Page 84 - 2021-2022 Commercial Drivers Manual

SECTION 11 : PRE-TRIP INSPECTION TEST

» Turn signals. • If equipped with a hydraulic brake reserve the foot brake and hold it for one minute.

» Four-way flashers. (back-up) system, with the key off, depress Check the air gauge to see if the air pres-
» Brake lights. the brake pedal and listen for the sound of sure drops more than three pounds in one

» Red reflectors (on rear) and amber reflec- the reserve system electric motor. minute (single vehicle) or four pounds in

tors (elsewhere). • Check that the warning buzzer or light is off. one minute (combination vehicle). Special

» Reflector tape condition note: if the air gauge does not work unless
Hydraulic Brake Master Cylinder- electrical power is supplied to it, then you
NOTE: Checks of brake, turn signal and four-
way flasher functions must be done separately. • Check master cylinder is securely attached will need to turn the electrical power switch

and not leaking. to the on positions on this step.
Horn » Without restarting the engine, turn electri-

• Checks brake fluid level in reservoir to ensure cal power to the on or “battery charge” posi-

• Check that air horn and/or electric horn
work. it is between the add and full marks. tion and begin fanning off the air pressure
Air Brake Check (Air Brake Equipped Ve- by rapidly applying and releasing the foot
Heater/Defroster brake. Low air warning devices (buzzer,
hicles Only)

• Test that the heater and defroster work. light, flag) should activate before air pres-

• Failure to perform all three components of sure drops below 55 psi or level specified
Parking Brake Check the air brake check in the correct order will by the manufacturer.
result in an automatic failure of the pre-trip » Continue to fan off the air pressure. At

• With the parking brake engaged (trailer

brakes released on combination vehicles), inspection test and you will not be allowed approximately 40 psi on a tractor-trailer
check that the parking brake will hold ve- to proceed to Basic Skills and/or the Road combination vehicle (or level specified by
hicle by gently trying to pull forward with test. Air brake safety devices vary. However, the manufacturer), the tractor protection

parking brake on. this procedure is designed to see that any valve and parking brake valve should close
safety device operates correctly as air pres- (pop out). On other combination vehicle
• With the parking brake released and the sure drops from normal to a low air condi- types and single vehicle types, the parking

trailer parking brake engaged (combination tion. For safety purposes, you will use brake valve should close (pop out).
vehicles only), check that the trailer parking wheel chocks during the air brake check. Service Brake Check
brake will hold vehicle by gently trying to pull The proper procedures for inspecting the air
forward with the trailer parking brake on. brake system are as follows: You will be required to check the application of

» With the air pressure built up to governor air or hydraulic service brakes. This procedure
Hydraulic Brake Check
-
cutoff (120 140 psi), shut off the engine, is designed to determine that the brakes are
Failure to complete the hydraulic brake check chock your wheels, release the parking working correctly and that the vehicle does not
correctly will result in an automatic failure of brake (all vehicles) and the tractor protec- pull to one side or the other.
the pre-trip inspection test and you will not tion valve (combination vehicle), fully apply
be allow to proceed to Basic Skills and/or the
Road test.
• Pump the brake pedal three times, then hold it

down for five seconds. The brake pedal should
not move (depress) during the five seconds.
NOTICE:
ELDT REGISTRY COMING FEBRUARY 7, 2022
Beginning February 7, 2022, an entry-level driver will only be permitted to take the relevant CDL skills or
knowledge test after completing the training required by the ELDT regulations, from a provider listed on the
Training Provider Registry.
This includes an individual seeking to take the CDL skills test required to obtain a Class A or Class B CDL for
the first time; to upgrade an existing Class B to a Class A CDL; or to obtain a passenger (P) or school bus (S)
endorsement for the first time. It also includes an individual seeking to take the knowledge test required to
obtain a hazardous materials (H) endorsement for the first time.
The Training Provider Registry will help commercial driver’s license (CDL) applicants connect with training
providers who are self-certified to provide required entry-level driver training. Sign up to receive news and
updates from FMCSA about the Training Provider Registry and the new requirements for CDL applicants,
training providers, and State Driver Licensing Agencies (SDLAs). Sign up for updates at https://
tpr.fmcsa.dot.gov/.
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