Illinois Pre Trip And Driving Test

Since I have to come back to Illinois to do my CDL test I have a few questions and wasn't sure if I should post a new topic or tag onto Daniel's pretrip post.

My main question is, will that pretrip print out work for all states including Illinois? I've looked through the Illinois CDL book and it kinda confused me on wording.

Also is there anything on backing or driving portion that is different than Prime teaches?

Thanks

I took my CDL test in IL last year.

I might be able to help what CDL print out? Is it specific to prime?

On the CDL skills portion it's a straight back, offset back and parallel park, each are allowed 2 pull up and you have to stay with in the lines.

The road portion is a predetermined route with × number of left turns × number of right turns, upshifiting and at least 1 needed down shift.

Bran, I attended a CDL school in Illinois (160 driving academy) that due to the proximity of location also catered to Iowa residents. I took my test in Davenport Iowa as I'm an Iowa resident. The Illinois students for pretrip did not need to do the entire pre trip (atleast at my school which utilized 3rd party examiners). The examiner got in their truck and began asking questions for pretrip. For example, they may say "tell me about your windshield, tell me about your gauges". They might not ask you about your fire extinguisher or seat belt. You will definitely be asked about your air leakage test (Illinois called it something else) and testing your service brakes. The students at my school had to do different backing exercises than bobcat did. They were required to do straight, driver offset and an alley dock (90). It amazes me different locations have different testing requirements to be licensed in the same state.....

Bobcat: thanks and it is the printout that is under the Pretrip post here

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

Thanks Rob

It completely depends on what location you test at in Illinois. In some parts of the state they're quite strict and it seems in others, they pass people and allow them to have a CDL when they shouldn't be allowed in a truck even. Oh trust me, as a trainer, I've seen so many incompetent drivers coming from a couple particular schools.

Daniel's pretrip, while excellent, wouldn't have quite passed with the DOT in Kentucky where I tested, but it should easily do for illinois which allows 3rd party testers. I can't remember now what it was missing for Kentucky, but only DOT does testing and they want everything to worded and described a very specific way and give a handout to the CDL school there listing exactly what they want with no deviations.. about 20 pages of info lol.

I went to Star Driving academy in Bensenville near Chicago they got bought out by 160, we had the state examiners come to us and they are very very strict. For us the pretrip was just like Rob said where you sit in the truck and the examiner asks you about X and you tell him about X if you seem to know it he would cut you off and move on to the next item.

I agree Daniel's pretrip is good if they are as strict as they where for us you would fail going off the brake tests and in cab from what I have seen.

Bran, the printout version was not word for word here in Iowa, while at CRST. But studying it helped me prepare so well that when I received the specific words and actions I needed here, I only had to adjust to some minor word substitutions - I already knew where everything was and Why!

It may not fit the exam verbatim, but it definitely should work as a great tool for general preparation. Use it as a reference to get you thinking about PTI and then learning the specifics. As a fellow geek, I have no doubt you'll make the transition flawlessly!

It may not fit the I'm. exam verbatim...

Or the Illinois exam.

Stupid speel cheeker on my phone!

In Missouri after passing the pretrip, you do the backing. Everyone does a straight back and one offset/lane change. Then the computer picks the 3rd manuver, either an alley dock or a parallel.