Preparing For Prime CDL Permit And Driving Exam
Topic 16499 | Page 1
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Brett Aquila's Comment
8 years, 2 months ago
So far so good it sounds like! Keep it up and keep us posted!
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I passed the required CDL permit multiple choice exams. I used the computer so I could skip questions and come back to them later. Less chance of making a mistake. Or you can take the paper exam for ya'll old school traditionalists out there.
You'll need to take the general knowledge, combination, air brakes, and tanker. Tanker is the easiest then general knowledge is 2nd easiest. Combination and air brakes tend to be the hardest ones. Because, a lot of the same questions are in both tests. Understand the terms and components they're relating to. Reason the brake chamber and brake valves all have different terms related to the same thing. More trick questions then anything. Dirty! Dirty! Dirty! 😡
I got through orientation week with Prime in Springfield. I can't believe how well this process has been for me. Got matched up with a great trainer Friday afternoon. Already dispatched with a load to Florida with a pre-plan to Ohio.
I have been pulling utility trailers, boats, and 30' travel trailers since my teenage years. It's easier to drive these trucks and trailers when you know the concept. As well as driving a stick shift. You'll need to be coordinated with double clutching , upshifting, and down shifting/skip shifting all while driving.
We've been practicing on the pad bobtail then with the trailer. Then my trainer felt confident of me driving on the road then on the nearby interstate. Nerve racking (you need to have thick skin for this job) but, it was so fun to drive these trucks.
You have so much time out here while delivering and receiving loads. There's always an opportunity to practice your pretrip inspection, driving safe, shifting, and backing. The goal is to pass the CDL driving exam so you can get PAID!!
Can't wait to get through PSD in 2-weeks then on to TNT phase.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
Bobtail:
"Bobtailing" means you are driving a tractor without a trailer attached.
Interstate:
Commercial trade, business, movement of goods or money, or transportation from one state to another, regulated by the Federal Department Of Transportation (DOT).
Double Clutch:
To engage and then disengage the clutch twice for every gear change.
When double clutching you will push in the clutch, take the gearshift out of gear, release the clutch, press the clutch in again, shift the gearshift into the next gear, then release the clutch.
This is done on standard transmissions which do not have synchronizers in them, like those found in almost all Class A trucks.
Double Clutching:
To engage and then disengage the clutch twice for every gear change.
When double clutching you will push in the clutch, take the gearshift out of gear, release the clutch, press the clutch in again, shift the gearshift into the next gear, then release the clutch.
This is done on standard transmissions which do not have synchronizers in them, like those found in almost all Class A trucks.
PSD:
Prime Student Driver
Prime Inc has a CDL training program and the first phase is referred to as PSD. You'll get your permit and then 10,000 miles of on the road instruction.
The following is from Prime's website:
Prime’s PSD begins with you obtaining your CDL permit. Then you’ll go on the road with a certified CDL instructor for no less than 75 hours of one-on-one behind the wheel training. After training, you’ll return to Prime’s corporate headquarters in Springfield, Missouri, for final CDL state testing and your CDL license.
Obtain CDL Permit / 4 Days
On-the-Road Instruction / 10,000 Miles
TNT:
Trainer-N-Trainee
Prime Inc has their own CDL training program and it's divided into two phases - PSD and TNT.
The PSD (Prime Student Driver) phase is where you'll get your permit and then go on the road for 10,000 miles with a trainer. When you come back you'll get your CDL license and enter the TNT phase.
The TNT phase is the second phase of training where you'll go on the road with an experienced driver for 30,000 miles of team driving. You'll receive 14¢ per mile ($700 per week guaranteed) during this phase. Once you're finished with TNT training you will be assigned a truck to run solo.