Need Help On Serepentine Backing

Topic 4137 | Page 1

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RedKnight's Comment
member avatar

Hi all,

Well, I started the driving portion of CDL school last week, got help from a bunch here on backing. Need more help. When the instructor is in the cab, I can do the serpentine backup it without any trouble. When I'm in it alone, I can start OK, then I seem to draw a blank on the reference points, then panic, then get lost. Frankly, since my family's livelihood depends on me getting the CDL A, the pressure has been tremendous. I'm having trouble sleeping, I have a nervous stomach all the time, and I have never been like that in my life. I have had 3 skills sessions on the range so far, and tonight they are taking me out on the road for 4 hours. Frankly, I'm pretty worried, my very anxious as I write this, watching the clock till I have to leave at 3:45PM. After tonight, I am on the road again Thursday AM, 4 hours, then Friday AM, 4 hours. Then it's back to skills next with just a total of 5 sessions left before I get tested. If anyone can help me on how to remember the reference points on the serpentine back-up, and any tips on getting rid of this anxiety, would be very helpful. Thanks in advance.

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.
David's Comment
member avatar

Hi all,

Well, I started the driving portion of CDL school last week, got help from a bunch here on backing. Need more help. When the instructor is in the cab, I can do the serpentine backup it without any trouble. When I'm in it alone, I can start OK, then I seem to draw a blank on the reference points, then panic, then get lost. Frankly, since my family's livelihood depends on me getting the CDL A, the pressure has been tremendous. I'm having trouble sleeping, I have a nervous stomach all the time, and I have never been like that in my life. I have had 3 skills sessions on the range so far, and tonight they are taking me out on the road for 4 hours. Frankly, I'm pretty worried, my very anxious as I write this, watching the clock till I have to leave at 3:45PM. After tonight, I am on the road again Thursday AM, 4 hours, then Friday AM, 4 hours. Then it's back to skills next with just a total of 5 sessions left before I get tested. If anyone can help me on how to remember the reference points on the serpentine back-up, and any tips on getting rid of this anxiety, would be very helpful. Thanks in advance.

I used my landing gear as a reference as wall as any cones that are laid out. It's really hard to explain but using the convex mirrors was the trick I learned.. and getting out to look... Just keep practiceing.

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.
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