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Printable CDL Pre-Trip Guide
There are 4 sections of the truck/bus to concentrate on:
* if applicable.
You must say at least 2 things about every item you inspect. Point to, or touch, every item that you inspect. You must point out any damaged items that you find to the tester.
Leaks, Leans, and Lights (3 L’s)
LEAKS: Stand in front of the truck. Ensure there are no leaks underneath the engine compartment.
Next, make sure the truck isn’t LEANing to one side which could indicate a suspension problem or low tire pressure.
Last, verify that the LIGHTs on the front of the truck are the proper color, securely mounted, not cracked or dirty, and have no moisture inside.
Check the front of the truck for any other damage. Tell the tester that you’ll note all damage on your Inspection Report.
There are 3 Fluids, 3 Components, Belts and Hoses to check in the engine area.
Coolant: verify proper level through sight glass or dipstick; reservoir is properly mounted not cracked; check the hoses for splits or cuts and ensure they are securely mounted at both ends.
Oil: indicate where the dipstick is located and that the oil is at the proper level.
Power Steering: verify proper level through sight glass or dipstick; reservoir is securely mounted and not cracked; check the hoses for splits or cuts and ensure they are securely mounted at both ends.
Alternator: securely mounted to engine; wires are properly fastened and not frayed. Belt or gear driven: belt has no more than 1/2" to 3/4" of play, and no cuts.
Water Pump: (follow large hose from bottom of radiator to find w.p.) properly mounted and not broken; no visible leaks: belt or gear driven, belt has no more than 1/2" to 3/4" inch of play and has no splits or cuts.
Air Compressor: no audible leaks and securely mounted to engine; not broken or cracked and belt or gear driven. If belt-driven, belt has no more than 1/2" to 3/4" inch of play and has no splits or cuts.
After properly inspecting the power steering hose and the coolant hose, tell the tester that you would inspect all remaining hoses the same way.
Not all water pumps look the same. Follow the large hose from the bottom of the radiator to the water pump.
After properly inspecting the alternator belt, tell the tester that you will inspect all remaining belts the same way.
Power Steering Box: properly mounted to frame and not cracked or leaking, all hardware present; hose has no leaks and is properly mounted at both ends.
Pitman Arm: not cracked and securely mounted, all hardware is present. Castle nuts and cotter pins in place.
Drag Link: properly mounted at both ends, all hardware present. Rubber bushings: not split or cut and properly greased.
Upper and Lower Control Arms and Tie Rod: not broken and securely mounted, all hardware present.
Note– not all axles are the same. You must determine which suspension compo- nents are present and inspect those components. Axles consist of suspension, brakes, wheels, and tires.
Spring mounts: spring mounts and hardware are not cracked or broken and properly mounted to frame.
Leaf Springs: not shifted or scissoring; properly mounted to spring hangers.
U-bolts: not cracked or broken, no loose parts, and all hardware present.
Shock absorber: not bent or broken and mounted securely; no visible leaks, rubber bushings not worn.
Brake Hose: hose to brake chamber not split or cut, and no audible leaks, securely mounted at both ends.
Brake Chamber: not cracked or broken, securely mounted, no audible leaks, all hardware is present.
Slack Adjuster: no missing hardware and properly mounted; push rod has no more than 1" of play and is at a 90° angle to brake chamber.
Brake Drum: not broken, no bluing from heat, and no missing hardware.
Brake Pads: not worn dangerously thin (less than 1/4"), securely mounted.
Rim inspect the inside and outside of the rim it should not be broken, securely mounted; no welding repairs.
Tire: sidewalls have no cuts or bulges; tread depth is 4/32" min., evenly worn, check inflation w/ air gauge (do not kick tires); no re-treads on steer tires.
Valve Stem: properly secured and has a metal cap, not broken
Lug Nuts: all lug nuts are present and tight; no rust trails or spidering.
Hub Seal: not cracked or broken, not loose or leaking, all hardware is present.
You must say at least 2 things about every item you inspect. Point to, or touch, every item that you inspect. You must point out any damaged items that you find to the tester.
Make It Easy: inspect from Top to Bottom, Front to Rear; Axle Last
Mirror bracket: properly attached to truck and not broken, all hardware in place.
Door: securely mounted and opens and closes; hinges not broken and securely mounted; rubber seal not split or cut and is properly mounted.
Steps: hold my weight, not loose, no debris.
Fuel tank: not leaking and no loose hardware; cap is tight, seal intact and chain present.
Exhaust: not loose, all hardware present, no evidence of leaks (exterior soot).
Cat Walk and Steps: properly mounted and not excessively dirty.
Frame: not twisted or broken and no illegal welds.
Drive Shaft: not cracked or broken, U-joints not broken and have no foreign objects.
Rear truck lights: proper color, all lights are present, not cracked or dirty, no moisture inside the lens.
Mud Flap: bracket is securely mounted and not cracked, all hardware in place; mud flap not split or cut. DOT tape is securely mounted, not dirty, covers 100% of rear. There is enough space between rear of truck and landing gear for turns.
Drive Axle (s)
Note–not all axles are the same. You must determine which suspension components are present and inspect those components. Axles consist of suspension, brakes, wheels, and tires.
Spring mounts: spring mounts and hardware are not cracked or broken and properly mounted to frame.
Leaf Springs: not shifted or scissoring; properly mounted to spring hangers.
U-bolts: not cracked or broken, no loose parts, and all hardware present.
Air Bags: not split or cut, no audible leaks.
Air Bag Mounts: are not loose or broken, all hardware is present.
Shock absorber: not bent or broken and mounted securely; no visible leaks, rubber bushings not worn.
Brake Hose: hose to brake chamber not split or cut, and no audible leaks, securely mounted at both ends.
Brake Chamber: not cracked or broken, securely mounted, no audible leaks, all hardware is present.
Slack Adjuster: no missing hardware and properly mounted; push rod has no more than 1" of play and is at a 90° angle to brake chamber.
Brake Drum: not broken, no bluing from heat, and no missing hardware.
Brake Pads: not worn dangerously thin (less than 1/4"), securely mounted.
Rim inspect the inside and outside of the rim it should not be broken, securely mounted; no welding repairs.
Tire: sidewalls have no cuts or bulges; tread depth is 4/32" min., evenly worn, check inflation w/ air gauge (do not kick tires); no re-treads on steer tires.
Valve Stem: properly secured and has a metal cap, not broken
Lug Nuts: all lug nuts are present and tight; no rust trails or spidering.
Hub Seal: not cracked or broken, not loose or leaking, all hardware is present.
You must say at least 2 things about every item you inspect. Point to, or touch, every item that you inspect. You must point out any damaged items that you find to the tester.
Make It Easy: Connections–Start at Rear of Cab, end with Kingpin
Air Lines should be securely mounted at BOTH ends. All hardware must be present, nothing is broken. Lines have no cuts or splits. No audible leaks. Glad hands are locked in place, not broken, and seals are intact.
Electrical line is securely mounted at BOTH ends. All hardware is present and tight. Lines have no cuts or splits. Safety latches are in place. Lines are not tangled or dragging on catwalk.
Apron: securely mounted, not cracked or broken. No gap between apron and skid plate.
Skid Plate: properly greased, securely mounted, not cracked. All hard- ware present, none missing. Pivot pin is present, not cracked or broken.
Platform: is securely mounted to frame and not broken, all hardware is present, nothing is loose.
Release Handle: not broken and in locked position.
Kingpin and Locking Jaws: securely mounted and not worn. Locking jaws are secure around kingpin, both are properly greased.
Sliding Fifth Wheel: all hardware is present; air line is securely mounted, no audible leaks, no cuts or splits).
Front of Trailer: clearance lights are proper color; not loose, cracked, or dirty, no moisture inside lens. Front of trailer has no holes, all rivets present.
Side of Trailer: no holes in side, all rivets in place. DOT tape is properly fastened, not dirty, covers at least 50% of the side.
Frame is not twisted or broken, all hardware present and tight.
Cross members are in place, not loose or broken, and none missing.
Floor has no holes, securely mounted.
Landing gear is raised, not broken, properly mounted, no missing hardware; handle not broken, securely mounted, and operational.
Clearance light not loose, proper color, not cracked or dirty, gasket not split or cut.
Hoses underneath are securely mounted, no audible leaks, not dragging on ground.
Tandem Slide not bent, properly mounted, pins locked in place; release arm securely mounted, not broken, and in locked position.
Mud Flaps securely mounted, no cuts, and proper distance from tire and ground; ABS light not cracked or dirty, proper color, no moisture inside.
Back of Trailer: clearance lights are proper color, not cracked or dirty, no moisture inside lens; hinges are securely mounted, all are present, hardware is tight; doors not broken, no holes; door seal intact, no cuts, securely mounted; door handles and rods not bent, securely mounted, and operational; lights are proper color, securely mounted, not cracked or dirty, no moisture inside lens; DOT tape is securely mounted, not dirty, covers 100% of rear; bumper is properly secured, not cracked or broken.
Note– not all axles are the same. You must determine which suspension compo- nents are present and inspect those components. Axles consist of suspension, brakes, wheels, and tires.
Spring mounts: spring mounts and hardware are not cracked or broken and properly mounted to frame.
Leaf Springs: not shifted or scissoring; properly mounted to spring hangers.
U-bolts: not cracked or broken, no loose parts, and all hardware present.
Air Bags: not split or cut, no audible leaks.
Air Bag Mounts: are not loose or broken, all hardware is present.
Shock absorber: not bent or broken and mounted securely; no visible leaks, rubber bushings not worn.
Brake Hose: hose to brake chamber not split or cut, and no audible leaks, securely mounted at both ends.
Brake Chamber: not cracked or broken, securely mounted, no audible leaks, all hardware is present.
Slack Adjuster: no missing hardware and properly mounted; push rod has no more than 1" of play and is at a 90° angle to brake chamber.
Brake Drum: not broken, no bluing from heat, and no missing hardware.
Brake Pads: not worn dangerously thin (less than 1/4"), securely mounted.
Rim inspect the inside and outside of the rim it should not be broken, securely mounted; no welding repairs.
Tire: sidewalls have no cuts or bulges; tread depth is 4/32" min., evenly worn, check inflation w/ air gauge (do not kick tires); no re-treads on steer tires.
Valve Stem: properly secured and has a metal cap, not broken
Lug Nuts: all lug nuts are present and tight; no rust trails or spidering.
Hub Seal: not cracked or broken, not loose or leaking, all hardware is present.
Make It Easy: Truck first, then trailer
Group similar lights together (headlights and high beams; turn signals and 4-way flashers; brake lights and tail lights).
Follow the flow and you shouldn’t miss any: 4 sides for the truck, 4 sides for the trailer.
clearance lights
You must say at least 2 things about every item you inspect. Point to, or touch, every item that you inspect. You must point out any damaged items that you find to the tester.
Make It Easy: All 5’s
Seat belt: securely mounted, belt has no cuts or frays, adjusts properly, and latches and unlatches.
Horns: ensure that both horns are operational.
Fire extinguisher: properly charged and rated, securely mounted, pin in place.
Triangles: must have 3, not broken, proper color.
Fuses: must have spare fuses or circuit breakers; if vehicle does not use fuses, mention to tester.
After inspecting your safety items,turn the key on and continue your inspection.
Mirrors & windshield: glass not dirty or cracked, no illegal stickers, mirrors properly adjusted.
Windshield wipers: arms properly mounted, not broken, blades have no splits or cuts, wipers and fluid are operational.
Heater/defroster: demonstrate both are operational.
Dashboard light indicators: (turn lights on) high beams, right and left turn signals, 4-way flashers.
Safe Start: tell the examiner these 3 steps before you perform them: parking brake is set, transmission in neutral, and the clutch is depressed. Start the engine and look for the ABS light on the dash to come on and then go off. With the vehicle started, check the gauges.
Oil gauge: operational, rising to proper operating range, no warning light.
Temperature gauge: operational, rising to proper operating range, no warning light.
Voltmeter: operational, proper operating range, 12-14 volts.
Air gauges (2): building air to proper operating range, no warning lights.
Parking Brake: release trailer brake (push RED valve IN), tug lightly against it.
Service Brake: (brake pedal) release parking brake (BOTH valves should be IN), pull forward to 5 mph, depress clutch and brake while lightly gripping the steering wheel; check if vehicle pulls to the left or right.
THE NEXT 4 STEPS MUST BE PERFORMED to avoid an automatic fail on the Pre-Trip
Pay special attention to the notes below regarding the engine and the key.
Look at the valves, not the air gauge. Do not pull the valves out! They should pop-out on their own.
Note: Turn the engine off. Turn the key on for the last 3 steps. This simple step will save an automatic failure.