Performance Skill Standard:

Conditions of Performance:

• Given the cab instrumentation and control panels of a typical truck tractor that is in operation…

Statement of Work to be performed:

• …The driver will identify and locate, read, and interpret the typical vehicle instruments and controls of a tractor-trailer rig.

Performance Criteria:

• Drivers must identify and locate each of the vehicular driving controls and the various monitoring devices (gauges, alarms, lights, etc.) required to operate the vehicle safely and efficiently.
• Drivers must read instrument/gauge accurately within +1 unit of measure correctly each time.
• Drivers must operate control/switch correctly each time.
• Drivers must supplement gauge/control information with other data.

Performance Elements and Assessment Criteria:

• Identify, locate, and read/operate each of the primary controls including those required for:
  • Steering
  • Proper adjustment including seat adjustment
  • Hand placement
  • Accelerating
  • Traction Control Switch
  • Shifting
  • Eaton Auto Shift
  • Braking
  • Air brakes
  • Engine brakes
  • Parking
  • Parking Brake
  • Trailer Air Supply
  • Cold weather
  • Identify, locate, and read/operate each of the secondary controls including those required for:
  • Lights
  • Headlights
  • High Beams (When & Where)
  • Marker lights
  • Marker interrupt
  • Signals
  • Turn Signals
  • 4 Way Flashers
  • Mirrors
  • Proper adjustment
  • Mirror heat
  • Windshield wipers and washers
  • Interior climate
  • Engine starting and shutdown
  • Suspension
  • Coupling
• Identify, locate, read/operate, and indicate the acceptable reading range of the various instruments required to monitor:
  • Vehicle speed
  • Engine speed
  • Fuel status
  • Oil status
  • Air status
  • Primary & Secondary Tanks
  • Suspension
  • Cooling status
  • Exhaust status
  • Electrical Systems status
  • Warning Lights

• Augment displayed information from other sources, given that instruments may malfunction or not be entirely accurate.
  • Trip Computer
  • Odors
  • ‘Feel’
• Make appropriate adjustments for company specific equipment, especially:
  • Various transmissions
  • Different engines
  • Types of trailers
  • Types of loads
  • Other factors
• Identify typical problem points in equipment specific to an individual carrier’s operation.