Day 1 @ Katlaw Driving School

I started school today I was so wound up last night that I couldn't sleep. I was all geared up today. Today was the start of going through the Georgia Drivers Manual in preparation for the CDL Permit test. Our instructor was real good because as went through the various sections of the manual he had highlighted the material that he said would definitely be on the test. He spent much time on these areas and told us to make sure that we answer the questions exactly as the manual says not what might be logical or reasonable, but to answer it exactly by what the manual says. He ask us the question "What can a driver do to not be distracted?" I am not going to give you the answer see if you can find it in the manual. If you find the answer post it and let me know. The answer that he gave us that he said would be on the test was one that I don't remember reading and I have read the manual at least two or three times. He emphasized that the DDS wants to know if you have read the manual. It makes sense I guess. Anyway it was not an overly exciting time but it was very beneficial, had homework to do tonight hope I make a good grade on it. Well until next time good night to all I have to get up at 5:15 in the morning to be at class by 7:00 am.

Great Danny. I've been doing the practice test DDS refers you too at layover.com. Each are only 15 questions each. I can't imagine the real ones are that short. Anyway probably going to DDS next week to take the permit test. If you come up with any more pointers I would love to hear them. Good luck

You guys do realize that along with the High Road Training Program we have CDL Practice Questions and yet another set of CDL Practice Tests right?

Danny, you never did the Logbook or Weight & Balance sections of our training program. You're going to need to know that stuff every day of your life out there. I'd get on that ASAP.

Brett I have been doing those as well. I finished the high road program, then went to the other sections here. Then I tried the practice tests GA DDS linked too. I found some of the questions worded differently. My thinking is IF I can nail all the practice tests I should do okay. Taking tests have never been my strong suit, so to speak. I will say I like the tests here much better though, questions seem to flow better in my mind at least.

Hey, don't sweat it for a minute. I looked at your progress and scores on The High Road Training Program and you're going to fly through the permit and endorsement exams like they're nothin. Trust me, if you can get through our High Road program you can blast through anything else that anyone is going to put in front of you, including the State exams. Our system is, by design, far more stringent than anything else out there.

Thanks Brett, Once I put my mind to something I go all out. I know I'm always harder on myself and worry bout somethings too much. I was upset with myself for the halts, but they did their job and made me pause to think about why I was having the trouble. I found several times I was just trying to cram too much info in at a time. I walked away for awhile and came back and it went better. I cannot say enough for this program. It is all you say it is and more for sure. I will continue using it for review as I move forward so school will hopefully be a bit easier in the classroom so I can focus more behind the wheel. And of course once I get in school I will start a thread in the other forum to share my experiences. I have learned so much here in such a short time it isn't funny.

Thanks for the info Danny. I went by there on Saturday and met some of the staff. You were in the classroom at the time. I'm going back today to watch some of the backing maneuvers and look at the equipment. I wasn't too impressed with the other school I looked at. After today I will make my mind up for sure but it looks like it will be Katlaw. Hope to see you there soon.

Thanks Brett for the info I already knew about the practice questions and test and I have used them in my studying. I know I haven't done the testing part on Log Book and Weight and Balance but I have been reading them at least a couple of times a week. I want to get my test to get my permit over with and then I am going to concentrate on the Hazmat and those two.

Richard, Sorry I didn't see you on Saturday but I think you will see that the equipment that Katlaw uses is pretty decent equipment, my experience so far has been really good and I feel like I am getting my moneys worth. The instructor in the classroom is really good and he covers the Georgia CDL manual really thoroughly and he highlights all the sections that he knows that are on the test, he has been doing this for quite sometime and so he has good knowledge of what the test is like. He gives you all the possibilities of how a question can be asked and how the answers might be worded. We had a homework quiz we had to do Saturday night and I made a 99 on it. So studying the High Road Training program has help tremendously especially the repetitiveness of questions over and over. I still would recommend practicing from other sources too because they sometimes ask the questions in a different way which I thinks helps you maximize your learning. I learn from studying myself but the classroom is where I learn the best because you can ask questions when you don't understand something. I know I could pass the test even without the classroom but I just really like classroom learning. So with all that said I would highly recommend Katlaw Driving School if you live in the Metro Atlanta area great bunch of people and very professional. Next weekend will complete our classroom portion of the school and then everyone will be ready to go and get their permit so we can began the driving range and on the road training. Although I will only have to do the Combination Test to get my permit I am going to go ahead and do the Doubles Triples and Tankers Endorsements. If my background check comes back before I take the test I will also do the Hazmat Endorsements. I would like to get those all done before I finish school. I will post again after next weekend of my journey through Driving School.