Conducting a CDL Test in Pouring Rain
As a driver examiner, I’ve conducted many CDL driving exams over the years and seen my fair share of bizarre and unexpected things on the road.
One particular exam stands out in my memory, and not for flawless execution. The driver had failed the CDL test administered at our site last week by our other Examiner.
Due to a previous commitments, the other tester was not available and asked if I would help and cover the retest.
We are a small test site and folks sometimes wait weeks to get a driving test. We try not to cancel unless necessary.
For the previous test, the driver completed vehicle inspection with good results. The issue was hitting several traffic cones while trying to navigate the basic skill test. The driver was returning to complete basic skill tests which included a conventional parking maneuver. If successful, we could move to the road test.
It was a typical gloomy morning.
Weather forecast predicted heavy rain over next several hours. I was already dreading the test ahead, knowing I would be standing outside. At the time, my hope is to complete the basic skills portion in the 30 minute expected test time. That would allow us to continue the road exam from the confines of the school bus. As far as I was concerned, with completing paperwork, labor for set up time with traffic cones, explaining instructions, and customer satisfaction, my commitment was to complete the test if possible. Our test schedule was packed and a retest might be weeks away.
The best outcome for everyone would be to complete the test.
With the vehicle inspection already successfully completed, we did a quick vehicle safety check, and got ready to start the basic skills exercise. We walked around the bus, and I carefully went through the required written instructions, emphasizing the specific locations where the vehicle was expected to begin and conclude each exercise. I asked if there were any questions. The driver seemed concerned with the light rain that continued to fall. His body language indicated he wanted to get out of the rain and into the bus.
He nodded, commented that he understood instructions, and was ready to begin.
A conventional parallel park
To complete this exercise a driver must park vehicle in a parking space with a length that is 15 foot longer than test vehicle.
Driver should drive past the parking space and back into it. They are allowed two free pull-ups and permitted to exit vehicle a maximum of two times to check vehicle spacing.
To begin the parallel park procedure, I asked the driver to locate the bus in start position, secure the vehicle, and step out so I could explain exactly how to complete the exercise.
As I completed required instructions, rain started to come down much harder.
Because it is almost impossible to carry an umbrella and clipboard in wind and rain my only protection was a heavy rubber raincoat. A special order item purchased to keep dry. Since we test during all seasons the coat is heavy for testing on cold winter days. On this 90 degree humid day my light summer coat was home and the heavy rubber was clinging to me like a second skin.
As soon as I completed instructions and asked if there were any questions, the driver indicated he was ready and jumped into the driver seat.
Ready – Set – Go
My countdown was interrupted with a tap of a horn.
The driver fumbled with the window latch for a full 30 seconds before it finally slides open and a hand appears. It taps on the side of the bus, waves, and motions for me to approach. The driver was nervous and requested to hear the instructions again. Since my instructions were clear…it was frustrating. But I feel required to continue, so I do.
As rain pelted my face, instructions were repeated. The driver looked down at me from a dry cabin of comfort and started to recite back to me with a word for word discussion of the instructions that we just discussed. Finally we are ready to begin and he releases the air brake to begins the exercise.
As rain continues to fall he slowly backs up about 3 foot before he stopped and secured the vehicle. Driver gets out of the seat, opens the door and exits vehicle to review position. Without saying a word, driver got back into the vehicle and proceeded to back up again. This time he came back about 8 foot, stopped and secured the vehicle. Again he got out of the vehicle to review his position and walked entire right side of the bus before getting back into the seat.
From outside the vehicle, I approached the driver window to remind him that both of his “free looks” were over. He would need to complete the rest of the exercise without leaving the seat. Driver nodded and started to back up again, hit a cone and crossed two lines while I waved my hands from my safe location and told him to secure, turn off and vacate the vehicle.
The unfortunate fail outcome was as expected.
The driver’s actions exhibited during the test suggest a lack of competence, adherence to protocol, and attentiveness necessary to safely operate a commercial vehicle. To hit a cone and cross two lines while attempting to back up, demonstrates a lack of control and skill. Despite being reminded that the “free looks” were over and he needed to complete the exercise without leaving the seat, the driver still proceeded to exit the vehicle again. This shows a disregard for instructions and an inability to follow directions. Both looks were unnecessary. Vehicle had just started to enter the test box. There was no reason to exit vehicle as properly adjusted mirrors would have provided information.
The inclement weather, coupled with the driver’s reluctance to face the rain, led to a failed CDL skills test. As the examiner, it was disheartening to see the potential of a skilled driver overshadowed by their unwillingness to tackle adverse weather conditions.
