having a tough issue on studying for my cdl .

When you start driving nothing and I mean nothing is like school. The real world is so very different. And if you do need to remember something dont worry you will.

 

FWIW, I think the whole CDL training manual is poorly written. From digging around online I believe that the bulk of the text is the same between most states, I may be wrong though. The hazmat and air brake sections were the worst, I thought. This is most likely because these are the most info-intensive sections so flaws were more evident. There are paragraphs in the hazmat chapter that either contradict another section of the same chapter, or reference info that is not given. I had to read the air brake section many times as well. It has the feel of being written by someone who basically knows what he is talking about but who is lacking in teaching skills. Patty is right-a 10 minute hands-on tutorial under a truck is what everyone needs. I studied hard and the guy at DMV said that he never saw anyone test for all the endorsements as quickly as I did, so it paid off. Now, here is another FWIW---I have been tinkering with stuff my whole life, fairly mechanical, have read many tech manuals in the military, read graduate-level textbooks in college and since, and communicate well both verbally and in text. And in my humble opinion the cdl manual leaves much to desired. Not in terms of content but rather in the presenting of the knowledge.
So don't feel too bad, OP.

 

Do you know how hydraulic brakes work on a car?

 

I'm sorry if this offends anyone but these manuals are made for people who can't comprehend things. The entire CDL system is too simple and leaves out a lot which should be included to become licensed.

I am looking at the air brake section right now and it is really simple - from the descriptions of the components to the way everything works.

If you have problems with specifics, post your questions.

Again not to offend anyone.

 

I don't know if these last two comments were directed at me but I will answer. Yes I am familiar with juice brakes. I think where the manual could do better is with the brake chambers themselves, which to me appear to be the brains of an air brake system. The manual does not mention how one operates, so you have to kinda pick up on it. Just a roundabout feel to the info, I guess that is my beef. I agree with ridgeline, there should be a lot more technical knowledge tested. I have driven air brake straight trucks before, and giant dump trucks with the tranny juice brake, which are awesome. But I cant wait to get under my first 18 wheeler and check it out. Absolutely the most important part of a truck, the brakes.

 

When you take the test what ever you do use the Skip Button if needed. I saw lots fail cause they did not want to skip a question. Thing is you may pass and never get back to that question. Real life and real drivers will be were your real training is at.

 

Depending on how deeply you want to go into understanding air brakes, I think the best resource is : http://bendix.com They have links to their YouTube videos,online courses etc.They even have a traveling school that trains truck mechanics. The bendix air brake manual is on that site somewhere and is also excellent.

 

just want to say that a mechanical back ground will help you and a lot of common sense too