Section 12: On the Road Driving Test

Section 12: On Road Driving Test

You will drive over a test route that has a variety of traffic situations. At all times during the test, you must drive in a safe and responsible manner.
During the driving test, the examiner will be scoring you on specific driving maneuvers as well as on your general driving behavior. You will follow the directions of the examiner. Directions will be given to you so you will have plenty of time to do what the examiner has asked. You will not be asked to drive in an unsafe manner.

If your test route does not have certain traffic situations, you may be asked to simulate a traffic situation. You will do this by telling the examiner what you are or would be doing if you were in that traffic situation.

This Section Covers

• How You Will Be Tested
• Note: The examiner will be scoring your skills test using the Information supplied in the CDL Skills Test Guide, printed bellow.

CDL SKILLS TEST GUIDE

Turns

Approach
• Traffic check – Prior to reaching the corner, check the mirror with head movement to left and right making eye contact with other drivers and pedestrians.
• Turn signal – Turn signals should be activated at least 100’ prior to the corner, Signaling too early or too late confuses other motorist.
• Deceleration – There should be a smooth deceleration by braking gradually, not lugging engine and downshifting if necessary. Do not coast either by depressing the clutch too early or putting the transmission into neutral until stopped.
• Lane – Right Turns – Vehicle should be positioned in the right-most traffic lane and not over lane markings. While making a right turn, driver may go over the left lane marking, only if necessary.

Left Turns – Vehicle should be positioned in the left-most (nearest to center line) traffic lane and not over lane markings. Single turn lane ONLY Multiple left lanes – Vehicles should be positioned in the right hand (outside) traffic lane and not over lane markings.

IF STOP REQUIRED PRIOR TO THE TURN
• Stop line – Stop before stop line, crosswalk, or before entering the intersection “curb line” of street.
• Rollback – The vehicle should not roll back when stopped.
• Gap – Should be able to see the rear tires of the vehicle ahead of you touch the pavement.
• Wheels straight – Keep the steering wheel straight until actually starting the turn, especially, left turns. If your vehicle is rear ended, it may be pushed into oncoming traffic.

Turning
• Traffic check – While turning, there should be head movement to the left and right, watching for other drivers & pedestrians.
• Both Hands – While turning, both hands should be on the steering wheel. Steering wheel can “self-return” as long as the driver is holding it with both hands.
• Shifting – While turning, there should be no shifting gears. Gear change is allowed when starting from a stop while still traveling straight.
• Speed – Speed during turns should be smooth-even acceleration and no unnecessary stopping.
• Wide/short – Do not “force” others to stop or back up. Tires should not rub or run over the curb. Rear tires must be within 3 feet of the curb at the closest point during the turn.

COMPLETING THE TURN
• Traffic check – In addition to checking left turn and right turn, check the mirror for vehicle path.
• Correct lane – Left turns should be completed in lane closest to the center line and then move right when safe (turning from single turn lane onto multiple lane street/highway). Left turns when multiple turn lanes are available need to be made from the right (outside) turn lane and completed in the appropriate lane (watch the dashed white lines outlining the correct turning path). ***Completing two or more turns into the wrong lane is a disqualification.***

INTERSECTIONS

STOPPED INTERSECTION
• Traffic check – Prior to reaching the intersection, check the mirrors with head movement to the left and right making eye contact with other drivers and pedestrians.
• Deceleration – There should be smooth deceleration by braking gradually, not lugging engine and downshifting if necessary. Do not coast either by depressing the clutch too early or putting the transmission into neutral until stopped.

INTERSECTIONS

STOPPED INTERSECTION (CONTINUED)
• Gap – Should be able to see the rear tires of the vehicle ahead of you touch the pavement.
• Stop line – Stop before stop line, crosswalk, or before entering the intersection “curb line” of street.
• Rollback – The vehicle should not roll back when stopped.

DRIVING THROUGH INTERSECTIONS
• Traffic check – Check traffic to left and right before entering the intersection and to rear by checking mirrors. If pedestrians or other traffic is stopped or near the intersection, remove your foot from the accelerator and cover the foot brake. Anticipate light changing to yellow.
• Accelerate, Gear – Accelerates and shifts smoothly.
• Lane – Remain in traffic lane and do not change lanes while in the intersection.

URBAN/RURAL SECTIONS
• Traffic check – Check traffic before, during and after the lane change.
• Signal – Turn signal on before the lane change and cancel signal after vehicle is completely into new lane.
• Smooth changes – Change lanes smoothly and not in an intersection.

BRIDGE/UNDERPASS
• Weight/Clearance – Know weight allowed on bridge or clearance of underpass.

CURVE
• Traffic check – Check traffic that may be affected by path of the vehicle.
• Speed, Lane – Maintain a proper safe speed while keeping the entire vehicle within the traffic lane.

RAILROAD CROSSING

APPROACH
• Traffic check – As you approach the tracks, check the mirrors with head movement to left and right to ensure other traffic sees you are stopping.
• 4-Ways, Stop – All placarded vehicles, school busses and motor busses carrying passengers, must stop 15 to 50 feet from the nearest rail. Activate 4-way flashers 100’ before tracks to warn other drivers you’re stopping. Use right most lane for the stop.

AT CROSSING
• Foot Brake – Depress foot brake so vehicle does not roll backward or forward in a dangerous manner.
• Door – Open door (school bus and human service vehicle) or van service window.
• Train check – Check left and right (up and down the track) for an approaching train.

CROSSING TRACKS (RESUME)
• Traffic & train check – Recheck the mirrors with head movement to left and right and recheck the tracks for approaching train.
• Gear – No changing gears while the vehicle is crossing tracks and no stopping on tracks.
• 4-Ways - Turn 4Ways off after vehicle has resumed normal speed.

EXPRESSWAY

MERGE ON
• Traffic check, Signal, Gap – Check traffic, signal 100’ before entering and allow a safe gap.

EXPRESSWAY (CONTINUED)
• Smooth merge – Merge smoothly and safely without crossing painted white lines.
• Signal off – Cancel signal after entering expressway.

STRAIGHT AHEAD DRIVING
• Traffic check – Check mirrors every 8-10 seconds.
• Proper lane – Keep vehicle centered in proper change or reducing speed.
• Speed – Keep up with traffic, but don’t exceed the speed limit.
• Following distance – Stay one second, for every 10’ of vehicle length, behind the vehicle in front of you and add one second if you’re operating over 40 mph.

LANE CHANGES (Same as LANE CHANGE in URBAN/RURAL)

EXIT
• Traffic check – Prior to reaching the exit, check the mirrors with head movement to left and right.
• Signal – At least 100’ before the exit.
• Lane – Enter smoothly at start of exit lane.
• Decelerate – Smooth deceleration on exit ramp, (brake gradually, not lug engine and downshift if necessary).
* Ramp speed – Maintain a safe speed (watch for warning signs)
• Gap – Maintain proper spacing with traffic when exiting.
• Signal off – Cancel signal when the wheel is on exit ramp.

HILL START/STOP

APPROACH (Same as STOPPED INTERSECTION)
• Turn signal – Turn signals should be activated at least 100’ prior to pulling over for stop.

STOPPED
• Parallel – Vehicle is completely in the right most lane, parallel with curb, gravel, or road edge.
• 4-Ways on – Turn signal lights off and 4-ways on.
• Parking brake – Set the parking brake(s).

RESUME
• Traffic check – Check traffic before and while pulling away from curb.
• 4-ways off, signal on before pulling out..
• Pulling away – Release parking brake, do not stall engine or rollback. Accelerate smoothly.

MOUNTAIN GRADE

DRIVING UP
• Traffic check – Check mirrors to the rear, before, during and after moving to the right. Scan mirrors while climbing the grade.
• Signal – Activate turn signal at least 100’ before moving to the right lane.
• Proper gear – Use proper gear and downshift if necessary.
• Keep right, 4-ways – Be in the right-most traffic lane using 4-way flashers.

TOP OF GRADE
• Brakes – Check service (foot) brakes before starting down the mountain.
• Proper gear – Select proper gear before starting down the mountain and NO shifting going down.

DRIVING DOWN
• Traffic check – Check mirrors with head movement left and right while driving down
• Proper braking – Use intermittent moderate applications (snubs) if needed to control speed. Apply the brakes for 3 seconds to reduce speed 5 mph under the safe speed.
• 4-Ways off – Turn 4-ways off after reaching the bottom of the grade. Signal to left, check traffic and safely merge to the left if your lane is ending.

BACKING GUIDELINES

POSITIONING
• Traffic checks – Check mirrors with head movement left and right.
• Signal, 4-Ways – Activate turn signal 100’ before positioning to back up.

Turn signal off and activate 4-way flashers.

BACKING
• Traffic check – Check traffic in BOTH mirrors while backing.
• Pull Up – Is scored if you need to pull forward while performing the straight line backing maneuver. The first pull forward is not scored while performing the curved path (ally dock) maneuver. If you need to pull forward two or more times, it is scored.

BACKING
• Speed – Back at a slow speed (under 5 mph)
• Boundary – Do not cross over boundaries (cones, painted lines, marked traffic lanes)

RESUME
• Traffic check – Check mirrors with head movement left and right.

BACKING GUIDELINES (CONT.)
* 4-Ways off, Signal – Turn 4-ways off and turn signal on to return to the traffic lane.

BACKING GUIDELINES (RURAL)

APPROACH AND STOP
• Traffic checks – Scan the road ahead and behind the bus with mirror checks, before activating red flashing lights.
• Red flashing warning lights – Activate the red flashing lights at least 100’ before the stop.
• Traffic recheck – Check mirrors and traffic ahead to ensure other drivers see and react to the red lights.
• Stop arm – Extended stop arm after the bus is stopped.
• Gear – Transmission should be placed in neutral (including automatic transmissions.) Depress foot brake to prevent bus from rolling.

DISCHARGE
• Inform students - where to wait (10’ in front of the bus), signal to cross the road, signal not to cross the road (in case of danger) and fro students not crossing the road to move immediately away from the bus.

STUDENT EXIT
• Traffic check – Must check all traffic (especially, right outside mirror) prior to opening the door.
• Door – Opens door after re-checking traffic.
• Students - Driver counts all students leaving bus, checks students not crossing (to be safely away from the bus) and checks students that are waiting for signal to cross the road.

CROSSING ROAD
• Traffic check – Must check all traffic (especially, left outside mirror and oncoming traffic) before motioning students to cross road.
• Students – Driver signals students to cross when safe. After students have safely crossed the road, driver accounts for all students that crossed and students not crossing the road.)

RESUMING
• Traffic check – Checks crossover mirror(s).
• Stop arm, door – Close door completely, turn off red warning lights, check traffic and accelerate smoothly.

GENERAL DRIVING BEHAVIOR
TRAFFICK CHECKS – 5 additional points scored when the driver does not check traffic properly, 5 or more times.
SHIFTING/GEARS – 5 additional points scored when the driver does not shift properly (use clutch, miss/clash gears) 5 or more times.
SIGNALS, 4 Ways – 5 additional points scored when the driver does not use signals or 4-ways properly 5 or more times.
COASTING, DECELERATION & ROLL BACK – 5 additional points scored when the driver coasts, does not decelerate smoothly or rolls back 24 inches or less (includes selecting reverse gear in error) 5 or more times.

IMMEDIATE DISQUALIFICATION

ACCIDENT – Is involved in any accident the driver could have prevented or contacts any fixed object or pedestrian.
DANGEROUS ACT – Driver almost causes an accident. This includes: forcing someone else to take immediate action, examiner had to take action to avoid an accident, backing up because he/she took a turn too short, drives over a curb, not checking traffic or not slowing down when going through an uncontrolled intersection, rolls back more than 24 inches, or having both hands off the steering wheel for an extended period of time.

LAW VIOLATIONS – Violating any traffic law. This includes, but is not limited to, speeding, failing to stop for a stop sign or traffic signal, making one turn entirely from the wrong lane, turning into the wrong lane (two times) at the completion of a turn, or failing to signal proper that affects traffic.