Orientation Driving Test
Topic 25788 | Page 1
I will be heading to orientation this weekend and I’m nervous about the driving test. I tested before in a 6 speed with a small box trailer. How will that compare to a 10 speed flatbed trailer?
Bree, first of all, flatbed trailers don't have 10 speeds. They don't even have transmissions. Lol
What company are you going to for orientation? Do you have a CLP or a CDL? You really need to provide more details so somebody can give you good advice.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
CLP:
Commercial Learner's Permit
Before getting their CDL, commercial drivers will receive their commercial learner's permit (CLP) upon passing the written portion of the CDL exam. They will not have to retake the written exam to get their CDL.
The mechanics of operating / backing a trailer will be the same, no matter the size of the trailer. The reaction time of the turns however will be different. The longer the trailer, the longer it takes for it to react to steering wheel input. Nuttin to it though.
I will be heading to orientation this weekend and I’m nervous about the driving test. I tested before in a 6 speed with a small box trailer. How will that compare to a 10 speed flatbed trailer?
Question I have is: do you currently hold a Class A CDL? Have you ever driven a full-sized tractor trailer rig before?
If you have NEVER DRIVEN a full size TT rig (as in WHAT is a "small box trailer"), then things are going to be a little different. As it was when I drove a 48' BUS, with a 10' trailer (which turns REALLY FAST - LOL).
You're going to REALLY WANT TO WATCH your "off-tracking", that is - the TRAILER WHEELS do not follow the same course as the TRACTOR WHEELS.
How well you do, is dependent on how much previous experience you've had driving more than a "small box trailer".
With the little information you've provided (school/training, previous experience) - it's really difficult to assume how well you'll do (or how nervous you need to be).
Rick
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
I do have my class a cdl already but it was with this type of setup
https://d2uhsaoc6ysewq.cloudfront.net/2371/Pup-Trailers-Fruehauf-11073750-thumb.jpg
The only cmv I have driven before my dmv test was in a bus, so experience is none lol.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
CMV:
Commercial Motor Vehicle
A CMV is a vehicle that is used as part of a business, is involved in interstate commerce, and may fit any of these descriptions:
- Weighs 10,001 pounds or more
- Has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating of 10,001 pounds or more
- Is designed or used to transport 16 or more passengers (including the driver) not for compensation
- Is designed or used to transport 9 or more passengers (including the driver) for compensation
- Is transporting hazardous materials in a quantity requiring placards
Dm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.DMV:
Department of Motor Vehicles, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
The state agency that handles everything related to your driver's licences, including testing, issuance, transfers, and revocation.
I do have my class a cdl already but it was with this type of setup
https://d2uhsaoc6ysewq.cloudfront.net/2371/Pup-Trailers-Fruehauf-11073750-thumb.jpg
The only cmv I have driven before my dmv test was in a bus, so experience is none lol.
Bree, if you got accepted into orientation by a company, then they must know about your lack of experience and so they must also be expecting to train you. No company is going to test you right away. They will put you with a training instructor who will evaluate you and guide you along. So, just relax, go to the orientation and let the process begin. Good luck!
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
CMV:
Commercial Motor Vehicle
A CMV is a vehicle that is used as part of a business, is involved in interstate commerce, and may fit any of these descriptions:
- Weighs 10,001 pounds or more
- Has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating of 10,001 pounds or more
- Is designed or used to transport 16 or more passengers (including the driver) not for compensation
- Is designed or used to transport 9 or more passengers (including the driver) for compensation
- Is transporting hazardous materials in a quantity requiring placards
Dm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.DMV:
Department of Motor Vehicles, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
The state agency that handles everything related to your driver's licences, including testing, issuance, transfers, and revocation.
I do have my class a cdl already but it was with this type of setup
https://d2uhsaoc6ysewq.cloudfront.net/2371/Pup-Trailers-Fruehauf-11073750-thumb.jpg
The only cmv I have driven before my dmv test was in a bus, so experience is none lol.
As Bruce said - with no recent experience driving a full TT Rig - if they TEST YOU AT ALL - it will be to see where you're at in your skillset.
Does the company you are applying for DO TRAINING?
With your lack of experience operating a full-sized rig, it would be advisable for you to get into a company that DOES DO SOME TRAINING. Not to scare you off - but there's a HUGE DIFFERENCE in handling a full sized rig - and there's NO SHAME in going through a period of training, to get accustomed to driving one.
Rick
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
CMV:
Commercial Motor Vehicle
A CMV is a vehicle that is used as part of a business, is involved in interstate commerce, and may fit any of these descriptions:
- Weighs 10,001 pounds or more
- Has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating of 10,001 pounds or more
- Is designed or used to transport 16 or more passengers (including the driver) not for compensation
- Is designed or used to transport 9 or more passengers (including the driver) for compensation
- Is transporting hazardous materials in a quantity requiring placards
Dm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.DMV:
Department of Motor Vehicles, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
The state agency that handles everything related to your driver's licences, including testing, issuance, transfers, and revocation.
“Does the company you are applying for DO TRAINING?
With your lack of experience operating a full-sized rig, it would be advisable for you to get into a company that DOES DO SOME TRAINING. Not to scare you off - but there's a HUGE DIFFERENCE in handling a full sized rig - and there's NO SHAME in going through a period of training, to get accustomed to driving one.”
I figured there was a big difference, that’s where my worries were. But yes, they do at least 3 Weeks with a trainer period and then I would have to test out after the training period before getting my own rig
yes, they do at least 3 Weeks with a trainer period and then I would have to test out after the training period
You'll be fine. Be aware: this is going to be really tough. Expect to be really challenged to your limits. Getting into this is always challenging; far more so than most people expect. Don't give up. Bite your tongue when you want to swear at your trainer. Be humble, be resilient, be teachable. Those three attributes will carry you through.
Expect your entire first year to be very trying. It takes that long to begin to understand how this career works. Commit to that first year and follow through with that no matter what. You'll understand why later on, just trust me for now. 
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
I figured there was a big difference, that’s where my worries were. But yes, they do at least 3 Weeks with a trainer period and then I would have to test out after the training period before getting my own rig.
Well then - you will likely get the opportunity to do training, and any orientation road test will be to determine where your skills are at.
If they are not a "training company" (that is, specifically trains new drivers), you may or may not have enough skills to satisfy the companies requirements. Typically, 3 weeks of training is more gear towards getting drivers up to speed on company policies and procedures before cutting you loose on your own.
Without knowing how much training you went through to get your CDL , it's difficult to judge how easy or difficult a time you might have acclimating.
Only YOU can be the judge of this - but self-confidence is a HUGE FACTOR in how well you perform.
Best of luck - keep us posted on your progress...
Rick
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
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I will be heading to orientation this weekend and I’m nervous about the driving test. I tested before in a 6 speed with a small box trailer. How will that compare to a 10 speed flatbed trailer?