) to help you understand the materials better and gain an understanding for how that knowledge will fit into the overall picture.
"My own experience with the course itself was nothing short of amazing. To come into
the course with absolutely no prior knowledge of the subject, and to be able to grasp
the information, understand it, and retain it, has taken quite a bit off stress off me.
Now I know that when I do enroll in a school, I can focus on the driving aspects, and not
have to worry about the classroom side of things.
- Engine oil temperature
- Engine oil pressure
- All of these should read normally within seconds of starting the engine
- Coolant temperature
Quote From Page 16 Of The CDL Manual:
Look at gauges:
- Oil pressure - Should come up to normal within seconds after engine is started.
- Ammeter and/or voltmeter - Should be in normal range(s).
- Coolant temperature - Should begin gradual rise to normal operating range.
- Engine oil temperature - Should begin gradual rise to normal operating range.
- Warning lights and buzzers - Oil, coolant, charging circuit warning lights should go out right away.
- 210 pounds
- 240 pounds
- 270 pounds
- 180 pounds
Quote From Page 0 Of The CDL Manual:
Number of miles travelled / miles per gallon = gallons of fuel burned off
TruckingTruth's Advice:
30 gallons x 8 pounds per gallon = 240 pounds of fuel burned off
- Used to secure the trailer kingpin to the tractor 5th wheel
- A name for the yellow and red air valves in the cab of a truck
- Coupling devices used to connect the service and emergency air lines from the truck or tractor to the trailer
- Caps which cover the valve stems on tires
Quote From Page 73 Of The CDL Manual:
"Glad hands" are coupling devices used to connect the service and emergency air lines from the truck or tractor to the trailer.
- If you spend 8 consecutive hours in the sleeper berth, you can extend your 14 hour limit
- All of these statements are true
- If you spend 10 consecutive hours off duty or in a sleeper berth of your truck, your 11 and 14 hour limits completely restart
- When using the split sleeper berth rule, you can take your 10 hour break by splitting 8 hours off in the sleeper berth and taking an additional 2 hours off duty
Quote From Page 0 Of The CDL Manual:
1. Ten consecutive hours off duty:
You may spend time in your sleeper berth to get some of, or all of, the 10 consecutive hours of off duty time. When getting your 10 consecutive hours of off duty time, what is most important is that you do not go on duty or drive during those 10 hours. At the end of the 10 consecutive hours of combined sleeper and/or off duty time, your 11-hour driving and 14 hour duty-period limits would completely restart.
2. Eight hours of sleeper berth time:
You may also use the sleeper berth to extend the 14 hour limit. Any period in the sleeper berth of at least 8 consecutive hours will not count as part of the 14 hours, and, therefore, would allow you to extend the time during which you could use your maximum 11 hours of driving.
3. Split sleeper / off duty time:
You may also use the sleeper berth in a different way to get the “equivalent of at least 10 consecutive hours off duty.” To do this, two rest periods are required. You must spend at least one of the two required rest periods in your sleeper berth. The required rest period in the sleeper berth must be at least 8 consecutive hours (but less than 10 consecutive hours). This rest period will not count as part of the 14 hours. The other, separate, rest period must be at least 2 consecutive hours (but less than 10 consecutive hours). This rest period may be spent in the sleeper berth, off duty, or sleeper berth and off duty combined. It will count as part of the 14 hours (unless you spend at least 8 consecutive hours in the sleeper berth). It does not matter which rest period you take first. After you complete your second required rest period, you will have a new point on the clock from which to calculate your hours available. This new “calculation point” will be at the time you completed your first required rest period.
TruckingTruth's Advice:
The Sleeper Berth Provision is extremely important for you to be familiar with. It is one of the most confusing parts about the HOS regulations, yet, if you know the rules it will make your life much easier and help your paycheck at the same time. With more and more companies switching to electronic logbooks, understanding all the ways you can legally drive is critically important.
- Reflects the risks associated with a hazardous material
- Shows which type of CDL HAZMAT endorsement is needed
- Indicates how a product must be packaged
- Determines whether the hazardous material can be transported with a tanker truck or not
Quote From Page 88 Of The CDL Manual:
A material's hazard class reflects the risks associated with it. The hazard class of a hazardous material is indicated by its class (or division) number, its class name, or by the letters "ORM-D." Figure 9-1 below lists class numbers, division numbers, class or division names and those sections of this subchapter that contain definitions for classifying hazardous materials, including forbidden materials.
TruckingTruth's Advice:
Be mindful of the hazard classes you are carrying as that will determine which placards are required during transportation
- Only the heat
- Only the air conditioner
- Only the heat and defroster
- All of these must work properly
Quote From Page 117 Of The CDL Manual:
Heater/defroster:
Test that the heater and defroster work.
TruckingTruth's Advice:
All commercial vehicles are required to have properly working heat and defrosters. You must demonstrate that both the heat and defrost work separately and function properly. When checking the defroster, move your hand near the windshield so you can feel the air and be sure the examiner sees you checking to be sure it functions correctly. You should then change the airflow so that it comes out of the vents only and feel to make sure the air is warm. Here's what to say to the examiner while checking the heat and defrost:
"I am now checking to be sure the heater and defroster work properly and they must work separately from each other."
- Bulkheads are only allowed in food-grade tankers where baffles can be installed in any type of tanker
- Bulkheads are only used in gas tankers and baffles are only used in liquid tankers
- Bulkheads are solid barriers in a tank while baffles are barriers with holes in them, allowing liquid to flow through
- Baffles are solid barriers in a tanks while bulkheads are barriers with holes in them, allowing liquid to flow through
Quote From Page 84 Of The CDL Manual:
Bulkheads: Some liquid tanks are divided into several smaller tanks by bulkheads. When loading and unloading the smaller tanks, the driver must pay attention to weight distribution. Do not put too much weight on the front or rear of the vehicle.
Baffled tanks: Baffled liquid tanks have bulkheads in them with holes that let the liquid flow through. The baffles help to control the forward and backward liquid surge. Side-to-side surge can still occur. This can cause a roll over.
Miles travelled: 360
Percentage of fuel weight on drive axles: 30%
- 300 pounds
- 210 pounds
- 200 pounds
- 144 pounds
Quote From Page 0 Of The CDL Manual:
TruckingTruth's Advice:
360/6 = 60 gallons of fuel
60 gallons x 8 pounds per gallon = 480 pounds of total fuel burned off
Since 30% of the weight of fuel goes on our drive axles, we need to know what 30% of 480 is:
30 x 480 / 100 = 144 pounds coming off the drive axles
- Some road surfaces can cause a vehicle to tilt, but warning signs always account for that
- Road repaving or packed snow may reduce the clearance of the bridge since the sign was posted
- If you were able to clear a low bridge with a loaded trailer, you will be able to clear it with an empty trailer as well
- Bridge clearance signs always account for 3 inches of packed snow
Quote From Page 32 Of The CDL Manual:
Hitting overhead objects is a danger. Make sure you always have overhead clearance.
Do not assume that the weights and heights posted at bridges and overpasses are correct. Repaving or packed snow may have reduced the clearances since the heights were posted.
The weight of a cargo van changes its height. An empty van is higher than a loaded one. That you got under a bridge when you were loaded does not mean that you can do it when you are empty.
If you doubt you have safe space to pass under an object, go slowly. If you are not sure you can make it, take another route. Warnings are often posted on low bridges or underpasses, but sometimes they are not.
Some roads can cause a vehicle to tilt. There can be a problem clearing objects along the edge of the road, such as signs or trees or bridge supports. Where this is a problem, drive a little closer to the center of the road.
Before you back into an area, get out and check for over-hanging objects, such as trees, branches or electrical wires. It is easy to miss seeing them while you are backing. (Also check for other hazards at the same time.)
- Fully raised
- Raised 3/4 of the way up
- Raised 1/2 way up
- Raised just enough to clear the roadway and any obstructions such as railroad tracks
Quote From Page 121 Of The CDL Manual:
Landing gear:
- Check that the landing gear is fully raised, has no missing parts, crank handle is secure, and the support frame is not damaged.
- If power operated, check for air or hydraulic leaks.
TruckingTruth's Advice:
While inspecting the landing gear, tell the examiner:
"The landing gear should be fully raised, no missing parts, properly mounted and secured. The crank handle is secure and support frame and landing pads are not damaged."
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