What to Expect During Truck Driving School And Tips For Passing The CDL Exam

Demand for truck drivers continues to dwarf supply, creating career opportunities for those with a passion for travel on the open road. If you’re considering a trucking career, your first step is to complete truck driving school. Here’s what you can expect.

CDL Training
Truck driving school programs are designed to help truckers pass the CDL exam and prepare them for trucking jobs. Depending on what type of license you are seeking to obtain, truck driving school will cover the following:

• The use of electronic logs
• Behind-the-wheel driving
• Safety procedures
• Road signs and their rules and regulations
• How to operate and maneuver trucks
• How to read maps and plan each trip
• Pre- and post-trip vehicle inspection
• Coupling and uncoupling a trailer from the truck

The first portion of truck driving school is focused on classroom training. However, students will still have the opportunity to go outside to learn the key parts of a truck and prepare for behind-the-wheel training. The second portion of truck driving school will teach students how to:

• Make turns
• Approach railroad crossings and intersections
• Drive on city roads and highways
• Conduct pre-and post-trip inspections
• Test the brakes

Tips For Passing The CDL Exam
Once students have completed behind-the-wheel training, America Truck Driving School instructors will provide the following tips for passing the CDL exam.

• Study the CA state CDL manual.
  The manual contains key information that students will be tested on during the written portion of the exam.
• Know which mistakes are acceptable and unacceptable.
  Students may still pass their exam if they turn too wide or miss a shift. However, if they hit curbs, roll backwards during a stop, or fail to check their mirrors during the behind-the-wheel portion of the exam, they will likely fail the test.
• Get a good night’s rest before the exam.
  Paying attention behind the wheel is key to driving safely and avoiding accidents. Students need to understand the importance of getting a good night’s rest before the exam. Emotions will run high the day of the exam but ample rest the night before will help students remain calm and focused.

Arrive at the testing facility early so you can familiarize yourself with the area.
We recommend getting to the facility early in case there’s traffic or other delays on the way to your appointment.