CDL Pre Trip Inspection Guide
CDL Pre-trip Inspection Guide Line
State what you will check; do not check! Time limit: 30 minutes.
Identify each part and what you are looking for on each part.
As approach vehicle, look for fluid spill on ground, hanging lines, low tires and balance suspension.
Start at front of vehicle
Lights & reflectors:
Say: all of the following are not broken, clean, proper color and properly located
Right & Left turn signals & flashers
5 cab roof clearance lights
Two headlights
Engine Compartment
From left side of engine compartment:
Say: check engine oil with oil level between full and add marks
check transmission oil level between full and add marks
check power steering oil level between full and add marks
check steering column & box secure, no oil leaks, missing nuts, bolts, cotter pins, bent, loose, broken parts on steering column, pitman arm, drag link, steering arm, knuckle, tie rod
power steering hoses not frayed, leaking secure at both ends
water pump secure, not leaking, no loose bolts or broken parts
fan, alternator, compressor secure, belts tension ¾" give middle, lines, hoses, wires not damaged or loose
Any part not belt driven must be stated "gear driven"
steer tire not a recap, 4/32 inch tread, no cloth or steel, no bulges, tread evenly worn, no cuts on tread or
side walls, valve cap & stem OK, proper air pressure with gauge or mallet
wheel not bent, cracked, lug nuts not cracked, rust or shiny threads, hub oil seal not leaking
main leaf and auxiliary spring not broken, spring shackle secure nut and cotter pins
torque rod secure at both ends, shock absorber secure, not leaking
bearing plates, axel hangers, frame not cracked or bent, bolts tight, U-bolts not broken & tight
brake hoses not leaking, frayed, secure at both ends; slack adjuster, push rod secure
brake chamber not leaking, cracked, dented and mounted securely
brake rod (connected to brake chamber and S-cam) should not move more than one inch with brakes off
brake shoes & drum not excessively thin, no cracks in drum more than halfway across friction area
Go to right side and say:
check coolant level bulb and same steering, brake, tire, wheel, suspension system check as on left side
Cab Check
Say: Driver door not damaged, latch functioning, hinges secure, window not broken, dirty, and rolls up & down
Flat & convex mirrors clean, not broken, secure
Cat walks & steps secure, not damaged or excessively dirty, slippery
Fuel tank secure, lid in place, not leaking or damaged
Lights & reflectors not broken and amber color
Do chock wheels before getting in cab
Get in cab
Say: Seat belt in place & securely fastened & latches, steering no more than 10 degrees of play, gauges not broken
Three diagonal safety signs, BC fire extinguisher
Transmission in neutral, parking brake on, clutch depressed (safe start engine)
Turn on key, check all dash indicators to be functional and ABS light on
Start engine:
Say: observe engine oil pressure, volt meter, air pressure, temperature, light indicators work
Turn on wipers and check washer pump and check:
Horn
Heater fan motor
Indicators function for flashers, left & right turn signals, high bean signal, ABS indicator
Apply parking brake (already engaged) and try to move tractor to check to make sure parking brake works
Do air brake check (don't just say it!)
Did you chock wheels before getting in cab?
Build air pressure to 100 to 125 psi
Shut off engine
Release parking brake (no brakes engaged!)
Check that air pressure does not drop more than 3 psi per minute for combination; 2 psi for straight
Apply service (foot) brakes and hold for one minute
Time air pressure drop must be less than 4 psi per minute for combination; 3 psi per minute for straight
Fan-off air pressure (continuous pushing & releasing brake pedal) to see if parking brake engages at 40 psi
If ABS equipped, must check to see if working properly
Check to make sure parking brake engaged and exit cab to complete pre-trip test left side
Tractor Say: twist drive shaft for slack in universals, loose or missing clip pins, nut, excessive wear
frame free of bends, cracks, loose nuts
drive tires 2/32 inch tread, no cloth or steel, no bulges, tread evenly worn, no cuts on tread or
side walls, valve cap & stem OK, proper air pressure with gauge or mallet
wheels not bent, cracked, lug nuts not cracked, rust or shiny threads, hub oil seal not leaking
no spacers on bud wheels
main leaf and auxiliary spring not broken, spring shackle secure nut and cotter pins
torque rod secure at both ends, shock absorber secure, not leaking
bearing plates, axel hangers, frame not cracked or bent, bolts tight, U- bolts not broken & tight
brake hoses not leaking, frayed, secure at both ends; slack adjuster, push rod secure
brake chamber not leaking, cracked, dented and mounted securely
slack adjuster & push rod should not move more than one inch with brakes off
brake shoes liners & drum not excessively thin, no cracks in drum more than halfway across friction area
air bags securely fastened, no leaks or tears.
Control arm securely fastened and no damage
splash guard not touching tires or ground, not torn & securely fastened
left & right rear tractor lights, reflectors proper color & location, not broken
5th wheel frame solidly connected to tractor & slide solidly connected to frame; no broken or loose bolts,
no damage or cracks; fifth wheel slide proper location
no gap between trailer & tractor skid plates, locking jaws closed, release arm in locked position & secured
with safety latch, king pin not bent
Tractor to trailer air & electric lines properly connected, not tangled, cut or pinched; enough slack to turn
Catwalk clear and securely fastened
Landing gear all the way up and handle locked
Header board secure and proper for cargo
Running lights & reflectors on side of trailer amber color and properly located
Trailer side board holes and tie-down points available and secure
Trailer Axels
Say: frame free of bends, cracks, loose nuts
tires 2/32 inch tread, no cloth or steel showing, no bulges, tread evenly worn, no cuts on tread or
side walls, valve cap & stem OK, proper air pressure with gauge or mallet
wheels not bent, cracked, lug nuts not cracked, rust or shiny threads, hub oil seal not leaking
no spacers on bud wheels
main leaf and auxiliary spring not broken, spring shackle secure nut and cotter pins
torque rod secure at both ends, shock absorber secure, not leaking
bearing plates, axel hangers, frame not cracked or bent, bolts tight, U- bolts not broken & tight
electric brake wires securely connected, not frayed, not rubbing
brake shoes liners & drum not excessively thin, no cracks in drum more than halfway across friction area
air bags securely fastened, no leaks or tears.
Control arm securely fastened and no damage
Rear of trailer
splash guard not touching tires or ground, not torn & securely fastened
left & right rear trailer lights, reflectors red & proper location, not broken, proper color
Say: Do the same thing on left side
Exhaust System: on left side, go to exhaust and say check exhaust system for holes, black streaks, mounted securely and not rubbing other parts
Lights Get in cab and ask examiner to check emergency flashers, right turn, signal, left turn signal, head light low
beam, headlight high beam
Pre-trip Step Summary
1) As approaching vehicle, observe truck for uneven suspension, fluid pools under truck, anything hanging down
2) Front end inspection
3) Left side engine compartment inspection
4) Right side engine compartment inspection
5) Left side cab inspection
6) Left side behind cab inspection
7) Tractor – trailer connection inspection
8) Front of trailer inspection
9) left side of trailer inspection
10) Rear of trailer Inspection
11) Right side inspection of exhaust
(state: "I would inspect same things on right side as left, plus exhaust system.")
12) Get in cab to do pre-start inspection
13) Start-up inspection
14) Brake checks
15) Light checks