The High Road™ Online CDL Training Program

The Most Effective CDL Test Preparation Course On The Planet

This program is 100% free for everyone!
  • Intro
  • Overview
  • Features
  • Testimonials
  • Tips/Advice

The High Road™ Online CDL Training Program Is Pure Awesomeness

We're not pulling any punches. We're going to say it like it is. This is the highest quality, most comprehensive online CDL training program ever created. As if that wasn't awesome enough, it also happens to be unconditionally free for everyone to use.

Our program has a ton of incredible features, and it's really user friendly. So grab a cup of coffee and strap yourself in because you're going to be blown away when you see what we have in store for you!

The Entire CDL Manual And Beyond

Our CDL training program has the entire CDL manual built right in. That alone will prepare you for all of the required written exams including the CDL learner's permit and all of the endorsement exams. Now that's pretty fantastic in itself, but as experienced drivers, we knew that wasn't nearly enough. No way.

Because passing the CDL exam isn't the real test. The real test begins when you're sitting behind the wheel of an 80,000 pound rig, and we want to make sure you have the knowledge it takes to survive out there in the trucking industry. So we've gone beyond the CDL manual and built several sections ourselves full of critical knowledge that will prepare you for a great start to your trucking career.

Who Designed This Training Program?

This training program was designed and built with the help of professional drivers, including certified CDL instructors with decades of safe driving experience. These experienced professionals know exactly what it takes to pass the CDL exams and become safe, productive drivers out on the road.

Our CDL training program has proven to be so effective that is has gone viral in the trucking community essentially overnight! We are blown away with the positive response to this program, and you're going to be amazed at how well it's put together. Take a couple minutes to browse the features, testimonials, and tips before you sign up and get going!

Features Of The High Road Training System

Includes The Complete CDL Manual & More

We've built the entire CDL manual right into our training system. But we didn't stop there! We've added several sections of our own to this training program so you'll be prepared for all of the written exams and life on the road.

This training system was built by experienced drivers and trainers who know there's a lot more to life on the road than what the CDL manual covers. We've added our own sections covering Logbook Rules and Weight & Balance so you'll be ready to tackle some of the toughest aspects of life in the trucking industry.

Sophisticated Review System

Repetition is the key to memorizing large amounts of information. By continuously analyzing your scores on each question as you progress through the program, our review system will determine which questions you are having the most trouble with.

These high priority questions will be repeated as many times as is necessary to reinforce the correct answers. This system is capable of determining each person's strengths and weaknesses and gives you continued reinforcement where you need it most.

Intelligent Halt System

Yellow Peterbuilt on the highway

When we find that you are beginning to struggle, we temporarily stop giving you new materials and have you review the questions you're having the most trouble with.

What would be the point of feeding you new materials if you're having trouble with what we've given you so far? The point is to learn the materials, not just fly through the program as quickly as possible.

If you miss a particular question too many times or your overall average drops below 85% we will help you review the areas you're struggling with until we see you're ready to continue on to new materials.

Dynamically Built, Interactive Quizzes

tractor trailer driving down the road

The multiple choice quizzes given on each page include questions from the page being loaded and review questions from pages you've already completed. The order of the questions and answers are randomized, and the answers to review questions from previous pages can be lookup up in an instant.

The quizzes are designed to work as a tool to help reinforce the information, not simply as a way to test your knowledge. We don't want you guessing at the answers, because guessing isn't learning. In fact, guessing can inhibit learning by reinforcing an incorrect answer.

When taking a quiz, the answer to each question can be quickly found in the content of the page, or in the case of review questions, with the click of a link which reveals the answer. This allows you to quickly find the correct answer, reinforces the information, and saves tons of precious time trying when having to look something up.

Complete The Materials In Any Order At Your Own Pace

We've designed our training program to be very flexible. You can complete the course materials in any order at your own pace. Simply jump to a different section of the program when you're ready for a change of pace.

The optimal experience means being able to work on the materials you're interested in learning at the moment, and working when you feel fresh and ready to take on a challenge. Instead of forcing everyone to work on the same materials at the same pace, our program allows you the flexibility to choose the materials you're working on and set your own schedule.

Even our review system and halt mechanism have been designed to adjust to your preferences. You can take the course in any order you like and we'll send the proper review questions from sections you've already completed. If you begin to struggle, we'll halt your progress and force a review of the materials before allowing you to move on.

Insights, Tips, And Suggestions Built In

Throught the program you'll find important tips, insights, and suggestions wherever you see the purple question mark () to help you understand the materials better and gain an understanding for how that knowledge will fit into the overall picture.

Not all information is created equal. Certain bits of information may be critically important to the safe operation of the vehicle, and some information will almost certainly show up on the CDL exam. We want to go beyond just teaching the information. We want you to understand why this information is so important and how it will affect your CDL testing and your career in the trucking industry.

What People Are Saying About The High Road Training System

"My own experience with the course itself was nothing short of amazing. To come into the course with absolutely no prior knowledge of the subject, and to be able to grasp the information, understand it, and retain it, has taken quite a bit off stress off me. Now I know that when I do enroll in a school, I can focus on the driving aspects, and not have to worry about the classroom side of things.

Being able to study at my own pace and in my own time was extremely helpful to me. Being able to see what areas I was having difficulty with, and being able to spend more time on those sections was so beneficial. The way the information is broken down and presented topic by topic keeps the course from being overwhelming, and the layout of the program itself is condusive to a variety of learning styles."

- Ahmalia

tractor trailer

"My experience so far has been fantastic. It is set up in such a way that it learns and adapts to what the student needs to pay closer attention to. If the program notices you need to go over a certain subject again, it will halt you for a review so that you dont continuously get a subject wrong.

I love the way it pulls refresher questions from other parts of the course that you have already covered. It reinforces the information needed to not only pass the permit test, but engrains it so it almost becomes second nature.

After studying for a week, and taking the practice tests here for the basic info needed to obtain a CDL learners permit, I can consistantly pass the practice tests for General Knowledge, Air Brakes, Combination Vehicles, Doubles and Triples, and Passengers at my State DMV. My lowest score so far is 94%.

I feel that anyone who doesn't use this before attending a school or taking their permit test is wasting a valuable asset. Before taking the course, I was lucky if I had gotten anything above 68% by just studying the manual alone.

Thanks again Brett. I'm gonna pass this on to anyone who is looking to get their CDL."

- Skip

Hi Brett,

I just want to say thank you for putting online such a valuable resource.

I used your CDL training course to study for my CDL, and when I took my written tests the DMV administrator was amazed as I finished the test faster than anyone she had ever had in her facility, and with the highest scores she had ever seen. I took all of my endorsements (Hazmat, Doubles - Triples, Tanker, and Air Brakes) all in one sitting and without hesitation I knew all of the answers. Some were tricky and not in the Colorado Manual (which I had also read) however because of the knowledge I had gained from your course I was able to logically figure out the answers.

I can honestly say that had I simply read the CDL manual I would have struggled to pass the test at all. I am convinced your course made all the difference. I went in prepared and knew what to expect and how to answer.

Thanks again Brett. I'm gonna pass this on to anyone who is looking to get their CDL."

- Tom Cooper

I wanted to share something that just made me pat myself on the back today... I am currently attending the FFE Driving Academy (Now KLLM). Today was our final written exam for the school, tomorrow we go take the DPS written tests. Once the class tests were graded, our instructor told me that in the more than two years the school had been open and with all the hundreds of students that had gone through the program, I was the third person EVER to get a perfect score on all 5 written exams.

WOW!

Darn right I'm proud of myself, but I didn't do it alone. I can't express enough how helpful The High Road Training Program is, and can't thank Brett and TruckingTruth enough for putting it together.

- Joseph

"I think that the program is great! I love the way the halt feature works if it feels you're having a lot of trouble or just guessing, and the way the review system reinforces learning by re-introducing material in the form of review questions.

Even with the limited amount that I've completed thus far, I feel as if I was much more prepared when I began my schooling, and was amazed by the amount of material covered at school that I already knew just from having done this program here!"

- Rob "Moe Rhonic"

"My stress was easily cut in half by taking TruckingTruth's High Road online CDL course. I've taken many courses online and never have I seen a better product that can produce better results! I have fond memories spending endless hours studying. It was simple, clear, and so well thought out. I have absolutely nothing to criticize.

If I were to try and put a price tag on it, $250-450 easily! You and your Team of Truckers, which I can now say I legitimately am one, are the greatest!"

- Jay

"I have taken several courses via computer (Navy, private/instrument pilot exams, and teacher courses) and this incorporates all of the best of each. It is obvious you have spent an incredible amount of time bringing all of this information together.

Great job!"

- Larry

Understanding The Review System

The High Road Training Program™ will continuously adjust to your strengths and weaknesses as you work your way through. Each page of the program has its own set of questions. Along with those questions you'll see a mix of review questions from pages you've already completed. These review questions were not selected at random. We track your scores throughout the program and choose the questions you're struggling with the most, and those are the ones you'll be reviewing.

For instance...say you're ready to begin page 10. Before page 10 loads we calculate your scores on every question you've done so far, including all review questions, and decide which questions you need the most help with right now. Those high priority questions from the previous 9 pages will be loaded along with the questions from page 10.

So you don't have to keep track of what you're learning well and what you need help with - we're already doing that for you. Just work your way straight through the program and focus on getting every single question correct. We'll feed you the review questions you need the most help with throughout the program.

Do Not Guess At The Answers - Look Them Up!

Consider the quizzes at the end of each page to be a learning tool as opposed to a way of testing your knowledge. Repetition is the key to learning a large amount of materials, and the quizzes will help reinforce the correct information time and time again.

Keep in mind that your goal is to learn the materials, and guessing is not learning. In fact, guessing wrong will reinforce the incorrect answer, requiring extra repetitions of the correct answer to force the incorrect answer out of your mind.

So when taking the quizzes, please look up the correct answers and shoot for a perfect score on every quiz. With every review question you will see a link that will say "This is a review question. Click here to look up the answer". Please do it! Do not guess at the answers. We've put that link there so you can quickly and easily look up the answer. We want you to look it up. It's not a weakness or a failure on your part to have to look up the answer - that's a victory! Getting a question wrong is the only failure. So shoot for a perfect score on each quiz by looking up the correct answers each and every time. You'll learn the materials better and get through the program more quickly.

The High Road Online CDL Training Program

Our High Road Online CDL Training Program is a complete CDL test preparation course. It has everything you'll need to pass the CDL permit exam, the endorsement exams, and prepare for the start of CDL training:

  • The entire CDL manual is built right in and split into small sections
  • A few multiple choice questions follow each section
  • Score tracking and progress reports throughout the program
  • A review system helps you learn by reinforcing the correct answers
  • A friendly and easy to use interface makes it a breeze to use

We've found a way to teach you the entire CDL manual faster and easier than you thought possible. By breaking it down into small sections and reviewing the questions several times you'll be well prepared for your CDL exams!

Random Questions From The High Road™ CDL Training Program

Review Questions - Click On The Picture To Begin...

These Questions Are From The Illinois CDL Manual

At what psi must the low air pressure warning indicator activate?
  • Before dropping below 20 psi
  • Before dropping below 80 psi
  • Before dropping below 60 psi
  • Before dropping below 40 psi
This is a review question from page 43 - click here to look up the answer

Quote From Page 64 Of The CDL Manual:

A warning signal you can see must come on before the air pressure in the tanks falls below 60 psi (or one-half the compressor governor cutout pressure on older vehicles).

TruckingTruth's Advice:

On large busses, it is common for the low-pressure warning devices to signal at 80 to 85 psi, but that is an additional safety feature. Regulations require the warning to activate before 60 psi. This is very important to memorize not only for testing, but for everyday job duties.

Next
When checking trailer air and electrical connections, you should:
  • Make sure glad hands are locked in place, free of damage or air leaks
  • Make sure the trailer electrical plug is firmly seated and locked in place
  • Check that trailer air connectors are sealed and in good condition
  • All of these things should be checked
This is a review question from page 86 - click here to look up the answer

Quote From Page 121 Of The CDL Manual:

Air/electrical connections:

- Check that trailer air connectors are sealed and in good condition.
- Make sure glad hands are locked in place, free of damage or air leaks.
- Make sure the trailer electrical plug is firmly seated and locked in place.

Prev
Next
Which statement below is false?
  • Your logbook can be randomly checked anytime you go through a weigh station
  • Your logbook can be checked by your carrier at anytime
  • Non-DOT law enforcement officers need probable cause to inspect your logbook
  • The increased use of electronic logging devices has forced carriers to crack down on HOS violations
This is a review question from page 92 - click here to look up the answer

Quote From Page 0 Of The CDL Manual:

Who Enforces HOS Regulations?

Law enforcement:

Generally, DOT officers are the ones who enforce HOS rules, although any police officer may inspect a driver's logbook. Individual states are responsible for maintaining weigh stations where drivers are pulled in for random vehicle and logbook inspections. Drivers may also be pulled over for random checks by police officers or DOT officials at any time and have their logbooks inspected. While it's not a frequent occurrence, chances are your logbook will be checked every now and then. Be ready for it at all times!

Carriers:

In addition to law enforcement and DOT officials, most carriers have their own company policies regarding logbooks. A drivers logs are frequently reviewed by internal auditors for discrepancies or violations. A driver with too many violations might be warned, disciplined, or terminated (terminating a driver usually only occurs after several violations). The increased use of electronic logging devices (discussed later) has forced carriers to crack down on HOS violations even more.

TruckingTruth's Advice:

Your logbook could be checked at anytime for any reason. Make sure it is always updated!

Prev
Next
A chock is defined as:
  • A crosswise load bearing structural component, particularly a part of a log bunk.
  • A structure, device, or another substantial article placed against or around an article to prevent horizontal movement of the article.
  • A short piece of material, usually wood, nailed to the deck to reinforce blocking.
  • A tapered or wedge-shaped piece used to secure round articles against rolling.
This is a review question from page 128 - click here to look up the answer

Quote From Page 3 Of The CDL Manual:

Chock:

A tapered or wedge-shaped piece used to secure round articles against rolling.

Prev
Next
When pulling two or more trailers, the shut off valves on the first trailer should be in the following positions:
  • Both the service line and the emergency line should be closed
  • Both the service line and the emergency line should be open
  • The service line should be closed and the emergency line should be open
  • The service line should be open and the emergency line should be closed
This is a review question from page 59 - click here to look up the answer

Quote From Page 83 Of The CDL Manual:

Check air flow to all trailers: Use the tractor parking brake and or chock the wheels to hold the vehicle. Wait for air pressure to reach normal, then push in the red "trailer air supply" knob. This will supply air to the emergency (supply) lines. Use the trailer handbrake to provide air to the service line. Go to the rear of the rig. Open the emergency line shut-off valve at the rear of the last trailer. You should hear air escaping, showing the entire system is charged. Close the emergency line valve. Open the service line valve to check that service pressure goes through all the trailers (this test assumes that the trailer handbrake or the service brake pedal is on), then close the valve. If you do NOT hear air escaping from both lines, check that the shut-off valves on the trailer(s) and dolly (5) are in the OPEN position. You MUST have air all the way to the back for all the brakes to work.

TruckingTruth's Advice:

Unless it is the very last trailer, all shut-off valves should remain in the open position so that all trailers have proper airflow in the air brake system.

Prev
Next
What are shut-off valves
  • Used in the service and supply air lines at the back of trailers used to tow other trailers
  • Designed to turn off the truck engine when a brake failure occurs
  • Placed at each trailer spring brake and are designed to engage the emergency brakes when air pressure becomes too high
  • The yellow and red air control knobs located in the cab of a truck
This is a review question from page 50 - click here to look up the answer

Quote From Page 74 Of The CDL Manual:

Shut-off valves (also called "cut-out cocks") are used in the service and supply air lines at the back of trailers used to tow other trailers. These valves permit closing the air lines off when another trailer is not being towed. You must check that all shut-off valves are in the open position except the ones at the back of the last trailer, which must be closed.

TruckingTruth's Advice:

Only trailers designed to be pulled with another trailer behind it will have a shut off valve. If you are only pulling one trailer, make certain the valve is fully in the closed position or it will leak air out of the air system.

Prev
Next
All of the following statements about Liquid Surge are correct, except:
  • When the surge hits the end of the tank, it tends to push the truck in the opposite direction the wave is moving
  • If the truck is on a slippery surface such as ice, the wave can shove a stopped truck out into an intersection
  • Results from movement of the liquid in partially filled tanks
  • When coming to a stop, the liquid will surge back and forth
This is a review question from page 61 - click here to look up the answer

Quote From Page 84 Of The CDL Manual:

Liquid surge results from movement of the liquid in partially filled tanks. This movement can have bad effects on handling. For example, when coming to a stop, the liquid will surge back and forth. When the wave hits the end of the tank, it tends to push the truck in the direction the wave is moving. If the truck is on a slippery surface such as ice, the wave can shove a stopped truck out into an intersection. The driver of a liquid tanker must be very familiar with the handling of the vehicle.

Prev
Next
Where does the Shippers Certification appear?
  • The original shipping paper
  • On the emergency response information sheet
  • On a separate page placed before the shipping paper
  • On a separate page placed behind the shipping paper
This is a review question from page 67 - click here to look up the answer

Quote From Page 93 Of The CDL Manual:

Shipper's Certification When the shipper packages hazardous materials, he/she certifies that the package has been prepared according to the rules. The signed shipper's certification appears on the original shipping paper. The only exceptions are when a shipper is a private carrier transporting their own product, and when the package is provided by the carrier (e.g., a cargo tank). Unless a package is clearly unsafe or does not comply with the HMR, you may accept the shipper's certification concerning proper packaging. Some carriers have additional rules about transporting hazardous products. Follow your employer's rules when accepting shipments.

Shippers print required markings directly on the package, an attached label or tag. An important package marking is the name of the hazardous material. It is the same name as the one on the shipping paper. When required, the shipper will put the following on the package:

  • Name and address of shipper or consignee.
  • Hazardous material's shipping name and ID number.
  • Required labels.
  • ID number on bulk packages.
Prev
Next
Which of the following is not true of Working Load Limit (WLL)?
  • The minimum WLL requirement for the securement system is 25%.
  • The Working Load Limit is the maximum load that may be applied to a component of a cargo securement system.
  • All of these are true.
  • The WLL is usually assigned by the component manufacturer.
This is a review question from page 124 - click here to look up the answer

Quote From Page 2 Of The CDL Manual:

The Working Load Limit is the maximum load that may be applied to a component of a cargo securement system during normal service.

The WLL is usually assigned by the component manufacturer.

Note: The minimum WLL requirement for the securement system is 50%. More tiedown capacity should be used if you need to secure an article against any movement.

Prev
Next
You receive a scale ticket and your drive axles are 35,700 and your trailer tandems are 30,600. Based upon a trailer with 4 inch slider rail hole spacings, what is the minimum number of holes you would have to slide the tandems to get the weight legal, and what would the final weights be?
  • Slide tandems forward 7 holes - 33,950 drive axles - 32,350 trailer tandems
  • Slide tandems forward 6 holes - 33,750 drive axles - 32,550 trailer tandems
  • Slide tandems back 6 holes - 33,950 drive axles - 32,350 trailer tandems
  • Slide tandems back 7 holes - 33,750 drive axles - 32,550 trailer tandems
This is a review question from page 113 - click here to look up the answer

Quote From Page 0 Of The CDL Manual:

The two main hole spacings you'll find are 4 inches and 6 inches. You can estimate that you will move 250 pounds per hole for 4 inch spacing, and 400 pounds per hole for 6 inch spacing.

TruckingTruth's Advice:

With 35,700 pounds on the drive axles you must move a minimum of 1,700 pounds off the drive axles. To shift weight off the drive axles and onto the trailer tandems, you slide the trailer tandems forward toward the front of the truck.

With 4 inch spacing you're moving 250 pounds per hole so you need to move 7 holes to shift a minimum of 1,700 pounds (250 x 7 = 1,750).

Prev
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About Us

TruckingTruth was founded by Brett Aquila (that's me!), a 15 year truck driving veteran, in January 2007. After 15 years on the road I wanted to help people understand the trucking industry and everything that came with the career and lifestyle of an over the road trucker. We'll help you make the right choices and prepare for a great start to your trucking career.

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Becoming A Truck Driver is a dream we've all pondered at some point in our lives. We've all wondered if the adventure and challenges of life on the open road would suit us better than the ordinary day to day lives we've always known. At TruckingTruth we'll help you decide if trucking is right for you and help you get your career off to a great start.

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