Posted 2016-05-25 7:07 PM (#167143) Subject: I need help with my pre trip, CDL
Expert
Posts: 1989 Location: South Central OK
Can someone, anyone point to a helpful list/video/grading sheet for the pre trip inspection part of the CDL test for a 350/450/550? Mr. Truck, I'm begging you and your truck guru pals to team up with a truck school and make a video for those of us stuck between the CDL regulation book, an examiner that wants us to ID parts on a semi tractor (that aren't on our pick-ups) and the very real threat of huge fines for being pulled over with our horse trailers for not having proper licensure. I'm really trying to do the right thing but failed my first pre trip because I did not ID parts that WERE NOT ON MY TRUCK, my examiner told me to just point and talk like they were there. Examples include oil bath hubs and belts that don't exist, my truck has a single serpentine belt. My examiner even told me I closed my hood wrong and then couldn't close it himself. I almost put my southern charm in my pocket and blessed his heart in front of the other truckers! Please help! I meeting with a very high ranking official tomorrow for help with this matter and if goes south I'm going to have to park my rig on the lawn of my US Congressman until he calls me back. If I go to jail just know I'll miss you guys!
Posted 2016-05-25 11:37 PM (#167144 - in reply to #167143) Subject: RE: I need help with my pre trip, CDL
Expert
Posts: 2958 Location: North Carolina
Have you gotten one of these ? Section 2.1 is about the vehicle inspection. Have someone point out the various parts, alternator, steering pump (if your truck has one)etc.http://www.dps.state.ok.us/dls/pub/CMVDM.pdf
Posted 2016-05-26 7:12 AM (#167145 - in reply to #167143) Subject: RE: I need help with my pre trip, CDL
Expert
Posts: 1989 Location: South Central OK
The 160 page handout is always not in stock at the local office. The higher-up is bringing one down today and I've printed one out at work. Our trucks are so packed full you can't see 60% of anything, the 2016 and 2017 are worse. There is not a problem with my basic knowledge is the EXACT wording in order for those boxes to be checked so I get credit. I'm taking a test and I don't know how it's scored, if that makes sense. I also have a fundamental problem with rattling off a 40 minute speech that means nothing and about things that are not on my truck. If this is what it takes so be it, but I would like some real help doing this the right way...heck I'd take the wrong way about now!
Posted 2016-05-26 8:23 AM (#167146 - in reply to #167143) Subject: RE: I need help with my pre trip, CDL
Elite Veteran
Posts: 804 Location: Tenn/Ala.
When I took my test many moons ago (in a F-350 with a 18' livestock trailer) my examiner treated the truck like it was. His one condition is that I had to have a 5th wheel hookup, not a gooseneck, as he said his book clearly called for a fifth wheel connection. So we used a B&W Companion. But as to pre-trip, he used the same basic parts like you mention, but he adapted them to a 1 ton. We looked for rust on a wheel, indicating loose lug nuts. He made me crawl under the truck and touch the spring, as I mentioned looking for a crack. Same with brake hoses. Same with frame. And so on. His instructions to me were basically, "inspect the truck and trailer thoroughly- but I need to see you touch each piece and tell me what you are looking for." As a Certified Master Truck Mechanic at the time, I will tell you the hardest part for me was remembering each piece on his checksheet because he would not allow me to use paper. All had to be from memory, and I forgot to list the leaf spring....:)
Yes- I understand where you are coming from. And being told that being found operating a Commercial Motor Vehicle without a CDL is a mandatory 30 day jail term ensured I jumped through the hoops. I've said for years that somewhere or somehow we needed to be able to address this situation of being bigger than a car, but not a 80,000# truck. But I haven't apparently figured out the proper place to broach it. Hang in there- the peace of mind of knowing you will be clear with an officer is worth it in my mind. And I admit, I did learn a lot by studying for and taking the test.
Posted 2016-05-26 8:27 AM (#167147 - in reply to #167143) Subject: RE: I need help with my pre trip, CDL
Elite Veteran
Posts: 804 Location: Tenn/Ala.
Huntseat- Another point in your meeting tomorrow- rather than taking the onus of having to comply with Class 8 truck terms, what if you argue that since your class 4 truck (or whatever we are) falls within the requirements the state deems to need a CDL, that the examiner and the test need to be reflective of this situation and equipment? Maybe the legislation and procedure are flawed, not you?The FAA doesn't give everyone a test on a 747.
Posted 2016-05-26 11:53 AM (#167148 - in reply to #167143) Subject: RE: safty hitch system
Veteran
Posts: 185 Location: riverside ca
I am in the process of getting my cdl as well, dont waste your time on youtube videos, go to the Commercial DMV and find one of the guys who works for a truck school and ask them to help you for a couple of dollars.
The issue I ran into, is that state to state the tests are very different, even stuff like the air brake test, I did it by one of the Videos i saw put out by a trucking school, practiced 3 times at home. and failed because the dmv wanted me to demonstrate the cut in differently. and again on your outside visual inspection, the just want you to name stuff and the numbers.
From what i have seen you test is basically a list of works with check marks, if you say enough of them correctly, even stupid stuff like illegal stickers vs stickers, and my seatbelt is not cut or frayed instead of my seatbelt is in good condition get you points marked off.
Posted 2016-05-26 3:20 PM (#167151 - in reply to #167143) Subject: RE: I need help with my pre trip, CDL
Expert
Posts: 3853 Location: Vermont
When you do you pre-check...VERBALIZE everything you are going to check...like at the engine compartment...say check fluids, oil belts, etc...I start of the driver's side engine compartment and then go clockwise around the truck...:)
Posted 2016-05-28 9:16 AM (#167168 - in reply to #167149) Subject: RE: safty hitch system
Elite Veteran
Posts: 804 Location: Tenn/Ala.
Originally written by HOUSE on 2016-05-26 11:54 AM
RTsmith, when i showed up for my test they look at he GVWR, the trailer has to be over 10K and i am not sure what the truck needs to be (mine is 54K)
Yes, mine did too. Trailer had to be 10,001# or up, and GVWRs added together over 26,000. Now this was years ago, and like Huntseat sees, my guy was a "you need a big truck". I came back with "you tell me this needs a CDL, so why can't I drive it?" He finally agreed that as long as I would use a 5th wheel, he would test me. He was insistent on a true fifth wheel plate connection, not just the concept like a gooseneck ball uses. May be no longer an issue on the actual hitch part.
Posted 2016-06-02 11:04 AM (#167218 - in reply to #167143) Subject: RE: I need help with my pre trip, CDL
Regular
Posts: 51
We have a recycle place use our scale and I would like to know how all these foreign drivers that can't even speak English get CDL's. I have had a CDL for 41 years and I bet that 99.99% of over the road guys can't pass a pre-trip at the DMV.
Posted 2016-06-02 1:30 PM (#167219 - in reply to #167218) Subject: RE: I need help with my pre trip, CDL
Expert
Posts: 3853 Location: Vermont
Originally written by BS Hauler on 2016-06-02 2:04 PM
We have a recycle place use our scale and I would like to know how all these foreign drivers that can't even speak English get CDL's. I have had a CDL for 41 years and I bet that 99.99% of over the road guys can't pass a pre-trip at the DMV.
I need help with my pre trip, CDL
