PREPARING
DRIVERS FOR
CDL
SKILL TESTING
INSERVICE 2008-2009
CDL Guide
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Use the most current CDL guide
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Access online at dol.gov

Call DOL at 360-902-3900 to
order guides.

Allow a couple weeks
for delivery.
Front of vehicle
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Clearance lights (Red in back, Amber
everywhere else)
School Bus lights (flashing amber
lights, flashing red lights, stop paddle
lights)
4 way hazard lights
Left and Right turn signals
Head lights (low-beams, high-beams)
Reflectors (Amber in front, Red in
rear, not broken or damaged)
Reflective tape (not peeling, damaged
or frayed)
Rear of vehicle
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Clearance lights (Red in back, Amber
everywhere else)
School Bus lights (flashing amber
lights, flashing red lights, stop paddle
lights)
4 way hazard lights
Left and right turn signals
Tail lights
Brake lights
Back up lights (while holding down
brake pedal)
Air Leak Check—Engine Off
•Apply service brake and release the parking brake
•Let the air gauge stabilize and hold for one full minute.
•Check air gauge to see that pressure does not drop more than 3
psi in 1 minute (single vehicle)
NOTE: You must tell tester what the leakage rate is or you will
be immediately disqualified.
Low Air Warning Check—without restarting engine
•Turn ignition key to “on” or “battery charge” position.
•Begin fanning off the air pressure by pumping the foot brake.
•Low air warning devices (buzzer, light, wig-wag) should
activate at 60 psi or above.
NOTE: You must tell the tester that the low air warning must
activate at 60 psi or above, or you will be immediately
disqualified. Also tell tester when the low air warning device
activated on your vehicle.
Parking Brake Check
•Continue fanning down the air pressure.
•The parking brake valve should apply/pop out when air
pressure drops to 20 - 45 psi.
NOTE: You must tell the tester that the parking brake must
activate when pressure drops to 20-45 psi or you will be
immediately disqualified. Tell the tester the psi your parking
brake actually applies during check to verify it’s within the
range.
H-1 Example
Air Governor Cut-Out Check
•With the engine running, build the air pressure to the governed
cutout of 100-125 psi
•Tell the tester when the air governor cutout activates.
NOTE: You must tell the tester that the air governor cutout
should activate when pressure builds to 100-125 psi or you will
be immediately disqualified.
Slide #3
CDL Pre-trip: Sections 2 & 11
 Concentrate on correct verbiage and
key words
 Use organized sequence
 No official order
 DOL has recommended sequence
 If trainers and testers use same
method – student will be prepared
DOL Recommended Sequence
1. Lights and reflectors
2. Air supply system
3. Brake checks
4. Engine start/in cab inspection
5. Interior/school bus items
6. Engine compartment
DOL Sequence Continued
7.
Exterior walk around
(begin in front)
8.
Left side
9.
Front axle
10. Front suspension
11. Under the vehicle
DOL Sequence Continued
12. Under the vehicle
13. Rear axle
14. Rear suspension
15. Brakes
16. Other side of vehicle –
if there is anything different
not yet covered
Study Methods for the Pre-trip
 3 x 5 cards
Steering Box
Driver Area,
Fuel Area, Under
Bus
Front Suspension
Pre-trip Study Methods cont.
 Bus in shop – on rack
& utilize knowledge of mechanics
 Provide visual aids, i.e. parts, pictures
Pre-trip Study Methods cont.
 Acronyms:
“SMUSA”
Spring/Mounts/hangers/Ubolts/Shock absorbers/Airbag
 Word Association:
- Slack Adjustor = Trousers/Pants
Pre-trip Study Methods cont.
 Self-practice on bus in lot
 Pair up trainees to test each other
 Self test on the computer
Type, review, re-type mistakes
The Skill Test
 Communicate with your TPT
 Discuss testing expectations
 H-3 Available TPT’s in your area
 Prompting of sections is not required
 Cone layout and backing section
H-4 Examples of Cone Layout
EXAMPLE 1
EXAMPLE 2
70
ft
70
ft
Skills Testing Instructions
 Point to items, define them, and
explain what defects may be present
 Inspect only one side of the bus,
unless the other side is different
 Inspect a front axle and a rear axle
 Ask questions before test the begins
 Tester will assist checking the lights
Common Pre-trip Disqualifications
 Seatbelt – not fastened/worn
every time the bus is in motion
 Not knowing key words/defects
 Not giving tester enough defects
for items inspected
Pre-trip Disqualifications, cont.
PULL
TO APPLY
SPRING
BRAKE
Air Brake Checks –
 Not releasing spring brake prior to
timing the air leakage
 Incorrect or no PSI range given
 Key not turned on for warning buzzer
 Not noting actual PSI during test
Common Road Test Disq.’s
 Anything unsafe requiring TPT
instructions
 Vehicle over curb
 Violation of Law
 Improper mirror use
(per CDL guide)
Road Test Disq.’s cont.
 Improper traffic checks
 Stopping over line/crosswalk
 Palming steering wheel, etc.
 Braking (smooth, complete stops)
Common Basic Control Disq’s
 Failure to attempt positioning
within the 2 ft. cones
 Must honk and re-check mirrors
each time the bus stops
 Any part of bus over the cones
 Too many errors (lack of practice)
New Stuff
Recent changes (January ‘08 )
affected Third Party Testers.
Information for Drivers/Trainers
regarding a training certificate will
come later this year.
OSPI will let districts know when the
information is available from DOL
Review

Be Knowledgeable and prepared

Communicate with your TPT

Use study methods that will help
drivers learn Pre-trip material

Review the common mistakes
Driver CDL Preparation
Be Prepared
Be Successful