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Top 4 Reasons Students Fail Their CDL Course

We usually talk about trucking school like it’s just a couple week program that everyone makes it through and ends up on the road along with our seasoned truckers. But that’s not always the case. In fact, we see quite a lot not pass their CDL and for reasons completely avoidable. Check out these four common reasons students fail so you can join our list of successful drivers.

Having the Wrong Attitude

Truck driving isn’t as easy as most people may think. Just because you can drive a car doesn’t mean you’ll automatically know how to drive and operate a massive truck. Earning your CDL requires both book learning and hands-on learning. You have to be prepared for some hard studying and a lot of dedication. Otherwise, you probably won’t have what it takes to pass your test. Driving a powerful truck can be dangerous, so we don’t hand out CDLs lightly. Don’t let this scare you, but don’t come into the program thinking you can sleep through it either.

Lack of Effort

Our written tests aren’t hard, but you probably won’t be able to pass it without studying. No, you don’t have to study as hard as you might for a college history final, but you can’t walk in without looking at any of your study materials either. Apply some self-discipline and actually study. If you aren’t willing to put in the time, don’t bother.

Giving Up

Becoming an expert truck driver won’t happen in a week and maybe not even within a month. If you struggle with any one aspect during your hands-on training, you can’t get frustrated and stop trying. The key is to keep practicing or ask for advice from someone who has been in the industry for a while such as one of the instructors. Actions such as shifting or backing up can be difficult to learn. Don’t stop before you even get started. If you don’t pass your first exam, you can always re-study and practice to retake the test. Once everything clicks in your head, you’ll be on your way to joining everyone else’s level.

Freaking Out

Have you ever tried to play an instrument in front of an audience or tried to make a perfect layup in front of a basketball coach? Or how about drive on the interstate for the first time with your parent in the passenger seat? Taking the CDL test is a lot like that. A lot of people tend to panic when they have to perform for someone, which is why we see students fail to perform maneuvers that they could have done perfectly well without the pressure. The key is to keep your cool, lose the nervousness, and don’t focus on the test part. Unfortunately, we can’t let you pass the test, even if you could perform well under normal circumstances because being a truck driver often involves high-pressure situations. We need to know that you’ll be able to keep calm and make the right decisions even in the midst of stress.

We say all this not to scare you away from taking our CDL driving course but to help prepare you for both the figurative and literal road ahead. We take truck driving seriously, and we expect you to do so as well. If you’re ready to start your journey to become a truck driver, give us a call today and we’ll answer any questions you may have about the process.