Well, That Didn't Work Out Too Well...

I took my driving test this morning, for the first time. I passed my pre-trip with only missing a few items. Boneheaded mistakes, really, but nothing close to failing.

Next, I moved on to the maneuvering. I pulled up for the straight line and nailed it without a pull up or GOAL. Pull all the way up for the offset, turned my wheels, and passed the offset with only one GOAL. I mainly did the GOAL to ensure my bumper was in the box. Pulled out for my 90, got a great set up and then it went downhill from there. My trailer bumper served as a great bulldozer, or should I say a conedozer! I think my big mistake was continually trying to fix the problem instead of just burning a pull up and completely resetting it. I have a problem of using the front left cone as a marker, but it ends up being a bulls-eye. I'm GREAT at hitting that bulls-eye!

It's a setback, to be sure, but I KNOW I can pass it. What's the most frustrating part is the time of year it happened. I have 3 days of class next week, then a week and a half off. My next test date is either 7 or 8 of January, which is longer than 14 days, so I have to redo my pre-trip. I'm a little bummed out, but I'll get over it. I'll keep studying it over the break and hopefully not build up too much rust over the holidays. Anyhoot, just wanted to share with you guys my first attempt at passing that darn test!

If you are not testing on the same truck as you train on, especially if the tandems are in a different position, that can make a very big difference. If the tandems ARE in a different position on the test truck, see if they have a training truck and trailer with tandems in the same position, or with adjustable positions.

If you are not testing on the same truck as you train on, especially if the tandems are in a different position, that can make a very big difference. If the tandems ARE in a different position on the test truck, see if they have a training truck and trailer with tandems in the same position, or with adjustable positions.

All the trucks and trailers the school wants us to use for testing are the same. The examiner, after I failed, explained that we should be sliding the tandems all the way to the rear for maneuvering on the pad and then all the way forward again for the driving portion.

I do understand what you are saying though. We have a variety of trailers; vans, flatbeds, and a tanker. One night earlier this week, I was playing around with the tanker, which has the tandems ALL the way to the rear. There's nothing I couldn't do with that tanker. Then the next night, I went back to the van, to get ready for testing, and couldn't get it to do anything. On Monday, I'll ask my instructor if we can start sliding the tandems for various parts of the testing. If nothing else, we should be required to know how to do that anyways, right?!

Also, thanks for the info!

Tastebuds wrote:

The examiner, after I failed, explained that we should be sliding the tandems all the way to the rear for maneuvering on the pad and then all the way forward again for the driving portion.

So...stupid question; is it a requirement of the Louisiana State exam to do that, slide the tandems? I am going to render a guess, "no, it's not."

I have never heard of an examiner making a suggestion like that. Not trying to discredit your examiner. Unless it's required as part of the exam, I wouldn't mess with the tandems. Not necessary.

G town... Some of the trainers at Prime did this for the tests as well. The thinking is that it takes more effort for the trailer to move with tandems back giving the driver more control. Its easier to over steer with the tandems forward, but also easier on road tests for swing.

Tastebuds.,..if you can nail the first two maneuvers without scoring points then you have 13 points before you fail. Be sure to ask how many points things are...hitting a cone...crossing a line. For example, I know if you park on the white line on a parallel its five points, but even if you stop at that point, with no other points for other maneuvers, you'd pass.

So giving up a pull up is no big deal if you know how many points you have accumulated.

G-Town asked:

Tastebuds wrote:

The examiner, after I failed, explained that we should be sliding the tandems all the way to the rear for maneuvering on the pad and then all the way forward again for the driving portion.

So...stupid question; is it a requirement of the Louisiana State exam to do that, slide the tandems? I am going to render a guess, "no, it's not."

I have never heard of an examiner making a suggestion like that. Not trying to discredit your examiner. Unless it's required as part of the exam, I wouldn't mess with the tandems. Not necessary.

No, it's not a requirement. As Rainy pointed out, it was simply a suggestion for steering purposes.

Rainy pointed out:

G town... Some of the trainers at Prime did this for the tests as well. The thinking is that it takes more effort for the trailer to move with tandems back giving the driver more control. Its easier to over steer with the tandems forward, but also easier on road tests for swing.

Tastebuds.,..if you can nail the first two maneuvers without scoring points then you have 13 points before you fail. Be sure to ask how many points things are...hitting a cone...crossing a line. For example, I know if you park on the white line on a parallel its five points, but even if you stop at that point, with no other points for other maneuvers, you'd pass.

So giving up a pull up is no big deal if you know how many points you have accumulated.

Yeah, he clearly explained the point system. I had two free pull ups, but I burned them and about five more. With all the pull ups and conedozing, the points added up quickly. I think my problem is trying too hard to fix the situation instead of knowing it's hopeless. Had I simply scratched the first attempt at hitting the box and pulled all the way up to restart, I may have gotten it in the box on the second try and still have a free pull up to straighten it out.

Rainy pointed out:

G town... Some of the trainers at Prime did this for the tests as well. The thinking is that it takes more effort for the trailer to move with tandems back giving the driver more control. Its easier to over steer with the tandems forward, but also easier on road tests for swing.

Tastebuds.,..if you can nail the first two maneuvers without scoring points then you have 13 points before you fail. Be sure to ask how many points things are...hitting a cone...crossing a line. For example, I know if you park on the white line on a parallel its five points, but even if you stop at that point, with no other points for other maneuvers, you'd pass.

So giving up a pull up is no big deal if you know how many points you have accumulated.

Yeah, he clearly explained the point system. I had two free pull ups, but I burned them and about five more. With all the pull ups and conedozing, the points added up quickly. I think my problem is trying too hard to fix the situation instead of knowing it's hopeless. Had I simply scratched the first attempt at hitting the box and pulled all the way up to restart, I may have gotten it in the box on the second try and still have a free pull up to straighten it out.

You'll laugh...but I alley dock almost all of my backs lol. I like being able to see out the window that its going in.

Just breathe and forget the guy is there goal..and try to visualize where the tires are going. Its hard. I failed the backing the first time too

Guess what I did tonight, on my first try? Yeah, a 90... I actually got disgusted with myself, then got over it! lol I know I'll definitely be ready for it next time.

Guess what I did tonight, on my first try? Yeah, a 90... I actually got disgusted with myself, then got over it! lol I know I'll definitely be ready for it next time.

Grats! Now do it on your next test, so we can give you dancing bananas!