Class A Pre-Trip Inspection Study App

The CDL Pre-Trip Inspection can be the most daunting portion of the driving test. But, it's easy if you study.

Use this FREE study guide to prepare for your CDL Skills test.

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Courtesy of CDL College.

01: Engine Compartment + 1 Axle

Stand in front of the truck.

(3 L’s) Lights, Leans, Leaks

Verify that the LIGHTS on the front of the truck are the proper color, securely mounted, not cracked or broken, and clean.

Next, make sure the truck isn’t LEANing to one side, which could indicate a suspension problem or low tire pressure.

Ensure there are no LEAKS underneath the engine compartment.

Check the front of truck for damage. When you find damage on the vehicle, tell the tester that you’ll note it on your Vehicle Inspection Report.

3 Components

Alternator: securely mounted, not cracked; wires are properly fastened and not frayed. Belt or gear driven: If belt-driven, belt has no more than 1/2" to 3/4" of play, and no cuts or splits.

Water Pump: (see box on right) 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 no splits or cuts.

Air Compressor: securely mounted to engine, not broken or cracked; no audible leaks; belt or gear driven: belt has no more than 1/2" to 3/4" inch of play and no splits or cuts.

3 Fluids

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.

Belts and Hoses

After properly inspecting the power steering hose and the coolant hose, tell the tester that you would inspect all remaining hoses the same way.
After properly inspecting the alternator belt, tell the tester that you will inspect all remaining belts the same way.

Axle

Steering

Steering Shaft: not bent or broken and securely mounted; no excessive play.
Steering Gear Box: properly mounted to frame and not cracked or broken; no visible leaks; HOSE has no visible leaks and is properly mounted at both ends.

Pitman Arm: not cracked and securely mounted, all hardware is present. Castle nuts and cotter pins are present and tight.
Drag Link: not broken and properly mounted at both ends. Rubber bushings: not split or cut and properly greased.
Upper/Lower Control Arms and Tie Rod: not broken and securely mounted, all hardware present.

Spring Mounts: spring mounts and hardware are not cracked or broken and properly mounted to frame.
Leaf Springs: not cracked or broken, not shifted or scissored; properly mounted to spring hangers.
U-bolts: not cracked or broken and securely mounted.

Shock Absorber: not bent or broken and mounted securely; no visible leaks; rubber bushings have no dry-rot.

Brakes

Brake Hose: hose to brake chamber not split or cut, no audible leaks, and securely mounted at both ends.
Brake Chamber: not cracked or broken and securely mounted; no audible leaks.
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: securely mounted and not broken, no bluing from excessive heat.
Brake Pads: securely mounted and not broken; minimum brake pad thickness is 1/4".

Wheel/Tire

Wheel inside: not broken and securely mounted; no welding repairs.
Tire: sidewalls have no cuts or bulges; steer tire tread depth is 4/32" min.; tread is evenly worn; check inflation w/ air gauge (do not kick tires); no re-treads on steers.
Wheel outside: securely mounted and not cracked, no illegal welds.
Valve Stem: properly secured and not broken; no audible leaks, has a metal cap.
Lug Nuts: not cracked or broken; all lug nuts are present and tight.
Hub Seal: not cracked, broken, or loose; no visible leaks.
End this portion of the inspection at the Hub Seal.

02: Side and Back of Truck + 1 Axle

Side and Back of Truck

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.
Space: enough space between rear of truck and landing gear for turns.

Note: axle suspension components can be different from truck to truck. You should 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 cracked or broken, not shifted or scissored; properly mounted to spring hangers.
U-bolts: not cracked or broken and securely mounted.
Shock Absorber: not bent or broken and mounted securely; no visible leaks; rubber bushings have no dry-rot.
Air Bags: not split or cut, no audible leaks; mounts are properly secured and not cracked.
Brake Hose: hose to brake chamber not split or cut, no audible leaks, securely mounted at both ends.
Brake Chamber: not cracked or broken and securely mounted; no audible leaks.
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: securely mounted and not broken, no bluing from excessive heat.
Brake Pads: securely mounted and not broken; minimum brake pad thickness is 1/4".
Wheel inside: not broken and securely mounted; no welding repairs.
Tires: sidewalls have no cuts or bulges; tread depth on drive tires is 2/32" min.; evenly worn; check inflation w/ air gauge (do not kick tires); can be re-treads; Dual Tires: no foreign objects between tires, no gap between wheels.
Wheel Outside: not cracked, securely mounted, no welding repairs.
Valve Stem: properly secured and not broken; no audible leaks, has a metal cap.
Lug Nuts: not cracked or broken; all lug nuts are present and tight.
Hub Seal: not cracked, broken, or loose; no visible leaks.
End this inspection at the Hub Seal.

03: Connections

Locate the air lines and the electrical line at the rear of the cab.

Air Lines should be securely mounted at BOTH ends. All hardware is present, nothing broken. Lines have no cuts or splits and no audible leaks. Glad hands are locked in place, not broken, and seals are not split or cut.

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.

Fifth Wheel Assembly: Apron: securely mounted, not cracked or broken. No gap between apron and skid plate.
Skid Plate: properly greased, securely mounted, not cracked. Pivot pin is securely mounted, not cracked or broken.
Platform: is securely mounted to frame and not cracked or broken.
Release Handle: securely mounted, not broken and in locked position.
Sliding Fifth Wheel? The actuator is not cracked or broken; air line is securely mounted, no audible leaks, no cuts or splits).

Kingpin and Locking Jaws: securely mounted and not worn. Locking jaws are secure around kingpin, both are properly greased.

04: Trailer + 1 Axle

Start at the front of the trailer, then inspect the side and the back.
Finish with a trailer axle.
Front of Trailer: clearance lights are the proper color, not loose, cracked, or dirty, and clean. Front of trailer has no holes, all rivets present.
Side of Trailer: no holes in side of trailer, all rivets in place.
DOT tape: properly secured, not dirty, covers at least 50% of the side.
Frame: not twisted or broken, all hardware present and tight.
Cross members: securely mounted, not loose or broken, none missing.
Floor: securely mounted and no holes.
Landing gear: is raised, not broken, securely mounted; Handle not broken, securely mounted, and operational.
Clearance light: proper color, not loose, cracked or dirty; rubber gasket not split or cut.
Air lines: are securely mounted under trailer, no audible leaks, not dragging on the ground.
Tandem slide: not bent, properly mounted, pins locked in place.
Release arm: securely mounted, not broken, and in locked position.
Mud flap: 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 the proper color, not cracked or dirty, and clean.
Hinges: are securely mounted, bot cracked or broken.
Doors: not broken, no holes; door seal intact, no cuts, securely mounted.
Door handles and rods: are not bent, are securely mounted, and operational.
Lights: proper color, securely mounted, not loose, cracked or dirty.
DOT tape: is securely mounted, clean, and covers 100% of rear.
Bumper: is properly secured, not cracked or broken.

Trailer Axle

Note: axle suspension components can be different from truck to truck. You should determine which suspension components are present and inspect those components. Axles consist of suspension, brakes, wheels, and tires.

Trailing Arm Mount: securely mounted to frame, not broken or cracked.
Spring mounts: spring mounts and hardware are not cracked or broken and properly mounted to frame.
Leaf Springs: not cracked or broken, not shifted or scissored; properly mounted to spring hangers.
U-bolts: not cracked or broken and securely mounted.
Shock Absorber: not bent or broken and mounted securely; no visible leaks; rubber bushings have no dry-rot.
Air Bags: not split or cut, no audible leaks; mounts are properly securedand not cracked.
Brake Hose: hose to brake chamber not split or cut, no audible leaks, securely mounted at both ends.
Brake Chamber: not cracked or broken and securely mounted; no audible leaks.
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: securely mounted and not broken, no bluing from excessive heat.
Brake Pads: securely mounted and not broken; minimum brake pad thickness is 1/4".
Wheel inside: not broken and securely mounted; no welding repairs.
Tires: sidewalls have no cuts or bulges; tread depth on drive tires is 2/32" min.; evenly worn; check inflation w/ air gauge (do not kick tires); can be re-treads; Dual Tires: no foreign objects between tires, no gap between wheels.
Wheel Outside: not cracked, securely mounted, no welding repairs.
Valve Stem: properly secured and not broken; no audible leaks, has a metal cap.
Lug Nuts: not cracked or broken; all lug nuts are present and tight.
Hub Seal: not cracked, broken, or loose; no visible leaks.
End this inspection at the Hub Seal.

05:External Light Check

Follow the flow to avoid missing any lights: 4 sides for the truck, 4 sides for the trailer.

 

Group similar lights together (headlights and high beams; turn signals and 4-way flashers; brake lights and tail lights).

 

TRUCK LIGHTS

Front: clearance lights, headlights, high beams, left turn, right turn, 4-way flashers

Left side: clearance light, left turn, 4-way flasher

Rear: tail lights, brake lights, left turn, right turn, 4-way flashers

Right side: clearance light, right turn,4-way flasher

 

TRAILER LIGHTS

Front: clearance lights

Left side: clearance light, left turn, 4-way flasher

Rear: clearance lights, tail lights, brake lights, left turn, right turn, 4-way flashers

Right side: clearance light, right turn, 4-way flasher

06: In Cab and Brake Test

Memorize this formula:
5, 5, Safe Start, 5, 5
5 safety items
5 in cab items
Safe Start
5 gauges
5-step brake check

5 Safety Items

Start at the driver side door and work your way to the right.

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 cracked or broken, reflective.
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.

5 In Cab Items

Follow the blue spiral shape below to remember the 5 in cab items.
Mirrors: glass not dirty or cracked, no illegal stickers, mirrors properly adjusted.
Windshield: securely mounted, not dirty or cracked, no illegal stickers.
Windshield wipers: arms properly mounted and not broken; blades have no splits or cuts, wipers and wiper fluid are operational.
Heater/defroster: demonstrate both are operational by setting fan to max, and the mix valve to heat/defrost.
Dashboard light indicators: turn the lights on and check the indicators for the high beams, right and left turn signals, and 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.

5 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, at the proper operating range, 12-14 volts.
Air gauges (2): building air to proper operating range, no warning lights.

5-step Brake Test

Explain each step before performing it.
With the first 2 steps, you’re either trying to move the vehicle, or you are moving the vehicle. The engine must be ON for the first 2 steps.
1) Parking Brake: release trailer brake (push RED valve IN); slowly release the clutch, tugging lightly against the parking brake. Push clutch in. (Leave everything in the truck as it is).
2) 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. (Leave everything in the truck as it is).

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**Turn the engine OFF, and turn the key ON for the next 2 steps.
You’ll need power for your gauges.**

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3) Applied Test (Leaks): depress and the hold brake pedal and count to 60. Watch the air gauges. They should not lose more than 4psi in 1 minute (3psi for Class B).
4) Low Air Warning: fan brake pedal until the air gauge reads ~60psi. Stop fanning when the low-air emergency light and/or buzzer come on. 5) Emergency Spring Brakes (Pop-Out): continue fanning the brakes down to 40–20psi, at which point the brake valves should pop out. Look at the valves, not the gauges. Do not pull the valves out!

Air Compressor check: perform a Safe Start. Idle up the engine (1200RPM) until the secondary air tank reads 85psi. At 85psi begin counting. The air pressure must rise from 85 to 100psi in 45 seconds or less. Next, fast idle the truck up to 120-140psi, at which point the governor cut-out should occur. Psshhh!

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