Pre-Employment Road Test

Get right in there and pull the 53'. Then you'll be able to pull anything with confidence. Pay attention to how far forward the axles are. You don't want to misjudge the overhang when backing up. G.O.A.L (get out and look) if needed, don't be afraid. It's better to GOAL then to hit something. The right turns aren't that much different between 45' and 53'. If you're used to pups, swing a little wider. Good luck with you new adventure.

 

Drive the trailer tires and you will be fine. Find the front tire in your right mirror, pull that tire up to where the curb or white line starts to bend and then turn the steering wheel. Never ever will it hit a curb if you just drive the trailer tires.

 

If you are going in as a trainee, then the road test will only be to give them an idea that you are trainable. They won't be looking for perfection.

 

Everyone who drives for a company has to have a Road Test. We all were nervous our first time out. I have actually failed a few. I even hit another trailer pulling out. They are not the end of the world.

The test is looking to see if you are aware of your surroundings. Does your driving ability match your resume? If you tell them you have never driven a 53 foot trailer before they will be more forgiving of mistakes you make. Do not let the trailer road back at a light. That is one thing they all look for. Grinding your gears is something that is allowed as every truck shifts a little differently.

The advice you have above on right turns should be read again and again until you get it. Your turn to the right starts at a point that will seem like you have gone way past where you need to be but let your front tandem tire reach your intended point before you turn.

Just relax. As a hooker once told me, we were all virgins once. I finally learned how to slice the ball.

 

General rule of thumb is take all the room you can get. Someone else noted you watch your trailer tandems and when they get to the corner then crank the wheel. That's good advise.

 

1st thing you do is show them how ####y you are. Put your baseball cap to the side or backwards. Then you ask them if county mounty's care about the bridge law, because you like the stretch that 53 all the way to the back Cadillac style. Testers love to be called good buddy so to his every reply just say roger that good buddy. If the truck has a cb get on Ch 19 and say break break rubber duck you out there? What you leave behind you? What the coups doing? That's going to take a lot of stress off the guy giving you the test, because he's just as nervous as you are. Don't forget to yell Yeeeee hawww after those right turns and once you get it in gear. Fist bump the instructor guy.

Ohhhhh dang wait you said dry box. Do none of the above. This is the instructions for chicken haulers. My bad.

 

Actually might be a good idea if you can arrange for the guy taking the test just before you to do all that. Then you'll pass just out a sense of relief.