I'm going to get my class A CDL on Tuesday and was wondering if anyone had any advice on studying for this test. Ive all ready done the written and now its time for the driving and pre trip. The driving wont be an issue, Ive been driving trucks for 12 years now and figure its time to step up. Thanks for your time.

Studying out of a book is one thing but if you have access to a truck that you can practice your pre-trip on, that will help out a lot.

Good luck.

__________________
"The difference between genius and stupidity is; genius has its limits". - Albert Einstein

Pre Trip Inspection
What To Say and How To Say It
Note: You will most likely not have to PreTrip both sides of the trailer for the DOT Exam. You may have to do so for your school, though. It is in this author's opinion that you cannot possibly be over prepared.
Your school may have a different way of teaching you to perform a Pre Trip. The following is intended for reference only.

1. OIL LEVEL - check and mention, in safe operating range
2. COOLANT LEVEL – check and mention. Observe sight glass if engine is hot. Remove radiator cap and observe level if cold.
3. POWER STEERING FLUID -- check and mention, above refill mark
4. WATER PUMP -- not leaking, belts are tight
5. AIR COMPRESSOR -- mounted & secure, not leaking, belts are tight or gear driven.
6. ALTERNATOR-- mounted and secure
7. ALTERNATOR WIRE connections are not frayed or loose.
8. BELTS – Secure, have proper tension, are not loose
9. WINDSHIELD WIPERS – Proper tension, making contact, blade condition is acceptable
TRACTOR (LEFT SIDE, AXLE ONE)
STEERING:
1. STEERING GEAR BOX - mounted & secure, not leaking, no missing bolts
2. STEERING LINKAGE - mounted & secure
3. TIE ROD- ­secure, not broken
4. COTTER PIN – not missing
FRONT SUSPENSION:
1. SPRINGS --not cracked or broken -- none missing
2. MOUNTS – secure, not broken, no missing parts or bolts
3. SHOCK -- mounted & secure, not leaking
4. U-BOLTS – secure, not broken
FRONT BRAKE
1. SLACK ADJUSTER (single chamber)– No more than one inch of free travel when pulled by hand, approx 90 degree angle to the pushrod when applied.
2. PINS – secure, not missing
3. BRAKE CHAMBER – secure, clamps (or bands) tight
4. HOSES / LINES -- not cracked, frayed or rubbing
5. DRUM - not cracked, no missing pieces
6. BRAKE LINING --not less than ¼ inch
FRONT WHEEL
1. RIM (INSIDE) -- not cracked, no non-factory welds
2. TIRE (INSIDE) -- no cuts or bulges; at least 4/32 inch tread
3. SEAL (INSIDE) -- not leaking
4. RIM (OUTSIDE) -- not cracked, no non-factory welds
5. TIRE (OUTSIDE) -- no cuts or bulges
6. TIRE – has proper inflation
7. HUB OIL SEAL (OUTSIDE) - not leaking
8. LUG NUTS – tight, none missing, no streaks extending from lug nuts (steel wheel - rust streaks / aluminum wheel - black streaks)
9. VALVE STEM/CAP -- stem straight, cap present
SIDE/UNDER VEHICLE (LEFT)
1. DOOR / MIRROR—mounted and secure, no broken or cracked glass
2. EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT - (F.E.T.)
* Spare fuses if no circuit breakers
* Extinguisher; mounted securely, properly rated and reading charge
* 3 emergency triangles
3. FUEL TANK -- mounted secure, straps secure
4. FUEL CAP GASKETS – secure, not missing
5. FUEL LEAKS – none
6. FUEL LEVEL – Check and mention
7. DRIVE SHAFT – secure, no apparent damage
8. EXHAUST SYSTEM – mounted and secure, no leaks
9. FRAME -- not cracked, no welds, no bolts missing
10. BATTERY BOX—secure, not leaking
TRACTOR COUPLING AREA (LEFT)
1. AIR / ELECTRIC LINES / GLAD HANDS -- no cuts, leaks, seals not damaged, not rubbing
2. CAT WALK -- mounted and secure
3. QUARTER FENDER -- mounted and secure
LEFT SIDE, AXLE 2
SUSPENSION
1. SPRINGS -- not cracked or broken and none missing
2. AIR BAG (if applicable) -- inflated, no cuts, secure, not leaking
3. MOUNTS -- secure, not broken
4. U-BOLTS -- secure, not broken
5. RADIUS LEAF/ROD -- secure, not broken
6. STABILIZER (if applicable) -- mounted and secure
7. SHOCK (if applicable) – secure, not leaking
BRAKE
1. SLACK ADJUSTER:
Single Chamber: No more than one inch of free (Service) travel when pulled by hand, approx 90 degree angle to pushrod when applied. Double Chamber: Approximate 90 degree angle (Service & Park) to pushrod when applied
2. BRAKE CHAMBER -- secure, clamps (bands) tight
3. HOSES/LINES -- not cracked, frayed or rubbing
4. DRUM -- not cracked, no missing pieces
5. BRAKE LININGS -- not less than ¼ inch
WHEEL
1. RIM (INSIDE) -- not cracked, no non-factory welds
2. TIRE (INSIDE) -- no cuts or bulges, 2/32 tread depth
3. SEAL (INSIDE) -- not leaking
4. RIM (OUTSIDE) - not cracked, no non-factory welds
5. TIRE (OUTSIDE) - no cuts or bulges, 2/32 tread depth
6. TIRE --proper inflation
7. SEAL (OUTSIDE) - not leaking
8. LUG NUTS – tight, none missing, no streaks extending from lug nuts (steel wheel - rust streaks / aluminum wheel - black streaks)
9. SPACER -- no spacer with Disc type rims - only with spoke type rims; no foreign objects lodged between duals.
10. VALVE STEM/CAP -- straight with cap present
COUPLING:
1. FIFTH WHEEL SLIDE PLATFORM --not cracked, no welds, bolts not broken or missing
2. FIFTH WHEEL PLATE -- not cracked, no foreign objects
3. LOCKING JAWS -- (Bobtail) open, in released position
4. LOCKING JAWS -- (with trailer) closed, in locked position
5. RELEASE ARM – (Bobtail) out, in released position
6. RELEASE ARM – (with trailer) in, in locked position
7. SLIDING 5TH WHEEL LOCKING PINS -- locked in position
8. MOUNTING BOLTS -- secure, none missing

REPEAT: Suspension, Brake & Wheel For AXLE 3, LEFT SIDE

REAR OF TRACTOR
1. SPLASH GUARD – secure

REPEAT: SUSPENSION, BRAKE & WHEEL AXLE 3, RIGHT SIDE
REPEAT: COUPLING (except release arm) RIGHT SIDE
REPEAT: SUSPENSION, BRAKE & WHEEL AXLE 2, RIGHT SIDE
REPEAT: SIDE / UNDER VEHICLE RIGHT SIDE
REPEAT: FRONT SUSPENSION, BRAKE & WHEEL AXLE 1, RIGHT SIDE

INSIDE CAB
1. CLUTCH PEDAL – 1 ½ to 2 inches of free travel
2. STEERING PLAY – no more than 10 degrees - (2 inches on a 20 inch wheel)
3. GAUGES:
Oil Pressure – Normal operating range
Water Temp -- Rising
Air Pressure – Rising
Ammeter/Voltmeter – in the green
4. WINDSHIELD – Not broken, no cracks
5. WINDSHIELD WIPERS -- operational
6. LIGHTING INDICATORS -- functional
7. HORN/S – at least one horn working
8. HEATER/DEFROSTER—working
9. MIRRORS – not broken, no cracks
10. GEARSHIFT – in neutral
TRAILER FRONT
1. AIR / ELECTRIC CONNECTIONS – secure, glad hand seals not damaged
2. HEADER BOARD -- secure, in good repair
3. KINGPIN/APRON-- not cracked, not worn

SIDE OF TRAILER (LEFT)
1. LANDING GEAR -- secure and in raised position
2. HANDLE LOCKED – secured
3. SPARE TIRE / SPARE TIRE RACK – secure (if applicable)
4. DOOR / TIES - secure
5. FRAME CROSS MEMBERS -- not bent, broken, or missing
6. AIR LINES / HOSES – secure, at least 18 inches off the ground
7. SLIDING TANDEM PIN/S -- pins are locked in
8. RELEASE ARM – secure, in locked position

REPEAT: SUSPENSION, BRAKE & WHEEL AXLE 4, LEFT SIDE
REPEAT: SUSPENSION, BRAKE & WHEEL AXLE 5, LEFT SIDE

REAR OF TRAILER
1. LICENSE PLATE -- present, clean, secured and current
2. BUMPER – ICC bumper mounted secure
3. DOORS and HINGES - locked and secure, not broken
4. LIGHTS clean and in proper working order
5. SPLASH GUARDS -- present

REPEAT: SUSPENSION, BRAKE & WHEEL AXLE 5, RIGHT SIDE
REPEAT: SUSPENSION, BRAKE & WHEEL AXLE 4, RIGHT SIDE
REPEAT: SIDE OF TRAILER (except handle) RIGHT SIDE

LIGHTS / REFLECTORS
Tractor & Trailer
Clearance
Headlights
Tail lights
Turn Signals
4 Way Flashers
Brake Lights
Reflectors


BRAKE CHECKS:
Hold Down
Pump Down
Tugs
· Trailer spring
· Tractor spring
· Trailer Service
Tractor Service Roll Ahead


If it holds air or fluid say securely mounted not leaking. all others say securely mounted, no missing parts, not broken.
That and know your numbers like tire tread depth, air pressure and gauges etc.
The list above was given to me by another driver on another forum and is the easiest form of learning the pretrip I have seen yet. I've only had it a couple day's and I know it a lot better now than I did of several week's of ready the state CDL manual. Hope it help's and good luck.
Also go to Youtube and type in pretrip. Lot's of info there also.

__________________
"I'm not a truck driver. I'm a non refrigerated load relocation engineer".

You've been driving trucks for 12 years, and do not know how to do a pre-trip? There is no excuse for not practicing, there just is no other way of doing it.

The best way is to have the truck that you will be using and start doing your pretrip. Practice Practice until you are doing your pretrip in your sleep. That is what I tell my drivers. Sending lots of postive thoughts your way.

The company I work for had just bought another trucking company out of state, Everyone hired by this company has to go through orientation, no matter what your hired for, even the new Pres had to go.

Well they brought in around 14 of this new companies "trainers", These guys had years under there belt, not one could even come close to doing a Pre Check on a truck, sad really. We had a new trainee go through the moves for them....sad.

When the Teacher asked these well seasoned drivers to point out the air compressor........Not one of the 14 even had any idea where to find it, they just kept looking all around the tractor, is that it?, maybe that?, These guys could probably drive rings around most drivers, but as far as pre trip........forget it.

Skunk I just wanted to thank you for takeing the time to post such a detail pretrip post I have been studying it since you posted it and hopefully will pass my pretrip tomorrow. I did not have access to a truck outside of school to practice on and find your post very helpful.

__________________
Dogs have given us their absolute all. We are the center of there universe. We are the focus of their love and faith and trust. They serve us in return for scraps. It is without a doubt the best deal man has ever made." - Roger Caras

I am a woman I can do pre trip in my sleep

The pretrip is a piece of cake, if you study. I read through all the points of inspection over and over again until I had them memorized. Using a truck to practice on definitley helps also.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skunk_Truck_2590 Pre Trip Inspection

Please don't take this the wrong way man, but...you gotta be SH***ING me . All that has to be pre-tripped to pass the DOT and, school???? Are you allowed some kind of a list to work from or, is it to be performed all from memory?? Gulp

Don't get me wrong, I don't have an issue with studying and passing the exams just like everyone else, but...come on. I may have to plant a couple of dozen memory chips in my noggin. WOW!