If you would have asked me a week ago if I thought you could learn enough to get a CLass A Commercial Drivers Permit in 4 days, hell…3 days, I would have said you were sniffing too much lighter fluid.
I stand corrected and amazed all at the same time. I had spent the earlier part of the week struggling to take in all the information that was being crammed into me about Air Brakes, COLA Tests, Pre-trip inspections, and log books. I was just having a hard time remembering it on the spot when quizzed or questioned. Today however was different. I spent a little time studying last night and the morning part of the class was spent doing a question-answer quiz as a class. Lo and behold we were all pretty close to 100% on all the topics.
Do or die time. “Go down to the DMV,” said the Instructor, “You’re ready.”
Without having much idea what to expect at the dmv I handed over my application for permit and said I would like to take the endorsement tests as well. “That’s alot of tests, are you sure you want to do that?”, asked the DMV Attendant. No, I don’t but give them to me anyway.
The testing consists of one main test for the CDL Class A which includes thress sections: General Knowledge, Air Brakes, and Combination (meaning tractor-trailer).
The second test was the regular Class C that you have normally. (I have to retake the class C? Oh Shit!! I didn’t study for that)
The Third was a shorter seperate test for Doubles/Triples Endorsement for multiple trailers.
The fourth was for Tanker Trailers.
OMG what did I get myself into? I relaxed myself as I sorted the tests from easy to tough based on my knowledge of them and said to heck with it I will do them all anyway and see how I fair.
CDL(General/Air/Combination): Passed – Class C: Passed – Doubles/Triples: Passed – Tankers: Failed by 1 point.
WOW! This wasn’t discouraging at all. I knew the material and whizzed through it. Considering we had not covered any information on Doubles or Tankers I think I did pretty damn well.
After getting back to class we went over the material for the Doubles and Tankers and went right back down to the DMV to retake the tanker test. This time I passed and only missed 1 question.
Hello Shiny new CDL Permit with almost all the endorsments except Hazardous Materials. I think I may get that one next just to prove to myself I can do it.
My god, what a day…
