How many fail their pre-trip on the CDL test?

I read that some states don't require retaking the entire skills test if say you pass the pre-trip and basic manouvers, but end up failing the road test. You would only have to retake the road test.

 

My examiner, back in 1997 told me that he was taking off 5 points for floating the gears one time and as long as I didn't grind the gears he would take no more off. I didn't lose anymore points for floating.

As far as the pre-trip portion of the test goes it truly all depends upon the examiner just like the skills portion. My pre-trip test was very involved having to name all the parts and what I was checking them for and why. My wife took her class B test in 2009 and her pre-trip was no where near as involved nor specific as mine was. We tested at different locations with different examiners. I helped her "study" for her pre-trip test with my old form and she had it down pat, until test time. She started off explaining everything to check for like I had to and the examiner kept telling her this and that weren't even part of the test. After becoming a bit flustered because of all she did not have to name she regained her composure and passed. The school I attended made us do complete pre-trips, by the book everyday of the 6 weeks we were outside the classroom, it ate up a lot of time, but I'm glad we did as were all the other folks in my class because every one of us passed first try and only one failed the skills portion because they just couldn't get the parallel parking part and coasted through an intersection.

Another note, where she tested, Trainco, would not pass anyone bringing their own truck. If one rented their (Trainco) class B truck they almost always passed barring any egregious violations. My wife trained through her company's advancement program as did 6-7 other guys. All the guys who took the company truck to the test failed, there were 5 of them, my wife and one other guy rented Trainco's truck and passed.

 

When I tested (back in 08) I remember seeing a group of 3 from a truck driving school, and they told me that this was their 2nd time testing because NONE of them made it out the parking lot the first time(they missed SOME part of the Pretrip)

I was real nervous because I had already been forewarned: "ALOT of people don't even get to drive"
so I was overly nervous doing my Pretrip and air brake test.......

By the time it was time to actually DRIVE, I was actually relaxed and we started conversing as I drove and she told me that about half of the testers don't make it out the lot to road test the first time.

I was told ahead of time that I will be docked points if I don't use the clutch but: "I WON'T FAIL"....... Once she told me that I drove that particular truck like I always do: floated, and passed on the 1st shot.

main key is to TRY and RELAX.

 

I failed the pre-trip portion of my DZ/Class B back when I first tried. The thing is I didn't go to school to learn, I just read the handbook, watched YouTube videos and got a week driving a dump truck with a 10 speed before I went. In hindsight I knew almost nothing when I went for the test and foolishly I had asked some older AZ/Class A drivers what I would need to know about the braking systems (stroke adjustment limits, how to measure, etc) and they had told me I didn't really need to know that stuff. Wowzers. I barely studied for that portion of the test, and that's where I failed. Seems ridiculous now, lol.

Studied hard for another week, went back and passed the pre-trip and road test with flying colours. I was floating gears because I wasn't taught double clutching. It was raining that day so after about 1/4 through the walk-around he said I knew what I was talking about, and that we could move on to the brake portion of the test. He climbed in the cab and didn't watch me manually verify the brakes were within the limits, he just took my word for it so long as I was verbally announcing my measurements. We only did one brake chamber too. The entire test took about 35 minutes.

 

Same with Illinois, You get 3 chance on every part of the exam and if you wont finish then wait 30 days to "reset" and start again.
Just failed today my trip for the second time...finished school (160 hours total, 100 class room pre trip, 20 observation, 20 skills at the yard and 20 road).
to begin with my school suck big time, you learn everything on Your own simply because instructors don't give a rats ### but anyways.
Actual exam at my schools yard on Mondays is a pure madness and a joke...first time i failed pre trip because of my nerves finally got me. Examiners are constantly yelling at You threatening they will fail you right on the spot etc. My second pre trip like the first one was inside the vehicle with examiner (old grumpy #####). He was grilling me good 45 minutes, all break tests (each just talking step by step from scratch), suspension, steering system, air system, front and tail lights, air hoses, all mixed up just to get me to fail.
Finally when he asked me about rear tires i told him everything with condition, depth threat, recaps OK etc and i failed to say 3 inched between tires. that was a fail. I was 100% sure i got it this time and will finally be able to take skills and road and get it over with (i quit my job recently to be able to finish it all and get my CDL, been at school since may). Supposedly according to my examiner also failed to mention while talking about Electrical low air pressure warning device test i missed word "air".
I get highest scores on evaluation by instructors i know how to pull the semi forward (points), back up in straight line, right hand turn around cone (points) and set up at 45 degrees and back up into 12 feet wide box, also drive on the public road without problems whatsoever, double clutching, up shifting, down shifting turns and what not on public road, yet can't get to any of it because I'm "stuck" at not being able to pass pre trip somehow.
Every Sunday before test day (monday) every student has to pass skills at the yard with instructors to be even able to let them to take skills the next day. Yet can't get to it because of the #### pre trip which i know but can't pass somehow.
Problem is, examiners are total pricks and they are not there to test you, their purpose there is to fail you any way they can.
Seriously right now I'm at the point where i want to drop the school all together and go for tests through local DMV that does CDL testing.
I love driving and i know what driving commercial vehicle is all about but this is so discouraging.
School wants me to do another shot (3rd try) next monday the 29th but at this point I'm seriously in doubt i will pass this time and then will have to wait 30 days before being able to try again.
Today for example only 2 out of 11 guys passed the pre trip, its pure madness around here. I'm 40 year old grown up man with family to support and without single speeding ticket ever and not able to get CDL i was studying for since may.

 

Dronek75, does your school use a 3rd party for inspectors or state inspectors for the final testing? It sounds like 3rd party and if so wonder if the state knows how they are testing? My school uses state inspectors.

I started school back in July and grad day was Dec. 19th. I took my state test back on Dec. 6th and passed everything the first time.
For the PTI I had to name everything under hood/front/left side/back when I got to the right side was told to name what was different than the left side.
Air leak test shortly after the first loss of air he asked "did psi drop any more" so did not have to wait the full min. for each test.

Think most in my school pass the PTI. Have heard of 1 or 2 fail the D&H but most fail maneuvers in the yard and some on the road like going too slow on the high way (30 mph in 55 mph area).

All I can say to others is do D&H and PTI every day as my school made us do. When I could not sleep at night I would run thru brake test & PTI in my head.
Come test day get there early to run thru what you may be weak on before the test and relax.
Dave ----

 

Does that work for the Washington state pre trip inspection. I do know that other states have different standards in order to pass.

 

We are all nervous when you do the pre trip for the 1st time...I failed on the Alley dock, but then aced it the 2nd time !! Just keep practicing...you'll get it !

 

Start truck turn on lights and flashers. Look in mirrors to make sure all are working. Then hit the road. If it's daytime just check when it gets dark. sadly this how I see most drivers do it now.