Profile For MikeD1982

I should add that this is during a license/road test.

During the air pressure rebuild test on a class B, straight truck, when you reach 85 psi and begin timing for 45 seconds, can you assist the engine to reach 100 psi?

During the air pressure rebuild test on a class B, straight truck, when you reach 85 psi and begin timing for 45 seconds, can you assist the engine to reach 100 psi?

I’d add that I am located in Rhode Island.

Additionally, I did try to sit for the exam before having a TSA clearance check performed. I did not know that, at least in RI, you had to have the check done before sitting for the exam. At the window that day, the clerk asked where my letter was...hence why I am asking, and also confused, as to the whole thing about TSA sending notifications/letters directly to the DMV instead of applicants themselves.

About 4-5 weeks ago, I completed a TSA HAZMAT clearance check and was expecting to receive a letter in the mail stating that I am OK to haul hazardous materials. Some weeks passed and I never received a letter from TSA. I knew my clearance check was completed because I logged into the TSA website and was able to see the status. I finally called TSA yesterday and was told that they no longer issue clearance letters directly to applicants; rather, they send them directly to your state of licensing DMV. My local branch is also the main HQ/branch for the state I am licensed in, so I am not worried about it being sent to an auxiliary branch.

Anyway, I’m trying to find out if anyone has had this happen to them? How do you go about registering and sitting for the exam? I don’t want to go and attempt to register for the exam and they don’t allow me to sit for it because I don’t physically have my letter. I have tried reaching out to my DMV, but it’s basically impossible to get connected with a human. I’ve even tried pressing 0 to get connected with a clerk/rep and it just keeps repeating the menu options over and over, ad nauseum...frustrating.

Just wanted to give a final update: took the road test on 7/2, didn't pass the service brake check...for some reason, the vehicle wouldn't shift from N to D..whether it was an error on my part or the vehicle, I don't know, but that's life. Went back to re-test on 7/30 and passed; I got a perfect score on the pre-trip and brake tests, with the examiner telling me that's the first time that's ever happened as long as she's been conducting the exam. Everything else went well; I went to the DMV the following day and submitted the app for my license. It was truly gratifying to accomplish this, more so than almost any other test I've taken in the past. I am a former science/biology teacher and I've had to take licensing exams to obtain my teacher certification...quite honestly, passing my CDL exam trumps those tests and is just a great feeling. My current place of employment was giving me 12 months to obtain the license...I jumped on it right away and got it in 4 months. There's workers who are cutting it close to their "deadlines" and haven't even obtained a permit yet...hopefully they get on it soon enough.

Anyway, thanks for the comments in the earlier postings; this forum contains a plethora of information, much of which helped me on the road test. Definitely would recommend a lot of this site's contents to others.

Called the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI), which is the institution that administers the CDL road test; the state's CDL coordinator told me that you can perform the brake tests in any order, but she suggests doing parking brakes, service brakes, and closing with air brakes.

Additionally, I ended up registering for a CDL Road Test prep class at CCRI, which is taught by the same coordinator; it was $84 (didn't think that was a bad price). She said it is beneficial in that it'll tell students the exam set up, what to do, what the examiner is looking for, etc...She said the CDL manual offered on the state's DMV website is a little outdated, and they've made some changes, but the class addresses these changes. Additionally, she said it's mandatory to chock the wheels on the air brake test, even though the manual says (in section 11 -- pre-trip) that you only need to do so if you're on an incline. It can't hurt to attend the class, I guess.

I figure this will be informative class; it'll help me to know what the state examiner is looking for, and how to go about doing it...and it's coming directly from a CDL state examiner's mouth.

Thanks for all the help in this thread...much appreciated.

Thank you for the links; I have given them a look in the past...definitely helpful materials; however, I just want to know if it is mandatory that you, for example, do the parking brake test first (as is suggested in Daniel's manual), or if you can choose to do the air tests first, then finish off with parking & service...basically doing them in the order which works best for you? Reason being, is use acronyms or mnemonic devices to help me remember what to do with these brake tests. It may sound stupid, but I use the acronym SALSA GPS for the various tests, respective to the brakes.

S: Static air loss -- Key ON/engine OFF/Parking brake released -- wheels chocked A: Applied air loss -- Key ON/engine OFF/PB released -- wheels chocked L: Low pressure warning signals -- Key ON/engine OFF/PB released -- wheels chocked S: Spring brake application -- Key ON/engine OFF/PB still released but should pop out if test is performed properly -- wheels chocked A: Air pressure rebuild -- remove key, retrieve chocks...parking brake is already engaged from spring brake test...safe start; build up to 85 PSI and time how long it takes to get to 100 PSI...no more than 45 secs.

G: Governor cut in/cut out (100 PSI cut in/120-140 PSI cut out) -- Engine fully on...parking brake engaged. P: Parking brake test -- Engine fully on...parking brake engaged...truck is in D...gently tug on accelerator and vehicle shouldn't move S: Service Brake test -- Engine fully on...disengage parking brake...vehicle is in D...move forward at 5 mph and at a distance of ~5 to ~10 feet...apply service brake...vehicle should come to a complete and straight stop...no left or right shifting...apply parking brake and return vehicle into neutral.

Just trying to gain any advantage I can over these tests.

MikeD1982 wants to know...

1) With respect to the air brake test, what is the order of the steps you should perform it in? Is it, with the wheels chocked, the key in the electrical position, the parking brake released, and a full tank of air A) static leak test (after initial pressure loss, not losing more than 2 PSI on a straight truck over 60 seconds ) B) applied leak test (after initial pressure loss, not losing more than 3 PSI with the service brake applied for 60 seconds) C) audible and visual low warning indicator test (fanning to ~60 PSI) D) spring brake reapplies/pop out test (fanning ~20-40 PSI)

With spring brake re-applied

E) air pressure rebuild test, timing from 85-100 PSI, not to exceed 45 seconds?

F) governor cut in and cut out check? (100 & 120-140 PSI, respectively)

2) In terms of the brake tests (parking, service, air), is there a certain sequence you have to perform them in (e.g. you must do the parking brake check first, followed by air, then service) or can you perform them in whichever order you prefer on the test?

Invest some time in these links:

• Pre-Trip Inspection Study Guide
• Daniel's Pre-Trip Inspection
• Pre-Trip Inspection Checklist
• Pre-Trip Inspection Practice Questions

Thanks all for the responses to my questions. I am lastly curious about the order of the brake tests...

1) With respect to the air brake test, what is the order of the steps you should perform it in? Is it, with the wheels chocked, the key in the electrical position, the parking brake released, and a full tank of air A) static leak test (after initial pressure loss, not losing more than 2 PSI on a straight truck over 60 seconds ) B) applied leak test (after initial pressure loss, not losing more than 3 PSI with the service brake applied for 60 seconds) C) audible and visual low warning indicator test (fanning to ~60 PSI) D) spring brake reapplies/pop out test (fanning ~20-40 PSI)

With spring brake re-applied

E) air pressure rebuild test, timing from 85-100 PSI, not to exceed 45 seconds?

F) governor cut in and cut out check? (100 & 120-140 PSI, respectively)

2) In terms of the brake tests (parking, service, air), is there a certain sequence you have to perform them in (e.g. you must do the parking brake check first, followed by air, then service) or can you perform them in whichever order you prefer on the test?

Hi everyone,

'm only asking because I can remember reading how it is not good to apply the service brake while the spring brakes are engaged.

Is there any truth to this? I have always put my foot on the service brakes before releasing the parking brakes.

I've heard this also - don't know that there's any truth to this.

At any rate - you don't need to do a full braking application, to check the brake lights.

Rick

Definitely makes sense. Just erring on the side of caution, I suppose; however, for testing purposes, it's probably the more safe thing to do than releasing the brakes with someone standing behind the vehicle. Thanks

Hi everyone,

'm only asking because I can remember reading how it is not good to apply the service brake while the spring brakes are engaged.

Is there any truth to this? I have always put my foot on the service brakes before releasing the parking brakes.

This is from the Rhode Island CDL manual.

Also, is there a specific order you have to perform each of the tests in? I mean, can you start with your air brake tests, then do parking, and service brakes? Or would you have to start with parking, service, and then finish with air?