Our exam includes three sections which measure verbal, visual-motor and memory aspects of intelligence:

• Mental Skills

• Map Reading

• Memory

Most of our clients find that drivers need at least Average range scores on the intelligence portion of the test to succeed in their flatbed operations. Lower intelligence handicaps the driver too much in learning flatbed load-handling skills.

Some of the very best drivers have Average intelligence scores, including winners of State competitions. Persons in management positions who have taken the test tend to have High and Very High scores on intelligence. It is important to know the intelligence level of a driver to place him appropriately in the work force. Simpler driving jobs, such as local hauls repeated over and over in the same manner and with a constant type of load, can be handled by drivers with modest intelligence.

Average or higher intelligence is desirable in drivers who must have greater technical knowledge and function more independently, for example in long-haul flatbedding, household goods moving, tank truck driving and hazardous materials transport.  Finally, those who want to move up from driving to supervisory, training or management positions will do better with above-average intelligence.

Factual Knowledge

Factual knowledge is the information required to pass state licensing exams and contained in various driver handbooks, such as those available from the American Trucking Associations. This information includes knowledge of truck mechanics and operation, rules of the road, and log book and safety regulations. It is also information specific to areas of specialization within the heavy trucking field -- such as flatbed load-handling, moving van load-handling and handling of hazardous materials.

The following sections of our exam measure factual knowledge:

• General Knowledge

• Federal Regulations and Load-handling skills

• Hazardous Materials

Note: The Federal Regs. Section is periodically updated to stay current with changes in these regulations.

The test questions are difficult enough that a person must have studied this material to get a decent score. Factual knowledge can be taught and learned through truck driving school classes, company training programs or on-the-job experience. The ten load-handling alternatives are federal regulations for general commodities van drivers, plus tests for flatbeds, liquid tank trucks, moving vans, reefers, log trucks, dry tanks, pick up and delivery and doubles/triples and cement mixers.

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