Last Update 11/02/2007 

FL DMV CDL Testing - T 34 Pre-Trip Inspection – Vehicle Control Skills – On Road Driving

External – Internal – All tests include engine start, in cab inspection and inspection of the coupling system.

Test may require an inspection of the entire vehicle or only a portion which will be explained by the examiner.

11.1 - All Vehicles

Show that vehicle is safe. You may have to walk around and touch each part explaining to the examiner what you are looking for.

Identify each part of the Cat C-13 and tell the examiner what you are looking for. 

11.1.1- Engine Compartment (Engine Off)

 Leaks / Hoses –puddles, globs, leaks, cracks,

Oil Level – dipstick – level mark  

Coolant – reservoir, full,

Power Steering – dipstick, full mark

All Belts  - Steering, Alternator, water pump, air compressor or gear driven components. Tell the examiner what is not belt driven.

Depress Clutch - Select Neutral - Start Engine -  Modern trucks have computerized  personalities so deal with it. 

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11.1.2 - Cab Check / Engine Start

Start Engine

Air Pressure - 85 psi in 3 mins - then complete fill and relieve pressure over 120 psi

Oil Pressure - check psi - idle - operating

All Temp Gauges - check - climbing normally ? No warnings

Ammeter / Voltmeter - check output ?

Mirrors and Windshield - adj mirrors - windshield check - cracks - illegal stickers

Emergency Equipment – triangles – fire extinguisher – vehicles not equipped with fuses - Must tell examiner

Steering Play – no > 2 inch / 20 inch wheel or 10 degrees

Wipers / Washers – all working – blades – no damage

Lighting Indicators – Control In Dash – L / R turn signal – 4 Ways – High / Low beam

Horn - works

Heater / Defroster – both operable

Parking brake check – engage and pull slightly against it 

Air Brake Check – with engine running - build pressure to 100-125 psi

Shut off engine – chock wheels – release parking brake

Fully apply foot brake – and hold for 1 minute – no > 4 psi air loss allowed per minute for combo's

Begin fanning off pressure – low psi should activate before air drops below 60 psi

Continue fanning off air, parking brake should until valve (activates or pops out) at 40 psi

Safety Belt – latched, adjusts and properly mounted

Lights / Reflectors – check all external lights  ,reflective equipment – clean – functional

Clearance lights (Red on rear) Amber elsewhere

Headlights – high & low beams

Taillights - working - clean

Turn Signals - check separately

Four Way Flashers - check separately

Brake Lights - check separately

Reflectors - Red on rear – Amber Elsewhere  

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11.2 - External Inspection – Tractor

11.2.1 - Steering 

Steering Box / Hoses– securely mounted - hoses – no leaks – no missing nuts, bolts, cotter keys

Steering Linkage – connecting link arms / rods not cracked – joints / sockets - no missing nuts, bolts, cotter keys

11.2.2 - Suspension

Springs / Air / Torque

Springs – missing – shifted – cracked – broken leaf springs

Mounts – cracked or broken spring hangers – damaged bushings – broken or missing bolts

Shock Absorbers – secured – no leaks 

11.2.3 - Brakes / Slack Adjusters

Slack Adjusters – broken – loose or missing parts – should not move >1 inch when pulled on.

Brake Chambers – not leaking – cracked – dented – mounted secure

Brake Hoses / lines – cracked – worn – leaking - couplings

Drum Brake – cracks – dents – holes – loose / missing bolts

Brake Linings – thin – no oil - leaks

11.2.4 - Wheels

Rims – no cracks - bent or  welded

Tires – 4/32F 2/32R – properly inflated – thump test – tread – even wear – proper size – no mixing bias ply w radial

Hub Oil – fill level – grease seal and axle seals w no leaks -

Lug Nuts –present – no cracks - tight – no rust – no shiny threads

Spacers -

Side of Vehicle

Doors - no damage – open & close – hinges – seals intact

Mirrors – operational, no damage, loose hardware – mounted secure

Fuel Tanks – no leaks from tanks or lines – caps tight

Battery Box – secure – connections tight – cell caps present - no corrosion – cover / door secure

Drive Shaft – bent, cracked, nothing wound up in it,

Exhaust System – no leaks, soot or rust – mounted secure – tight connections

Frame – no cracks, broken welds, damage, holes – cross members –

Tandem release arm –arm secured – locks - pins

Van - tears  - damage - floors

Rear of Vehicle

Splash Guards

Doors, ties, lifts, seals

Tractor Couplings

Air / Electric Lines

Catwalk

Mounting Bolts

Locking Jaws

Platform (Fifth Wheel)

Release Arm / Safety Latch (Fifth Wheel)

Kingpin / Apron / Gap

Locking Pins – sliding fifth wheel, air leaks, pins fully engaged

Fifth Wheel - positioned properly so the frame does not hit the landing gear while turning

Trailer

Trailer – Front

Check air connections – seated ok – good condition – glad hands locked-

Check electrical plug – firmly seated – locked in place - no chafing – no wires showing

Structural Condition – nose, top damage , bulges ,rips ,tears

Trailer - Side 

Landing Gear – fully raised – no missing parts – handle secured

Doors / Ties / Lifts –open & close – secure –retract lift and lock it in.

Frame – cracks, broken welds, holes, damage, cross members, floors

Tandem Release arm / Locking Pins

Remainder of Trailer

Wheels – cracks, damaged or bent, no welded repairs,

Suspension – missing springs, shifted, cracked or broken leaf springs

Brakes – slack adjusters – broken, loose – missing parts, rod should not move >1 inch

Doors, ties – open & close, secure

Rear of Trailer

Rear Doors – hinges, latch, lock, seal

Splash guard – mounted correctly – no damage

Driving Exercises

Straight Line backing – Alley Dock – L & R Offset Backing – L & R Parallel Parking  

On Road Driving

Turns – check traffic in all directions – use turn signals and safely change lanes

slow down smoothly in proper gear – select proper gear - do not coast in gear or neutral

Intersections

Urban / Rural

Expressway

Stop / Start

Curves

Railroad Crossing

Bridge / Overpass / Signs

Clutch Usage

Gear Usage

Brakes Usage

Lane Usage

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