Air Brake Test W/o Chocks?

Gotcha

I wonder how the test went....

Just got back from my test.

I passed the pre-trip and in-cab, but failed my backing.

The chocks were not an issue... I was on level ground and the inspector said I didn't need to use them.

FYI: In Queens and I think all of NYC... During your off-set, you are required to pull all the way forward to your original starting position whenever you use any of your pull-ups.

And during your straightback, you are not permitted to stop the truck at anytime... otherwise they will make you pull all the way forward to starting position and charge you a pull up.

From all the videos I've seen online, it didn't seem like that was the case in other areas...

Thank you everyone for your input.

That sucks... Go with paid CDL training. They'll prep you for the test and set you up for success.Apply For Paid CDL Training

The air brake test requires chocks because both tractor and trailer brakes are released while fanning the brakes to release air pressure. Basically, there is nothing to keep the truck from rolling. This is a huge safety issue. I would be leary of being tested by that examiner.

Are you talking about a tractor and trailer? If so you’re only testing the tractor or the trailer at one time while the other break is set, holding you in place.

I'll be taking my skills test at the DMV soon.

I'm renting a truck from a local school.

During a lesson, I asked the instructor if he had chocks for the air brake test.

He replied that I didn't need them.

I was wondering how it would be possible to perform the air brake test w/o chocks because everything I seen on Youtube were using them.

I don't want to make a stupid mistake or take any chance, especially with the air brake portion.

Do I just hold down the service brake before pushing in the Spring valves, wait for the pressure to stabilize, than start my 4 PSI in 1 minute test?

Does the DMV have chocks that I can use by any chance?

Please excuse my noob question...

Thanks.

Here in Texas, doing it as you described is an auto fail. The examiners here are quite precise and specific about every part of the in-cab and air brakes test. The idea of not using chocks is an auto fail because level ground is never perfectly level. But, each state has its own way, it seems.

You can do the trailer or the tractor one at a time. You do not do them both at the same time. Do you use 2 1/2 psi in one minute by doing them one at a time.

Are you talking about a tractor and trailer? If so you’re only testing the tractor or the trailer at one time while the other break is set, holding you in place.

I'll be taking my skills test at the DMV soon.

I'm renting a truck from a local school.

During a lesson, I asked the instructor if he had chocks for the air brake test.

He replied that I didn't need them.

I was wondering how it would be possible to perform the air brake test w/o chocks because everything I seen on Youtube were using them.

I don't want to make a stupid mistake or take any chance, especially with the air brake portion.

Do I just hold down the service brake before pushing in the Spring valves, wait for the pressure to stabilize, than start my 4 PSI in 1 minute test?

Does the DMV have chocks that I can use by any chance?

Please excuse my noob question...

Thanks.

I'm talking about the airbrake test that you do for the CDL-A in cab inspection.

The static air check to see if you lose more than 4PSI/min while holding the service brakes, followed by fanning the the low air pressure warning system, and than the emergency valve pullouts.

I heard that the airbrake inspection portion of the CDL test is extremely important and if any mistake is made, it's an automatic failure.

Here in Texas, doing it as you described is an auto fail. The examiners here are quite precise and specific about every part of the in-cab and air brakes test. The idea of not using chocks is an auto fail because level ground is never perfectly level. But, each state has its own way, it seems.

Yea, that's why I was so concerned. I didn't want to fail because of one stupid mistake.

I made sure to ask the inspector beforehand if I needed chocks, and he said no, and I explained everything that I was going to do before I did it...

I told him "Since I'm not using chocks, I'll be holding in my service brakes to make sure the vehicle will not roll with the spring valves pushed in, than I will wait for my air pressure to settle and proceed with my air brake tests", something along those lines...

They were really laid back about the chock and during the pretrip/incab.

It felt like I was annoying the inspector by trying to call out as many things (get as many points) as I could, when he just wanted me to name only specific main things and move on.

What caught me most off guard was having to pull up to the original starting position for all of my pull ups during the offset/straightback and not being able to stop at all during the straightback.

Is that how they do it in other states as well?

It sure didn't seem like it from the videos I've seen on youtube.

I was allowed pullups up to a certain point. I could go as far or as close as I wanted, but I couldn't pass the line. This is why proper training is important. You go into the test knowing this information because trainers/instructors are already familiar with everything. You also know what questions to ask because they teach you that as well.