Do CDL schools and your carriers allow you to use a pre trip cheat sheet?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Blinkers22, Mar 20, 2026.

  1. Blinkers22

    Blinkers22 Light Load Member

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    Finally got my permit, I do have to go back to get my endorsements want to do that before heading off to school. Been having major problems remembering the pre trip even after watching hours of videos and studying almost full time. I can't recite back any of the pre trip without using a checklist. I was wondering if during your final pre trip test before getting your cdl do schools allow you to look over a cheat sheet? Same with carriers during training like melton do they allow cheat sheets? When I say cheat sheets I'm kinda referring to a check list not something you can recite word for word.
     
    Last edited: Mar 20, 2026
    lual Thanks this.
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  3. Big Road Skateboard

    Big Road Skateboard Road Train Member

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    Will your mind allow you to look in the mirrors before changing lanes?
     
  4. Blinkers22

    Blinkers22 Light Load Member

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    ? I mean going over all the parts etc
     
  5. Numb

    Numb Crusty Curmudgeon

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    do you know the parts of a truck without looking at a list??

    what I did was name everything I recognized and why I looked at it. lol like lugs nuts , loose ect.

    frame bolts, loose, pig tail, no chaffing.

    just walked around the truck saying I'm checking EVERYTHING! lol.
     
    TripleSix Thanks this.
  6. Opus

    Opus Road Train Member

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    They will in ga.
     
  7. Blinkers22

    Blinkers22 Light Load Member

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    For the most part it, comes down to reciting it out loud I freeze up and can’t do it. Don’t have access to a truck in person best I can do is watch videos or find diagrams online. Just trying to learn as much as possible before going to school since I have to rent a hotel car etc so just trying to limit my time spent.
     
  8. BrothaTrucka513

    BrothaTrucka513 Medium Load Member

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    Break the Pre-Trip Inspection into 5 section
    (Engine Compartment, Inside Cab, Rear of Cab, Exterior Light and Trailer) and memorize each section day by day. Record voice clips of you reciting each section verbatim and play it back over & over til you've memorized the verbiage that describes each component in the subsection.
    Watch PreTrip vids and take PreTrip Tests on CristCDL website

    2026 Georgia Pretrip CDL Practice Test 1
     
    Last edited: Mar 20, 2026
    tscottme Thanks this.
  9. Blinkers22

    Blinkers22 Light Load Member

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    Thanks I’ve been passing all the practice tests on the pre trip but for some reason unable to recite it back without the questions in front of me guess I have way more studying to do.
     
  10. tscottme

    tscottme Road Train Member

    https://www.classaleasing.net/wp-co...DATED-2025-Pre-Trip-Checklist-Answer-Key-.pdf

    Use the truck as a cheat sheet.
    Do it the same way every time and you will be able to do it in your sleep. On test day you typically do the cab PTI, and then 1 or 2 areas outside of the tractor cab, not everything on every area.

    You want to remember the stock phrases as one phrase, not several words in the right order. "not Bent, damaged, corroded" becomes one word eventually

    I recommend this YouTube Video.
     
    Truckermania, lual and Blinkers22 Thank this.
  11. Blinkers22

    Blinkers22 Light Load Member

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    Thank you always appreciate the help.
     
    tscottme Thanks this.
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