CDL question
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Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 13,589
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From: NW burbs of chicago
CDL question
Here's a question for ya guys with a CDL.
My dads co. has a tractor trailer (1983 mack)
He has a maintience guy on staff.
He has a CDL driver on staff.
Now my question is:
Is the Driver required (by CDL classification) to know how to adjust the brakes?
My dads co. has a tractor trailer (1983 mack)
He has a maintience guy on staff.
He has a CDL driver on staff.
Now my question is:
Is the Driver required (by CDL classification) to know how to adjust the brakes?
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 5,228
Likes: 5
From: Running Springs CA
I dont think so. A driver is a driver and a mechanic a mechanic. My uncle was a long-haul trucker most of his life and his union contract did not allow him to even change a tire.
I'm more familiar with aviation and a licensed pilot cannot legally repair an airplane.
Jim
I'm more familiar with aviation and a licensed pilot cannot legally repair an airplane.
Jim
New User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by jake00
Here's a question for ya guys with a CDL.
My dads co. has a tractor trailer (1983 mack)
He has a maintience guy on staff.
He has a CDL driver on staff.
Now my question is:
Is the Driver required (by CDL classification) to know how to adjust the brakes?
My dads co. has a tractor trailer (1983 mack)
He has a maintience guy on staff.
He has a CDL driver on staff.
Now my question is:
Is the Driver required (by CDL classification) to know how to adjust the brakes?
New User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
My husband is both a certified Mechanic and has a CDL. I don't remember him having to know how to adjust the brakes in his driving test. I know they have a safety checklist they have to perform. I would leave it to a certified mechanic to work on brakes.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
From: toronto
here in ontario canada u cant touch the brakes at unless u take a lesson on ajustment an that is only for manual slack ajusters . if the automatic ajusters need ajustment u have to be a certified mechanic
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 419
Likes: 0
From: Macomb, IL
The correct answer is:
You do not need to know how to "adjust the brakes" (most truck have self adjusting slack adjusters anyway) You DO NEED TO KNOW how to tell when your brakes need adjustment. (slack adjusters seldom work correctly) You have to describe the process to the examiner.
Get a CDL book from you local DMV and study it. You will need to know everything in it.
It is the drivers job to know when his brakes are out of adjustment and report it to the company. If the brakes are far enough out to make the vehicle unsafe he is forbidden by law (and common sense) to drive it until it is in compliance.
He can (if is capable and wishes to) adjust the brakes himself but IS NOT REQUIRED TO.
Unless the 1983 Mack has been retrofitted it has the old style easily adjustable slack adjusters.
I'll bet that Mack could not pass a DOT inspection either.
You do not need to know how to "adjust the brakes" (most truck have self adjusting slack adjusters anyway) You DO NEED TO KNOW how to tell when your brakes need adjustment. (slack adjusters seldom work correctly) You have to describe the process to the examiner.
Get a CDL book from you local DMV and study it. You will need to know everything in it.
It is the drivers job to know when his brakes are out of adjustment and report it to the company. If the brakes are far enough out to make the vehicle unsafe he is forbidden by law (and common sense) to drive it until it is in compliance.
He can (if is capable and wishes to) adjust the brakes himself but IS NOT REQUIRED TO.
Unless the 1983 Mack has been retrofitted it has the old style easily adjustable slack adjusters.
I'll bet that Mack could not pass a DOT inspection either.
Last edited by kc0rey; Jun 9, 2005 at 01:08 PM.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,787
Likes: 0
From: covington wa.
When i got my CDL I was certified for air brakes at the same time
so i could adjust them if needed.
so i could adjust them if needed.
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Thread Starter
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Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 13,589
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From: NW burbs of chicago
Well, The mack did pass inspection, at a weigh station. I've got the CDL book, but haven't had the time to study it, (its also not really high on the priority list, since I never plan on getting a CDL)
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