Semi-trailer truck pre-trip inspection

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


Contents

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:
  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:
  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:
  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:
  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:

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

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:

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:

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:

Brake components

Air hoses

  1. Identify air hoses that supply brake chambers and their related couplings.
  2. Check whether the hoses meet the:

Brake chamber

  1. Identify brake chambers and those clamps that are related to them.
  2. Check whether the chambers and clamps meet the:

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:

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:
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

External mirrors

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:

Fuel tank

  1. Identify the fuel tank, its straps and cap.
  2. Check whether the tank and cap meet the:

Behind the cab and tractor

Catwalk and steps

  1. Identify the catwalk and steps.
  2. Check whether the catwalk and steps:

Exhaust system

  1. Identify the exhaust and, if equipped, its clamps.
  2. Check whether the exhaust and, if equipped, clamps, meet the:

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:

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:

Air line coupling

  1. Identify both air line couplings, including their hoses, glad hands, and glad hand seals.
  2. Check whether the:

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:

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:

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:

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:

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:

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:

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

Door tie back hook

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

Trailer rear

Trailer rear lights

  1. Identify and their related .
  2. Check whether the meet the:

Trailer doors

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

Door tie back chain

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

Inside the cab

Emergency equipment

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

Safety belt

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

Safe start engine

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

ABS light

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

Horns

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

In-cab-checked mirrors

  1. Identify and their related .
  2. Check whether the meet the:

Windshield

  1. Identify and their related .
  2. Check whether the meet the:

Windshield wipers

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

Oil pressure gauge

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

Ammeter/voltmeter

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

Temperature gauge

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

Air pressure gauge

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

DEF level indicator

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

Light indicators

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

Cab and windshield fans

  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.

Air brake check preparation

Leak down test

Low air warning device test

Tractor protection valve test

Parking brake check

Parking brake check preparation

Tractor parking brake check

Trailer parking brake check

Service brake check

Preparation

Execution

Requirements

Air-handling items

  • Any inspected item that handles air must be not loose or leaking.
  • Its hoses must be:
    1. Mounted securely at their couplings, one for the exhaust and two couplings for everything else.
    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 lights.
    • Amber for side lights and reflectors, as well as front marker lights.
    • Red and white for DOT reflective tape.
  2. Clean, free of obstructions, illegal stickers, and excessive dirt.
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