I’ve had my CDL yanked back in 2007 because of medical issues (Insulin Dependent Diabetic)…. Thought my driving days were over.
Enter March 2020 I get the Bariatric surgery and lose over 185 pounds up till this year. Lost so much weight I’m now considered to be “Pre Diabetic”, don’t have to take meds, sugars have stabilized >6.5 A1C. So excited and at a great time to go back and get my CDL again.
Man has times changed. Since February 2022 apparently there is a new program, “ELDT” Entry Level Driver Training. When I first received my license back in the 1990’s they asked me what I wanted on my license and I said of course “All of the above” so I had everything including Doubles/Triples/HazMat/Passenger Bus, etc added to my license.k Never had to test to get the endorsements, they just showed up so I did my thing.
So now I have to go through the ELDT program. Not as quick and easy as before. Damn I have to study for everyting now, and I actually have to earn my HAZMAT and Double/Triple Endorsements. Ain’t going to lie it really sucks being out for so long and having to prove myself again, even though I was the lead driver for a company for a few years. Oh and apparently I have to earn the right to REMOVE MANUAL Restrictions from my license. Thats right apparently I can’t drive or shift something with a double clutch manual because that would be insane right?
So I’m going through school right now. Attending a CDL program in Missouri. Quite a bit different than from before. Honestly its been hell for me. I have screwed up so many times just trying to shift. Keep looking for the clutch and the 13 speed gear knob.
The new electronic gear shifts suck. You just can’t go from Reverse to Drive without doing it slowly, otherwise the computer throws a tantrum and says nope I won’t allow you to do that because you were moving too fast. So I have to stop, hit the brakes, place the gear selector into neutral and try it again. I thought it was supposed to be easier, not harder!!
Now thanks to Federal Motor Carrier requirements I have to attend 120 hours minimum to even get my basics out of the way. Thats not even including the mandatory drive hours I have to log either to become a driver again. I think I’m going to be Super Trucker and haul nothing but the best quality aerogel in the world. I mean a tractor trailer load still weighs under 1 pound total weight.
Anyway its our 3rd day of class. 1st day was Monday and it was orientationa and paperwork day. Really didn’t even get out to the practice pad. My piss test was apparently too old by a few days so I had to go and do it again. They were finishing up by the time I got back.
Tuesday: Out to the practice pad. Learining about Pretrip and then some backing in the afternoon. Took our first test… Simple straight line backing. Everyone aced that test. No so much for the pre-trip. There is quite a bit to remember for the Pre-trip test. Thats going to take some studying. There are particular phrases that have to be said the correct way, or you will lose points and have to demonstrate.
Gotta say food has been pretty good (Just run of the mill college food), but still not bad. They are to be making Beef Brisket tommorrow for lunch, and it sounds like a great time. None of the fulltime students are back from holiday vacation yet so its been prety quite all in all.
Gotta get going. I’m tired. We started at 0730 and got done at 1715 hours. So ready for a sauna and/or back massuese.
