Roehl Trucking For New Drivers

I didn’t do flatbed with them and was along time ago now. Email your recruiter and ask. I can’t see having to lift a lumber tarp over your head. Forklift drivers are usually more than happy to lift them up for you on a high load.

Congratulations!

You'll like Gary, they have pretty nice facilities there. (Roads getting in are a completely different matter though. Lol)

As for learning pretrip, you're certainly welcome to watch others, but this video is the only one Roehl specifically approves, and if you learn from it you'll be well on your way:

https://youtu.be/i-1cNs35p2Q?si=rC6GgLumW-OdMpBa

I'm reefer and not familiar with flatbed, so can't comment on that aspect.

Making Onsdag's link a little easier...

Pretrip video

For pre-trip inspection here is what was done for me by an instructor. they copied the pre-trip inspection word for word out of the book, printed that out, and then gave it to me to study and follow on my first few practice inspections, then I was allowed to reference it if I got stuck during a practice, and finally I had developed the confidence to do it without the reference material. it's really all there in the book.

I have completed my first week. I have driven around the city even the freeway. My instructor's tell me I am a good driver. I have my pre-trip down it is a lot easier now a days than it used to be only 5 pages with the state. Roehl has a much harder one. The only thing I am worried about now is the skills test. They are short on instructors and I have only had about 15 minutes backing up we do the pre-CDL test this week we get 2 chances if we fail both times it's time to go home. But if that happens students have completed the FMCSA’s Training requirements once they have attempted the pre-cdl test by a FMCSA-approved training provider. That means I would be able to go to the state testing center with a truck and take the test as long as licensed driver road with me to the test site. Hopefully it don't come to that but I am concerned with the lack of time many are getting in training. My instructor when he went to renew his medical examiner's card was not able to renew because of a medical condition they have found and a few instructor's took days off last week leaving instructor's with more than 6 students. Like I said if I can pass the skills test I am good but as I post this I am not good enough to do all skills tests.

I failed my pre-CDL test with Roehl I passed my driving test and on the skills test passed my straight-line backing put the front bumper in the box and passed the the test where you pull up to the left having right side trailer tandems pass through the 3 foot box but I failed my backing up offset test. The pre-trip I didn't get my verbiage right on the air brake test 100% and during button pop test the tractor button didn't pop out all the way the valve had been sticking and we were loosening it up all week for it to work but I think the test guy tightened it before my test. He told me that I should of noticed it and that the verbiage mistakes were minor but that was not. From where he was sitting it be a lot easier to see with my lack of experience and from looking at it head on and being that it did pop pit almost as far as it should of I told him that was mechanical issue that would be hard for me to see and if had not popped out at all I would of noticed. The guy who did the testing was kind of going back and forth with me telling him to explain what I know so he knows I know my stuff but told me I had given him to much information 2 times this being on the walk around pre-trip said if I did it one more time he would fail me. So I failed pre-trip and skills test. It was kind of a messed up situation because my instructor was disqualified from driving because he failed his medical examiners renewal due to high sugar. I was practicing my offset with a instructor and has perfected my verbiage perfectly on all the pre-test. Friday afternoon my trainer came to me saying that the boss wanted to see me. He told me I wasn't going to make it and that was it for me. Told me my effort was great and work ethic was second to none I was always first one in last to leave. He said I just needed more time and he didn't think I would be ready to pass a retest on Tuesday with labor day coming up and didn't want to chance me failing for my state CDL test on Wednesday. I know I could of passed it I still needed to sharpen up slightly in my offset backing. He also said that he would not hold me to the contract and I would still be paid while there. And if I get my CDL to call him and he will put me with the new driver orientation and he would not block me from working for Roehl just the CDL training. Back at the hotel I was told by some people that the guy who I tested with didn't like me. I am putting in with other carriers like Pam because this is what I want to do. The guy at Roehl said this would not hurt my chances elsewhere else but if I failed my CDL test at the state it would. Some have said that once I did my pre-CDL test and a appointment was set up with the state that is a driver with a automatic transmission took me to the testing site I would be good to go that the requirements would be met for me to do that. Does anybody know how I can check that? If I am able to do that I be willing to go out with a driver maybe a owner operator and help drive on the road I could show him I drive good if I could use the truck for the CDL test. I worked to hard to just give up. If I did got to another companies CDL training I feel like I would be lights out I can drive I know my pre-trip can do the verbiage word by word now I my learners permit has triples and tankers on it. Any advice or ideas on who where or what to do next would appreciated.

Paul, it is understandable that you are disappointed. Just keep applying to other companies like Western Express, etc. Because you weren’t sent home because of an accident or citation, you still have possibilities.

As far as riding with another driver or owner/operator, it is almost impossible to find such an arrangement. Most, if not all company drivers are prohibited by their company from having a passenger with a learner’s permit or even a full CDL-A. It’s one of those insurance things. Your best hope is to get accepted by another big company that has their own training program. Even then, if you failed at another company in their program, a new company may not take you. All anybody can tell you is to keep trying. Good luck, I hope you find another opportunity.

I was afraid of that I would never get another chance again

I just put in for a grant if I have to I will just pay to get the training I need to get my CDL. Roehl even told me if I get my CDL they would be glad to have me back just thought I needed a little more time to perfect everything. One way or another I will get my CDL and work driving a truck! Quitters never win winners never quit I always say!

Paul I am sorry to hear this and understand your dissappointment. These types of programs are fast paced and some folks need more time. Sounds like Roehl gave you some good advice.

Best wishes for you going forward.