Truck for road test

jcars · Jul 15, 2008

I folks!

The wife and I are looking to get started as a team operation
and we both have our CDL B permits and only need to do the
road test to complete the CDL process. We are close to the
Memphis, TN area. We have a company in mind we would like to
work for but they don't have a truck available for us to use
once we set the driving appointment with the DMV.

Anyone have a suggestion on how, where or otherwise we
could get a class 8 box truck to take the driving test?
Heck even a flatbed will get the job done. Must have Air Brakes
of course.

Best to all!
J.

panthercub · Jul 15, 2008

Your best bet might be to rent a Class B truck; however, that will also mean you'll need to find someone with a CDL to sign it out and drive it to the test site for you. Whichever way you choose, hope you manage to find a good solution. And good luck with the tests!

Dan

arkjarhead · Jul 16, 2008

I don't know exactly where you live at close to Memphis,Tn that's a pretty big area. In West Memphis,AR there is a trucking driving school and they may allow you to use a tractor to go take the CDL test. It's behind the greyhound track. It's worth a shot. I know of another place that would be a decent drive, but in Pine Bluff,AR there is a school that will let you use their truck and work with you until you pass. When I chacked on it a couple of years ago the fee was 200 bucks. I think the name of the school is Pine Bluff Truck Driving School or something like that.

Jack_Berry · Jul 16, 2008

check your state dmv website for third party testers. wisc lists all the third party folks and if they provide a truck. yes it will cost you but you will have had the test in a better environment that the state dot guy in the truck.

jcars · Jul 18, 2008

arkjarhead said:
I don't know exactly where you live at close to Memphis,Tn that's a pretty big area. In West Memphis,AR there is a trucking driving school and they may allow you to use a tractor to go take the CDL test. It's behind the greyhound track. It's worth a shot. I know of another place that would be a decent drive, but in Pine Bluff,AR there is a school that will let you use their truck and work with you until you pass. When I chacked on it a couple of years ago the fee was 200 bucks. I think the name of the school is Pine Bluff Truck Driving School or something like that.

Thanks arkjarhead and everyone else for the suggestions.

The School in West Memphis is Roadmaster Truck Driving School
on Ingram. Seems 3rd party testers for Tennessee are few and
hard to find. Those that I have talked to say it will take over 2
months to just get the paper work approved through the state
office before I can even make an appointment. The state of
Tennessee has closed several of their testing centers too which
makes it even more of a challenge.

I shot myself in the foot when I gave up my Class A 5 or 6
years ago after driving for more than 20 years. It was that
or lose my family which happened anyway after they all grew
up.... LOL

Driving schools wanting upwards of $5,000 for 3 to 6 weeks of
training has got to be very profitable, for them anyway. You
know how much education you can get at a Community College
for that kind of money? Whew..Could be a certified CNA for less
than that at your local community college.

With the industry as a whole needing drivers so badly you would
think the industry would pull together to better educate, train
and offer more for the cost.

Anyway, thanks for all the tips! I'll get'er done one way or
nother

Regards,
J.