Section 11: Pre-Trip Inspection Test

During the pre-trip inspection, you must show that the vehicle is safe to drive. You will have to walk around the vehicle and point to or touch each item and explain to the examiner what you are checking and why. You will have to point to or touch items under the hood or under the vehicle (this will require you to physically maneuver and / or crawl under the hood or under the vehicle).

11.1 Internal Inspection (All Vehicles)

Study the following vehicle parts for the type of vehicle you will be using during the CDL skills tests. You should be able to identify each part and tell the examiner what you are looking for or inspecting.

11.1.1 Engine Compartment (Engine Off)

Leaks and / or Hoses
  • Look for puddles on the ground.
  • Look for dripping fluids on underside of engine and transmission.
  • Inspect hoses for condition and leaks.
Oil Level
  • Indicate where dipstick is located.
  • Describe how the oil level is checked; see that that oil level is within safe operating range. Level must be above refill mark.
Coolant Level
  • Inspect reservoir sight glass, or
  • (If engine is not hot), remove radiator cap and check for visible coolant level.
Power Steering Fluid
  • Indicate where power steering fluid dipstick is located.
  • Check for adequate power steering fluid level. Level must be above refill mark.
Engine Compartment Belts
  • Check the following belts for snugness (up to 3/4 (three quarters) inch play at center of belt), cracks, or frays:
    • Power steering pump.
    • Water pump belt.
    • Alternator belt.
    • Air compressor belt.

NOTE: If any of these components listed above are not belt driven, you must:

  • Must state that they are gear driven.
  • Tell the examiner which component(s) are not belt driven.
  • Make sure component(s) are operating properly, are not damaged or leaking, and are mounted securely.
Air Compressor (Belt and / or Gear)
  • With engine off, point to or touch the air compressor.
  • Mention that the compressor is securely mounted and not leaking.
  • Identify the belt that drives air compressor.
  • Point to, touch or press the belt to test that it is snug.
  • Note that the belt is not frayed, has no visible cracks, loose fibers or signs of wear.
  • Pushes belt with hand and should have no more than 1/2 (half) to 3/4 (three quarter) of an inch of play.

If the component is not belt driven, must tell that the component is gear driven, is operating properly, is not damaged or leaking and is mounted securely.

Alternator (Belt and / or Gear)
  • With engine off, point to or touch alternator.
  • Mention that alternator is securely mounted and that all wires are securely fastened.
  • Identify the belt that drives alternator or generator.
  • Point to, touch or press to see that the belt is snug.
  • Notes that the belt is not frayed, has no visible cracks, loose fibers, or signs of wear. Push belt with hand and should not have more than 1/2 (half) to 3/4 (three quarter) of an inch of play. If the component is not belt driven, must tell that the component is gear driven, is operating properly, is not damaged or leaking and is mounted securely.
Water Pump (Belt and / or Gear)
  • Identify the water pump.
  • Confirm that water pump is mounted properly and not loose.
  • Identify the belt that drives water pump.
  • Point to, touch or press belt to test that it is snug.
  • Note that the belt is not frayed and there are no visible cracks, loose fibers or signs of wear. Pushes belt with hand and should not have more than 1/2 (half) to 3/4 (three quarter)of an inch of play. If the component is not belt driven, must tell that the component is gear driven, is operating properly, is not damaged or leaking and is mounted securely.

11.2 Cab Check  and / or Engine Start

Safe Start

  • Depress clutch.
  • Place gearshift lever in neutral (or park, for automatic transmissions).
  • Ensure the air brake valves (if equipped) are out
  • Start engine, then release clutch slowly

Oil Pressure Gauge

  • Make sure oil pressure gauge is working.
  • Check that pressure gauge shows increasing or normal oil pressure or that the warning light goes off.
  • If equipped, oil temperature gauge should begin a gradual rise to the normal operat­ing range.

Temperature and / or Water and / or Coolant Gauge

  • Make sure the temperature gauge is working.
  • Temperature should begin to climb to the normal operating range or temperature light should be off.

Air Gauge

  • Make sure the air gauge is working properly.
  • Build air pressure to governor cut-out, roughly 120-140 psi.

Ammeter and / or Voltmeter

  • Check that gauges show alternator and / or generator is charging or that warning light is off.

Mirrors and Windshield

  • Mirrors should be clean and adjusted properly from the inside.
  • Windshield should be clean with no illegal stickers, no obstructions, or damage to the glass.

Emergency Equipment

  • Check for spare electrical fuses.
  • Check for three red reflective triangles, or 3 liquid burning flares.
  • Check for a properly charged and properly secured fire extinguisher.
  • NOTE: If the vehicle is not equipped with electrical fuses, you must mention this to the examiner.

Steering Play

  • Non-power steering: Check for excessive play by turning steering wheel back and forth. Play should not exceed 10 degrees (or about two inches on a 20-inch wheel).
  • Power steering: With the engine running, check for excessive play by turning the steering wheel back and forth. Play should not exceed 10 degrees (or about two inches on a 20-inch wheel) before front left wheel barely moves.

Wipers and / or Washers

  • Check that wiper arms and blades are secure, not damaged, and operate smoothly.
  • If equipped, windshield washers must operate correctly.

Lighting Indicators

  • Test that dash indicators work when corresponding lights are turned on
  • Left Turn Signal
  • Right turn Signal
  • Four-way emergency flashers
  • High beam headlight
  •  Anti-lock Breaking System (ABS) indicator
  • DEF indicator

Check that all external lights and reflective equipment are clean and functional. Light and reflector checks include:

  • Clearance lights (red on rear, amber elsewhere)
  • Headlights (high and low beams)
  • Taillights
  • Backing lights
    • Turn signals.
    • Four-way flashers.
    • Brake lights.
    • Red reflectors (on rear) and amber reflec­tors (elsewhere).

NOTE: Checks of brake, turn signal and four­-way flasher functions must be done separately.

Horn

  • Check that air horn and / or electric horn work.

Heater and / or Defroster

  • Test that the heater and defroster work.

Parking Brake Check

  • With the parking brake engaged (trailer brakes released on combination vehicles), check that the parking brake will hold vehicle by gently trying to pull forward with parking brake on.
  • With the parking brake released and the trailer parking brake engaged (combination vehicles only), check that the trailer parking brake will hold vehicle by gently trying to pull forward with the trailer parking brake on.

Hydraulic Brake Check

  • Failure to complete the hydraulic brake check correctly will result in an automatic failure of the pre-trip inspection test and you will not be allowed to proceed to Basic Skills and / or the Road test.
  • Pump the brake pedal three times, then hold it down for five seconds. The brake pedal should not move (depress) during the five seconds.
  • If equipped with a hydraulic brake reserve (back-up) system, with the key off, depress the brake pedal and listen for the sound of the reserve system electric motor.
  • Check that the warning buzzer or light is off.

Hydraulic Brake Master Cylinder

  • Check master cylinder is securely attached and not leaking.
  • Checks brake fluid level in reservoir to ensure it is between the add and full marks.

Air Brake Check (Air Brake Equipped Vehicles Only)

Air brake safety devices vary. However, this procedure is to see that any safety device operates correctly as air pressure drops from normal to a low air condition, For safety purposes, you will use wheel chocks during the air brake check. The proper procedures for inspecting the air brake system are as follows:

  • With the air pressure built up to governor cutoff (120 to 140 psi), identify the cut off pressure for your vehicle; shut off the engine, chock your wheels, release the parking brake (all vehicles) and the tractor protection valve (combination vehicle), fully apply the foot brake and hold it for one minute. Check the air gauge to see if the air pressure drops more than three pounds in one minute (single vehicle) or four pounds in one minute (combination vehicle). Special note: if the air gauge does not work unless electrical power is supplied to it, then you will need to turn the electrical power switch to the on positions on this step.
  • Without restarting the engine, turn electrical power to the on or "battery charge" position and begin fanning off the air pressure by rapidly applying and releasing the foot brake. Low air warning devices (buzzer, light, flag) should activate before air pressure drops below 55 psi or level specified by the manufacturer.
  • Continue to fan off the air pressure. At approximately 40 psi on a tractor-trailer combination vehicle (or level specified by the manufacturer), the tractor protection valve and parking brake valve should close (pop out). On other combination vehicle types and single vehicle types, the parking brake valve should close (pop out).

Service Brake Check

You will be required to check the application of air or hydraulic service brakes. This procedure is designed to determine that the brakes are working correctly and that the vehicle does not pull to one side or the other.

Pull forward at 5 mph, apply the service brake and stop. Check to see that the vehicle does not pull to either side and that it stops when brake is applied.

Safety Belt

  • Check that the safety belt is securely mounted, adjusts, latches properly and is not ripped or frayed.

IMPORTANT NOTICE!

Failure to perform all three components of the air brake check in the correct order will result in an automatic failure of the pre-trip inspection test and you will not be allowed to proceed to Basic Skills and / or the Road test. Applicants receive three (3) attempts to perform the Brake Check correctly.