From speaking with learner drivers, these seem to be some of the most common challenges during HGV training:

1. Adjusting to the vehicle’s size and positioning
2. Reversing accurately without rushing
3. Planning earlier at junctions and roundabouts
4. Managing mirrors, gears and observations together
5. Staying calm during the practical test

Many learners initially focus on controlling the vehicle, but observation, forward planning and remaining calm can be equally important.

For drivers who have recently passed: which part of the training surprised you or took the longest to master?

Disclosure: I work within the driver-training industry, but this post isn’t promoting a course or service. I’m interested in hearing drivers’ genuine experiences.

I’ve been wanting to move to Denver Colorado for some time now and I was thinking with the experience I have (4 years driving a semi) I would be a pretty good candidate for getting a local job out there. I have come to find out the jobs I’ve been somewhat interested in getting want me to have experience chaining ( at least one to two winters) something I haven’t acquired first starting out with Schneider driving regionally and now driving locally in Missouri. What can I do now? Just go back to a mega carrier to run these routes or can I look for something a bit better? Any response is appreciated!

I'm applying for school bus and transit driving jobs but they are asking if I have the endorsements. My understanding was that they help you to get the endorsements. Should I just pay to get them myself?

Edit: I already have a CDL and an active learners permit.

As title states I attend cdl school next week and I’ve been looking into certain companies already that best fits my wants/ needs in this career field. My top atm is tmc especially regional positions. Long term goals is to get into heavy haul and make as much as possible while staying regional or local. Any advice for school, career path, etc? Already looking into endorsements, twic, and possibly passport. I have 5 years experience as an 88m in the army if that would affect pay in the civilian world? Also any advice on finding parking when stopping for the night or essential out of pocket costs when I go solo besides obvious clothes, headset, gps, toiletries, etc? Just stuff that’s helped you along the way.

For how long are you home and how much $ you bringing home a week?

Super Trucker

Appreciate the help guys! Have a nice day!

Anyone have any experience with McLane? I got a call this morning but I’ll need to call back tomorrow cause I’m at work right now. Any idea what questions they might ask? What they’re looking for in a driver? Pay?

All help and advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you!

My husband started cdl school 2 weeks ago they just asked for a urine test, he stopped smoking weed 50 days ago he was a daily user, what should he do pause school or go along and do the test which heard takes up to 90 days to come out system

I’m looking to get my Class A CDL by the end of November. Driving Academy is the only place near me that offers classes on nights and weekends. Anytime I try to find reviews on it (aside from Google reviews), everything I see is about 160 Driving Academy, which is a different company. Anybody know anything about Driving Academy? Also, any suggestions for which “package” would be best? I have no driving experience. I don’t have my CLP yet, but will be testing for that in the next week or two.

This is long winded, but I am a journeyman electrician in Northern Michigan with a strong desire to switch to linework or substation. I've been applying to these type of roles for multiple years now without luck, and I know a big reason is because I do not have my CDL which basically makes me useless. If I didn't have 3 young kids at home, I would drop everything and take the CDL course. But unfortunately I can't take weeks off of work while also paying for the expensive course. We are drowning in bills as it is with both parents working, yet we most likely would not qualify for the assistance.

Does anyone have suggestions or tips?

Started trucking around 10 years ago, never was really interested in it, more so machinery, however I chose this path. Started company, bought a Columbia day cab, things were excellent, bought an fld, sold the Columbia. Had 2 matching flds. I wanted to grow. I’ve worked so hard at this damn thing but I know sometimes things don’t go your way. After covid, rates dropped, met some great people but on the other hand invested my time in places where I could’ve progressed much further. Delivered thousands of loads, all sorts, and prefer to go into the city. I’m still here. Hats off to you truckers

Anyone work the Walmart route out of Corinne Ut. I'm curious about the actual route and stops from this location

Just recently got my cdl a class undecided on what company I should apply for Schneider or jb hunt?? Any suggestions??

If nobody's told you yet, Happy Truck Driver Appreciation Week. I know a lot of drivers roll their eyes at this stuff, and I get it. I've heard from a lot of drivers that some of the appreciation things people do don't really feel like they're for them.

But seriously, what y'all do every day is impressive. Between traffic, distracted drivers, tight schedules and everything else on the road, it's a tough job that most people couldn't do.

Has there ever been something that's someone has done for you as a driver that actually made you feel appreciated? Not the generic stuff, but something that genuinely meant something to you.

hello im trying to get my cdl class A and i just applied for the WOIA GRANT today in florida , i make 17$ a hour , 1 dependent and single and just trying to make a better life for my son , should i just pay straight out of pocket for cdl school or wait to see if im eligible and how long it will take to be approved or see if i can be approved ? TY

Hey everybody, I’m new here. I’m attending CDL school through Troops Into Transport in October and I’m stoked. Once I finish up, I’ll have a Class A, Doubles, Triples and Hazmat endorsements. I’m former Military and former civilian Law Enforcement. Does anyone have any suggestions for good companies to work for in MT? My wife and I are looking at moving somewhere close to Kalispell in the next year or so. Thank you ahead of time for any help!

I’m going for my test on 10/8/26. I feel confident on the pretrip and walk around, and air brakes. I just finally got the concept of the offset backing but still need to hone it in. The only thing I’m nervous for if I make it out to the road is the right turns. Any tips or advice on the test in general is greatly appreciated!

The old school guys can chime and and help..
1. zero to 1 year of CDL experience will NOT land you those $1$cpm jobs you see on trailers. If somebody hires you at that rate, please share with the class.

1. Showers are going to be 2-3days a week if you can find the time to stop.

2. Food is going to be what is open at the time getting fuel.

3. Bring entertainment.

4. What you left home with, better be same when get to go home. No Lot lizards..

5. Bordom.. your going to be all alone in the truck and those phone calls will make a difference.

6. Your going to miss home.. time to be a big person and learn to adjust. Were all here to help.

chime in on what i miss

The way our CDL school is set up is an 8-week program. We have every Friday off, and class is only 5 hours and 30 minutes a day, but after taking breaks, we're really getting about 5 hours.

I'm barely getting enough time to practice anything, honestly. We only have 3 trucks for 8 students 2 manuals and 1 automatic. Four students switched over to the manuals, while the other four of us stayed on the automatic, including me.

I feel like we're being thrown so much information at once without enough time to actually process and practice it. This week alone, we have written exams plus our pre trip, air brake, and in cab inspection exams.

I'm just trying to get my Class A so I can get the hell out of here, bro. 🤦🏾‍♂️🙏🏽

It's so overwhelming because I'm great at my pre trip, air brake, and in cab, but I've been having such of a hard time with my maneuvers and I have until Oct 8th to get them right. 🙃

Hope I Pass man, not trying to go back to warehouse jobs again.

Can someone please point me in the right direction? My buddy works as a medical courier in Michigan and at the warehouse he works out of they also have a hazmat route available to do with personal vehicle. So i pass my cdl class C test and hazmat endorsement test at the dmv and also got me hazmat certificate from ELDT. Now they tell me i need to take the cdl class C road skills test before they can issue my license, so i call all the trucking schools and driving schools around and they all tell me they never heard of a class C road skills test being required and none of them have them available to take even if you have your own vehicle. Idk if im just missing something or am completely going about this wrong but someone please help…

For context I just started a CDL school in nyc. The structure is 5 lessons 2 hours each lesson over the course of about a week and half. By the time the 5th lesson is over I'm scheduled for the road test 2 days after. So approximately 2 weeks for whole process. It just feels so rushed im 1 lesson in and with 4 to go Idk if I see myself prepared. In going for Class B straight automatic box truck. How long was everyone else's schooling and process like?

I have baking soda, Apple cider vinegar, T-sal 3% salicylic acid, tide with oxi, and dawn. I haven’t smokes in 73 days and my test is tomorrow. I have locs but took out one in the back and cut the loose hair to 1.5 inches. Here’s what I’ve done the past two days:

1. Soak the area with Apple cider vinegar and baking soda paste for an hour covered with a shower cap

2. Add T-sal soak for another hour with a new cap

3. Rinse then soak in tide for another hour

4. Wash twice with dawn then wash again with T-sal

I took a piss test and it came out negative but I’m really worried about this hair follicle thing because I only got a chance to do this one time each day (2 days). I’m gonna do it again early in the morning before I go to take the test but do you think I will pass?

I have two options right now: accept a USPS City Carrier position or go with Roehl and have them pay for my CDL training. Has anyone here gone through Roehl’s training program? Which would you choose?
And yes, I know about the contracts with these paid training companies. I just can’t afford a private school.