The CDL test is administered in three parts in this order

1. the vehicle inspection,
2. the BCS excercises, and
3. the road skills test.

You must successfully complete each part of the test before going on to the next part. If you fail a part of you must wait two (2) days before attempting that part again.

The applicant must only inspect items of the vehicle as outlined in Section 11 in the Michigan CDL Training Manual. You may obtain a copy of this manual from your local Secretary of State branch office or online at www.Michigan.gov/SOS.

You can lose points or fail the test by not following the inspection items in Section 11. You must use only those descriptions in that section. If you continue to inspect parts of the vehicle not included in Section 11 you will be failed for inexperience. For example, the transmission dip stick is not in Section 11 because it is an item for the mechanic and will not be inspected by the driver.

The test/vehicle inspection begins in the cab of the vehicle with the applicant in the driver's seat. The examiner will read the instructions from that position.

You must complete the cab portion first and successfully complete the air brake procedure as outlined in the Michigan CDL Manual section to go on to the rest of the vehicle inspection.

• safety belt
• emergency equipment
• safe start
• temperature gauge
• oil pressure gauge
• ammeter or voltmeter gauge
• *air gauge
• lighting indicators
• horn
• heater and defroster
• wipers and washers
• windshield and mirrors
• parking brake
• service brake/ABS
• *air brake (1, 2, 3) or hydraulic brake check

You must look at, say and do the complete air brake procedures in the exact order of each sentence in the manual on page 136. You get only one redo and you must restart at the beginning.

The examiner can not help you inspect the lights. If you miss a light you do not get a point. You may only ask the examiner to look at the brake light while you pump the brakes.