Being a newbie that is currently attending a school here in Buffalo I just receibed my permit and endorsements yesterday...

Will start in the trucks on Monday - the first week was all class...

Been asking questions about the upcoming road test (in 3 weeks) - seems a major portion of it is the pre-trip inspection where you have to call out everything you are inspecting to the examiner and why you are inspecting it....

It seems you have to do all this from memory and are not allowed to carry a "check off sheet" - is this true?

I am one who writes EVERYTHING down and will always have a checklist with me for inspections once I'm working - to have to committ this to memory for the test is concerning me - I have always had 'test anxiety' and all it will do is cause to to forget something!!

Heck - I can't remember what I had for breakfast this morning...

Any comments/suggestion? I am concerned....

Why would they not let you carry a checklist? Several of the other students who failed did so not because of their driving but the pre-trip did them in (forgot to cover something or didn't have a good why they were doing it answer)...

thanks

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Currently a 53 year old computer programmer considering a career change!

That is true you have to do it from memory. Which school are you going to in the area?
Try everyday to go to one of the trucks before or after class and do a pretrip start out using the paper. Then as you go along stop looking at it. Get to know the tractor then work your way back. Once you get the one side down try and do the other side without the paper.
After a week or so ask one of the instructors to watch you as you do a pretrip. Hope that helps.

Luckily Michigan let us have a checklist. One thing that our academy taught us and I dont know if the state examiner will let you do it in New York is when you point out your item of inspection just say "securely monunted, not damaged, and not leaking". It saves alot of fumbling with words and it gets to the point. Of course you only say not leaking on objects that have liquid or air in them. Dont if this will help but thought id metion it.

Formerpumpkin - thanks for the suggestion - I think I'll give your recommendation a shot and do a pre-trip every day with and then without a checklist - might not help on test day with the anxiety/mumbling but maybe a couple of valiums will !!! LOL - or maybe just tell the examiner I'm nervous so bear with me please....

I am attending Buffalo Tractor Trailer school in Blasdell - like it very much so far - instructors have been excellent and encouraging...thanks again...

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Currently a 53 year old computer programmer considering a career change!

russswhite85 - "securely monunted, not damaged, and not leaking" - I'll ask if this is acceptable...

Thanks!!!

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Currently a 53 year old computer programmer considering a career change!

Thats what I used, just make sure you touch every item as well..
Now you also will need to adjust accordingly by adding "retaining pin present and secured" and "no visible cracks"