Georgia CDL Air Brakes Test study plan

Identify and label each major air brake system component (compressor, governor, reservoir, safety valve, check valve, foot valve, brake chamber, slack adjuster, push rod) and state its function in one sentence each

Trace the path of compressed air from the compressor through the supply reservoir, wet tank, and dry tank to the brake chambers, drawing the circuit from memory

Explain how the governor cut-in and cut-out pressures regulate compressor cycling, and state typical cut-out and cut-in values

Distinguish the roles of the safety valve, one-way check valves, and drain cocks in protecting the system

Describe how a dual air brake system splits into a primary and secondary circuit and which vehicle systems each circuit protects

Explain what happens to the remaining circuit when one circuit fails and why the system still allows controlled stopping

Identify the purpose of the spring brakes, parking brake valve, and the role of the inversion valve or relay valve in a dual system

State the warning devices (low pressure buzzer and light) and the pressure at which they must activate in a dual system

Sequence the full pre-trip air brake inspection in correct order, from engine off and parking brake applied through final leak and warning checks

List the specific items to check at each component: compressor belt and mounting, reservoir condition and drain cocks, hoses and lines, brake chambers, slack adjusters, and push rod travel

Explain how to check slack adjuster and push rod travel and what a normal versus excessive travel looks like

Identify what the pre-trip inspection must confirm about the low air pressure warning and the spring brake operation

Perform and record the static leak test: build pressure to governor cut-out, shut off the engine, and note the acceptable pressure loss per minute for a single vehicle

Perform and record the applied-pressure leak test with the service brake fully applied and state the allowed loss

Test the low pressure warning device by reducing pressure and confirm the buzzer and light activate before the specified threshold

Test the spring brakes by draining the system and confirming they apply automatically, and verify the parking brake holds

Explain the correct technique for normal braking, including progressive application and avoiding pumping the brake pedal

Describe how to use engine braking and downshifting together with the service brake on long downgrades to control speed

State the safe following distance and speed control rules for a vehicle with air brakes, including the effect of heavier loads on stopping distance

Identify when and how to use the parking brake and spring brakes during normal operation, including the correct shutdown sequence

Describe the symptoms of a failing compressor and how to recognize pressure not building or building too slowly

Explain the warning signs of a leaking air line, a stuck slack adjuster, and a frozen or dragging brake chamber

List the immediate actions for a low air pressure warning while driving, including downshifting, safe stopping, and applying the parking brake

Describe emergency stopping procedures when service brakes fail, including using the spring brakes and finding a safe place to stop

Review the dual circuit failure scenarios and confirm the correct response for each circuit failing while driving

Re-run all four system checks from week 4 and compare results to your earlier log to find any gaps in understanding

Practice explaining the low pressure warning and spring brake tests aloud as you would on the skills test

Answer a set of mixed practice questions across all six domains and record which domains produced wrong answers

Review every domain using your week 1 diagram, week 3 checklist, week 6 response sheet, and week 7 weak-domain list

Re-explain each component function, each system check, and each emergency response aloud without notes

Take a full-length timed practice test and score it, then review every missed question against the source material

Confirm you can state the acceptable leak rates and warning thresholds from memory