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November

The NSTS Team

2021-11-16

The CDL road test is one of three parts of the CDL skills test that you must pass to get your CDL. The vehicle inspection and the basic control test will also be covered in other articles. Today we're focusing on the CDL road test. Inevitable mistakes during the road test are considered an automatic failure, and the examiner will direct you to drive back.

<p>The CDL road test is one of three parts of the CDL skills test that you must pass to get your CDL. The vehicle inspection and the basic control test will also be covered in other articles. Today we're focusing on the CDL road test. Inevitable mistakes during the road test are considered an automatic failure, and the examiner will direct you to drive back. While some errors are apparent like, getting in an accident or running a red like, others are safety-related items that a driver must always be aware of and perform properly every time. With a better understanding of what your examiner is looking for, you can prepare for your test day.</p><h2>Automatic Fail #1: Dangerous Action</h2><ul><li>Anytime the examiner must intervene and stop you from striking any fixed object. </li><li>Failing to put the vehicle in neutral/park and/or set the vehicle’s parking brake, before leaving the driver’s seat. </li><li>Anytime the examiner takes verbal or physical control of the vehicle to prevent an accident or dangerous situation from occurring. For example, while positioning the vehicle before starting the test or moving the vehicle during the test-may also apply to other dangerous situations. </li><li>Whenever another driver must drive evasively. </li><li>A pedestrian must avoid your vehicle. </li><li>The examiner takes physical or verbal control of your vehicle to prevent an accident or a dangerous act. </li><li>Your vehicle speed is too fast for weather and/or traffic conditions.</li></ul><h2>Automatic Fail #2: Exiting the Vehicle in An Unsafe Manner</h2><ul><li>Repeated instances of exiting the vehicle in an unsafe manner. </li><li>Exiting a truck needs to be done facing towards the cabin and three points of contact. </li><li>Exiting a passenger vehicle forward/backward and three points of contact.</li></ul><h2>Automatic Fail #3: Vehicle Over a Curb:</h2><ul><li>Applies to any of your vehicle's wheels go up onto a curb or sidewalk during any part of your test. What may seem like a small mistake, the "curb check", is a potentially deadly one. The danger to pedestrians makes this unwary error #1 on the list of automatic fails.</li></ul><h2>Automatic Fail #4: Violation of Law</h2><p>A violation of law applies to any traffic law or act for which you could be cited, common violations are:</p><ul><li>Operating the vehicle more than 5 mph over the speed limit under normal conditions. </li><li>Failing to come to a complete stop at any stop sign or traffic light</li><li>Driving on the wrong side of the road. </li><li>Driving the wrong way on a one-way street. </li><li>Failing to stop at any railroad crossing (coach/transit/school bus). </li><li>Any part of your vehicle on railroad tracks after stopping.</li><li>A seat belt violation: Anytime you drive a commercial vehicle without the seatbelt fastened.</li></ul><h2>Automatic Fail #5: Accident</h2><ul><li>An accident, however slight. This includes contact with other vehicles or pedestrians, running off the roadway, and contact with any fixed object.</li></ul><p>Note: Striking exercise boundary cones is not scored as an accident.</p><h2>Automatic Fail #6: Failure to Perform</h2><p>When you cannot comprehend or respond to instructions given during any part of the Basic Control Test. The test requires English proficiency—be able to follow instructions. CDL skills testing is conducted in English only. Use of interpreters or bilingual examiners is not allowed.</p><ul><li>When you cannot repeatedly comprehend or cannot respond to instructions given during any part of the Vehicle Inspection test or road test. </li><li>Applies to the inability to perform any of the backing exercises. </li><li>Repeated inability to properly demonstrate and/or verbalize your vehicle’s inspection items during the Vehicle Inspection test. </li><li>When you refuse to try a maneuver or say that you cannot perform a required action. </li><li>If you are unable to properly operate your vehicle after going a short distance on the test route. </li><li>Taking your hands off the wheel. </li><li>Forgetting your turn signal when making a turn or switching lanes can be grounds for failing a CDL road test. Signal at least 100 feet before changing lanes. Smoothly change lanes when it is safe to do so. Cancel your turn signal after the rear of your vehicle completes a lane change. Of course, don’t forget the mirrors checks too.</li><li>Failing to notice simple road signs like lane restrictions, highway exits, truck stop exits or lane endings.</li></ul><h2>Automatic Fail #7: Not Following Ground Rules</h2><ul><li>No markings, labels, or cues on vehicle components or inside the vehicle. </li><li>No use of wired/wireless headset or other Bluetooth devices, cell phone, or other transmission devices. </li><li>Cell phone can be used as a timer for the air leak test only. </li><li>No use of tape/digital recorders, cameras, video recorders. </li><li>No interference from trainers, co-workers, or others. They must stay in designated waiting area(s) and not give signals of any kind. Note: Perceived signals given could result in cancellation of the test. </li><li>No testing will be conducted when you are under the influence of any controlled or recreational drugs/alcohol. </li><li>Practicing at any CDL skills test site is prohibited.</li></ul><h2>Automatic Fail #8: Vehicle Stalling During the Road Test</h2><p>It’s important to master the art of taking off from a stop, especially on hills and in heavy traffic. If you roll backwards when taking off from a stop during the exam, you are guaranteed to receive a failing grade.</p><ul><li>Any time the vehicle stalls during the road test. </li><li>Any part of your vehicle on railroad tracks after stopping </li><li>Impeding traffic </li><li>Operating the vehicle more than 10 mph under the posted speed limit due to lack of driving skills.</li></ul><h2>Automatic Fail #9: Performing the Cab Check Incorrectly</h2><p>You must tell the examiner that the Low Air Warning light and/or alarms must activate before it drops below 55 psi. Verbalizing this incorrectly will cause you to be automatically disqualified at the conclusion of the Air Supply System check. </p><p>The student must specify the correct leakage rate for the type of vehicle they are operating and apply full brake pedal pressure for one minute.</p><p>You will be automatically disqualified for any of the following:</p><ul><li>Air supply system checks – Failure to properly demonstrate and/or verbalize required numbers or ranges listed for any of the following air supply system checks: </li><li>Air leak check. </li><li>Low air warning check. </li><li>Parking brake and tractor protection valve Class A only. </li><li>Parking brake valve–Class B/C only.</li></ul><h2>Automatic Fail #10: Losing Your Cool</h2><p>Examiners know that driving a commercial vehicle requires a mentally prepared person to perform well under pressure. CDL examiners want to see if all this pressure will make you lose your cool. Driving thousands of pounds through dangerous traffic and road conditions every single day is no job for the faint of heart. </p><p>It is very critical that during a road test, you act relaxed and confident. Even if you're nervous, you can always pretend otherwise. No matter what happens, don't show the examiner you can't handle it.</p><p>Failure is a necessary evil. Without it, we would never learn anything. Get in plenty of practice, work out all the kinks. Build your mental memory. Then, when test day comes, you won't fail. You will succeed!</p>

November

The NSTS Team

2021-11-12

With the shortage of truck drivers worsening, are you willing to fulfill an essential role in our country by becoming a truck driver? Many are not aware of how much truck drivers make; by investing in yourself today, you could make as much as $61,000 and more. Because of this shortage, new career opportunities are available, which might not have been as open beforehand.

<p>With the shortage of truck drivers worsening, are you willing to fulfill an essential role in our country by becoming a truck driver? Many are not aware of how much truck drivers make; by investing in yourself today, you could make as much as $61,000 and more. Because of this shortage, new career opportunities are available, which might not have been as open beforehand.</p><p>If your unemployment benefits have ended or are about to end soon, now presents an ideal opportunity to consider a new career as a truck driver. </p><h2>Rising Pay to Be Competitive</h2><p>Millions of Americans are considering significant career changes, and trucking companies have been boosting pay for truck drivers to remain competitive. Companies have reported an increase of about $4,000 to $6,000 a year for driver pay. With the critical driver shortage in mind, many trucking companies offer signing bonuses and pay raises to new drivers.</p><h2>Job Outlook</h2><p>At this moment, around the clock, and coast-to-coast, truck drivers are on the road transporting the essentials—everything America needs, from food and clothing to diapers and medical supplies. Compared to other forms of transportation, trucks are in the lead for carrying the most freight collectively. </p><p>According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, about 1.8 million heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers in the U.S. in May 2020. Compared to the number of active truck drivers in the trucking industry, the number of truck driving jobs available shows a drastic contrast. Statistics highlight the shortage of truck drivers appears to be at a record high of 80,000. The driver shortage has increased by 30% since the global COVID-19 pandemic. </p><p>With a mix of increased demand from consumers for goods and services and retiring truck drivers, the total number of truck driving jobs has only been growing. Every day is out-weighing the number of available truck drivers in the industry. </p><h2>Companies Attracting Drivers</h2><p>The demand for more drivers has created turmoil within the industry as current drivers seek to improve their income, benefits, and home time, leading to frequent job changes among truck drivers working to better their situations. To combat the high driver turnover, trucking companies are trying various strategies, including increasing pay and sign-on bonuses. Many recruiters are also working with drivers to match their skills, provide reliable, steady hours, offer local routes and competitive compensation to current open positions.</p><p>The demand for professional truck drivers is growing faster than the number of new drivers entering the field. By receiving your commercial driver’s license today, it’s almost certain there will be a job available to you tomorrow.</p><img src="blog_img/2021-11(Nov)-16_Pay-by-driver-profession.jpg" alt="Pay by driver profession" style="max-width: 599px;">

November

The NSTS Team

2021-11-09

Earning your commercial driver's license is the first step towards a successful career as a professional truck driver. Through New Sound Trucking School's comprehensive commercial truck driver program, you will receive the highest quality of training to become a safe and competent truck driver.

<p>Earning your commercial driver's license is the first step towards a successful career as a professional truck driver. Through New Sound Trucking School's comprehensive commercial truck driver program, you will receive the highest quality of training to become a safe and competent truck driver. Professional drivers are in high demand: many employers go to great lengths to find skilled drivers. But to advance your career, you'll want to pursue additional endorsements to increase both your experience and career advancement opportunities in the future.</p><p>Here, we will go more in-depth about the primary endorsements available and what requirements you need:</p><h2>H Endorsement</h2><p>CDL endorsements are essential for commercial drivers to operate specific types of commercial motor vehicles. The most common endorsement is the Hazardous Materials Endorsement or HazMat. This endorsement is required when transporting hazardous materials, such as flammable and combustible liquids, gases, or other explosives. These materials could be motor oils, pesticides, kerosene, or any chemicals, substances, or materials that can jeopardize the public's safety while in transport.</p><p>To obtain your HazMat endorsement, you will need to receive your HazMat training from a registered commercial driving school, program, or employer. Secondly, you must complete your application for the Hazardous Materials Endorsement Threat Assessment Program, which conducts a threat assessment for any driver seeking a hazardous materials endorsement on a commercial driver's license <a href="https://universalenroll.dhs.gov">*</a> .</p><p>You will then need to submit your fingerprints at an authorized collection site. For information on applying for your HazMat Endorsements, visit the  <a href="https://www.tsa.gov/for-industry/hazmat-endorsement">TSAwebsite </a> .</p><p>Lastly, you must schedule an HME written knowledge test at the Department of Licensing - <a href="https://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/cdlhazmat.html">DOL</a> . To get more information on what classifies as Hazardous Material, visit the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) website.</p><h2>X Endorsement</h2><p>The X endorsement allows you to operate a vehicle that is transporting hazardous materials within a tank. To get this combination endorsement, you will need to pass a written knowledge test. Getting your X endorsement allows you to combine HAZMAT and tanker training to transport hazardous liquid loads, which can help you find more lucrative loads <a href="https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/commercial-drivers-license/drivers">*</a> .</p><h2>P Endorsement</h2><p>Another endorsement is the Passenger, P, endorsement. This one is far less complex than the previous one but just as important in terms of safety. The Passenger endorsement is required to operate a vehicle that seats 16 or more people, including the driver, as stated by the Department of Licensing. A written knowledge test and road skills test is required to obtain a passenger endorsement.</p><h2>S Endorsement</h2><p>The School Bus endorsement, S, is required for any driver who regularly transports children, in any size bus, to and from school or any school-related activity. A written knowledge test, road skills test, separate application forms, fees, and a background check is required to obtain a school bus <a href="https://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/cdlspecial.html">endorsement</a> .</p><h2>N Endorsement</h2><p>A Tanker Endorsement allows a qualified commercial driver to operate a tanker vehicle that transports liquids or gasses. The Tanker endorsement, otherwise known as the "N" endorsement, requires a written knowledge test to obtain a tank vehicle endorsement, so be sure to schedule your test in advance.</p><p>When looking into receiving your Commercial Driver's License, it is essential to be knowledgeable about various endorsements to increase your earning potential and give your career a jump start.</p><p>Remember that obtaining these endorsements will make you a more competitive job applicant and give you more career advancement opportunities in the future. A successful career in the trucking industry means job security for life.</p>

November

The NSTS Team

2021-11-08

As NSTS celebrates its second birthday this year, we are excited to announce that we will soon be able to work with Veteran's Administration funded GI Bill® benefits, GI Grants, and other military benefits.

<p>As NSTS celebrates its second birthday this year, we are excited to announce that we will soon be able to work with Veteran's Administration funded GI Bill® benefits, GI Grants, and other military benefits. Even though our school is only two years old, the founders of the school, Michael Svoboda and Valery (Val) Karcha, have extensive combined experience in the trucking industry of over 30 years.</p><p>Val Karcha started his career in logistics in 2001 as a commercial truck driver. His experience includes transportation of refrigerated cargo, dry cargo, and also comprehensive experience in flatbed transport. While working as a driver, Val opened his own trucking company, where he worked as a dispatcher for several years. During the first few years of his management, the amount drivers and owner-operators soon increased to fifty.</p><p>Working on the West Coast in Tacoma, Val noticed a shortage of cold storage services. Within two years of beginning his trucking company, Val expanded his logistics business to accommodate the need for cold storage facilities and took a leading position in Cold Storage and Refrigeration in the Pacific Northwest Region. He then expanded the business to include a truck repair shop and also became a Vanguard official dealer. The NST team now numbers more than 150 employees.</p><p>Since childhood, when Michael Svoboda traveled around Europe with his father at the age of ten, he has been part of the family-owned logistics business in Moldova. Michael purchased a truck repair shop in 2014 and managed the company for three years. In 2015, when one of his customers didn't have the resources to finance an engine overhaul, Michael found a driver and entered a Logistics Training Program.After extensive training and managing his truckload operations, his company expanded into a brokerage, including the transportation of refrigerated cargo, dry cargo, and car hauling. Meanwhile, the Tacoma Truck Repair Center team grew to 10 certified mechanics specializing in professional programming and computer diagnostics.</p><p>In 2017, Valery and Michael Svoboda, one of his frequent trailer customers, went to dinner to celebrate a recent purchase. Michael shared his plans of opening a truck driving school in response to the rising demand for qualified professional truck drivers. Truck drivers transfer 71% of the US economy's goods. By 2030, the trucking industry will have a need for 1,000,000 new drivers, according to the American Trucking Association.</p><p>In 2018, Val and Michael combined experience and resources to open New Sound Truck Driving School. NSTS is located in a facility with a cold storage warehouse, truck repair shop, Vanguard dealership, dispatch, and brokerage team, which provides comprehensive training for our future students. New Sound Truck Driving School is the top-rated trucking school in Washington, emphasizing education, hands-on training, and job placement. We take pride in our proficient teaching methods and thoroughly prepare our students for the road no matter what lies ahead.</p><p>With a strong team and the latest neuro hacking techniques to assist in the memorization of the pre-trip inspection, we have helped over 1000 students receive their CDL.</p><p>Enrolling in a high-quality truck driving school is the first step towards becoming a professional driver for our students. With NSTS, you will develop the skills and learn essential techniques to become safe, competent, and productively employed commercial truck drivers. Making a new career choice in this plentiful job market is a journey that will be life-changing for most who embark upon it.</p><p>Enroll With Us Today! Contact our Admission Department at 253-210-0505 for more information about obtaining your CDL.</p>

October

The NSTS Team

2021-10-05

Today, we released our new app called COMMERCIAL LEARNER’S PERMIT (CLP) PREP. In this article, I’d like to guide you through the apps’ main features.

<p>Greetings, from the New Sound Trucking School IT department. We have come closer to our goal of providing our students with all the necessary tools needed to obtain their CDL. Today, we released our new app called COMMERCIAL LEARNER’S PERMIT (CLP) PREP. In this article, I’d like to guide you through the apps’ main features.</p><p>Our team spent the past year compiling, designing and developing our app to give you the most realistic practice tests available. As a result, we designed the most comprehensive and effective study system available. Our app is a CLP Exam Simulator, which helps you by quizzing you on the same types of questions you’ll see on the official exam. It uses real questions straight from the source – the official Commercial Drivers’ Guide for Washington State. Also, it will give you a solid understanding if you are ready for the CLP exam or not. If you can pass our practice tests, you’ll be ready to pass the real thing.</p><p>Your career in trucking begins with a learner’s permit. Before you can earn your Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), you must obtain your Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP). The CLP lets you legally practice driving under a CDL Instructor’s supervision. Read our previous article here:  <a href="https://www.nstschool.com/article/6154d39b2a30e29c739ca3b1">WelcomeTo New Sound Trucking School</a> to get deeper.</p><p>For more details about Washington state requirements to receive your Commercial Driver’s License visit the <a href="https://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/cdlsteps.html">Departmentof Licensing website</a> </p><p>Beginning in October, the app is available on our website at <a href="https://www.nstschool.com/clp">https://www.nstschool.com/clp</a> , you will be able to find it inside the menu below “About Us”.</p><p>Our CLP Prep App’s purpose is to mimic the experience of a real CLP exam by pulling random questions from a vast database which you’ll see on the official exam. The CLP test is broken into three portions: general knowledge, combination vehicles and air brakes.</p><p>In Washington State, the Knowledge tests have the following number of questions per section:</p><ul><li>General Knowledge (A, B, C): 50 Questions</li><li>Air Brakes: 25 Questions</li><li>Combination: 20 Questions</li></ul><p>After completion of the practice tests, you will have a chance to review your mistakes and brush up on needed sections prior to taking the permit test. The CLP practice tests we provide are 100% free, and are available to you to use for review at any point. We want you to feel confident when you take the official DOL Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) knowledge test.</p><p>We offer the practice test in several languages- English, Spanish, Ukrainian and Russian. We are sure that taking the exam in your native language will increase your chances of successfully passing the exam on your first try.</p><img src="blog_img/2021-10-01_1.jpg"><p>As you can see, the layout has been adopted for all types of device to make it flexible and convenient to use.</p><p>The CLP Prep App can be used in two modes, Study Mode and Exam Mode. In Study Mode an entire list of questions and answers will be available (240 for “General knowledge”, 70 for “Air brakes” and 70 for “Combination”). In Exam Mode you’ll deal with a shuffled array of 50, 20 and 20 questions respectively. In addition, there will be a time limit 60 minutes for “General Knowledge”, 20 minutes for “Air Brakes” and 20 minutes for “Combination”. You’ll be notified whether you answered a question correctly in both modes.</p><img src="blog_img/2021-10-01_2.jpg"><ul><li>Study Mode and Exam Mode View</li></ul><img src="blog_img/2021-10-01_3.jpg"><ul><li>The gradient time bar will notify you of how much time is left to complete the test.</li></ul><p>If at any moment you want to start over, another set of questions will be available. We do not send your statistics anywhere, so the number of attempts stays between us.</p><p>What makes our CLP Prep App unique, is the result’s page. You can review it and send it to your email address for free. These pages are designed for students who want to review the answers at later time. You will see the correct and incorrect answers instantly, and how much time you spent on a specific question, all the answers are shown in the order submitted.</p><img src="blog_img/2021-10-01_4.jpg"><p>The CLP practice tests we provide are completely free, and are available to you to use for review at any point. As mentioned, you will be able to email the results to your email address to review and study. We believe that our efforts will help you to get your CLP faster and more easily. Once you’ve received your permit, we’ll see you at NSTS.</p><p>Are you ready to ace your CLP test and train with NSTS?</p><p>Apply to NSTS today or contact our Admissions Department at 253-210-0505 for more information about obtaining your permit.</p>