Practicing Pretrip Is Hard.

Hi y'all trying to get my pat-down before going to training in 2 weeks. And I tell ya...IT'S HARD!! I got the outside frame nearly down pack. For example:

I start from the bottom,up; As I'm standing in-front of the truck I will look for any leaning. This will indicate a suspension problem or a tire problem.

Now for my bumper,I will make sure it's not cracked or broken,have abrasions,that it's not loose off it hinges

Headlights; I will checked that it's not cracked,broken or have abrasions,that they are clear & of proper color.

For the windshield; I will check that it's not cracked,have chips or loose debris from the outside environment

with my overhead lights I want to check that's it's not cracked,broken or missing lens and that they are the proper color

Now for my mirrors.My driver and passenger mirrors (start with driver side than passenger side) that they are not cracked bent,broken and are securely mounted to the truck.

Now for under the hood I want to make sure the red water inside that clear white container is filled to the top ((at this very moment...she knew,she ****** up)).

See when I get to under the hood and with tires and suspensions,I suck big time. HELP🥺🥺🥺🥺

😃ALL RESPONSES WILL BE APPRECIATED!!😃

Its definitely overwhelming at first but it gets easier as you go. I highly recommend checking out this page and downloading My Pretrip Inspection PDF. I made it from the ground up and it is complete. I break it down into 3 common phrases: ABC (Abrasions, Bulges, or Cuts), CBB (Cracked, Bent, or Broken) and PMS (Property Mounted and Secure), and it's really easy to get a good grasp on it.

In fact, I am a driver trainer at Old Dominion and I teach all of our guys, both experienced and aspiring, the Pretrip and still use it to this day to pass my students (with a few California modifications).

The Bottom line is just keep practicing it and try not to overwhelm yourself. Take it one chunk at a time and don't be afraid to "fake" test yourself to see your progress. You'll get there eventually.

Repetition, do it over and over and over and always in the exact same order. Even without a truck present, sitting down, whatever, visualize each component as you say it. You will get to where you wont even need the truck or checklist.

Make flash cards for every category and have someone ask you the category and then you rattle off what in that system you'd check.

Thank you Daniel, Mikey & Bobcat! Yes this is the hardest part of becoming a truck driver (along with backing) to have to learn. Daniel I'm definitely gonna take notes and practice! Mikey & Bobcat I'm gonna combine y'alls practice strategies because both are amazing. I dont have blank flashcards but will be on my way to the store to buy some. Thank yall for real. Was getting beyond frustrated with memorizing.

Hi y'all trying to get my pat-down before going to training in 2 weeks. And I tell ya...IT'S HARD!! I got the outside frame nearly down pack. For example:

I start from the bottom,up; As I'm standing in-front of the truck I will look for any leaning. This will indicate a suspension problem or a tire problem.

Now for my bumper,I will make sure it's not cracked or broken,have abrasions,that it's not loose off it hinges

Headlights; I will checked that it's not cracked,broken or have abrasions,that they are clear & of proper color.

For the windshield; I will check that it's not cracked,have chips or loose debris from the outside environment

with my overhead lights I want to check that's it's not cracked,broken or missing lens and that they are the proper color

Now for my mirrors.My driver and passenger mirrors (start with driver side than passenger side) that they are not cracked bent,broken and are securely mounted to the truck.

Now for under the hood I want to make sure the red water inside that clear white container is filled to the top ((at this very moment...she knew,she ****** up)).

See when I get to under the hood and with tires and suspensions,I suck big time. HELP🥺🥺🥺🥺

😃ALL RESPONSES WILL BE APPRECIATED!!😃

Yes, doing it a specific way to pass a test is intimidating. But, once you get through that, it becomes really easy with one simple philosophy: CHECK EVERYTHING! Even if it's not included in the test lists.

Once that test fades into your past, you'll be surprised how easy it is after that.

Thanks Michael! Will be sure to keep that in mind. Studying as I'm typing this. I'm getting there I'm definitely getting there. I still got alot of time to practice/study,so that great. Will definitely update.

Thanks Michael! Will be sure to keep that in mind. Studying as I'm typing this. I'm getting there I'm definitely getting there. I still got alot of time to practice/study,so that great. Will definitely update.

Studying now before they tell you to do it? YOU...are doing it right! By the time you get there, you'll be able to help others who just started.

It's really not that difficult. Mostly, it's the psyching out of taking a test.

Yes sir!! Thank you. I really want to be prepared for what's to come. I see alot of people have ALOT of trouble with the pre-trips. Looked it up myself and was flabbergasted about what I saw. Nearly gave up. But its gonna be nearly 5 hours that I studied pre-trip today. I can feel myself getting better and better at it especially after reading Daniel's Pre-trip guide. And I will definitely help others who want my help in this. This part of trucking is a completely different breed.

You got this! Keep it up, i'm working on mine too even though I haven't officially decided on a company yet (Probably going with Prime). I still think it's important to study as much as possible and keep going over it again and again until you know it forwards and backwards.