CA DMV Applied Brakes Test

You have a sensible order, though I would still use wheel chocks even if you leave it in gear.

 

1. Put truck in gear
2. Shut truck off
3 release park and emergency
4 wait for gauges to settle
5. Apply brakes with steady even pressure
6. Wait for gauges to settle
7 time air loss rate.

DO NOT EVER REPEAT EVER PUT YOUR FOOT ON THAT BRAKE PEDAL WHEN THE PARK OR EMERGENCY BRAKE IS SET! Screw up a set of brakes and pay a professional to fix it because the safety mechanism doesnt work that is supposed to keep the combination of the spring brake force and the air pressure from damaging your brakes.

The chock block isn't needed but a good idea. I don't care for rubber or metal chock blocks. I have a couple 4x4s that are 45d they don't crush like chock blocks. Take a few screws screw them about half way in cut them off and then you have teeth to dig into dirt or concrete to keep them from sliding. Works believe it or not and you won't crush wood I have crushed rubber chock blocks.

 

correct

This sentence exists because "yes" and "correct" are too short for the ttr forum.

 

You should follow what is in the manual when you do the testing. The manual doesn't teach putting the truck in gear. That's a bad habit to get into because many forget and try to start the truck in gear. Then you find the drivetrain fighting the brakes which puts undue strain on many parts. That or someone accidently knocks out of gear crawling around the truck. When the buttons are out the brakes are applied. If the buttons are in during testing you rely on the chocks. The examiner is trained by the same manual which is pretty much universal in all states. The page numbers and chapters are even the same. Show the examiner what he wants to see or hear which is what's in the manual. At many schools your examiner is a 3rd party examiner which is probably one of your instructors.

First you should be on flat ground at a school. You know you are going to do your brake test and pti. So go ahead and chock your wheels first thing. You are going to use what ever the school gives you. Rubber chocks are safe unless someone has deliberately drove over them repeatedly in the past. You will use rubber chocks throughout your career at most customers. If they are wore you get you a new pair. If they weren't safe OSHA wouldn't allow them.

I say demonstrate below because many of the test you can verbally tell the examiner what to do and you don't actually have to do it if he says okay because he understands you know the right process. There is no set order on the test just as long as you demonstrate them.

Hopefully when you get in the truck you still have air in the tanks if it ain't a worn out piece of junk.
Turn your key on but do not start it.
Push your buttons in
Fan the brake pedal so the air pressure drops
Demonstrate the alarm comes on at 60 psi
Demonstrate the parking brake button pops out between 20-40 psi, stop fanning. (yes what 379exhd says about the warning but many of your new trucks are now protected with a safety bypass valve).

Now double check your buttons are out, truck in neutral, start it up and let it idle and build pressure. There is no need to be using the clutch unnecessarily. Your truck has a dual air system (primary and secondary, two air gauges or two needles).
Demonstrate the air pressure builds from 85 to 100 psi within 45 seconds.
continue on and demonstrate the compressor kicks off around 125 psi
Turn the engine off
Demonstrate air leakage rate, (Static Leakage Test), push the yellow button in, pressure shouldn't drop more than 3 psi in 1 minute, (Applied Leakage Test)then push down on the brake pedal, pressure should not drop more than 4 psi in 1 minute.

Inside brake test complete. If you want to stick it in gear before you shut down but it won't make or break your test. I think it's a good habit to leave it in neutral. Across your career you'll learn habits and do many of them without much thought.

Before you get out go ahead and go over the inside pti with the examiner. Again some make you demonstrate, some you just tell what you do.

Next put that key in your pocket!!! Automatic fail if you don't before your outside pti.

Good luck! It's really not that hard. It's harder on paper than actually doing it.

 

Congrats! what school did you go to?