Anyone Go To An Illinois Secretary Of State Location To Complete A Pretrip Test For CDL B (or A)

In Elk Grove Village or any other Illinois location? If you have, what is the pre-trip process like for a Class B? Do you walk around the whole vehicle like all these pre-trip videos show? Do they allow you to do your own thing or will they keep stopping you and have you move to other areas of the truck?

Also this is from the Illinois state's official study guide.. Taking the CDL Pre-trip Inspection Test

Class B and C Pre-trip Inspection Test If you are applying for a Class B or C CDL, you will be required to perform a pre-trip inspection in the vehicle you have brought with you for testing. The vehicle must be a representative of the unit you will be driving and must meet the class weight requirements. If the vehicle is an air brake vehicle, you must first pass the Air Brake Knowledge test. You also must have passed all applicable endorsement knowledge tests that pertain to the vehicle you bring in for testing. You will be required to perform one of the three versions of the inspection; you will not know which version until just before testing begins. All of the tests include an engine start and in-cab-inspection. In addition, your test may include an inspection of the entire vehicle or only a portion of the vehicle which your CDL examiner will explain to you. You will have to inspect any special vehicle features, if applicable

What are the three inspections they mention? If you are only required to perform just one, why does it say you might have to inspect the entire vehicle?

Thanks

When I took my CDL A test they came to my school and we just sat in the truck and the examiner asked us about various items during for the pretrip. The better you did the less you had to explain.

It maybe different of done at the facility I am not sure.

I took my class a in Illinois, i forgot which center but it was down by kankakee.

For the pretrip they want you to say specific things that are in the back of the Illinois cdl manual so make sure you know everything there. Then there was the air leakage test inside the cab.

That's for class a, not sure for class b.

Hi Class B, and welcome to the forum.

The pre trip examination will mostly be the same in any state. If Illinois has differences, they'll be subtle and will most likely be simple differences in wording. I'll go through how we did it at Prime in MO, and you can probably count on IL being the same. You should however study the wording for Illinois.

Basically, the pre trip is broken up into 6 segments: The first three are mandatory for every testee.

- In cab inspection and brake test

- Coupling area

- Lights

The following 3 are the areas you refer to in your question above. The examiner can choose to test you in any of the 3 sections, or he/she can randomly make you perform all 3 segments.

- Engine compartment

- Driver door area

- Trailer

You can be required to do all or part of any segment, so you need to be sure to study the entire pre trip. Or you could even get an examiner who just gives you a quick test to see if you know what you're talking about, and skips the rest. You never know.

My advice? Avoid Illinois at any cost. Up here in Wisconsin we refer to that lowly state as Ill Annoy. I hate the tolls, Chicago and everything about the state. My cousin is from Chicago and I had to take her in because she was destitute. She has a heart of gold, but absolutely no common sense. At least she takes good care of my dog when I'm on the road. Otherwise, Ill Annoy sucks.

You are required to do a complete pre trip inspection everyday on your vehicle. Learn the whole thing. They will either have you do the whole truck or a part. Your CDL examiner will let you know which areas they want you to check for the exam. You will have to do the in cab break test in the exact order. Good luck.

In NY, the examiner’s tablet randomly picks what parts you do. It also randomly picks someone to do the whole thing. Because they are so far behind, right now the inspector will reboot the tablet if it asks for a full pretrip.

For me, the in cab part of the test was the most difficult. The break test is the most critical and as has been stated, has to be done in exact order. But it's not the only part of the in-cab pretest. It takes some real effort in memorization to pass the test, but if this old fart can do it, anybody can.

Having gone through the process myself to get a Class B, I can say: Study all the parts that pertain to Class B. Don't worry about the sections having to do with trailers or HazMat , unless you are wanting to be a HazMat driver. In my case, the examiner sat in the cab and asked you questions. Be prepared to answer whatever he asks, and - this is important - don't volunteer any information and try to be fancy. Answer the question asked and no more. Simple, straightforward, no elaboration. MAKE SURE you're up to speed on the Air Brakes part. That is the one section you absolutely cannot goof up. That was my experience, for whatever it may be worth.

Appreciate all the responses. I would have preferred to actually do the full walk around and in-cab test without the examiner stopping me. Seems like that would be more likely to throw you off, especially if it feels like the examiner is rushing you.