Pre-trip Test

What's done first during the pre-trip the walk around or the in-cab meaning the 3 part air brake test in-cab inspection and the tug test?

What's done first during the pre-trip the walk around or the in-cab meaning the 3 part air brake test in-cab inspection and the tug test?

I was taught the air test is the end of the pre-trip. I was taught that the under-hood stuff was the beginning. Also, it makes sense in everyday practice that I do the air brake and tug test at the end, then I'm on my way.

I hope this helps.

Be honest if you're reading your book. You will know you start by standing. In front of the vehicle looking over the general. Condition no leaning no puddles underneath head lights turn lamps then under the hood I missed. Something's but most of the time that's how it gosw but now they have broke the. Test down into 3 sections. A B C you dont know what your doing till they tell you

What's done first during the pre-trip the walk around or the in-cab meaning the 3 part air brake test in-cab inspection and the tug test?

At school we always started our pretrip with the in cab and air brake test first. But when I took my DOT test I did in cab last.

But you should be able to break the pre trip into parts so it won't matter what section you get. Some people find it much easier to memorize the individual sections rather than the whole thing all at once.

Seems to me that on approach would be the first logical step...aka the walk around.

Sorry to double post but I wanted to elaborate. Do you really wanna be under the hood with a (potentially) hot engine/exhaust? Do you wanna do a break test before physically checking the breaks? I would think on approach you are more likely to notice leaks, cracks, damages before putting yourself in a potentially dangerous situation.

I actually have my Class B CDL and I am looking into upgrading to a Class A. I drive a 60ft bus. I know the pre trip on a bus is different than on a semi truck. I'm just wondering how much different I'll be looking at here or if most of it is the same except for a few differences

Maybe this will help, this guy works through the whole thing and explains it, it helped me :) Class A pre trip

As long as you do it all, you are ok. No specific order is required by law. If you are asking about what order you will be required to perform these tests at the DMV for your class A licensing examinations, then I can tell you that in California, the applicant is required in most cases to begin by performing the air brakes tests. Next the pre trip inspection, beginning with the in cab and moving outside to the out front, under the hood, then the walk around. After this is performed, you get to do the driving and the skills tests. Best of luck to you. I hope this helps.

As many have mentioned, it varies from state to state. Ohio is a timed test and if you ran out of time on the brake test and couldn't complete it, it's an auto fail. Knight used to teach Ohio testing students to start with the in cab and brake test, then move outside. That way, if for some reason the person ran short on time, they could still pass although lose a few points for what they might have missed. Otherwise, they taught the more common procedure of starting at the front and working your way through.