Height?

Hello out there! I just recently went through cdl training completed the course, and passed the first two sections of the cdl test. I failed the road test on the first turn of the test I stalled. The first turn is a slight hill, I have never driven a manual transmission before this. But during training I didn't have much trouble stalling, not saying I never stalled because that would be a lie. Compared to the male type in the class though I had minimal issues. not trying to make excuses but the test truck seat will not go up to where I feel comfortable, as I did in the truck we practiced in. The examiner even asked me if I needed the seat adjusted, but I told him it wouldn't go up any further. I was just wondering if any other ladies out there had this issue, or men for / that matter I am about 5'3". I don't know if I am allowed to use a pillow to push myself forward and if I do would this pout a restriction on my license? I really don't want to do that because this is only an issue I am having with this truck? I am a nervous wreck about taking this test again. afraid that the same thing is going to happen and it is just a waste of money unless I correct the problem. Any and all help is welcome thanks in advance y'all.

I am a nervous wreck about taking this test again. afraid that the same thing is going to happen and it is just a waste of money unless I correct the problem. Any and all help is welcome thanks in advance y'all.

Hey Ciara, don't let this get you all rattled. There are a lot of professional drivers out here who failed their driving test two and three times.

Now, I realize that you are concerned with your height, but I actually think you've got other issues that caused you to stall. Try starting out in a lower gear. These trucks should be able to get rolling without stalling when all you do is ease off the clutch. You shouldn't even need to press the throttle.

You also mentioned that it is a slight hill that you stalled at. That makes it a little trickier, but there's no reason you can't handle it. You don't want the truck to roll bacwards, so here's how you do it. Leave your right foot on the brake while slowly easing out on the clutch. You should hear a slight difference in the sound of the engine as the clutch begins to engage, and if you pay close attention you'll feel the truck trying ever so slightly to lean to the right. Precisely at that point you release your foot off the brake and that truck will start easing forward. You can give it a little throttle but if you're in the proper gear it shouldn't stall.

Another mistake that will cause the truck to stall is if you've got your splitter in the wrong position. Always check that splitter and make sure it is down, or in low range. If you are in high range you will stall.

Oh, there is no pillow restriction, so use one if you like, but I will warn you that most rookies think they have to have that seat way forward and way too high. If that's what you need to pass the test there's no harm done, but as you start your career you'll need to learn to get that seat adjusted so that it doesn't cut the circulation off to your legs. I can't even keep up with how many rookies come in here complaining of leg pain to us because of this very issue.

The truck I tested in had a slow leak in the seat suspension. I kept having to bump the seat up, sometimes while moving. The guy I had for an examiner was a real hard case. I thought for sure he was going to fail me for not having both hands on the wheel at all times. I'm pretty sure he almost did but he was a Chiefs fan and I was wearing my lucky Chiefs hat that day. LOL

JJ

Try putting the seat lower and yes you can use a pillow. I just went thru school and one of my instructors suggested it. I'm a lil on the short side myself. It helped me.

Hi ciara you need to be comfy before you start driving otherwise you cant concentrate. I am shorter than you lmao. I'm 5' ft 116lbs, I used to have issue similar to urs but whatI did is position the seat a litle low to where I can still reach the pedal then all the way forward.

You can do it trust me.