The pre-trip inspection

By the end of this topic you can

• You can carry out a full walk-around in a set order without missing areas.
• You can point to each part, name it and say what a safe condition looks like.
• You can carry out the in-cab checks, including the air brake checks on an air-braked vehicle.
• You can explain when a written inspection report is needed at the end of the day.

What you need to know and understand

• On the test you must touch or point to each item and explain what you are checking; just looking is usually not enough.
• The federal rules list the areas: engine compartment, cab and engine start, steering, suspension, brakes, wheels, sides and rear, plus special parts for tractor-trailers or buses.
• Air brake vehicles also need checks of the air controls, low-pressure warning, air pressure build-up and brake performance.
• At the end of each work day, drivers prepare a written report on each vehicle if a defect was found or reported.
• Safety defects must be repaired, or certified as not needing repair, before the vehicle runs again.
• Each state publishes its own test checklist and scoring, so learn the version in your state CDL manual.

A walk-around order that sticks

Pick one order and use it every time. A typical route looks like this:

1. Approach: look under the vehicle for fresh leaks and check it is not leaning.
2. Engine compartment: fluid levels, belts, hoses, wiring and leaks, with the engine off.
3. Cab check and engine start: gauges, warning lights, mirrors, wipers, horn, heater and defroster, seat belt and emergency equipment.
4. Front of vehicle: steering parts, suspension, front brakes, tires, rims and lug nuts, lights and reflectors.
5. Each side and the rear: fuel tank, frame, doors, cargo securement, rear tires, brakes, lights and mud flaps.
6. Coupling area on a combination: fifth wheel or other coupling, locking jaws, air and electrical lines.
7. Final light check and the brake checks before moving.

What a 'good' part looks like

For most parts, examiners want to hear the same three things: it is mounted securely, it is not cracked, bent, broken or missing, and it is not leaking. Add any part-specific detail, such as even tire wear with no cuts or bulges, or a brake hose with no worn spots.

• Tires: proper inflation, tread depth, no cuts, bulges or mismatched sizes on a dual set.
• Wheels and rims: no cracks, no rust trails around lug nuts, no missing lugs.
• Steering: no excessive play at the wheel, no loose or missing nuts and cotter pins.
• Lights and reflectors: clean, working, correct color.

Beyond test day

Federal rules expect the driver to be satisfied the vehicle is safe before driving. At the end of the day you complete a driver vehicle inspection report for any defect you found or were told about. The carrier must fix safety problems before the vehicle is used again. Treat the pre-trip as your own protection: you are the one who will be driving that vehicle.

Common mistakes

• Rushing and skipping a whole side. Using the same order every time stops this.
• Saying a part is 'good' without saying why. Name what you are checking for: secure, not damaged, not leaking.
• Forgetting the in-cab air brake checks. On an air-braked vehicle they are a required part of the inspection.
• Learning another state's checklist. Use the checklist in your own state CDL manual.

Test yourself: The pre-trip inspection

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.