Some total newbie questions regarding getting started

Hi everyone! I'm completely new to all of this, so don't beat me too hard

I work for a propane company dealing with cylinder deliveries only. I've been asked to get my class C cdl with hazmat to be able to drive our Ford F550 stake truck in case our main driver is out for any reason. After all the ridiculous crap fed to me by the secretary of state and their total ignorance on how to tell people they want it done vs. how their manual explains it, I've managed to get my temporary instruction permit. Later down the road when we move into home delivery stuff, they will send me to get schooling to obtain my class A for the bobtail. For now, I'm getting drive time with my boss.

I've tried finding answers, but I'm coming up short, probably because I am just not familiar with these things. So I have some questions.

1. What in the world do I need to cover for a pre-trip inspection? It's an automatic trans., has a 16 ft. bed with lift gate, and won't be pulling a trailer of any kind. Any tips would be nice too

2. What should I expect for a skills test in this thing? I don't know if anyone can help with this one, since I see many of you are tractor/trailer drivers.

It seems like I had another question, but after 5 minutes of pondering I still can't come up with it. I'll start with these and see where I end up. Thanks!

 

where ya located? that makes a difference. here in Texas the pre-trip is part of the written test, or at least it was when i took my tests (written and driving.)

 

Oh yeah...totally forgot about that. I'm in Michigan. The cdl manual only covers tractor/trailers. It is by no means written for anything except for those and busses. It's poorly written as well, which is why I've been left wondering what is really going on. Thanks guys

Edit: I also wanted to note that I don't have much faith in what our main driver says because I see that he never does any pre-trip besides checking his lights and kicking his tires on the trucks, nor does he do his books. I really don't want to be an idiot on the road especially with hazardous materials.

 

Your CDL handbook should be pretty much the same as every other state's, minus the foreword.

http://www.truckingtruth.com/pre-trip-inspection/study-guides/flash-cards.html

Some of the stuff listed there is specific to vehicles equipped with air brakes (air leaks, air pressure drop, etc.), but the remainder of it is applicable to any vehicle being driven on any class of CDL.

 

You may need to study general knowledge, mechanical, and air brake. It's over kill for what you're driving but all of the sections will be needed.

 

F550 has hydraulic brakes. Even if he does complete the air brake written test, he'll receive a "no air brakes" restriction unless he does a road test in a vehicle equipped with air brakes.

Clever play on words with your user name, by the way.

 

Does the F550 have a GVWR of over 26,000 pounds? If so, you'll need a Class B CDL.

You will need to pass the General knowledge test (which, if you have your permit, you did). You will need to take the Hazmat test, and while you're at it, might as well get the Tanker endorsement (very easy test) and get your "X" endorsement. Heck, if your state has a one-cost-up-front fee, take all the endorsements that you can. They might not be very useful on a Class C, but they'll be there when you get your Class A. (Yes, I had a doubles/triples endorsement on my Class B...)

As for the skills test, study the info for Buses. The pretrip will be pretty much the same for your stakebed, and the driving test will be about the same as it was for your regular car license. (Which happens to be a Class C noncommercial license...)

 

It's somewhere around 18,000 lbs.

 

I've taken my hazmat test already, so that already out of the way. I'd love to get my other endorsements now like you suggest, but we don't have an applicable vehicle to do so :/

I'll do some studying on the buses as you suggest, more info certainly cannot hurt. If the skills test is nearly the same as a regular license, I'll have no trouble at all.

There sure is a ton to know about ask this. Thanks so much guys. All the info is greatly appreciated