Question:
I have been an over the road driver for a company for 19 months. I had an excellent record with no problems at all. I strive hard to be a good driver. My problem is this it has been 6 months since I have driven and am now seeking work as a company driver. I have an active CDL but lack the confidence of passing a driving test. I am sure if I got behind the wheel it will all come back to me but I do not want to risk flunking a test for a much needed job. I am asking if there are any drivers that may live around my area or I can meet up with someone that can help me out. Everyone says it will all come back, but I again, don't want to travel to Arkansas only to flunk driving test when all I need is a little familararity behind the wheel. Can anyone help? Thanks!

Answer:
Don't live around you but it's like riding a bicycle. You never forget how.

Answer:
The fastest way to get this done is to hire a local professional (check-out state licensed testers, they sometimes train on the side) who has access to a truck, if you don't have a buddy with one you can use.
It'll cost a few bucks an hour, but it'll get you a couple hours behind the wheel with someone who can give you good feedback to get you ready for the actual test. Second option, call up a local truck school and see if they can give you an abreviated refresher course.
But before all that, chedck with some companies you might want to work for and find out what they require. You may have to complete another documented cirriculum with a school before they'll take you anyway. 19 months experience with a 6 month break....that's about where they draw the line before sending you back to go. You may need some documented 'refresher' school. I'd make sure you know what they require before worrying about just passing the driving test. That's my advice.

Answer:
I have worked for many truck companies, including some who are allegedly very strict and selective in their hiring and testing practices. While nerve wracking, I have never had a road test that was much more involved than the tester seeing if you can shift, take a couple corners without hitting anything, and back into a dock.
Nothing you haven't already done a zillion times. Relax, you'll be fine. I think your nerves will be your biggest problem.
"I consider myself a good judge of character, and that's why I don't like nobody."
-Roseanne
Answer:
I had been off the road for almost a year and was nervous about taking a road test, but once I got up in that driver's seat it was almost like I had never been out of a truck for any period of time at all.
Yeah I scratched a few gears, and hit the brakes a little hard once (and in all hinestly that may have been more due to not being familiar with the truck than being rusty) but it really went very smoothly.
Out of all the companies I have road tested for I have only seen one person fail, and this person should have failed riding a bike. He wouldn't follow directions, could barely get the truck into gear, could not shift at all (the truck went 1/2 mile in 3rd gear), ran a stop sign, and almost hit a car.
Relax and dont worry about that road test, after a year and a half in the drivers seat with only a 6 month hiatus you haven't even begun to get creaky let alone rusty.
I have a name not a number. I am not cheap but I am resonable.
Answer:
when i went back to driving i was out of a truck for over a year. scratched a few gears didn't hit anything got better as i drove. the tester said i was rusty but confident it would come back to me. had to run a longer road test than most did but got assigned my own truck when i was done. I think if you drove that long you shouldn't have a problem good luck