YOUR CDL
MUST BE OBTAINED AND MAINTAINED
IN YOUR STATE OF RESIDENCE
"Click" on your STATE OF RESIDENCE
for CDL Road Test . . .
There are THREE parts to the CDL Skills Test
You must obtain a
CLP (commercial learners permit) prior to taking your CDL skills test.
CDL On-Road Driving Test
The road test is conducted on street and requires the driver to demonstrate skill
in normal traffic situations such as: turns; intersections; lane changes;
stop/start; etc. The road test is described in Section 13 of the
Free
CDL Handbook (Commercial Driver's License Manual).
The three-part skills tests must be scheduled (often more than a week or two ahead).
They are given either by a state tester or by a state approved third party
tester. Depending on where you live, you will either have to provide a proper
vehicle or one will be provided for you. This varies from state to state.
Check your state specific
CDL
Information for details.
Typical CDL Road Tests
The CDL Road test may include the recommended specified maneuvers listed below
(this may vary by state and locality):
- Four left and four right turns - Include turns at traffic lights, stop signs
and uncontrolled intersections. Turns should range from easy to somewhat difficult
for a heavy vehicle. A mix of types of intersections should be included.
- Straight section of urban business street - The section should be one to two
miles long, contain through intersections and intersections with traffic lights,
and have moderate traffic density. Try to get a section where the driver can
make lane changes along the route. The section should be one that lets you
see how the driver copes with traffic in a typical business area.
- One through intersection and two intersections where a stop has to be made
- If possible, these intersections should be included in the urban section.
- One railroad crossing - Try to get an uncontrolled crossing. The crossings
should have enough sight distance for you to see if the driver makes search
head movements when approaching each crossing. The driver's attempt to look
left and right down the track will often be the only way you can tell if the
driver noticed the crossing. If you do not have a railroad crossing in your
area, do the following:
- For bus and HAZMAT applicants, create a simulated railroad crossing. This will be on a lightly traveled section of the street or road that contains a landmark that you can point out to the driver, and tell the driver to treat as a railroad crossing. The landmark can be an intersection, an entrance to the road, or even a billboard. Instruct the driver to do whatever he or she would do at a real railway crossing.
- For all other applications, simply add one extra through intersection to the route.
- Curve, either to the left or to the right - Try to get a curve that is tight
enough to produce noticeable off-tracking on a tractor-trailer.
- Section of expressway or two-land rural or semi-rural road - You must have
an expressway section if there is an expressway in or close to your testing
area. The two-lane rural section may be used when there is no expressway available.
The expressway section should be a four-lane controlled access highway such
as an interstate. The section should start with a conventional ramp entrance
and end with a conventional ramp exit. The section should be long enough for
a heavy vehicle to do two lane changes during this section. The rural highway
section should be at least two miles. Try to find a road that has at least
a section with four lanes where lane changes can be made. In general, when
you choose a section of rural road, look for something that gives driving
challenges as close as possible to those found on an expressway.
- Downgrade steep that is long enough to require gearing down and braking. A steep short hill is the next best choice if a longer grade cannot be found. Try to find a grade where it should be obvious to a driver approaching the grade that the grade will require proper downgrade driving precautions.
- Simulated downgrade - Flat section of road where you can ask a driver to go
through the motions of driving down a steep grade. The section should be about
a quarter mile long, have little or no traffic, or have several lanes so a
slow vehicle will not interfere with traffic. If the real downgrade on your
route is likely to give a poorly prepared driver a problem, it is a good idea
to locate the simulated grade so that it comes before the real grade.
- Upgrade steep long enough to require gear changing to maintain speed. A steep, short hill is the next best choice if a long grade cannot be found. You may use the same grade for both the downgrade and the upgrade if it is hard to find steep grades in your area.
- Downgrade for stopping where a vehicle can be safely stopped and parked for
short period - The grade needs to be only steep enough to cause a vehicle
to roll if the driver does not park properly. Remember that you only need
a gentle slope to cause a heavy vehicle to roll.
- Upgrade for stopping where a vehicle can be safely stopped and parked for
a short period - Use the same grade as you need to.
- One underpass, or low clearance, or a bridge - An underpass should have a
posted clearance height and a bridge should have a posted weight limit. If
you cannot find underpasses or bridges with posted limits, use ones that do
not have posted limits. If you cannot find any low clearance or bridges, look
for places that have signs a heavy vehicle driver should see (e.g., No Commercial
Vehicles after 11 p.m. or Bridge with 10 Ton Weight Limit in 5 Miles).
Tips on passing the CDL Road Driving Test
- Remember that this is not a speed race.
- Use your mirrors! Don't cut off taffic.
- Take the outer left hand turn lane if there are two provided.
- Don't forget to use your turn signals.
- Never hit a curb.
- Maintain your composure and at least be able to act as if you're
calm and confident.
CDL On-Road Driving Test
How You Will Be Tested . . .
You will drive over a test route that has a variety
of traffic situations. At all times during the test,
you must drive in a safe and responsible manner;
and you must:
- Wear your safety belt.
- Obey all traffic signs, signals, and laws.
- Complete the test without an accident or moving violation.
During the driving test, the examiner will be
scoring you on specific driving maneuvers as well
as on your general driving behavior. You will
follow the directions of the examiner. Directions
will be given to you so you will have plenty of time
to do what the examiner has asked. You will not
be asked to drive in an unsafe manner.
If your test route does not have certain traffic
situations, you may be asked to simulate a traffic
situation. You will do this by telling the examiner
what you are or would be
doing if you were in that
traffic situation.
The following list of actions and/or behaviors will constitute an
automatic failure of the "On-road Driving" portion of the
test.
- Accident: an accident, however slight,
which the applicant could have
prevented.
- Seat belt: failure to use seatbelt.
- Striking or jumping curb: driving one or
more wheels over the curb or onto the
sidewalk; making contact with the curb,
sidewalk or marker.
- Failure to verbalize and demonstrate all
three parts of the air brake check
correctly
- Headlights: failure to use headlights
when required.
- Stop sign offenses: failure to stop for
stop sign; failure to stop before proceeding into intersection; failure to
make second stop if necessary.
- Red light offenses: failure to stop for a
red light; failure to decelerate when
approaching a yellow light; entering
into the intersection as light turns red.
- Failure to stop at railroad crossing:
crossing railroad tracks before stopping
when required to stop.
- Failure to yield right of way: failure to
yield to pedestrian; failure to yield to
on-coming driver when making left
turn; failure to yield promptly to
emergency vehicles; failure to yield to
traffic having right of way.
- Driving in opposite lane continuously:
crossing double yellow line and
remaining in opposite lane for extended
period of time.
- Improper passing: insufficient
clearance for pass; passing within or
two close to intersection; returning to
lane too quickly after passing; forcing
overtaken vehicle to slow down;
passing on right where illegal; passing in
no-passing zone.
- Speeding: exceeding the posted speed
limit by 5 mph or more for an extended
period of time without the driver
reducing speed to within the posted
limit.
- Improper stopping: failure to stop
before clearly marked stop line or
crosswalk; stopping unnecessarily on
roadway.
- Failure to obey traffic laws.
- Encroachment: Encroachment of clearly
marked stop line.
- Lack of Cooperation: refusal to obey
instructions of examiner, refusal to
attempt maneuver when instructed by
examiner.
- Offering bribes or gratuity to examiner.
- Vehicle control: vehicle out of gear
more than length of vehicle; vehicle
stops in traffic to regain gear; stalls
engine on road.
- Speed control according to conditions:
driving too fast for conditions; sliding or
skidding due to speed; failure to
decelerate when appropriate.
- Signal usage: failure to signal before
starting, stopping, turning or changing
lanes.
- Shifting while crossing railroad tracks.
Are YOU ready to get YOUR CDL?
Prepare for YOUR CDL Tests NOW . . .
In addition to the CDL (commercial driver's license) information found in our website covering the CDL and in the free CDL Handbook (which is quite boring and a bit confusing - and doesn't have a single multiple-choice question in it that is asked on the actual tests), the complete online
CDL Practice Test prep program will prepare you to easily pass your
CDL written exams to get your CDL permit. The skills test modules are invaluable to give you a head start before doing your
behind the wheel work, possibly saving you a lot of money. The CDL test prep program includes the following features . . .
- Covers ALL Eight CDL written tests.
- In separate study modules - you won't need all of them - don't waste time on what you don't require.
- Covers ALL Three CDL skills tests.
- In separate study modules - you won't need all of them - don't waste time on what you don't require.
- 670 practice CDL test questions with actual answers.
- Access to CDL videos covering written and skills tests.
- CDL study guide in both text and audio - listen as you read along.
- CDL study Quick Reviews.
- Interactive online CDL Quizzes.
- and much more!
May your new CAREER be prosperous!!!
Michael Hamilton
Director
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