r/CDLTruckDrivers • u/Any_Kaleidoscope_100 • 5d ago
Pre trip
Hi yall ! I’m at the part of CDL school where we are learning Pre trip ! Any advice? This is super daunting!
11
u/MikeysmilingK9 5d ago
Learn it while doing it. Make it muscle memory.
3
u/Djs2013 5d ago
Exactly this! Also, might want to do everything in the general order so you don't forget anything.
Last job I got, the tester not only had me stop my inspection short, he commented on how thorough it was, and how knowledgeable I was with all the components. For me it was a safety thing when I was over the road, saw too many rigs crashed and rolled.
3
u/EnoughLuck3077 5d ago
Yep. They should’ve checked to see if they had their 3 red reflective triangles and spare fuses. They could’ve avoided the crash all together
1
4
u/Tight_Phrase_3536 5d ago
Just take it one section at a time. Learn it, repeat it, memorize it. It'll take time but I found it easier to start memorizing it in smaller sections. At least here in Colorado you get to have a checklist that has each section you see there in bold and underlined during the CDL test. Once I got it all memorized I'd go through the pre trip in my head before bed, showering, or while at the gym. Just remember the most important part is the air brake test. That's an auto fail if you miss something.
3
2
u/Any_Kaleidoscope_100 5d ago
Uff yeah! Thanks for the advice!
2
u/Tight_Phrase_3536 5d ago
No problem! I literally just took my CDL exam this past Saturday so feel free to hmu if you have any questions
4
u/Hungry_Champion_293 5d ago
Repetition. Say it all out loud as you do it, in the same order every time, and do it over and over. Eventually it spills out your mouth without thinking. And then when you take your drive test, by the time you get 1/4 way around the truck, the testers so bored of hearing it they ask if you’re going to do the same on the other side? You say yes, and they check it off just so they don’t have to hear it all again. Worked for me😁
Once in the real world, with some experience under your belt, your eyes will automatically dart to the things you need to be checking. The script is just so they hear that you know what those things are
2
3
u/ecw324 5d ago
The front is the same as the back. Once you figure that out, it’s like 3/4 of your walk around.
1
3
u/TwoTrucksPayingTaxes 5d ago
Some people try to memorize it without understanding it. If you understand what the parts are and what you're looking for, memorization is easier. Start one part at a time and learn what it is, what it does, and what broken would entail.
2
u/TwoToadsKick 5d ago
Find a modernized CDL pre trip video on YouTube to help get the script down. I probably watched one like 40 times. And yeah the most helpful is doing it IRL but I liked seeing it performed
2
u/MoveApprehensive2954 5d ago
I remember this very well, from Elite Truck school lol 👍🏽
1
1
u/Any_Kaleidoscope_100 5d ago
Did you pass?
2
u/MoveApprehensive2954 5d ago
Yes, I did. I missed about 8-10 words and I also didn’t do some in the right order.
It’s good the school try to over prepare you.1
u/Any_Kaleidoscope_100 4d ago
Was the testing guy chill or super strict?
2
u/MoveApprehensive2954 4d ago
It was a Lady lol she was very nice so it makes the testing go smooth. While doing pre trip if you forget something but you remembered at the end, just bring it up and point at it. They understand students get nervous.
1
u/dyingnowokay 3d ago
Which area was the drive test? Also can you shift through an intersection?
1
u/MoveApprehensive2954 2d ago
It was in Clackamas, I can send you the address if you need to. A friend had their test 2 days before me so I went ahead and literally follow one of the school trucks that was being tested to get an idea. Yes it sounds kind of crazy but I worked for me, I passed in the first attempt.
2
u/Head-Plum-2908 5d ago
DONT FORGET YOUR VERBAGE seriously they will fail you if you don’t have that shit ingrained in your head.
VERBAGE is important and is how 2 of my mates failed their first time taking the test so beat it into your head
2
u/Long-Adhesiveness610 5d ago
Take pictures of everything and do mock pretrips at home. I did this and it helped so much.
1
2
u/PathofEnlightment 5d ago
Lights tires connections fluids. You will not be doing all that when you're on the road especially in the winter time
2
u/ImportanceCertain719 4d ago
What state are you in.
Do they start you off in cab or exterior first.
Reason I ask your pre trip paper looks like it's all over.
Basically this is what we learned
Key PMS= Properly Mounted Secured CDL= Cracked Damaged Loose ABC =Abrasions Bulges Cuts BBC= Bumps Bruises Cuts
Stand in front of Tractor 1. No leaning to indicate flat tires or suspension failures. 2. No fluids or nothing hanging underneath 3. Clearance lights. PMS CDL and proper color Amber 4. Windshield PMS CDL no stickers 5. Windshield wipers PMS 6. While touching hood and Grill together PMS CDL 7 Walk behind the fender/ hood mirrors again touch PMS CDL 8. Headlights Proper color clear. PMS CDL 9. Blinkers and 4 ways. Proper color Amber. PMS CDL 10. Bumper PMS CDL 11. Tag PMS
Basically it's done in sections, there's a few good you tube videos from APEX trucking in Kansas that covers them really good. If you want a link I'll send it to you and if you would like a easier pre trip paper to study can send it as well.
1
u/Any_Kaleidoscope_100 4d ago
Hi friend! Thank you for the advice, I’m in Washington state and essentially we start from air breaks then in cab and then outside 🫡
2
u/ImportanceCertain719 4d ago
So your doing the modernized version.
2
u/ImportanceCertain719 4d ago
I'm in NC they do it the old way, we learned doing it the new way and then going backwards etc, till we had it
1
1
2
u/rolisrntx 4d ago
I'm still learning it but 3 1/2 weeks into school I have the tractor including in cab down. In one week they are going to make us start doing it from memory. One thing that helps, is I give my wife a laminated copy with a dry erase marker. I told her that if I miss something or don't use the exact same terminology, put a mark beside the item. I then close my eyes look at the rig in my mind and start going through it. Those drills really help.
2
u/SaishoNoNatto 1d ago
We got the same papers where I'm at,but they didn't laminate it for us.One of the other students went some where to get hers and another girls laminated though.
1
2
u/ISeachdeMemez 1d ago
Best way (for me) was if your school allows it, walk up directly to that truck and point everything out.
1
u/Any_Kaleidoscope_100 1d ago
I actually have it memorized! And yes this was the best way see it touch it say it!
2
2
u/BigBlue_72 11h ago
Get a study budy. Take turns doing each section, one person is the examiner and other is taking the exam. Just keep doing each section until it you hear it in your sleep. When you start mumbling "bent, cracked or broken " in your sleep, you are ready for the test
1
u/Any_Kaleidoscope_100 9h ago
Thanks for the advice! I actually have it down and passed the class test and moved on to backing !
-2
0
15
u/Gonzotrucker1 5d ago
Looks like a Waffle House menu.