good night’s sleep;
- Go to the exam with a person who inspires you with calmness, confidence, and optimism. Often these are not our next of kin because they are involved in the process and worry about us (sometimes too much). It is better to take a friend or instructor with you (they can also provide a car for delivery).
Format and Content of the California State Exam
The practical exam consists of two parts:
- Technical check of the car and skills of operating it. Here you will be asked to turn on turn signals, headlights, emergency lights, wipers, etc., and also show hand signals (left, right, stop). This will ensure that all systems are working and that you know how to use them.
- If there are any problems with a car during the test (for example, it turned out that the headlight or turn signal did not work), the exam will be stopped, but this attempt will not be counted as your failure.
Theoretical Tests
This stage includes passing three tests: General Knowledge (50 questions), Combination Vehicle (25 questions), Air Brake (25 questions). Here is more detailed information about each of them:
- General knowledge. The CDL General Test has 50 multiple-choice questions. To pass the test, you must score at least 80% or answer 40 questions correctly;
- Basic vehicle control. This includes understanding how to turn safely and how to operate a commercial vehicle in various driving situations;
- Vehicle inspection. Control questions that cover the main pre-trip, during the trip, and after-sales check of the car;
- Driving. This topic explains how you scan the road ahead while driving a truck. This also entails the correct use of mirrors;
- Gears. A general knowledge test that will also assess your understanding of when and how to properly shift gears in all driving scenarios when using automatic and manual transmissions;
- Maintaining distance. Space management covers the importance of maintaining a safe distance around you at all times;
- Air brakes. The test aims to assess your understanding of system components, repair, maintenance, air tank emptying, pressure ranges, and the resulting stopping distance of a vehicle equipped with an air brake. Air Brakes includes 25 tasks for which you must give a minimum of 20 correct answers;
- Combination. A test that aims to check whether you know how to properly make a clutch between a trailer and a tractor. Like the airbrake test, the mixed knowledge test has 25 tasks and a minimum of 20 correct answers.
Driving Practice
Each DMV office has its own routes; they are not very difficult — without leaving the highways. You have to exit from the adjacent territory to the roadway, turn left and right (including red), change lanes, and parallel parking. In California, this means simply parking parallel to the curb in an empty space (not between cars) no more than 30 cm from the curb. You may also be asked to reverse for about 100 m without hitting a curb with your wheel. In each office, officers conduct this part at the very end of the exam, on the DMV premises.
The whole process takes 15-20 minutes. The officer sitting next to you constantly notes something in one’s protocol and immediately announces the result after the end of the test. If everything goes well, your documents will go to work, and the finished rights will arrive by mail within 1-2 weeks.
What To Do If You Failed The Test?
You will have to wait and give it a try again. The minimum time is not limited: you can sign up even the next day. In fact, the nearest free date may be available — in 2-4 weeks (depending on the workload of a particular office). A huge plus is that the officer will give you the exam protocol, and you can do “work on the mistakes.” You can also ask questions so as not to make the same mistakes the next time.
Three attempts to pass the “practice” are given for one permit. True, retakes are paid. If all three attempts are used with no success, you will have to start the whole process over again — hand over the “theory” for a new permit and try again.
Conclusion
Perhaps now you know everything about how to pass the Class A CDL exam. A car is not only part of the “American way of life” but also a great opportunity to learn a stable profession. So you should definitely consider getting a driving license as soon as you have the right for it.
