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
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 truck

Front lights

The headlights, turn signals, and clearance lights:

1. Meet general requirements.
2. Are clean.
3. Are the proper color.

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) 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

The tested person is supposed to 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

The tested person is supposed to identify whether the alternator is belt-driven or gear-driven. Any belt-driven alternator must meet the Requirements for engine compartment belts. Boldly, any alternator must meet:

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

Air compressor

The tested person is supposed to identify whether the air compressor is belt-driven or gear-driven. Any belt-driven air compressor must meet the Requirements for engine compartment belts. Boldly, any air compressor must meet:

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

Steering components

Power steering pump

The tested person is supposed to identify whether the pump is belt-driven or gear-driven. Any belt-driven pump must meet the Requirements for engine compartment belts. Boldly, any power steering pump must meet:

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

Power steering fluid reservoir

The tested person must 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

The tested person is supposed to check whether the steering gear box meets the General requirements.

Steering linkage

The tested person is supposed to:

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

Suspension components

Spring mounts

The tested person is supposed to:

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

The tested person is supposed to:

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

U-bolts

The tested person is supposed to:

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

Shock absorbers

The tested person is supposed to:

1. Identify and their related .
2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

Air bags

The tested person is supposed to:

1. Identify and their related .
2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

Brake components

Air hoses

The tested person is supposed to:

1. Identify and their related .
2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

Brake chamber

The tested person is supposed to:

1. Identify and their related .
2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

Slack adjuster/push rod

The tested person is supposed to:

1. Identify and their related .
2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

Brake drum

The tested person is supposed to:

1. Identify and their related .
2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

Brake linings

The tested person is supposed to:

1. Identify and their related .
2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

Tires

Tire surfaces

The tested person is supposed to:

1. Identify and their related .
2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

Tread depth

The tested person is supposed to:

1. Identify and their related .
2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

Air pressure

The tested person is supposed to:

1. Identify and their related .
2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

Valve stem/cap

The tested person is supposed to:

1. Identify and their related .
2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

Wheels

Rims

The tested person is supposed to:

1. Identify and their related .
2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

Budd spacing

The tested person is supposed to:

1. Identify and their related .
2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

Lug nuts

The tested person is supposed to:

1. Identify and their related .
2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

Hub seal

The tested person is supposed to:

1. Identify and their related .
2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

Driver's door/fuel area

Mirror brackets

The tested person is supposed to:

1. Identify and their related .
2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

Cab doors

The tested person is supposed to:

1. Identify and their related .
2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

DEF tank

The tested person is supposed to:

1. Identify and their related .
2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

Fuel tank

The tested person is supposed to:

1. Identify and their related .
2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

Behind the cab

Catwalk and steps

The tested person is supposed to:

1. Identify and their related .
2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

Exhaust system

The tested person is supposed to:

1. Identify and their related .
2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

Drive shaft

The tested person is supposed to:

1. Identify and their related .
2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

Frame

The tested person is supposed to:

1. Identify and their related .
2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

Coupling system

Kingpin and jaws

The tested person is supposed to:

1. Identify and their related .
2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

Trailer apron

The tested person is supposed to:

1. Identify and their related .
2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

Rear tractor lights/reflectors

The tested person is supposed to:

1. Identify and their related .
2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

Fifth wheel skid plate

The tested person is supposed to:

1. Identify and their related .
2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

Fifth wheel platform

The tested person is supposed to:

1. Identify and their related .
2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

Sliding locking system

The tested person is supposed to:

1. Identify and their related .
2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

Electrical line coupling

The tested person is supposed to:

1. Identify and their related .
2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

Air line coupling

The tested person is supposed to:

1. Identify and their related .
2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

Trailer front and sides

Trailer header board

The tested person is supposed to:

1. Identify and their related .
2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

DOT reflective tape

The tested person is supposed to:

1. Identify and their related .
2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

Landing gear

The tested person is supposed to:

1. Identify and their related .
2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

Trailer side lights

The tested person is supposed to:

1. Identify and their related .
2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

Frame and tandem release

The tested person is supposed to:

1. Identify and their related .
2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

Splash guards

The tested person is supposed to:

1. Identify and their related .
2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

Door tie back hook

The tested person is supposed to:

1. Identify and their related .
2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

Trailer rear

Trailer rear lights

The tested person is supposed to:

1. Identify and their related .
2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

Trailer doors

The tested person is supposed to:

1. Identify and their related .
2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

Door tie back chain

The tested person is supposed to:

1. Identify and their related .
2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

Inside the cab

Emergency equipment

The tested person is supposed to:

1. Identify and their related .
2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

Safety belt

The tested person is supposed to:

1. Identify and their related .
2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

Safe start engine

The tested person is supposed to:

1. Identify and their related .
2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

Mirrors

The tested person is supposed to:

1. Identify and their related .
2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

Windshield

The tested person is supposed to:

1. Identify and their related .
2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

Windshield wipers

The tested person is supposed to:

1. Identify and their related .
2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

Horns

The tested person is supposed to:

1. Identify and their related .
2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

Oil pressure gauge

The tested person is supposed to:

1. Identify and their related .
2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

Ammeter/voltmeter

The tested person is supposed to:

1. Identify and their related .
2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

Temperature gauge

The tested person is supposed to:

1. Identify and their related .
2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

Air pressure gauge

The tested person is supposed to:

1. Identify and their related .
2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

DEF level indicator

The tested person is supposed to:

1. Identify and their related .
2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

Light indicators

The tested person is supposed to:

1. Identify and their related .
2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

Cab and windshield fans

The tested person is supposed to:

1. Identify and their related .
2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

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 or leaking.
• Its hoses must be free from frays, leaks, 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), cracks, frays, loose fibers or signs of wear.
2. Not be damaged or missing, be mounted securely and operating properly.

Fluid-containing items

• Any inspected item that contains any fluid must be not dry-cracked, 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:

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