Semi-trailer truck pre-trip inspection

Any semi-trailer truck pre-trip inspection should be based on the CDL Vehicle Inspection Test‎‎.

Versions

According to the 11.6.1 section of the CDL Vehicle Inspection Test‎‎, the tested applicant is "required to perform one of the four versions of a Vehicle inspection in the vehicle." All versions include:

1. an engine start,
2. an in-cab inspection,
3. an inspection of the coupling system,
4. an inspection of the entire vehicle or only a portion of the vehicle.

Version A

1. Front of truck
2. Engine compartment
3. Steering components
4. Of one side of the steering axle:
   • Suspension components
   • Brake components
   • Tires
   • Wheels
5. Coupling system
6. Inside the cab, including Air brake check, Parking brake check, Service brake check

Version B

1. Driver's door/fuel area
2. Behind the cab and tractor
3. Of one side of any tractor tandem axles:
   • Suspension components
   • Brake components
   • Tires
   • Wheels
4. Coupling system
5. Inside the cab, including Air brake check, Parking brake check, Service brake check

Version C

1. Coupling system
2. Trailer front and sides
3. Of one side of any trailer tandem axles:
   • Suspension components
   • Brake components
   • Tires
   • Wheels
4. Trailer rear
5. Inside the cab, including Air brake check, Parking brake check, Service brake check

Full version

An inspection of the entire vehicle may consist of:

1. Front of truck
2. Engine compartment
3. Steering components
4. Of one side of any axle:
   • Suspension components
   • Brake components
   • Tires
   • Wheels
5. Driver's door/fuel area
6. Behind the cab
7. Coupling system
8. Trailer front and sides
9. Trailer rear
10. Inside the cab, including Air brake check, Parking brake check, Service brake check

Front of tractor

Front lights

The headlights, turn signals, and clearance lights meet the:

1. Meet general requirements.
2. Requirements for visibility items.

Front leaks

No leaks or puddles from dripping fluids under the engine or transmission.

Engine compartment

The Steering components belong to the engine compartment, but moved to a separate section of this description.

DPF

Mounting brackets, hoses, and electrical components of the diesel particulate filter (DPF) must meet:

1. General requirements.
2. Requirements for fluid-containing items.

Engine hoses

Engine hoses must meet the Requirements for fluid-containing items.

Coolant level

The coolant level must be at the proper level as observed from the reservoir tank or sight glass.

Water pump

Identify whether the pump is belt-driven or gear-driven. Any belt-driven pump must meet the Requirements for engine compartment belts. Boldly, any water pump must meet:

1. General requirements.
2. Requirements for fluid-containing items.

Oil dipstick

The oil must be at proper operating level when its dipstick pulled out, wiped off, re-inserted, and pulled out back.

Alternator

Identify whether the alternator is belt-driven or gear-driven. Any belt-driven alternator must meet the Requirements for engine compartment belts.

Check whether the alternator meets:

1. General requirements.
2. Requirements for electrical items.

Air compressor

Identify whether the air compressor is belt-driven or gear-driven. Any belt-driven air compressor must meet the Requirements for engine compartment belts.

Check whether the air compressor must meet:

1. General requirements.
2. Requirements for air-handling items.

Steering components

Power steering pump

Identify whether the pump is belt-driven or gear-driven. Any belt-driven pump must meet the Requirements for engine compartment belts.

Check whether the power steering pump must meet:

1. General requirements.
2. Requirements for fluid-containing items.

Power steering fluid reservoir

1. Check that the fluid is at the proper level from the side glass or while pulling the dipstick. Level must be above refill mark.

Steering gear box

1. Identify the steering gear box and the power steering hoses.
2. Check whether the box and the hoses meet the:
   • General requirements.
   • Requirements for fluid-containing items.

Steering linkage

1. Identify connecting links, arms, rods, joints, and sockets.
2. Check whether components of the steering linkage meet the General requirements.

Suspension components

Torque arm/torsion bar

1. Identify a torque arm or torsion bar on a non-steering axle. Steering axles are rarely equipped with those.
2. Check whether the arm or bar meets the General requirements.

Spring mounts

1. Identify both spring mounts and their bushings, nuts, and/or bolts.
2. Check whether the front and rear mounts, as well as their components meet the General requirements.

Spring leaves

1. Identify spring leaves.
2. Check whether the leaves:
   • Are not shifted with regards to the spring mounts.
   • Meet the General requirements.

U-bolts

1. Identify U-bolts and their related nuts.
2. Check whether the bolts and nuts meet the General requirements.

Shock absorbers

1. Identify shock absorber.
2. Check whether the absorber meets the:
   • General requirements.
   • Requirements for fluid-containing items.

Air bags

1. Identify air bags and those hoses, air bag mounting brackets and bolts that are related to them.
2. Check whether the air bags:
   • And hoses meet the Requirements for air-handling items.
   • Hoses, brackets, and bolts meet the General requirements.

Brake components

Air hoses

1. Identify air hoses that supply brake chambers and their related couplings.
2. Check whether the hoses meet the:
   • General requirements.
   • Requirements for air-handling items.

Brake chamber

1. Identify brake chambers and those clamps that are related to them.
2. Check whether the chambers and clamps meet the:
   • General requirements.
   • Requirements for air-handling items.

Slack adjuster/push rod

1. Identify slack adjusters and push rods.
2. Check whether the adjusters and rods meet the General requirements.
3. State that manual slack adjusters should not move more than approximately one inch when pulled by hand if brakes are released.

Brake drum

1. Identify the brake drums if they are visible or state that they are hidden behind the shield.
2. If they are visible, check whether the brake drums:
   • Have no signs of grease, oil, or debris.
   • Meet the General requirements.

Brake linings

1. Identify both brake linings (also called "shoes") if they are visible or state that they are hidden behind the shield.
2. If they are visible, check whether the brake linings:
   • Are not worn dangerously thin.
   • Have no signs of grease, oil, or debris.
   • Meet the General requirements.

Tires

Tire surfaces

The tested person is supposed to check whether the tires:

1. Have no abrasions, bulges, or cuts on sidewall and tread areas.
2. Are evenly worn.
3. Meet the General requirements.

Tread depth

The tested person is supposed to check whether the tread depth is at least:

1. 4/32 of an inch on every steering axle tire.
2. 2/32 of an inch on every non-steering axle tire.

Air pressure

1. Know that the tires must be inflated to 100 psi.
2. Check the pressure with an air pressure gauge at the valve stem.

Valve stem/cap

1. Identify one valve stem and its cap on a single tire or both stems and caps on dual tires.
2. Check whether the stems and caps meet the General requirements.

Wheels

Rims

1. Identify the rims. For dual tires, the rims can be either Budd-spaced or Dayton/split. Daytona/split tires have a spacer between two rims, while Budd-spaced rims don't.
2. Check whether:
   • The rims: have no welds.
   • For dual tires, there is no debris between the tires.
   • The rims and, for Dayton/split tires, spacers meet the General requirements.

Lug nuts and holes

The tested person is supposed to check whether the

1. Lug nuts:
   • Show no signs of rust trails or shiny metal that would indicate looseness.
   • Meet the General requirements.
2. Bolt holes are not visibly cracked or distorted.

Hub/axle seal

1. Identify the hub seal on the steering axle or axle seal on non-steering axles, as well as those bolts and, if equipped, dipsticks, that are related to them.
2. Check whether the seals and bolts meet the:
   • General requirements.
   • Requirements for fluid-containing items.

If the seal is equipped with a dipstick, another check can be performed to see whether the fluid is filled to proper level.

Side of tractor

Mirror brackets

Check whether the external mirrors and their brackets meet the:

1. Requirements for visibility items.
2. General requirements.

Tractor side lights

If the inspected tractor is equipped with side lights, check whether the lights meet the:

1. Requirements for visibility items.
2. General requirements.

Cab doors

Check whether the:

1. Doors open and close properly.
2. Door windows meet the Requirements for visibility items.
3. Door hinges are secure.
4. Door seals are intact.
5. Doors, windows, hinges, and seals meet the General requirements.

DEF tank

1. Identify the diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) tank and its cap.
2. Check whether the tank and cap meet the:
   • General requirements.
   • Requirements for fluid-containing items.

Fuel tank

1. Identify the fuel tank, its straps and cap.
2. Check whether the tank and cap meet the:
   • General requirements.
   • Requirements for fluid-containing items.

Behind the cab and tractor

Catwalk and steps

1. Identify the catwalk and steps.
2. Check whether the catwalk and steps:
   • Are solid and clear of loose objects.
   • Meet the General requirements.

Exhaust system

1. Identify the exhaust and, if equipped, its clamps.
2. Check whether the exhaust and, if equipped, clamps, meet the:
   • General requirements.
   • Requirements for air-handling items.

Drive shaft

1. Identify the drive shaft and those U-joints that are related to that.
2. Check whether the drive shaft and U-joints:
   • Appear to be secure and free of foreign objects.
   • Meet the General requirements.

Frame

1. Identify the tractor frame.
2. Check whether the frame meets the General requirements.

Rear tractor visibility

1. Identify the tail lights, brake lights, turn signals, reverse lights, and reflectors.
2. Check whether they:
   • Are the proper color, white for the brake lights and red for the other lights.
   • Meet the General requirements.

Coupling system

Electrical line coupling

1. Identify the electrical line coupling.
2. Check whether the lines:
   • Are securely attached at both tractor and trailer receptacles.
   • Are not dragging on catwalk or frame.
   • Meet the:
     1. General requirements.
     2. Requirements for electrical items.

Air line coupling

1. Identify both air line couplings, including their hoses, glad hands, and glad hand seals.
2. Check whether the:
   • Air hoses are connected at each end and not dragging on the catwalk or frame.
   • Glad hands are locked in place.
   • Air hoses, glad hands, and glad hand seals meet the:
     1. General requirements.
     2. Requirements for air-handling items.

Trailer apron

1. Identify the apron.
2. Check whether the apron:
   • Sits well on the fifth wheel skid plate. There should be no gap or daylight between the plate and apron.
   • Meets the General requirements.

Kingpin and jaws

1. Identify the kingpin and locking jaws.
2. Check whether the locking jaws:
   • Are latched securely around the kingpin.
   • And the kingpin meet the General requirements.

Release arm

1. Identify the release arm and, if equipped, its safety latch.
2. Check whether the:
   • Release arm is all the way in.
   • If equipped, the safety latch is in place and locked.
   • Release arm and, if equipped, safety latch meet the General requirements.

Fifth wheel skid plate

1. Identify the fifth wheel skid plate.
2. Check whether the plate:
   • Is properly lubricated.
   • Meets the General requirements.

Fifth wheel platform

1. Identify the fifth wheel platform and those nuts, mounting bolts, and pins that are related to it.
2. Check whether the platform:
   • Is securely mounted to the frame.
   • And the nuts, bolts, and pins meet the General requirements.

Slide mechanism

1. Identify the fifth wheel sliding locking pins and locking pin air release cyllinder.
2. Check whether the:
   • Mechanism is positioned to allow clearance between the landing gear and the rear frame area of the tractor during the turn.
   • Locking pins are fully engaged into the slide.
   • Air release cylinder meets the Requirements for air-handling items.
   • Pins and cylinder meet the General requirements.

Trailer front and sides

Trailer header board

1. If equipped, check whether the trailer header board:
   • Is not bulged.
   • Meets the General requirements.

Trailer front visibility

1. Identify the trailer front marker lights, reflectors, and DOT reflective tape.
2. Check whether the lights, reflectors, and DOT reflective tape meet the:
   • Requirements for visibility items.
   • General requirements.

Landing gear

1. Identify the landing gear, gear support frame, landing pad, and crank handle.
2. Check whether the:
   • Landing gear is fully raised.
   • Gear support frame and landing pad are free of debris.
   • Crank handle is secured.
   • Landing gear, gear support frame, landing pad, and crank handle meet the General requirements.

Trailer side turn signal

1. Identify the trailer side turn signal.
2. Check whether the lights meet the:
   • Requirements for visibility items.
   • General requirements.

Tandem frame and release

1. Identify the tandem frame and components of the tandem release mechanism, which are the locking pins and release arm.
2. Check whether the:
   • Locking pins are locked in place.
   • Release arm is secured.
   • Tandem frame, locking pins, and release arm meet the General requirements.

Splash guards

1. Check whether the splash guards meet the General requirements.

Door tie back hook

1. Identify a door tie back hook on side of the trailer.
2. Check whether the hook meets the General requirements.

Trailer rear

Trailer rear visibility

1. Identify the tail lights, brake lights, turn signal lights, clearance lights, tag lights, reflectors, and DOT reflective tape.
2. Check whether the lights, reflectors, and tape meet the:
   • Requirements for visibility items.
   • General requirements.

Trailer doors

1. Identify the trailer doors and those hinges that attach the doors to the trailer body.
2. Check whether the:
   • Doors open/close and latch properly.
   • Doors and hinges meet the General requirements.

Door tie back chain

1. Identify the door tie back chain.
2. Check whether the chain meets the General requirements.

Light operating checks

Two people are needed to perform light operating tests fully. The ignition key must be in the "on" or "accessory" position.

Back lights check

Turn on running lights, then left turn, right turn, four-way flashers, brake lights, and then place truck into reverse for reverse lights.

Front lights check

Turn on the marker lights and head lights. Test high beam and low beam lights. Test the left and right turn signals. Test the four-way flashers.

Inside the cab

Emergency equipment

1. Identify the A/B rated fire extinguisher, three reflective triangles, and spare electrical fuses.
2. Check whether the extinguisher:
   • Is properly charged.
   • Meets the General requirements.

Safety belt

1. Check whether the safety belt:
   • Is not ripped or frayed.
   • Adjusts properly.
   • Latches securely.
   • Meets the General requirements.

Safe start engine

1. Depress clutch before attempting to start the vehicle.
2. Place gearshift lever in neutral (or park, for automatic transmissions).
3. Start the vehicle and keep clutch depressed until engine reaches idling speed.
4. Then release clutch slowly.

ABS light

1. Check whether the ABS light came on and went off.
2. Provide the tester with a result of that check.

Horns

1. Operate the:
   • Highway or air horn.
   • City or electrical horn.

Mirrors

1. Check whether the mirrors:
   • Are adjusted to the driver.
   • Meet the:
     1. Requirements for visibility items.
     2. General requirements.

Windshield

1. Check whether the windshield meets the:
   • Requirements for visibility items.
   • General requirements.

Wipers and washers

1. Check whether the windshield:
   • Wiper arms meet the General requirements.
   • Wiper blades are not dry-rotted and press flat against the windshield.
   • Washers have fluid and operate properly.

Oil pressure gauge

1. Check whether the oil pressure gauge raises to normal operating range within seconds.

Ammeter/voltmeter

1. Check whether the ammeter/voltmeter indicates that the alternator is charging and no warning light is on.

Temperature gauge

1. Check whether the temperature gauge is climbing to normal operating range.

Air pressure gauges

1. Check whether the primary (tractor) and secondary (trailer) air pressure gauges are building air to reach governor cut off at 120 to 140 psi.

DEF level indicator

1. Check whether the DEF level is 1/8 of a tank or more.

Light indicators

1. Operate the high beam indicator, left and right turn signal indicators, and four-way flasher indicators are working properly.

Cab and windshield fans

1. Operate the heater (cab) and defroster (windshield) fans.

Brake check series

The brake check series consists of three different checks:

1. Air brake check
2. Parking brake check
3. Service brake check

Air brake check

Failure to perform all three components of the air brake check correctly will result in an automatic failure of thee vehicle inspection test. If you realize that you have missed something or did something incorrectly during your air brake check, you may start over.

Requirements

Air-handling items

• Any inspected item that handles air must be not loose and without audible leaks.
• Its hoses must be:
  1. Mounted securely at both couplings.
  2. Not dry-rotted.
  3. Free from cuts, frays, holes, leaks, and/or other damage.

Electrical items

• Any inspected item that provides the tractor and/or trailer with electricity must be not burnt or frayed.
• Its wires must be free from cuts and/or other damage.

Engine compartment belts

Engine compartment belts may include power steering belt, water pump belt, alternator belt, and/or air compressor belt. During the inspection, they must:

1. Be checked for snugness (1/2 to 3/4 inch play at center of belt).
2. Be free of cracks, frays, loose fibers or signs of wear.
3. Not be damaged or missing, be mounted securely and operating properly.

Fluid-containing items

• Any inspected item that contains any fluid must be not loose or leaking.
• Its hoses must be free from frays, leaks, and/or other damage.

General

Any inspected item and its component or part must be operational and secure, as well as:

• If the item should:
  1. Not be movable, then, securely mounted and have no missing nuts, bolts, or bushings.
  2. Be movable, then, fastened, tight, or not loose.
• Not bent, broken, cracked, damaged, dent, or missing.

Visibility items

Visibility items include windshield, windows, mirrors, lights, signals, reflectors, and reflective tape. Any inspected item that is related to the truck visibility must be:

1. Proper color:
   • Red for rear lights, signals, and reflectors.
   • White for reverse and tag lights.
   • Amber for side lights and reflectors, as well as front marker lights.
   • Red and white for DOT reflective tape.
2. Free of cracks, obstructions, or non-legally-required stickers.
3. Clean or, at least, free of excessive dirt.