NTDC Truckers Present They Have the Write Stuff
Ron Spherical stated the check was “powerful.” (John Sommers II for Transport Subjects)
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COLUMBUS, Ohio — Troublesome. Overwhelming. Powerful. Laborious. These had been generally heard descriptions from drivers concerning the written examination at this yr’s “Tremendous Bowl of Security.”
The examination, based mostly on tips outlined in American Trucking Associations’ “Info for Drivers,” exams drivers on trade guidelines and rules. It’s considered one of three disciplines at American Trucking Associations’ Nationwide Truck Driving Championships and Nationwide Step Van Driving Championships.
For Maine’s Robert Cochran with FedEx Specific, the examination proved difficult.
“I believe I did OK. You place the time into the guide and also you research exhausting, and — you by no means know what the check goes to current. However I believe I did OK on the check,” Cochran advised Transport Subjects on Aug. 16, quickly after finishing the examination. Of the 9 automobile lessons featured at NTDC, Cochran is competing within the straight truck division.
2023 Nationwide Truck Driving Championships
NTDC Qualifiers | Picture Gallery | Map of State Champions
Who: Winners from 9 classes on the state degree who’ve superior to the nationwide competitors, the place a Grand Champion will likely be topped
What: Contestants are judged on a written examination, pre-trip inspection and driving abilities
When: Aug. 16-19
The place: Columbus, Ohio
“It was powerful. You virtually needed to know the precise phrases on it — the way it was written within the guide. For those who didn’t actually apply your self it was going to be powerful,” stated Ron Spherical, competing within the 3-axle division with Pottle’s Transportation.
“I had the audio [version] I downloaded on a thumb drive and listened to it within the truck,” this yr’s grand champion from The Pine Tree State added. “And I studied the guide and I discovered a factor on-line that had check questions, pattern check questions. I put all three collectively and hopefully it labored out for me.”
Michael Hinkes from Alaska with Carlile Transportation Programs stated, “Yeah, it was a troublesome check. It had some good number of a spread of questions from security to regulation and all that stuff.”
Hinkes is competing within the 3-axle class.
“I did nicely; I did good,” stated Josue Rivera from Kansas with Outdated Dominion Freight Line, additionally a 3-axle competitor. “Yeah, it was a bit of tougher than I assumed. It wasn’t too unhealthy. Simply a few questions I acquired confused, however it was all proper.”
For emphasis, he added, “I learn that guide 100 occasions.”
Drivers pore over the written check that many discovered difficult. (John Sommers II for Transport Subjects)
NTDC members will likely be referred to as Aug. 17-18 to showcase their abilities on a driving course. The elite drivers within the 9 lessons are also tasked with a pre-trip automobile inspection.
NTDC, now in its 86th yr, wraps up Aug. 19 with an awards banquet. High performers of their automobile lessons are honored as nationwide champions. The perfect-in-show will likely be named grand champion.
Final yr’s grand champion, FedEx Specific’ Roland Bolduc, wished fellow rivals luck throughout a keynote tackle previous to the examination. Bolduc, a member of Connecticut’s delegation, is competing within the sleeper berth truck class. He additionally took prime honors in 2017.
“Everybody at this time is equal,” Bolduc stated. “You bought concerned, now study from it.”
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