This infographic from CDL College (a truck driving school) demonstrates the Alley Dock maneuver. You may be tested on this maneuver during the backing portion of the CDL Skiils test. We have demonstrated the different angles and provided notations to help a truck driver perfect the alley dock during the CDL driving test. Visit http://cdlcollege.com or call 303-367-1030 for more information about truck driving school or a CDL Skills Test.

1. ALLEY DOCK Forward Boundary:
70 ft. from Alley
EARLY=Flat Spot in Arc
LATE
EARLY
Steer to Right and Back Up for Small Angle
(Steering to the Right Forces the Trailer to the Left)
Stop. Steer Back to Center. Begin Backing Slowly
As You Back Up, Watch Trailer from Driver Window
Angle Between Truck and Trailer Increases
Keep Steer Tires on Center
Determine Whether Trailer is LATE or EARLY
LATE is Easier to Fix Than EARLY. LATE Means the Trailer is not
Approaching the Alley Fast Enough. STOP and Steer to Right to
Speed Up Trailer. Back Up Briefly. STOP and Return Steers to
Center. Continue Backing and Watching Trailer.
EARLY Means the Trailer Approached the Aley too Fast. STOP and
Steer to Left to Slow the Trailer. Back Up Briefly. STOP and
Return Steers to Center. Continue Backing and Watching Trailer.
Do Not Hold Your Left or Right for Too Long.
A Side Wall
Encroachment
Costs You 2 Points
Alley is 40 feet
Long, 12 Feet Wide.
Bumper Box is
3 Feet Deep
A Rear Wall
Encroachment
Costs You 4 Points
Final Steer in Driver Side Alley Dock is a Hard Left
The Hard Left Slows the Trailer and Puts the Truck Back in Front of
the Trailer. At This Point a Straight Back is Required.
Use Your Free G.O.A.L. (Get Out and Look) Before Attempting to
Put the Rear Bumper in the Bumper Box. Determine Distance to
Bumper Box, Then Back Up That Distance.
If You Choose to Stop Short of the Bumper Box, There Will Be a 1
Point Deduction. If You Back Too Far and Cross the Inside Edge of
the Rear Cones, There Will Be a 4 Point Deduction.