How To Get Your Commercial Driver's License In 2 Weeks

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 พ.ค. 2024
  • I'm planning to buy a MASSIVE Military Truck... but first I need to get my CDL. // Thanks to KiwiCo for sponsoring this video. Use code AMBITION for 20% off your first Panda Crate subscription: kiwico.com/ambitionstrikes
    We're a husband and wife team who bought 20 acres of bare off-grid land in North Idaho. Follow along as we learn how to build a home, run heavy equipment and turn this place into our dream property!
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    00:00 I already failed the test...
    02:37 Boise, Idaho
    04:02 Day 1: this is harder than I thought
    06:44 1 step forward, 2 steps back
    08:43 Day 2: frozen brakes
    12:07 Day 3: left foot braking
    13:49 Day 4: breaking bad habits
    16:20 Day 5: STEEP grades
    17:30 Day 6: backing up the 48 foot trailer
    19:55 Day 7: exam day
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ความคิดเห็น • 570

  • @AmbitionStrikes
    @AmbitionStrikes  หลายเดือนก่อน +16

    Thanks to KiwiCo for sponsoring this video. Use code AMBITION for 20% off your first Panda Crate subscription: kiwico.com/ambitionstrikes

  • @gcs8
    @gcs8 หลายเดือนก่อน +176

    Shout out to Idho CDL for letting him film, it's both cool to see and a nice window into what the CDL drivers have to go through for anyone who is curious or potentially interested in going through it.

    • @stum8374
      @stum8374 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      The problem is that normal car drivers don't watch so when they're out on the streets and seeing artics around them they don't know how to react....therefore accidents happen......those films should be shown to ANYBODY taken a car/motorbike licence !!! Im surprized you didn't pull forward to make sure the trailor was connected !!! So in the states you can go from a car/pickup
      to an artic OH GOD

    • @rdeanbenson2214
      @rdeanbenson2214 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Ain't happening in 2 weeks.

    • @marcothehammer
      @marcothehammer หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      @@stum8374 WILLIS!... what you talkin' 'bout?
      Arctic
      The Arctic is a polar region located at the northernmost part of Earth. The Arctic region, from the IERS Reference Meridian travelling east, consists of parts of northern Norway, northernmost Sweden, northern Finland, Russia, the United States, Canada, Danish Realm, and northern Iceland, along with the Arctic Ocean and adjacent seas. Wikipedia
      😉😐
      FURTHERMORE... there's no such a thing as a 'normal car driver'! LOL!

  • @oldseabee2938
    @oldseabee2938 หลายเดือนก่อน +69

    Former Seabee Mechanic here. I was one of the first people in the Navy to get licenced on the MTVR Tractor when it first came to the fleet. I also was involved in the testing of the trucks before they were sent out for service. I am local to north Idaho, eastern WA if you have problems. They are complicated vehicles with lots of weird systems and proprietary parts. Happy to help if you run into issues!

    • @AmbitionStrikes
      @AmbitionStrikes  หลายเดือนก่อน +9

      That is so awesome! Would you mind sending us an email? contact@ambitionstrikes.com

    • @oldseabee2938
      @oldseabee2938 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      @@AmbitionStrikes Will do!

    • @PatsTravels
      @PatsTravels หลายเดือนก่อน +4

      I was the Navy's PM for the MTVR tractor. Thanks for helping do the testing. It was a great program to manage and I was fortunate to have a great team to develop and field the truck.

    • @oldseabee2938
      @oldseabee2938 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

      @@PatsTravels they are great trucks. Only a few complaints. "Military grade" trucks. Lol

    • @carolewarner101
      @carolewarner101 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      Wow, that was a generous offer! Don't you love the community you're creating?

  • @tommurray2653
    @tommurray2653 หลายเดือนก่อน +67

    Hi Rilley from a retired truck driver. The two abbreviations i used to use were PAL and LAP for connecting and disconnecting trailers. PAL Pin Air lines Landing gear (up)
    LAP Landing gear (down) Air lines (disconnected) Pull Pin. You NEVER want to disconnect a trailer before putting the landing gear down AND you NEVER want to move a trailer before having raised the landing gear. Have a nice day. Tom in Canada in the Maritimes at the NB-NS border

    • @Skattie
      @Skattie หลายเดือนก่อน

      Awesome ❤

    • @davebaker489
      @davebaker489 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      Shout out to Tom from Dave in NS Canada. Got my lic. in down town Toronto. Now that was fun.

    • @lloydprunier4415
      @lloydprunier4415 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      Got my Class A CDL back in '93 and one of the first things I remember from CDL school was it's not an airplane so it's not landing gear. Trucking over the road isn't for everyone and I found out it wasn't what I wanted to do after the first year. Grocery whare houses and a few other places made life miserable. Many hauls were enjoyable and some sort of dedicated run would have been the way to go. Driving the truck was almost fun, but not the weeks away from home.

    • @user-zc5qy2sr1c
      @user-zc5qy2sr1c หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      That's all fine unless you're pulling triples.

    • @GunnyNinja
      @GunnyNinja หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@lloydprunier4415 So did I. I also became an instructor. It was always landing gear. Still is. No idea why anyone wasted time teaching you that.

  • @RadSalacan
    @RadSalacan หลายเดือนก่อน +53

    I used to work for one of the big freight shipping companies. Never got a CDL but definitely moved a lot of trailers around the yard and it is nerve wracking when you first start out. It gave me so much more respect for what those drivers do and what they have to go through just to get a trailer from A to B.

    • @spencers4121
      @spencers4121 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      It's intimidating, but over time it's like why was I afraid to drive something so big.

    • @marvinflournoy345
      @marvinflournoy345 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      I went to trucking school after I lost my job after 35 years with the company when it moved to a different state . I went to trucking school because I knew there were trucking jobs around. Some still couldn't drive after 6 weeks, I made 100 on my pre trip and passed my driving test which was a big relief. I found a job with the local county and worked 11 years until I retired. I loved that job because I drove almost anything you could imagine which I was all for.

    • @sonnyevans4285
      @sonnyevans4285 หลายเดือนก่อน

      )​@@spencers4121

  • @whathavya
    @whathavya หลายเดือนก่อน +19

    Ass a CDL holder, driving trks for almost 20 years, hauling fuel to Prudoe Bay Ak. on what is probably one of the most dangerous roads in North America. I still remember going to trk school and getting my first interation of my license as one of the most traumatic times of my life. 😂 Congratulations!

  • @susanhighfield8284
    @susanhighfield8284 หลายเดือนก่อน +8

    That's the fastest class A CDL course I've ever seen. Not even remotely enough time. When I went to CDL school, it was a 6 week course. 6 weeks of drive time and classroom study. And after 20 years of driving, I know even that didn't touch all the situations I'd experienced. It's scary to know they are only training people for 7 days before turning them loose. Happy for you that you passed, dude. Please be careful out there and take your time. Your mirrors are your very best friend. Always be scanning them, even if no one is around. Little cars come out of nowhere. Never get complacent.

    • @towtruckaj
      @towtruckaj หลายเดือนก่อน +4

      CDL school has never been about teaching really anything about real trucking, It's about passing tests and they fully anticipate you will go on to some big company that will put you through weeks of ride along training... Shit logic but that's their thinking.

  • @MrRiorust
    @MrRiorust หลายเดือนก่อน +22

    Congratulations! Welcome to the CDL A club. Taking the course and test in "less than perfect weather" was a great call. Expect the un expected , and be safe.

  • @ramdslpwr
    @ramdslpwr หลายเดือนก่อน +30

    Bravo man. I remember that feeling the first time I hit the open road in a semi... Scared the pants off me.. You did well. Congrats on a new life skill.

  • @adamstone3933
    @adamstone3933 หลายเดือนก่อน +16

    I got my cdl it took 2.5 months in Wisconsin but that final test is very nerve wracking

  • @EthanBammerlin
    @EthanBammerlin 6 ชั่วโมงที่ผ่านมา

    I got my CDL about a week before this video dropped. I’m surprised they started you out with floating gears, I was taught to double clutch and then learned floating later on once I understood the basics of actually driving. That left foot braking took me a while to pickup with downshifting during my training.
    It’s nice to see someone else learning at the same time as me! Good luck!

  • @DNinja87
    @DNinja87 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    As a commercial driver in my history and now a manager of commercial drivers. I'm finding this very interesting on the training now days, also laughing at your mistakes. but it's part of the learning process. I still can't get my driving mantra out of my head. "Properly mounted & secured. Not cracked, bent, or broken. Not leaking or leaning." This has stuck with me since Salt Lake City and my driving school.

  • @kenanderson1026
    @kenanderson1026 หลายเดือนก่อน +13

    Once your done with school and those tests you be able to float the gears as long as you still hit the right RPM's. Definitely easier on your clutch life and simplies driving as well.

  • @Motoracer0172
    @Motoracer0172 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    I'm currently in the process of obtaining my cdl. You have made this whole process feel so worthwhile, I want to thank you for taking the time to make this video. It has helped me build the confidence I needed to keep pressing on. Congrats!! Keep it between the ditches .

  • @indyrocker
    @indyrocker หลายเดือนก่อน +8

    It's awesome to see you documenting your progress! I get to teach the class B, passenger, and school bus endorsements in Colorado for a local school district.

  • @GipperGGipper
    @GipperGGipper หลายเดือนก่อน +6

    I remember getting my CDL. My two hardest things to learn was the pre-trip ( my instructor was a stickler for precise wording) and backing up. I had literally 15 minutes of training. That led to big issues. I ended up training myself in the yard of my first employer.

  • @chevrofreak
    @chevrofreak หลายเดือนก่อน +12

    Once you master floating the gears it makes driving a semi a lot smoother and more fun.

    • @johncrane3676
      @johncrane3676 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Back in the day, floating was an immediate fail.
      A clutch-less shift was mandatory witch meant you weren't grinding off gear tips in a 20 to 30 thousand dollar transmission.
      But that was 30 years ago. Maybe they have rubber gears now..

    • @chevrofreak
      @chevrofreak หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@johncrane3676 when I took my test he said "drive it how it's meant to be driven". Whatever that means. I couldn't float at the time, so I double clutched.

    • @kingboss24
      @kingboss24 23 วันที่ผ่านมา

      I'm in school now you still can't float gears​@@johncrane3676

  • @lifetwolive
    @lifetwolive หลายเดือนก่อน +7

    this might be helpful to you with clutch brake operation the clutch brake only contacts when the pedal is one inch from the floor so as long as you only toe the clutch pedal enough to disengage the clutch brake does not work

  • @donalddodson7365
    @donalddodson7365 หลายเดือนก่อน +10

    BRAVO! Well done. I suspect it is like any other "crash course" (sorry, bad adjective ...) you now begin to really hone your skills. You brought back memories of my ROP School Bus Driver's Course shifting without synchromesh, matching RPM's to speed, and accounting for the huge rear end behind the rear axle. Congratulations!

  • @VaughanMunro-js4nr
    @VaughanMunro-js4nr หลายเดือนก่อน

    Congratulations on getting your semi licence. Viewing from Australia. I got my semi licence 50 years ago, when all you had to do was answer a few questions, drive around town, back a Strait line, and do a hill sart. All done in an hour.

  • @lynnemac1402
    @lynnemac1402 หลายเดือนก่อน +10

    Wow Riley you never fail to amaze me all the things you can already do and then taking on more things to learn. Congratulations for passing that was a large commitment x

  • @user-kf9fv1qj9u
    @user-kf9fv1qj9u หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Congratulations Riley

  • @richardburdette6000
    @richardburdette6000 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

    Congratulations Riley 👏

  • @johnthomas3842
    @johnthomas3842 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Congratulations. Now you get the chance to see regular drivers as they really are. Folks that decide to slow down on an uphill grade causing you to have to gear down or stop and get started again. People that do not understand, it takes you a lot longer to stop than a car and pull out in front of you. If you are driving a commercial truck, it is a big money sign to some people, watch out for scammers. If a rock kicks out from under your tire and hits someones windshield, not your fault. If a rock falls off of your load and hits a windshield, your fault. Follow all the tarp down rules and make sure your tractor and trailer are clean of anything loose that may fall off. Invest in a good dash cam. My number one tip for you is, going down a grade, never gear down up or down, if you skip a gear and end up out of gear, you are free wheeling. Depending on the grade, you could burn up your brakes before being able to stop and start again.

  • @davidhay2871
    @davidhay2871 หลายเดือนก่อน

    When I went through truck driving school in Ohio we had to drive tractors with sleepers and 53-ft trailers. So from day one we were in 75-ft trucks. Get your double triple and tanker endorsement. You may not need it but it's always good to have.

  • @paulhasty8388
    @paulhasty8388 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

    It's funny watching this video because when I drove truck I had an Oregon class A license and I gave it up just before they came out with a CDL. So the truck I drove was a 1988 Peterbilt 4 axle tractor with a 53 foot 3 axle trailer with a gross weight of 98,000 lbs.. The tractor had a 3406B Cat motor with a 13 speed trans and your right you only use the clutch in first gear then in order to shift gear's you just match rpm's!

  • @tommurray2653
    @tommurray2653 หลายเดือนก่อน +6

    The longer that a trailer is ,the easier it is to back up because it responds slower to steering imputs . And one other piece of advice is to NEVER forget that you have a trailer on when you are making a turn. To do so will have you taking out a light pole or a stop sign. Have a nice day. Tom in the Maritimes at the NB-NS border

    • @davebaker489
      @davebaker489 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      We had 1 driver totally straddle a fire hydrant without harming it. Then he left the truck, quit on the spot and went home. An older much more experienced driver was sent to safely move the rig and drive it back. (it happens)

    • @martinbuysabus932
      @martinbuysabus932 หลายเดือนก่อน

      I drove right over top of a half ton pickup with an empty 53 foot dry van in an intersection. I had been driving for years but that morning for some reason I completely forgot I was pulling a trailer. That was a not very good morning. No one hurt fortunately.

  • @paulwatts1963
    @paulwatts1963 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    congratulations Riley

  • @stevegreengrass7727
    @stevegreengrass7727 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    It's awesome to see a popular you tuber take a CDL course, thank you so much for showing how much of a mental strain driving a semi truck can be, and what is all involved with driving a semi truck, so many people out there figure we just drive and that driving is so easy, No it is not, it truly is a tough job with alot more involved than so many believe! Thank you Riley! Congratulations on getting your CDL!!🎉 best of luck in your future endeavors!

  • @lionakaauamo520
    @lionakaauamo520 5 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Congratulations! I just got my cdl class A license! 🥳🥳

  • @TimothyTate-tc5yk
    @TimothyTate-tc5yk หลายเดือนก่อน +7

    We now you have learned what all truck drives had to learn. I remember my training for my class A CDL. But back then even though it was not a easy thing to do it was not as tough as it is today for new drives. Many of the laws has changed and more Federal and State laws are more stricter. Back when I did my test I had to do all the pre-trip inspections and that even included the service lines to the trailer. Then I had to do the straight line backing, right side doc backing, and then left side doc back, then serpentine backing, and then the parallel parking. I don't know if you had to do the serpentine backing or the parallel parking. But the one thing is leaning the responsibilities of being a truck driver. I'm retired from truck driving and I miss it I miss the open roads. But after 43 years I knew it was time to turn it over to the younger generation truckers. Good luck with your new toy.

  • @ColeMarkusen
    @ColeMarkusen หลายเดือนก่อน +7

    That was really fun to watch, congratulations, Riley! 🎉

  • @matthewrobertson6923
    @matthewrobertson6923 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

    Nice work! Congratulations 🎉

  • @panfilocordova4912
    @panfilocordova4912 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    Congratulations Riley👏👏🎉🎉

  • @paulmiller591
    @paulmiller591 หลายเดือนก่อน +10

    Congratulations Rilley. That is no easy task; a good friend of mine got his heavy truck license in New Zealand a year ago, and those things are much harder to drive than it looks from the outside. Did you consider doing the course in the better weather? Ice and snow must not have helped?

  • @georgewest2096
    @georgewest2096 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    My first CDL in 1963 was a one page written test with no driving. Oh, am now I am old, and still have my CDL and do drive Big trucks, but not often.

  • @johnjulie6657
    @johnjulie6657 หลายเดือนก่อน +6

    Bravo Zulu you truck driving dude! Looks like you're getting a newish Army bobtail?!?!

  • @virginiamschatz5180
    @virginiamschatz5180 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Good for you, Riley....and cheerleaders Courtney & Oliver!!

  • @iamahood1
    @iamahood1 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    Awesome. So excited about whatever this must mean you’re cooking up for the future!

  • @seanogs
    @seanogs หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    As my WWII grandfather would say when I grinded the gears on my first car, "Hey grind me a pound while your at it"!!! Lol. You will be a pro in no time.

  • @Burke_Motorsports
    @Burke_Motorsports หลายเดือนก่อน

    This brought back 25 year old memories. Cheers!

  • @lauraquigley6403
    @lauraquigley6403 หลายเดือนก่อน +7

    Good job Riley! I Love how both you & Courtney consistently are learning new things! Oliver is still the star of the show! Love that your subscribers are growing since I have been subscribed while you had sleeper in truck🙏🙏🙏

  • @bryank7133
    @bryank7133 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Sounds like I passed you on Thursday night late. Headed out Thursday morning from Phoenix to Portland, was through Boise around 11pm, then again yesterday at lunch time on the way back. Long, not so fun trip for me, and I was actually thinking about you guys while I was in Idaho. Congrats on your CDL Casey!

  • @jimbosun2
    @jimbosun2 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    Oh that brought back memories for me over here in the UK doing my HGV. I knew exactly how you felt with the nerves.
    Awesome upload guys. Wishing you all the best😎

  • @kevins1927
    @kevins1927 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I remember when I first learned to drive tractor trailers. Allot going on at once but eventually it becomes automatic, good old muscle memory. Slow is smooth and smooth is fast.

  • @deborahpinkey1264
    @deborahpinkey1264 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Congratulations Riley! Add another notch onto your skillset belt!

  • @philwoods2534
    @philwoods2534 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

    One of the most important things to check which I haven't heard you mention is the wheel nuts - one of those come off and it kinda messes up your day and someone else's life if it bounces unfortunately....We in the UK have dayglo markers which face each other on either nut - you can tell then if they have moved...THEY DO over time. Tapping them with a bar also gives off a different sound. Its a great addition to your licence, opens your mind to the hard work truck drivers carry out, often at crazy times and distances. well done.

  • @mmaiorano3
    @mmaiorano3 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    Great work Riley. Not easy. Definitely go easy in the big rigs with the mountains!

  • @user-zr1ij2tm6u
    @user-zr1ij2tm6u หลายเดือนก่อน

    Its great to see you on your learning how to drive a truck...just shows what youve all got to go through....Glad you passed...Stay safe and god bless you all

  • @golfbravowhiskey8669
    @golfbravowhiskey8669 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I got my CDL back in 92' and my commercial pilots license in 1994, I couldn't imagine having to go through all of that today

  • @jonathanmaxwell7518
    @jonathanmaxwell7518 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Congratulations on passing! Excited to see the adventures you take

  • @wonderingdonkey6758
    @wonderingdonkey6758 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    I've been a commercial driver for 28 years.Myself and my coworkers have always said,they need to make the test harder.Well they stepped it up a bit atleast.The motorhomes and 5th wheels should all have to take some form of this.Im glad you showed some respect to truckers and the difficulty of driving around the stupidity of other drivers Congratulations Riley!

  • @brianmoore4299
    @brianmoore4299 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Congrats riley on getting your CDL. Something you'll never regret. Driving OTR 48 states was my career until I was struck with diabetes and no longer eligible. Worse day of my life. Two things I'd like to metion. You said the one instructor told you about reading the signs. That means EVERY sign. The one you miss may be the one that tells you the bridge is out. Teach yourself to read EVERY sign. Its your saftey and life that this might affect. Secondly, use all the space you can when pulling forward to line up for a back up. Most drivers car or truck fail to pull far enough forward to line up properly and wind up making several attempts. Saw you do that in the video. I've pulled tankers, flatbeds, box, oversized and superloads. My best suggestion to you would be to go to your local truckstop sit at the counter and talk to your fellow drivers. At least when i was driving they were friendly and willing to help you learn. I learned more there than anywhere else except actually driving. Theyll tell you things about driving in bad weather, bad habits etc. I'd say they focus on saftey because those trucks are dangerous. Good luck, stay safe and be smart. Never do drugs of any type. There are drivers who do and may offer it. Dont accept ever. No load is ever worth it. I always despised the unprofessional driver who placed so many at risk with that crap. Im a bit older so this is old but I used to use this line all the time, drive right. I dont want to run into some mom driving a station wagon with four kids in the back on her way to drop the kids off at school. Mechanical failure happens (as you are familiar) so stay up on maintenance.

    • @markpashia7067
      @markpashia7067 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Yup, accidents happen the minute you get cocky and relaxed. Always need to be on your A game and extra careful in new conditions. And do not miss a gear on a steep downgrade. You do not have enough brakes without engine braking. I know a few who learned that dropping out of Flagstaff, AZ and were lucky to survive.

    • @brianmoore4299
      @brianmoore4299 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@markpashia7067 Reminds me of a time going into lake Tahoe from Reno and my tp valve malfunctioned and I lost my brakes going down the grade on 431. Before I made it to the truck runaway ramp rear brakes were on fire and my co driver wanted to jump out. There was the mountain on the passenger side and I told him he was safer in the truck. Didn't want to see him getting crushed against the mountain and the side of the truck. We made it but talk about fear. I was so happy to see that runaway ramp. (The tp valve manufacturer had to pay for everything).

  • @Pawoodsman
    @Pawoodsman หลายเดือนก่อน

    I was a OTR driver for 7 years was a good experience. I still have my class A just in case I need to move vehicle. Don't miss the over the road lifestyle

  • @townswiley4429
    @townswiley4429 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Congrats!!!! CDLs are no joke! Great school!

  • @mikeborkhuis7278
    @mikeborkhuis7278 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Congratulations Riley! I just celebrated the 20th anniversary of getting my CDL-A license. Since then I added the double/triple, tanker and HZAMAT endorsements to it.

  • @midway241
    @midway241 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Congratulations! What a fun video!

  • @ricklong3218
    @ricklong3218 หลายเดือนก่อน

    If we floated the gears like that it was automatic failure. The clutch brake is pedal all the way to the floor to stop parts from moving when putting in gear from a stop. That should not affect shifting, you just need to push pedal far enough to disengage the clutch.

  • @CAT527LS
    @CAT527LS หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Congratulations on your class A! I’m curious why you needed it, where we live in Idaho you can register semis for personal use up to 56,000 lbs with air brakes and trailer. No cdl, cdl only needed if the use is intended for business or how DOT puts it “making money”. Just depends how you register and insure it! Technically you’re supposed to have not for hire on the side when registered personnel use but in our county that’s rarely checked.

  • @tommurray2653
    @tommurray2653 หลายเดือนก่อน

    From a retired truck driver. Good advice for any driver other than one who drives in the prairies. At the top of a hill or mountain, there is only one thing that a driver can change or control. That is the speed with which he/she starts down the hill. You cannot change the length of the hill. You cannot change the grade or steepness of the hill . You cannot change the weight or your load. And for all practical reality you cannot change the condition of your brakes . The number one goal is to minimize the application of the "foundation" brakes or "foot" brakes. Use your engine or "jake" brake to safely control speed gain. Once you let momentum build up too much it becomes a "monster" that you cannot control. You can NEVER go down a hill too slow. Be carefull of over application of the jake on slippery or icy roads as it can cause a jacknife. A cautious driver is safer than one who is overconfident . Remember what you CAN control and use it to your advantage Have a nice day Tom in Canada in the Maritimes at the NB-NS border

  • @duanewilson3941
    @duanewilson3941 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Retired truck driver here, everyone has trouble backing at first and getting the gears right. If you do it long enough you'll get it and you won't even have to think about it. I always found backing the longer trailers was easier than the shorter one's.

  • @jimlucraft5891
    @jimlucraft5891 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Possibly one of my most favourite videos !!

  • @InsideAlan
    @InsideAlan หลายเดือนก่อน

    Best thing i can recommend now is to go and drive agency for some supermarkets. The routes are never technical or too tight for time and it will get you plenty of seat time to drive home what youve learnt. Passing your test is only the first step to becoming a driver.

  • @Notsofatamerican
    @Notsofatamerican หลายเดือนก่อน

    Easiest way to backup is to grab the steering wheel at its lowest point between your legs. If you want the trailer to go right, push your hand to the right, and left if you wanna go left.

  • @bt9653
    @bt9653 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I have my CDL because my business truck is used in commerce and pleasure. I learned many things that I apply when driving my diesel pusher.

  • @Skattie
    @Skattie หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Bless your heart, so happy you getting a new truck driving skill under your belt .well done and so impressed with your family and friends being there

  • @Jeremy-de2of
    @Jeremy-de2of หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    See for some reason here in wv they want u to use a clutch every time crazy but most inspectors don’t care show them u can use clutch then shift how your comfy lol

  • @theburtseoni
    @theburtseoni หลายเดือนก่อน

    Riley, you crack me up! One never knows what you are going to be trying to get done from one episode to the other!

  • @robertmcbee4671
    @robertmcbee4671 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Howdy Riley, I know you will get a ton of comments on here about what to do and what not to do. I used to be a truck driving instructor. At the school I taught at we always taught out students to use the clutch ALWAYS when shifting. Each time the gears "rub" when shifting it is causing wear on the gears and metal flake deposits to be in the oil, which then gets into all the other parts of the transmission. The last time I drove was back in the 80's, yup that was a while ago but I'm sure the manual transmissions haven't changed since then. Then a rebuilt trans was around 5 grand. Nowadays... I've got no idea but it's going to be expensive. Clutchs, on the other hand, are designed to be worn as that is their job in life as they act as the contact area between the engine and transmission. Where a lot of people get into trouble when double-clutching is they step on the clutch pedal too far down engaging the transmission's clutch brake. This clutch brake is used for stopping the transmission from spinning so you can engage first gear while at a stop. When double-clutching only depress the clutch pedal down far enough to disengage the engine from the transmission. Practice and you will "feel" where the disconnect and re-engagement is at on the clutch pedal. Another thing to look for is how fast you might be going in your gears at maximum governed RPM. I know there are differences but from what I have seen most main gears are about 5 mph. So, 1st = 5mph, 2nd = 10 mph, 3rd = 15 mph... or thereabouts. These are your shifting points at max rpm's. So, if you are coming down is speed from 15 to 10 you can grab 2nd gear at max rpm's when you hit 10. In double-clutching what you would do is at about 12 mph is step on the clutch and put the transmission into neutral, release the clutch, increase rpm's to max, step on the clutch and move the shift lever into 2nd gear at about 10+mph, release the clutch while holding the max rpms. Now "max" rpm's on the older engines was about 2100 rpm. On the newer engines it might be around 1700. Generally there is about a 500 rpm difference between main gears and about 250 rpm difference between split gears. I know this is a lot of info, but practice will make perfect. Your instructors have done well except for the part about not using the clutch and that is truly a personal preference and how deep your pockets are. Drive safe!

  • @dewaynewhitney567
    @dewaynewhitney567 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I'm glad you made it. Just always remember to constantly keep checking your mirrors and keeping an eye on all your gages while you're driving, cause it only takes a second to get into an accident that can be avoided. I've been driving class 8 for over 30 years and it is a very stressful job. Now you can call all them small vehicles out there, them darn 4 wheelers. Lol. Just relax and always pay attention to everything around you. It's hard, but you can do it. My wife would always laugh at me when she would pick me up after I got back in off the road and she wants me to drive. Not cool. Because I'd start trying to shift it into gear and it's a darn automatic and I'd stomp the floor because there's no clutch there. Lol. 4 million miles and I had enough. So it's your time now. Good luck and God bless.

  • @andysmith5220
    @andysmith5220 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Congratulations! Now the hard part comes next lots.and lots. And lots of practice over and over again

  • @maudepotvin8660
    @maudepotvin8660 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    I'm doing my CDL training in Montreal, and it's a 5 month long training full time.
    I see huge difference between in both trainings. Like not using the clutch ? Did they explain you double clutching ?
    The pre trip inspection last 20 minutes here too !
    Stay safe on the roads !

  • @nealwiley9950
    @nealwiley9950 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Congrats Riley,,,been there,done that,,,extremely nerve-racking,on to better things....👍👍👍👍

  • @johnschmitt5478
    @johnschmitt5478 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Congratulations Riley, I have been a truck driver for over 25 years and have been a blast.

  • @elwoodlindquist9324
    @elwoodlindquist9324 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Congratulations will be curious to see the new pickup.
    Oliver is getting so big, that’s one happy baby
    Great video looks like you had fun but nervous.

  • @ruaraidhmcdonald-walker9524
    @ruaraidhmcdonald-walker9524 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Great stuff. Tempted to do my HGV license too (Heavy goods vehicle over here in UK). They recently changed the law to simplify it so that you can go straight to a articulated truck (semi trailer) directly. Straight to 44 tonnes..... Congratulations on your pass!!

  • @MichelleLHiga
    @MichelleLHiga หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Well done, Riley! Congrats!! Great to see Tyler again. Hope there are more projects the two of you tackle in the future.

  • @garyfeltus9801
    @garyfeltus9801 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    It's easy two day you only have gear shift . When I learned to drive had two transmission's . Learned to drive in the ore fields of southern Colorado.

  • @1982jeepcj8
    @1982jeepcj8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    A couple of thing that may help you. First when you are pushing the clutch in, when your HEEL it the FLOOR, stop, the clutch pedal throw is half way and that is far enough to shift when moving, Second, backing a trailer is where most of the accidents happen, the way trailer length effects backing is dependent on the bridge length, this is the distance between the king pin, and between the rear trailer trailers. The longer the bridge distance, the slower the trailer reacts to your inputs, the shorter the bridge distance the quicker the trailer reacts, a LOT of people have a harder time getting a short trailer to go where they want them to go because they over correct. I also strongly recommend the SMITH SYSTEM driving videos, they will help you learn what to see when driving a commercial sized vehicle.

  • @craigb9489
    @craigb9489 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    I know what you went thru. I got my CDL-A 22 years ago. The training lasted for three weeks. We had to do our practice driving with two other students in the truck. Fortunately, they had sleeper berths. Memorizing the pretrip was the longest and hardest part.
    Enjoy your new truck!

  • @TheRonskiman
    @TheRonskiman หลายเดือนก่อน

    Congrats on passing your test. But WOW, just WOW, your trucks are just so antiquated. I'm in the UK and passed my HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle) Class 1 test in 1989. The truck I used had a full syncro gearbox, I don't don't think I've ever driven a truck that had what we call a crash box, I have driven trucks without using the clutch, usually when the clutch hydraulic system has failed (I'm a mechanic), so have had to go out and rescue drivers that just can't do it. I'm not sure when they came out, but in the very early 2000's we had fully automatic trucks, they still had a clutch and synchronous gearbox, but it was robotised, so the computer changed gears, some trucks (Scania's) still had a clutch pedal, but that was purely for pulling away and reversing. In 2024 trucks are as luxurious as cars (have been for years), if not better, most, in fact I'd say all larger trucks have cruise control, and very few are manuals. We don't have long nose trucks, so the cabins are smaller, but some are still quite spacious. We also have disc brakes all round (including trailers), in fact the truck I passed my test in, in 1989 was one of the first to have disc brakes on the front axle, rear was still drum. Here's a new Scania th-cam.com/video/Mciw2ibNL_4/w-d-xo.html Personally I prefer the older, manual, and non computerised trucks, they are much easier to work on and don't have so many issues! PS Realise your not going to have the newest trucks to learn in, but that was like something from the eighties.

  • @michaeljester9150
    @michaeljester9150 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Congratulations!!! Welcome to the club!

  • @danielhayton9438
    @danielhayton9438 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    In the UK we had "grandfathers rights" ( if you passed the driving test long enough ago, 1967 in my case) to drive rigid trucks, up to 7.5 tons. I was involved in a project about vehicle delivery/collection and they said "the best way to find outis to do it" and sent me to collect a 7.5 ton truck. It was the biggest thing I'd driven since (High) School!

  • @rogerwentworth7525
    @rogerwentworth7525 หลายเดือนก่อน

    We called Pups (short trailer) 1/2 a day trailers in the LTL side of trucking.

  • @EugeneFields-im2ep
    @EugeneFields-im2ep หลายเดือนก่อน +15

    Your humor is on point, always puts a smile on my face!

    • @pixselious
      @pixselious หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Bot

  • @Codger2015
    @Codger2015 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Back in the day when I received my CDL, it was so much easier. That was in 1969 in Illinois. No training course, only on-the-job learning. That CDL allowed me the adventure of a lifetime. I drove semi-tractor trailer rigs for the next 20 years and got to see all 48 states and all major and minor cities throughout all 4 seasons and all weather types. I hauled mostly household goods with Mayflower but also hauled groceries, farm equipment, general commodities, and steel.

  • @jonhansen4745
    @jonhansen4745 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Welcome to the Class A CDL club, Riley. It's a lot more complicated to get licensed these days than it was roughly 40 years ago when I got mine. I'm glad to see all the training though. It's a huge responsibility to share the roads with all the crazy's out there today. Congrats and keep it safe, bro.

  • @PhotosByStevenDE
    @PhotosByStevenDE หลายเดือนก่อน

    I am so excited for you Riley. Congratulations, and let the fun begin!

  • @chublez
    @chublez หลายเดือนก่อน

    Hugging things to tight on the "sight side" is both common and much better than doing so on the "blind side" for obvious reasons. If you have a regular combination you back you'll start to get comfortable with eyeballing how tight the gap is and be a lot more comfortable not hugging so tight in the sight side always.

  • @johnensminger7675
    @johnensminger7675 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Congratulations on your license!! I almost got got mine awhile back...but now it is to much work. Way to goo!😊

  • @ahorseman4ever1
    @ahorseman4ever1 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Congratulations, Riley! That is so exciting! It is really cool that they let you video this experience. Can't wait to see the new pickup! Lol

  • @akdisney
    @akdisney หลายเดือนก่อน +4

    CDL BIG High 🖐 Now need Flat and box trailer Pick up newer Bulldozer No more Shipping cost. Army 10 wheel truck I know you do not want move But Big truck and trailer you can move your self. well done

  • @dougtravins9624
    @dougtravins9624 หลายเดือนก่อน

    This was an awesome video! I always appreciated truck drivers, (all sizes), but now my appreciation reaches a new level. Thanks

  • @deaglanohaodha114
    @deaglanohaodha114 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Great episode. Congrats Riley! 🎉

  • @jeffdopp4470
    @jeffdopp4470 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    This is a great video. Really took me back to my CDL training days. Good luck looking for good videos of truck driving ahead

  • @cayankeelord3730
    @cayankeelord3730 หลายเดือนก่อน

    That's a start. You did good. From a CDL driver to you, congratulations! Just wait until you hook-up to a 53 footer my friend.
    The real test comes with a GVW approaching 80,000 lbs. on snowy mountain roads. You ever hear of "Pucker City"?
    Tanker and hazmat endorsements bring everything to another level. The logs, permits, cargo manifest and paperwork are all part of the mix. And then there's the weigh stations, you just hope the crew who loaded the trailer got the balance right so you're not overweight on one axle. Once had to call out the company to bring a 23 footer and a forklift to the weigh station to remove 1,650 lbs. and redistribute the load. Over by 1,975 lbs on one axle, bummer. The company paid all the fines, but the down time made the load late to the location. They weren't happy.

  • @cabbinitup
    @cabbinitup หลายเดือนก่อน

    Congratulations on getting your CDL. Welcome to the club. 👍

  • @corywadedavis
    @corywadedavis หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Awesome video! I'm going to that exact school next week! Wish me luck.

  • @davidbingham7404
    @davidbingham7404 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Riley, congs. on your CDL. Now back to the homestead for some more new update. Great video. ♥♥♥.

  • @DannyCreech
    @DannyCreech หลายเดือนก่อน

    I got my CDL back in 1998 at Central Technology Center in Drumright OK. What a great college. It was a month long training where we had a lot of classroom training on air brakes and so on. Back then there was a lot to learn. But it wasn't until I became an airline pilot back in 2004 that I learned what the word "Mentally hard" was. Looking back now, getting my CDL was a piece of cake.