Pre-Trip Exam - Engine Hood Closed?!

Just curious if this is something that happens in other states besides PA. The way the instructor explained it, apparently it's a liability issue w/ the State. During the pre-trip exam, the engine hood will remain closed. We're supposed to go down the 'list' by memory, stating where things would be and what we are checking on. All this with the hood closed in front of the PennDot examiner. Sound familiar to anybody? Not sure if this has anything to do with it, but the State comes to our school's location for the exam and driving test. But again, the instructor made it seem like it was something to do with the State, not the school.

When I did mine a year ago... I had the hood opened. Our school's instructors were PennDot certified instructors (some of them at least). So they administered the test and we had the hood open.

It could have changed. But maybe it is a liability issue, no idea.

If you're sayin that u cant open the hood, i've never heard of that. It has to b a state thing.

If you're sayin that u cant open the hood, i've never heard of that. It has to b a state thing.

Yep, hood remains closed. The owner/director of the school will be at our class tonight, I'll get the recap from him. I asked the instructor last night during class if it was a State thing, or something the school wanted to have due to liability for the school. He said it was a State thing. Perhaps he's mistaken. Oh well, not concerned about it, just struck me as odd.

That's gotta be a state by state basis .

NH is hood open for pre trip engine . No reciting from memory .

In NH you have to actually grab items and shake them , and physically put your hands on bolts and attempt to turn them while you state ' Is tight and bolts appear to be tight '

~S~

Bill if I were you I'd call PennDot and ask someone. Like I said, I just did mine a year ago and the hood was open. It could have changed in that year... but it sounds VERY strange.

Thanks Dave.

Bill,

Here in CT the engine compartment is inspected with the hood open. All items need to be mentioned, pointed to, grabbed, shook, what-have-you so that the inspector knows what you talking about.

I'm fast approaching my test day in a week or two I'd guess. And like you mentioned, CT DMV Inspector comes to the school to proctor the entire practical exam and road test.

I hope this helps.

I took my exam in PA as well and I had the hood open. In order to do proper pretrip the hood needs to be open!

Hi all, in NJ there is no engine inspection at all. But was wondering if other states have the Engine Start and In-cabin inspections? After day 2, I find the engine start veerrry difficult....tooo many PSI figures to remember!!