Studying for my CDL permit...

It is a lot to absorb, but after a little while you will become more comfortable with the equipment, and also understand what some of the things actually do. I knew NOTHING about trucks and had no clue what anything was called. I have been driving for 7 years now, but I can tell you that I was terrified of the pretrip too. Just breathe, take it easy and it will be all right.

 

Studying the way your are, you'll do just fine.

Yes, there is so much to take in. It can be overwhelming!

But it sounds like you have a good head on your shoulders.
Just study one section at a time...let it sink in, then go back and answer the questions from each section, and you'll see if you have any weak points.

You'll get more confident in class when subjects come up that you've already covered at home. You'll be ahead, so breathe easy!

Good Luck!

 

After talking to a guy I work with who has His class a cdl. When he did his pretrip he did it perfectly but failed the instructor said you did everthing you needed to do but you did not say a word what the instructor wanted was for him to say what you were checking and why.

IE I am checking the shock I can see that it is securly mounted it is not dented it has no cracks. And so on He preety much told me do whats on the pretrip list you carry it with you and talk slowly and sound like you are almost stupied that what the instructors want to here

 

Even tho I had drove trucks all of my life,when it came time to officially go over the road I had to attend a driving school.The pretrip was kinda hard at first,but we went thru it so many times that I could do it blindfolded and get it right every time.Thats been many years ago,and I think I could still ace it the first time thru.

 

the way my instructor taught the pretrip "jargon" was as follows: if it is made of metal and bolted, it is PMS, or Properly Mounted and Secure, no cracks or missing nuts or bolts. if it was made of rubber (I.E. brake air line, radiator hoses) it was not CDL or Not Cracked, Damaged or Leaking.

you have to be specific and call out the name of the part you are checking and what you are checking for. the shocks, for example, would be checked for gas leaks or any visible damage to the body, make sure the shaft isn't bent and make sure that the mounting bolts and nuts are there with the cotter pins intact. id throw in that the bushings are intact and not cracked or missing as well.

if you forget something then you remember what you forgot, you can go back and cover what you omitted.