- 107-21 Jamaica Ave. Richmond Hill, NY 11418
During the pre-trip inspection portion of the skills test, you must show that the vehicle is safe to drive. You may have to walk around the vehicle and point to or touch each item and explain to the examiner what you are checking and why. You will NOT have to crawl under the hood or under the vehicle. At the time of your test, the examiner will direct you to the areas of the vehicle to inspect for the test.
If you are applying for a Class A CDL, you will be required to perform a pre-trip inspection in a Class A combination vehicle that you have brought with you for testing. The test includes an engine start, an in-cab-inspection, and an inspection of the entire vehicle or only a portion of the vehicle which your CDL examiner will explain to you.
If you are applying for a Class B CDL, you will be required to perform a pre-trip inspection in a Class B vehicle that you have brought with you for testing. The test includes an engine start, an in-cab inspection, and an inspection of the entire vehicle or only a portion of the vehicle which your CDL examiner will explain to you. You will also have to inspect any special features of your vehicle (e.g. school or transit bus).
Study the following vehicle parts for the type of vehicle you will be using during the CDL skill tests. You should be able to identify each part and tell the examiner what you are looking for or inspecting.
Leaks/Hoses
Oil Level
Coolant Level
Power Steering Fluid
Engine Compartment Belts
Note :If any of the components listed above are not belt driven, you must:
Clutch/Gearshift (Safe Start)
Oil Pressure Gauge
Temperature Gauge
Air Gauge
Ammeter/Voltmeter
Mirrors and Windshield
Emergency Equipment
Note :If the vehicle is not equipped with electrical fuses, you must mention this to the examiner.
Steering Play
Wipers/Washers
Lights/Reflectors/Reflector Tape Condition (Sides & Rear)
Note :Checks of brake, turn signal and four-way flasher functions must be done separately.
Horn
Heater/Defroster
Parking Brake Check
Hydraulic Brake Check
Air Brake Check (Air Brake Equipped Vehicles Only)
Service Brake Check
Safety Belt
Steering Box/Hoses
Steering Linkage
Springs/Air/Torque
Mounts
Shock Absorbers
Note:Be prepared to perform the same suspension components inspection on every axle (power unit and trailer, if equipped).
Slack Adjusters and Pushrods
Brake Chambers
Brake Hoses/Lines
Drum Brake
Brake Linings
Note:Be prepared to perform the same brake components inspection on every axle (power unit and trailer, if equipped).
Rims
Tires
Hub Oil Seals/Axle Seals
Lug Nuts
Spacers or Budd Spacing
Note:Be prepared to perform the same wheel inspection on every axle (power unit and trailer, if equipped).
Note:Be prepared to perform the same brake components inspection on every axle (power unit and trailer, if equipped).
Door(s)/Mirror(s)
Fuel Tank
Battery/Box
Drive Shaft
Exhaust System
Frame
Splash Guards
Doors/Ties/Lifts
Air/Electric Lines
Catwalk
Mounting Bolts
Hitch Release Lever
Locking Jaws
Fifth Wheel Skid Plate
Platform (Fifth Wheel)
Release Arm (Fifth Wheel)
Kingpin/Apron/Gap
Locking Pins (Fifth Wheel)
Sliding Pintle
Tongue or Draw-bar
Tongue Storage area
Emergency Equipment
Lighting Indicators
Lights/Reflectors
Student Mirrors
Stop Arm
Passenger Entry/Lift
Emergency Exit
Seating
Air/Electrical Connections
Header Board
Landing Gear
Doors/Ties/Lifts
Frame
Tandem Release Arm/Locking Pins
Remainder of Trailer
Passenger Entry/Lift
Emergency Exits
Passenger Seating
Doors/Mirrors
Level/Air Leaks
Fuel Tank(s)
Baggage Compartments
Battery/Box
Remainder of Vehicle
Your basic control skills could be tested using one or more of the following exercises off-road or somewhere on the street during the road test:
These exercises are shown in Figures 12-1 through 12-6.
Crossing Boundaries (Encroachments)–The examiner will score the number of times you touch or cross over an exercise boundary line with any portion of your vehicle. Each encroachment will count as an error.
Pull-ups–When a driver stops and reverses direction to get a better position, it is scored as “pull-up”. Stopping without changing direction does not count as a pull-up. You will not be penalized for initial pull-ups. However, an excessive number of pull-ups will count as errors.
Outside Vehicle Observations (Looks)–You may be permitted to safely stop and exit the vehicle to check the external position of the vehicle (look). When doing so, you must place the vehicle in neutral and set the parking brake(s). Then, when exiting the vehicle, you must do so safely by facing the vehicle and maintaining three points of contact with the vehicle at all times (when exiting a bus, maintain a firm grasp on the handrail at all times). If you do not safely secure the vehicle or safely exit the vehicle it may result in an automatic failure of the basic vehicle control skills test. The maximum number of times that you may look to check the position of your vehicle is 2, except for the Straight Line Backing exercise, which allows one look. Each time you open the door, move from a seated position where in physical control of the vehicle or, on a bus, walk to the back of the bus to get a better view, it is scored as a “look”.
Final Position–It is important that you finish each exercise exactly as the examiner has instructed you. If you do not manoeuvre the vehicle into its final position as described by the examiner, you will be penalized and could fail the basic skills test.
You may be asked to back your vehicle in a straight line on a street or between two rows of cones without touching or crossing over the exercise boundaries. See Figure 12.1.
You may be asked to back into a space that is to the right rear of your vehicle. You will drive straight forward and back your vehicle into that space without striking the side or rear boundaries marked by cones. You must place your vehicle completely into the space. See Figure 12.2.
You may be asked to back into a space that is to the left rear of your vehicle. You will drive straight forward and back your vehicle into that space without striking the side or rear boundaries marked by cones. You must place your vehicle completely into the space. See Figure 12.3.
You may be asked to park in a parallel parking space that is on your left. You are to drive past the parking space and back into it bringing the rear of your vehicle as close as possible to the rear of the space without crossing side or rear boundaries marked by cones. You are required to get your vehicle completely into the space. See Figure 12.4.
You may be asked to park in a parallel parking space that is on your right. You are to drive past the parking space and back into it bringing the rear of your vehicle as close as possible to the rear of the space without crossing side or rear boundaries marked by cones. You are required to get your vehicle completely into the space. See Figure 12.5.
You may be asked to sight-side back your vehicle into an alley, bringing the rear of your vehicle as close as possible to the rear of the alley without going beyond the exercise boundary marked by a line or row of cones. You are required to get your vehicle completely into the space with your entire vehicle in line with the alley. See Figure 12.6.
You will drive over a test route that has a variety of traffic situations. At all times during the test, you must drive in a safe and responsible manner.
During the driving test you must:
During the driving test, the examiner will be scoring you on specific driving maneuvers as well as on your general driving behavior. You will follow the directions of the examiner. Directions will be given to you so you will have plenty of time to do what the examiner has asked. You will not be asked to drive in an unsafe manner.
If your test route does not have certain traffic situations, you may be asked to simulate a traffic situation. You will do this by telling the examiner what you are or would be doing if you were in that traffic situation.
You have been asked to make a turn:
As you approach the turn:
If you must stop before making the turn:
When ready to turn:
After turn:
As you approach an intersection:
When driving through an intersection:
Once through the intersection:
During this part of the test, you are expected to make regular traffic checks and maintain a safe following distance. Your vehicle should be centered in the proper lane (right-most lane) and you should keep up with the flow of traffic but not exceed the posted speed limit.
During the multiple lane portion of the urban and rural sections, you will be asked to change lanes to the left, and then back to the right. You should make the necessary traffic checks first, then use proper signals and smoothly change lanes when it is safe to do so.
Before entering the expressway:
Once on the expressway:
You will be instructed to change lanes, and you must:
When exiting the expressway:
For this maneuver, you will be asked to pull your vehicle over to the side of the road and stop as if you were going to get out and check something on your vehicle. The examiner may have you stop and start on a grade. You must check traffic thoroughly in all directions and move to the right-most lane or shoulder of road.
As you prepare for the stop:
Once stopped:
When instructed to resume:
Beforereaching the crossing, all commercial drivers should:
Do notstop, change gears, pass another vehicle, or change lanes while any part of your vehicle is in the crossing.
If you are driving a bus, a school bus, or a vehicle displaying placards, you should be prepared to observe the following procedures at every railroad crossing (unless the crossing is exempt):
Not all driving road test routes will have a railroad crossing. You may be aske to explain and demonstrate the proper railroad crossing procedures to the examiner at a simulated location.
After driving under an overpass, you may be asked to tell the examiner what the posted clearance or height was. After going over a bridge, you may be asked to tell the examiner what the posted weight limit was. If your test route does not have a bridge or overpass, you may be asked about another traffic sign. When asked, be prepared to identify and explain to the examiner any traffic sign which may appear on the route.
If you are applying for a School Bus endorsement, you will be required to demonstrate loading and unloading students. Please refer to Section 10 of this manual for procedures on loading and unloading school students.
You will be scored on your overall performance in the following general driving behavior categories: