CDL Exam Thoughts

So just wanted to know if anyone else had taken the CDL exam in MA. Because from what I've seen and experience it's ridiculous. After going four times I've still not see anyone pass except guys that used automatic trucks. I've kept a log of what I've seen and done in the dairies section under MA CDL A exam state troopers".

Just wanted to know if it is this why everywhere or just in MA. I've seen alot of guys, me included, have breakdowns because everyone keeps failing for the smallest things. Seems to be that 99.99% is failing and you have to be 110% correct and say exactly what they want to hear or fail.

Please just looking for some reassurance that after putting 6 months and over $6000 of my own money into this it's worth it. Because the feeling of coming home and having to tell the wife and friends I failed again is just mentally degrading. I can see how someone that puts so much effect into something and knowing they can do it and just continue to be told they failed would drive someone crazy into depression. Thank god I have a job and not like other guys that are unemployed and can't get work because state troopers are living up to stereotypes.

Michael, I wouldn't beat yourself up over this. MA is incredibly strict with their Class A licensing. You're not the first one to bring this up believe me. I really don't understand what their problem is, it's as if they don't want any commercial drivers.

Just do your best man. If it's not meant to be it's not meant to be. Everything happens for a reason!

I know for New Mexico they use a points system. And there are some extra credit points. So for example, asking the tester to put on their seatbelt, or saying "I am performing a safe start with transmission in neutral and clutch depressed", this helps you pass by adding a few points to cover any you may have gotten taken away. You could ask some instructors at trucking classes there if they have any ideas on how to pass more easily, or what specifically the testers are looking for, or what the extra credit things might be. Maybe they want to see double clutching since you mention guys in autos are passing. There has to be someone who knows the deal. Things like traveling too long in neutral (can only go one truck length but maybe not at all in MA) come to mind, as do things like rolling into first, failing to check mirrors enough, etc. After 4 tries you should be getting an idea what they are looking for at least. Sorry I couldn't be of more help.

MA has a three got out and three corrections which is reasonable for parallel parking driver and blind side, forward and back, and alley dock, plus inspection and airbrake which you have to pass before the road test. The problem is the automatic failures:

Inspection- If you don't have the keys and clock the wheels right off the bat, or in my case fail to turn truck completely on, you fail. Airbrake-If you don't say the correct order of words, you fail Maneuvers--Looking out back cab window, getting out without 3 points of contact, mirror over line, you fail Road Test-- the rules of the road fail, which is almost anything in the book, plus all the other automatic failures that they take to the extreme.

And the state troopers have the nerve to complain that they are coming on their days off and there is such a long backlog. They are getting paid detail work which is like $40-$50 an hour to sit in a car for a couple of hours which really the tests take maybe a half an hour total. Most of the day they are spending going to get coffee at Dunkin or just waiting for their next appointment because they failed everyone, and getting paid the whole time. Imagine getting paid for 8 hours at $40-$50 an hour and not really doing anything for half that time. And then having the "I don't give a sh_t" attitude and complain these student drivers don't know anything and getting mad at the instructors for bring them and wasting their time. Hate hate state troopers.

Just wondering if it's like that everywhere or just MA??

I know I'll pass but if anyone asks me if it's a good idea to get a CDL in MA I would definitely say no. Too much money, time, and stress to get a $17-$20 job that will probably run you down because they don't have enough drivers because they can't get any because no one is passing. Heard that it's becoming such a problem in MA. That all the companies are working together to force the state to start changing the test to a point system to make it easier. Unfortunately this will not be in my testing time. When you see OTR drivers with years and years of driving failing then something is wrong.