Question:
Got my CA CDL at 10:38am PDT today. After about a week of preparation and praciticing (local truck school). I'm an "offical" truck driver. lol
CA has some serious testing. Plus I have a new "respect" for truck drivers, dealing with crazy, offensive drivers. Here are the tests you need to get a CDL in Cali:
Note, the skill testing is at an DMV commercial testing facilities. (Sacramento, CA)
1. Need to pass pre-trip inspection of the tractor trailer. You cannot miss more than 20 items. Automatic failure.
2. Skill test. Strait line backing. Pull up to a DMV line, you must be 2 feet or less with the front of your bumper. Encroachment, lose a point
3. Skill test. Right Turn: You must turn your trailer (right) and be within 1 feet or less of the cone. Encroachment, lose a point
4. Skill test. Alley Dock parking. Tough!!!! You must alley dock (simuated dock) your trailer . You have 5 pulls up to get the trailer in. More that 5 you fail, come back and pay 30 dollars to the DMV for a retest. (I got it in 1 pull up,cool)
5. Skill test. Parellel Park. Need to parallel park your trailer within a box. If you are out of the box (encroachment) deduct a point.
6. Driving test. Driving on local streets. Accelerating, shifting(double clutching) right turns without hiting the curb (Automatic failure.) Freeway driving, changing lanes, watching for road hazards. Talking about road hazards. During my driving test, me and tester saw an UPS truck with the rear door open. We believe that he didn't know that. Well, we saw that same UPS truck on the freeway, with its rear door open, he lost a number packages. Talk about road hazards. Funny.
I accomplished a new chapter in my life and proud of it. Just wanted to express my joy. Now its time to look for a job. Ivey EnviroTech Services
Start Up date: 3/1/06

Answer:
Woo-Hoo!!!
Congrats!

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So Q, have you gotten any offers? have a preference or three that you're shooting for? Good luck, hope ya land one that you can be happy with. Hope I can too!!! Arkansas skills test seems simular but I'm not yet sure what the scoring requirements are. They also require a serpentine backing manuver. They do however allow 3rd party testing.
Again, good luck & drive safe

Answer:
Well, I got a job here in CA.
Frank C. Allegre Trucking out of Lodi, CA. I will pulling Bulk Cement doubles (pickle barrells) from Davenport, CA (RMC Lonestar Portland cement works) to redi mix plants in the Sacramento area.
I have orientation this Friday (damn, a lot of paperwork) Then I will be assisgned a trainer for a few days. Its like working on welfare. After the training is over, I will get paid by the load.
A new chapter in my life has started. Ii'm kinda nervous. But I have confidence in myself. And I will be successful.
More updates.Ivey EnviroTech Services
Start Up date: 3/1/06

Answer:
Update.......
Finished with orientation. Driver supervisor went over all the info packet (major paperwork). Very strict on the logs. Will go over it with driver supervisor again (nice mature lady). Been assigned to a trainer Tuesday. I might last a week, depends on me. After that, I will be assigned a tractor and trailer. yea. I will update next week.
Until then "keep on truckin".Ivey EnviroTech Services
Start Up date: 3/1/06

Answer:
Update.......
Well, survived my 1st week. Tuesday and Wedensday local work. Thursday did an indian casino by Woodland. Friday and today, Santa Rosa. Got to drive Thursday, Friday and today. My loads were lime. Trainer is real cool. He gave me as much info that I should know about the company. Now it time to sit back and relax. Monday, I will be working in Sacto. I'm still waiting for my Santa Cruz run. Can't wait. Ivey EnviroTech Services
Start Up date: 3/1/06

Answer:
Congrats Q, hope you're enjoying it. Don't think I'd like to haul that stuff myself buy to each his own. Let us know when you get your truck.