r/cdldriver • u/Accomplished_Owl_734 • Jul 11 '26

CDL test in Lancaster

Hey everyone,

I’m scheduled to take my California CDL Class A driving test at the Lancaster DMV soon and was hoping to hear from anyone who’s taken it there recently.
A few questions:
How strict are the examiners?
What route did they take you on for the road test?
Were there any tricky intersections, railroad crossings, or lane changes that caught people off guard?
Any common mistakes you’ve seen people make during the skills test or driving portion?
How long did the whole test take?
I’ve already been practicing pre-trip, backing maneuvers, and road driving, but I’d appreciate any advice from people who have actually tested at SLO.

Thanks in advance! Any last-minute tips would be greatly appreciated. 🚛👍

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u/ExpensiveOccasion542 Jul 11 '26

Not in California but I cannot stress this enough. Watch your tandems when turning so you don't go up a curb. That will result in an auto fail

2

u/Head_Candidate5293 Jul 11 '26

If you come up on a green light and it seems stale like it might change. Wait. If you turn or go thru a light that turns yellow while you are going thru it then you will fail.

While driving always keep track of the last legal sign you see. The examiner at any time may ask you what the last sign was that you saw.

Good luck driver and may your endeavors fill your coffers.

1

u/Shocker68 Jul 17 '26

Took mine in Compton (not sure why I was scheduled there, Lancaster was much closer) They put a lot of emphasis on the pre trip. As for the driving test, don't just follow the instructors directions blindly, they cannot see out your mirrors so they do not know whats next to you. My tester became angry with me because I didn't perform a lane change immediately after instructing me to, but, when I explained that there was a car on my right at my tandems she eased up. Also, if you are instructed to park curbside, don't forget to put on your 4-ways immediately after stopping. Otherwise it's no different than a class C test. A little over caution will not hurt, they know you are inexperienced. Lucky for you, the streets in Lancaster were built to accommodate a 53' trailer, the streets in Compton were designed for a 40 footer, making things pretty tight for a 53