A CDL is required to operate any vehicle with a gross weight rating in excess of 26,000 pounds. free that emulate the knowledge test questions found on the state exams. You will be allowed three attempts to pass each exam and need only 80 percent correct to pass. One mistake students often make is getting hung up on a question and answering it wrong just to move on. Most states will allow you to skip a question, and if you get the others correct, you may not have to come back to answer it. If the answer is not immediately obvious, skip the question as you may find the answer later on in how another question is phrased on the test. There are no trick questions
Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!
on the test, but in the CDL exam wording is critical, especially during the air brake and hazardous materials exams.
NEXT STEPS
After you have obtained your CLP, you will need to be able to demonstrate that you can inspect and safely operate the vehicle. The first skill you will be tested on is the pre-trip inspection. This part will have many different steps that depend on the exact type and configuration of vehicle(s) you are testing with. As with the written test, language is critical to passing
the pre-trip inspection exam, especially the air brake portion. The air brake test is an automatic failure in every state if it is not performed perfectly. Spend time studying the different vehicle components, their names and functions. Some common things to note when inspecting a component, is that if it is metal, you will be looking for missing fasteners, illegal welds, cracks, rust or looseness. Rubber items (belts, hoses, electrical wiring) will be checked for cracks, frays, abrasions, loose connections, tension and missing hardware. Tires are checked for condition, cracks, tread depth, uneven wear and debris between the duals. While there is much more to the pre-trip than those items, these key words will help you use the proper words when inspecting your truck.
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AmericanTowman.com | August 2022 • 15