Semi-trailer truck pre-trip inspection
Any semi-trailer truck pre-trip inspection should be based on the CDL Vehicle Inspection Test.
Contents
- 1 Versions
- 2 Coupling system
- 3 Inside the cab
- 3.1 Emergency equipment
- 3.2 Safety belt
- 3.3 Safe start engine
- 3.4 Mirrors
- 3.5 Windshield
- 3.6 Windshield wipers
- 3.7 Horns
- 3.8 Oil pressure gauge
- 3.9 Ammeter/voltmeter
- 3.10 Temperature gauge
- 3.11 Air pressure gauge
- 3.12 DEF level indicator
- 3.13 Light indicators
- 3.14 Cab and windshield fans
- 3.15 Brake check series
- 4 Air brake check
- 5 Parking brake check
- 6 Service brake check
- 7 Front of truck
- 8 Engine compartment
- 9 Steering components
- 10 Suspension components
- 11 Brake components
- 12 Tires
- 13 Wheels
- 14 Driver's door/fuel area
- 15 Behind the cab
- 16 Trailer front and sides
- 17 Trailer rear
Versions
Class A Vehicle Inspection Test (11.6.1)
If you are applying for a Class A CDL, you will be required to perform one of the four versions of a Vehicle inspection in the vehicle you have brought with you for testing. Each of the four tests are equivalent and you will not know which test you will take until just before the testing begins.
All of the tests include an engine start, an in-cab inspection, and an inspection of the coupling system. Then, your test may require an inspection of the entire vehicle or only a portion of the vehicle which your CDL Examiner will explain to you.
Form A
Form B
Form C
Form D
Coupling system
Kingpin and jaws
Trailer apron
Rear tractor lights/reflectors
Fifth wheel skid plate
Fifth wheel platform
Sliding locking system
Electrical line coupling
Air line coupling
Inside the cab
Emergency equipment
Safety belt
Safe start engine
Mirrors
Windshield
Windshield wipers
Horns
Oil pressure gauge
Ammeter/voltmeter
Temperature gauge
Air pressure gauge
DEF level indicator
Light indicators
Cab and windshield fans
Brake check series
- The brake check series consists of three different checks:
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.
