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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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!

[@joeschmoe435]

Backward offset turns = Left, Right, Straight. Then Right, Left, Straight. 1) Line up the bumper with the first box then you make your hard left, go back for about 3 seconds or until left-rear corner of trailer is lined up with right-rear back corner of box 2) Hard right until tractor and trailer are straight, 3) Straight back until last tire is lined up with cone. You want the left side of trailer to be just inside the cone - about 6-12 inches away is best 4) Hard right until 2nd to last tire is about 2 ft passed the cone. 5) Hard left until tractor and trailer are in the box straight. If not perfectly straight in middle of box use a pull up. 6) Straight line back so bumper is in 3 ft box.

[@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.

[@ElmerSmith-q9f]

I got my class A here in 2022. Great school. I did not know how to drive a semi truck&trailer at all, they completely taught me everything very fast but kept me at with their daily grade of participation because you're only going to learn if your actual getting your reps in with the truck. That Rick is mean son of a gun so be ready mentally ❤💯💪🏽

[@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

[@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.

[@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.

[@RyanS32]

Taking my exam this coming Saturday and this is the part I‘m most anxious about. Thanks for the video!

[@allisonb9072]

This is an excellent video. Thank you so much for doing it. It’s a big help for others who are learning to drive a tractor-trailer. Thank you to both instructors. ❤🎉

[@maskojones842]

Great Video Jeff thank you for teaching us the range skills

[@kem9853]

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

[@LaniseAbbott]

I want to know. When I’m pulling up. What should I do to get my trailer straight when pulling out?

[@davidgoodman8730]

Thanks for sharing and helping the next generation guys.

[@leonardogarcia3690]

Thank you for this video I will be taking my CDL road test on Monday and I’m really nervous about it I been training really hard for it

[@ComicJoker]

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

[@simply_the_dev7588]

This whole time I was practicing the forward stop I was going way faster than the guy in the video. I thought I had to go faster. Now I know I can slow roll it. But can I look outside to check my tires before stopping?

[@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?

[@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

[@michaelpereira8937]

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

[@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.

[@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

[@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

[@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?

[@joeschmoe435]

Would have killed to go to your school. Unfortunately I'm in a completely different state so I'm stuck with 160 Driving Academy

[@369kjo]

😢me too!!!

[@DylanHoltgrave]

How many total points is the reverse obstacle? If passing the rest of the skills test. Is it a fail if the reverse backing is a fail? Thanks!

[@Samidjo003]

If you lose up to 9 points for the backing and yes it will be a fail if you fail the reverse backing at least for the backing test and you won’t be able to retest until after one week and the test stop where you fail. I passed my pre-trip inspection but failed my backing test, did everything good except for the last step because I’ve used to many pull-ups. So now I have to retake that portion to be able to do the road test. If that make sense for you.

[@911lucy69]

How many days would a student need to practice to get the hang of this because we only go for training like less than an hour so to get that good and pass the test we would need like 2 hours a day maybe?

[@goddessboxx2077]

Extremely Helpful Thanx✨✨✨

[@91rus]

Thank You!

[@levimiller4060]

Thank you! God bless

[@RebecaMontez-wp6mk]

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

[@derekstanbro7786]

On the forward stopping the driver peeked out the window, is that allowed?

[@Samidjo003]

Yes, as long as your butt is not up from the seat, you can peek to make sure but still have to be seated.

[@adrianm7533]

How can a person obtain measurements to create a lane to practice with for these maneuvers?

[@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!

[@trnikeem]

if the driver side touches the cone while reversing into the spot is that an automatic failure?

[@marydavtian3494]

Is it the same testing for California?

[@passionforguns]

Great video!

[@videos8601]

Thank you

[@fuckboy520]

Is it with a 48 or 53ft

[@Nin.fudud-]

Thanks

[@Alexkpianist]

Is it hard to drive these kinds of truck?

[@raumir70]

Make another with using a steering wheel camera.

[@lorrainescott3371]

Yes please this would help so much

[@mattburns2968]

Just watch the tires

[@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.

[@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

[@oscarmoses1071]

I never seeing the wheels turn on the off set

[@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.

[@adriandutchin7889]

Wow 👌

[@BossmanWaco]

why do you have cones marking the 3 ft box? That does nothing to train for depth perception. That is not allowed in Texas.,

[@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”.

[@oscarmarquez7295]

California ?

[@NoName-q4i]

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

[@MdArshad3sv]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@MrTk6969]

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

[@Rowman-q6z]

Nah that sounds corny

[@RyanS32]

That should be on whatever company you end up going with. Not everyone is backing up to docks or truck stop parking lots.

[@MrTk6969]

@RyanS32 actually everyone has to back up at somepoint in trucking

[@RyanS32]

@@MrTk6969 Never said that. I said not everyone backs up to docks or truck stop parking 🙂

[@Rowman-q6z]

@@RyanS32 foh real

[@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.

[@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.

[@edelcarvajal6555]

That is not true. The problem is that this industry makes money when conservatism is that the center stage. For example Biden's economy is NOT friendly to this industry. Trump is on the other hand

[@911lucy69]

Thank you.

[@mohamedabdirahman2870]

Thank you