I Feel Like My Driving School Punk'd Me

I made a post earlier in regards to having difficulties doing blindside 90 degree backing. I was assigned a different instructor, and it was like a night and day difference. HE ACTUALLY LET ME DRIVE THE TRUCK INSTEAD OF JUST BARKING DEMANDS FROM THE BACKSEAT AT ME!! I'd ask for this instructor, instead of the other one. Unfortunately, the damage has been done. I only have ten hours left and there's no way I can get used to his truck in that short amount of time.

Further, I do not feel confident enough with what I've been taught thus far to adequately satisfy an examiner to issue me a license. I asked the instructor I had today if there's a chance I might not master the blindside 90 degree manoeuvre in the time I have allotted, and he answered "yeah, you might not."

I expressed concerns about not being able to pass this course and inquired about obtaining more time behind the wheel, to which I was told that they have a high 90's pass rate, and the only people who normally fail the course are those who have English as a second language. Today, I found out my classmate who is a born and raised Canadian (speaks fluent English) failed her road test.

This is not reassuring..

I could use some advice on what to do, or where to go next. I'm in Canada, so one of my questions are, is there any way to take what I know/been taught and go to a different school to obtain maybe a class 3 license? Or does the class 1 knowledge test permit ONLY work for taking the class 1 road exam at this specific institution (hopefully that makes sense)? I don't want to just 'waste' what I've done thus far for nothing, but it also feels like if I continue on this trajectory, I'm going to throw $480 on a road exam only to fail it.

January has been a hellish ordeal for me. I dread having to go to this driving school whenever I'm scheduled for lessons, I'm not enjoying this at all.

Jim, you need to R-E-L-A-X a little bit. Being in a high state of agitation will not help you at all. Deep breaths!

First of all, failing the road test is not the best thing, obviously, but it isn’t the end of the world, either. And having a defeatist attitude before the test will not help your mindset at all. It’s not unusual at all for drivers to have to test twice. Yeah, It’s pretty expensive where you are but if that’s what it takes you just do it and move on.

If you can persuade your school to give you a little more practice time with the instructor you like, that would be good. If not, then go into the test with a attitude of confidence, not fear and trembling. I get the sense that you have already failed the test in your mind and so you need to work on your mindset as much as you need to practice test skills. Remember, they have a 90% pass rate, so the odds are in your favor.

Jim, I've got good news for ya, friend - quite a bit of it.

First, understand something about the road test. They're not testing to see if you're a good truck driver. You're not. No one is after a few weeks. You're barely capable of navigating the roads and backing into the easier docks.

What they're testing for is two things:

1. Do you have the most basic ability to navigate the roads and back up a little?

2. Do you have the personality and demeanor to handle the pressures and responsibilities of driving a big rig

You already know this job isn't for most people. Even if they wanted to, many people couldn't handle the pressure or wouldn't develop the mental skill set necessary to navigate the country safely for years on end.

They want to see if you've learned the basics and you can drive around town under a little bit of pressure without losing your cool. If you can stay calm, relaxed, and focused under the pressure of a one-on-one exam and you demonstrate the basic ability to handle the rig, you'll almost certainly pass.

If you fail, so what? You keep trying until you pass. Sure, it's annoying to retest. But you only need to get the license once, and then you have it.

For the test, focus on keeping your composure. Talk to the instructor casually, they're just people doing their job just like the rest of us. Above all, act confident. Of course, you're nervous. We all are. But all you have to do is keep it between the lines, do a few basic backing maneuvers, and keep your cool.

They want to know if you're ready to continue learning your trade and master the skills on the job. That's what they're testing for, if you want to sum it up in one sentence.

So don't sweat it. Be confident, relaxed, and happy for the opportunity. Don't have any expectations of the examiner, it doesn't matter who it is or how they act. This is about the way you handle yourself. Go in there with confidence and believe you'll do fine. In the end, you'll have your license. Maybe this try, maybe it'll take another, it makes no difference. In the end you'll have it.

Jim, I forgot to include an anecdote with my previous comment. It is a good example of what Brett said about the test itself and examiners.

When I took my test, I passed the first time but I should have been automatically failed. We tested out on a cold and rainy Saturday morning. There were 8 of us and one examiner. The other 7 students were all from out of town and had varying distances to drive back home after the test was finished. I was the only local student. So I volunteered to go last so the other ones could get on their way home. I waited there over 8 hours for my turn and by that time it was already dark. But I screwed up the in-cab brake test. I forgot a step and also got mixed up on the order of the procedure. However, the instructor let me start over and I got it the second time. I know he gave me mercy because I had to wait all day without complaint. (Plus, we were both old guys, lol).

I was so grateful to him that I stuck around after the test and helped him pick up all his cones and stuff so he could get home himself.

Brett is correct that the examiner understands he is testing greenies. Hopefully, your examiner will be friendly and put you at ease during the process. Positive attitude, young man!

Brett is right on the mark. The test is always a high stress event and they want to see how you handle it.

I have a friend who is a CDL instructor at a local technical college. He says that one of the biggest reasons why students fail the road test is they demonstrate poor situational awareness. They don't maintain their lane, don't check the mirrors enough, and they ignore road signs. They get so nervous and the focus on just what is in front of them and forget about every thing else. Keep your calm and you will do fine.

That might be the issue, you're over thinking it all, causing anxiety n stress over testing. We ALL been thru it, it's about like what's been mentioned, "confidence & patience" getting your mind relaxed.

My 1st local "school" I failed 3 times at the DMV , 4 counting, 2nd time truck failed due to low air build pressure (100 psi max).....3rd time tester heard me wrong on air pressure level & failed me. That pizzed me off because he was wrong, and since I already failed I let him verbally have it lol.....Even after all that, I wasn't going to give in and quit trying, because I KNEW I could do this, and failure, was not an option.

4th time the lady let me get to the last part, (nailed in cab) then when I was done, she said "You failed?!?! WTF? asked her IF I'd failed, why did you let me go thru the whole in cab part?? ( seen her my 4 trips to DMV, she rarely passed anyone) We joked that the testers, had a competition, who could fail the most people a day.

I finally sucked it up, and went to a company that trained drivers @ their contracted school....Easy peasy had my CDL in 10 days, and flew thru all the testing perfectly. Having been a diesel/auto mechanic 40+ years, I know pretty much everything/part on trucks and trailers.Learning their "script" was maybe the hardest part, to repeat it verbatim on test day.

Now my trainer at the company, was from India, he had me drive our first day to see how I did. He was impressed and I drove from then on, not just sit and watch him and learn the first few days, as usual there. He told me when I went thru the scales, "go thru em like you've drove for many years"

So Jim, just relax your mind, deep breaths, and don't think too much and YOU too, will get thru this !!

Good Luck, you too CAN DO IT !!

I am a CDL instructor and can tell you some people truly terrify me with their driving. They dont drive the big rig poorly... they drive ALL vehicles.poorly. one student was in the on coming traffic lane and didnt know it. One ran a red light saying she hoped the examiner didnt notice.dont gauge your outcome based on other people's inabilities. You can do this.