Truck Driving Jobs

terrylamar · #1 10-07-2006, 03:16 AM

I just found out today that in Texas, or maybe in Austin, or maybe just for International Schools in Austin, that we do not have to pretrip as part of our graded practical test. We do test on Air Brakes and Drive. I was thinking from reading this forum that the Pretrip was the hardest part of the Practical Test. Not so much that is is hard, just that there is so much to remember and if you forgot something you could fail. I am relieved.

Jackrabbit379 · #2 10-07-2006, 05:40 AM

Maybe they changed it back. I hear that they were going to take the pre-trip out of the driving test. When I got my Class A,all I had to do was the air pressure rate drop,and then drive. Some years after I got mine,I heard that guys had to name everything on the truck,but the color of the paint. There were drivers out there that had so much trouble with the pre-trip,that they were failing,and I heard that they were going to drop that part some day. Maybe they did,I dunno.

terrylamar · #3 10-07-2006, 05:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jackrabbit379

Maybe they changed it back. I hear that they were going to take the pre-trip out of the driving test. When I got my Class A,all I had to do was the air pressure rate drop,and then drive. Some years after I got mine,I heard that guys had to name everything on the truck,but the color of the paint. There were drivers out there that had so much trouble with the pre-trip,that they were failing,and I heard that they were going to drop that part some day. Maybe they did,I dunno.

That is what I was told by students that had taken the test that very day. I asked the instructors and they said no one did a pretrip for the test.

Jackrabbit379 · #4 10-07-2006, 06:02 AM

Well,maybe they did take out the pre-trip.

jkhunter · #5 10-07-2006, 11:41 AM

Yes the pre-trip in Texas is a fill in the dot with a number two pencil written, or computerized press the button/screen selection test.

If Texas is still using the commercial motor vehicle drivers handbook ver 2.0, as we were back in April. The general knowledge section, 2.1 vehicle inspection, and section 11, pre-trip vehicle inspection test (including 11.3 school bus only) and (11.5 coach/transit bus) should teach you all you will need to pass.

There were 7 of us taking the road test that morning. The police officer had us each perform the air brake test first before allowing us to continuing with the road test.

larryh31 · #6 10-08-2006, 05:09 AM

When I took my CDL A test in Houston, We had to do the air brake test, straight line backing, parallel parking and a short road trip trip. There was no pre-trip inspection or 45 degree parking involved.

heavenbound · #7 10-08-2006, 10:45 PM

I did'nt have the 45 degree parking, but we had everything elese as you said and the pre-trip to do, not that he cared what i was pointing out to him but neverless......................

street_95 · #8 10-08-2006, 10:54 PM

i live in Texas but went to school in AR.
CDL test consisted of 107 pre trip inspections, straight line backing, 45 into dock, reverse serpentine, road test.
3 week 180-200 hr.course

edit: air brake test and tug test was part of the pre trip

Ski1958 · #9 10-08-2006, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by street_95

i live in Texas but went to school in AR.
CDL test consisted of 107 pre trip inspections, straight line backing, 45 into dock, reverse serpentine, road test.
3 week 180-200 hr.course

I took my CDL in Texas, no pre trip on the pratival exam, just air break test, Road test, str8 line backing, and parallel parkin

Ski

Karlan · #10 03-14-2014, 02:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by larryh31

When I took my CDL A test in Houston, We had to do the air brake test, straight line backing, parallel parking and a short road trip trip. There was no pre-trip inspection or 45 degree parking involved.

I am in the process of getting my CDL- completed everything and have the road test scheduled. I asked specifically-- was told that they do not require the inspection because it is covered by the computer test, but they are planning on adding it back on in the near future. I was told that I would have to back my 40 ft horse trailer 100 feet (not a big deal) and would have to parallel park it. When I told her nicely that I had been hauling trailers for 50+ trailers and had never had to parallel park one she laughed and said "You will never have to again probably either!" So-- off to the pasture with my Ford 550 and my 40 ft 7 horse trailer to set up cones and practice. Fortunately You Tube had some great instructional videos on how to and it looks fairly straight forward! Texas is now requiring all people pulling horse trailers 10,000 GVW and over to have an A license and if you are raising or selling horses you must also have the CDL- DOT registration and inspections etc! The hardest problem was finding a "LEGAL" driver to get the rig to the test site. My brother-in-law is a cross country trucker-- but not at home when I can do the test! I guess if you don't want to do the walk around in Texas you'd better hurry up and take the driving portion of the test!