Another 'Dummies' question - Pre-Trip inspection for the CDL

If you learn the parts of the engine and the truck the.pre trip is nothing its like 150 things to remember but as long as you know the parts you will be fine.no need for a check list it will be.in your head. Learn parts do it over and over before you know it you wont need a truck. You will be able to.draw one.on paper

 

For a State CDL Skills test examination you will not be able to use any cheat sheets... other than that, use what you will.

 

I just finished CDL school and I was worried about the pretrip inspection as it was a lot of stuff to remember. Overwhelming at first, but I just used every spare moment I got and looked over the trucks at school and constantly went over it in my head. I wound up getting a perfect pretrip on my CDL test and did not even mean to! I even shot through it in about 10 minutes flat. Must have just picked it even more than I thought.lol
The main thing is, as you go over it again and again you will remember everything and will not need a checklist.

 

You ask this because you want to impress instructor, or he requires it?
Truth is you have a daily/triply (<--if thats a word lol?) Inspection report to fill out, and if done right you would check off everything on the list, whether you carry it with you, or fill it out when finished is up to you.

But honestly, once you know what your looking at, and done it successfully a few times is all you need.

Good Luck!

 

The rig itself is the check list. Take your time, stare at each part and you will remember what to say about it. The test involves verbalizing what you are seeing, but it is more than naming of parts. You must describe what you are looking for. Having said that, there are certain items you must not miss. Memorize a list of DOT required check points: steering parts and free play, low air warning, horns, wipers, washers, defroster, mirrors, emergency reflectors, mounted fire extinguisher, high and low beams, fifth wheel, security and distribution of load, and placards. That covers the pre-trip while the rig is parked before you start it up. You can see how easy it would be to forget the defroster on a summer day. Make three lists: engine area, interior, and exterior. Practice with another student. He or she holds the lists, not you.

 

In Ohio we could have a sheet with us that had all the areas listed. For exame tires, suspension, etc. It was part of the cdl manual and couldnt add anything to that. So for stare exam no. On your own use what you want.

 

Where are you located? In Texas it's just a written test. Nothing more.

 

Michigan lets you use a checklist