Mastering the new Class A CDL Test : New FMCSA Updated Range Skills for 2024!

Jeff from Apex CDL Institute demonstrates the newly adopted Class A CDL test range skills now required by AAMVA and FMCSA for 2024.
Check with your state to see if they have adopted the new CDL test model

[@JamesFranssen]

I want to thank you for your videos! I passed my Class A CDL final test today and now I am a proud owner if a Class A license. I've viewed hundreds of videos to help me through the process and yours has informed me the most and is the most professional of all of the other videos. Thanks again! Your videos are the best.

[@hooksettatv7588]

Who u working with now days

[@JamesFranssen]

@@hooksettatv7588 I haven't applied for any driving companies yet. I am currently working on an Augmented Reality instructional experience for the Pre-Trip inspection part of the CDL test. Taking the class made me think this would be a good idea. I have one CDL college interested in what I have to offer after I showed them a prototype. If nothing comes of this I might start driving next year.

[@LataushaTheAuthor]

As he was doing this I wish I could see his steering wheel. That would help us a lot.

[@fabian4095]

Where’s the in cab camera to show wat he was doing.

[@DaddyBeetle]

need more of this, commenting for the algorithm, I'm preparing myself to take the Class A CDL test! I appreciate the video and insight Apex CDL!

[@Hery631]

Me watching the whole thing like i don’t have a CDL. 😁 These videos helped a lot while I was working on getting it.

[@kim7011491]

When doing offset right just remember Lionel=Left Richie=Right Sings=Straight Really=Right Loud=Left It will get you in the box if your tandems tires are in place by the first set of cones

[@blugrace6298]

I'm getting ready to get my class A CDL through the technician college here in Salt Lake City Utah and I want you to know that in order for me to prepare and become familiar with all the concepts you teach, watching you teach has been much easier for me and I think that your videos are the most informative and the best out there! You have the best communication skills. You're the most thorough at the way you explain things it is very easy to understand. You're a great instructor I'm sure you're students at your school value your expertise. Thanks again for all the good content and wisdom that you're passing along and sharing with us all in the truck driving world.

[@jasonshimkus6139]

Thank you for these videos! Todays date is march 3rd 2024. I start my cdl school April 1st at TDI in Sanford, Florida. My plan is to watch each of your updated videos at least once daily. So ill be giving your videos(more inportantly the update pretrip video) at least 30 views each just myself. Ill also share your videos with the other students in my class as well!

[@mustangbuslady]

This is great. I Train in Texas and your video is the first I have seen on the new version! Of course I train Class B w/ School bus & Passenger but it is basically the same. Great job on your explanation!

[@brandonjones152]

I have class A and drive class B , the combination vehicle is not the same at all . Trust me .

[@mustangbuslady]

@@brandonjones152 I know that the trailer adds a more difficult aspect. By saying "basically the same" I meant the skills and points

[@TemporalMatador]

Left right, straighten out, right left. That's the easiest way to start. Use pull-ups to fix any trouble you get yourself in. You have two free ones, and any further apparently only costs a point. Points are a resource. I'm testing next week and I have full confidence I can do this maneuver, not only because of practice but because I understand the angles needed to set myself up properly and also the understanding of how the tractor pushes the kingpin at the fifth wheel, which pushes the trailer along it's rotation point at the rear tandem axle.

[@hondaracer315]

Sir, your videos are absolutely the best. Thank you for the free help that you are providing us. You are a great teacher.

[@deerefarmer7235]

thanks greatly for your new videos. well, that last maneuver on the back up is just like a parallel park but now have the fourth side is limited. wow. that will be the tough part. i passed the parallel park several years ago but this will make it even tighter. i totally see the other improvements in the test but requiring that one is hard to understand. realize you guys don't make the rules. thanks again for your new videos. they are very helpful.

[@Apexcdl]

Yes, you are correct, its basically a parallel park. If a student does it like we teach, that drivers side cone doesnt even come into play.

[@davidgoodman8730]

Thanks for sharing and helping the next generation guys.

[@mikelogan99CDLClassAskillstest]

Your drivers demonstration on the forward offset seemed to miss the mark when you said it’s required to drive the passenger side trailer tires between the mark and the cone. I guess the object is to try to not go too far out and that’s what it looked like happened in your example. Your truck was highlighted outside that area.

[@91rus]

Thank You!

[@arynpittaway9790]

Great job with all your videos Jeff. You teach much in the same manner as I do. I can appreciate your professionalism and I can tell that you put Safety first. If I was ever in Kansas, I would want to stop by your school just to sit in on some of your classes to learn more. "One person only knows everything, until they find a person that knows more than them!" Can't wait to watch your Range skills training. Question: Do you think that it would be easier to test in a pup trailer (better for on road) or a 53" given that the backing portion is a longer distance...keeping the 28-32' straight might be tougher...Thoughts?

[@ComicJoker]

Good educational video it’s helping me get a better understanding of the maneuvers for my test day

[@brandonjones152]

These look challenging

[@ijustwannabeadrummer]

lol it is!

[@TRSEnterprises-zw8do]

The outer tire/wheel was within the boundary - and that is all that is required (Not the Entire Tandems). So what he did was close to perfect.

[@goddessboxx2077]

Extremely Helpful Thanx✨✨✨

[@michaelpereira8937]

Thanks a lot Jeff and Ricky. Great video. Mike.

[@sammymonstar5358]

Doing these maneuvers right now and they are challenging because they are combining the offset and Parallel back at the same time so really it’s just tricky at the pivot comes

[@AmirKhan-tz4cy]

I just subscribed this channel this guy looks professional 👍 , I’ll be getting my cdl A license soon .

[@claytonTass-bk6bt]

Thank you brother by sharing good lessons however we waiting to see the how part of maneuvering trick

[@elizabethjurado5080]

Yes please

[@raumir70]

Make another with using a steering wheel camera.

[@lorrainescott3371]

Yes please this would help so much

[@levimiller4060]

Thank you! God bless

[@MrTk6969]

They shouldnt have made it easier but should have added more maneuvers especially alley docks and truck stop parkings and pull outs

[@themanwithamission]

Hello guys, thank you so much for the video! I run a school in Tampa, FL, would you guys be able to put the dimensions of all of these maneuvers in the comments or the description of the video? Thank you in advance!

[@ijustwannabeadrummer]

Yo whats the name of your school?

[@passionforguns]

Great video!

[@videos8601]

Thank you

[@LoLo-yp1yo]

Where can I find the cone layout for this new skills test and would this be the same for a dump truck with pointless hitch?

[@darrylbaber6329]

The skills test layout is in the dmv manual

[@Nin.fudud-]

Thanks

[@RebecaMontez-wp6mk]

Do you have an informational video like this but for a school bus?

[@dinganindhlovu8551]

Is this what all states test or it varies with the state you are in?

[@ijustwannabeadrummer]

I think so. I think it's FMCSA so under DOT which is federal. Might be small differences in the different states. In Florida it's the same exact with the same point systems. 5 points if you miss the forward and stop. 2 points for encroachments. Auto fail if you don't stop the rear bumper in the box on the final maneuver!

[@marydavtian3494]

Is it the same testing for California?

[@Alexkpianist]

Is it hard to drive these kinds of truck?

[@oscarmoses1071]

I never seeing the wheels turn on the off set

[@user-lg4mc9qy2r]

Wait to you got to Ally dock to a dock your going to have a lot of things hit

[@adriandutchin7889]

Wow 👌

[@oscarmarquez7295]

California ?

[@RedRedred-ld4pb]

Are you licensing by the DMV?

[@Apexcdl]

We are licensed 3rd party examiners by the State of Kansas. So yes, we perform the CDL exam on property.

[@CDLHUSTLE97]

does colorado have this test?

[@REZZ5811]

Yes I'm currently in school I can verify his on point. I'm attending sage trucking school in Grand junction.

[@OKCsmokin_420]

I think this is a federal test so yes I believe so

[@tsm1975]

I take my exam tomorrow and I’ll be driving an automatic Freightliner day cab that I’ve had barely any practice in. I’m most nervous about hitting my mark on the forward stop. I want to go the speed Ricky is going. If I just place it in drive without acceleration will I creep along like that? I’m worried about going too fast or the truck inadvertently stopping.

[@Everysingletimeowitz]

Did you pass?

[@tsm1975]

I passed. I did end up over anticipating the forward stop and came about an inch short. My heart sank getting those 5 points. But, I was determined to pass on my first exam. After completing the straight back and forward offset with no problem I think my examiner told me I had gained some points back but I wasn’t exactly sure what he meant. Would you know? I didn’t know you could get points taken off. Anyway, I then completed the reverse offset with 1 point (a third pull up). I was relieved when he got into the passenger seat and said “Let’s go for a ride”.

[@SuperPoshposh]

This industry is Not profitable anymore

[@Apexcdl]

Thats a completely incorrect statement. Its a changing landscape, the ways of making money have changed, just like the entire economy. But there is still so much money to be made in this industry.

[@gypsywest663]

Your mud flaps are in the wrong position they should be positioned within 6 inches of the trailer tires

[@renesanchez2210]

I was taught 8 inches

[@eded24]

Because of thr idiots on the road now they have to test then how to drive forward

[@Apexcdl]

They always should have. Off-tracking of the trailer is one of the leading causes of low-speed truck accidents. And it happens to drivers with years of experience.