Newbies - Tips From the Trainer

I live in Pennsylvania, still attending a truck driver school. I am already a bit nervous about the testing for the pre-trip inspection(s)in Pennsylvania. Everyone tells me it's not a big deal, but with my back ground, (knowing hardly anything mechanical), it is difficult for me to even remember the names of the different parts located under the hood of a rig. I also have troubles with names of other parts on and underneath the Tractor-trailer. Whew! So overwhelming. I really want to get my CDL and become a truck driver. I also have been studying the functions of an airbrake system, which I also have difficulties with. Any info or input from you is most highly appreciated.

This is becoming more and more common these days. The types of vehicles that we drive have changed from something that we could work on easily to things that really are too difficult to do anything on but the basics. This is common with males and females too! This will be difficult for you but not impossible!. The first thing you need to do is learn what the parts are and what they do. If you study a bit and can get the major parts memorized and what they do, this will be a snap! Some of the books on the CDL can help with this. You can also spend a day or two in the local library in the reference section. They usually have a lot of large books with loads of pictures. Once you know what a part does and what it looks like, you can be assured that they are on the truck somewhere. You can practice looking for these common parts on your car, your friend’s car, and if there is a truck dealership or even a salvage yard near you, you can ask the owners if you can check out the trucks. Most of all parts are common to all vehicles: they all have wheels, they all have alternators, and they all have tires. You can learn all of these things.

You will have to study the things that are different on large trucks and seek as many pictures or explanations in print somewhere. The major different things are the fuel systems and air systems, which most cars do not have. Start from the beginning of these systems and work them to the end of the system. On the air system, you would start with the air compressor, move to the air dryer, then the storage tanks, then out to the different valves that make the system work and then the controls and warning systems that keep you aware as a driver of what is going on with the system.

The air brakes are a system that can be separated and studied piece by piece. You want to move part by part in the system to see how each of these parts works together.

On the fuel system you will have to do the same. Start with the fuel itself and learn why diesel is different than the gas in your car and what the problems and benefits are of using it in large vehicles..

If you are planning to attend a school, they will help you learn these systems and will usually have these parts available to look at and tinker with on display with classes on them all. Ask the school how they teach these subjects before signing on to train there. Explain your situation, they will understand.