Section 11M Vehicle Inspection Test

Federal and jurisdictional laws require that CDL drivers inspect their vehicle to determine if it is safe to drive. A vehicle inspection will help you find problems or defects that can cause a breakdown or, even worse, a crash. It is important to inspect all vehicle components for proper working order.

During your CDL Vehicle Inspection test, your inspection will focus on the safety critical items for the operation of your vehicle. During this inspection, you must show you have the knowledge to determine the vehicle is safe to drive. During the test, you will only be required to inspect one vehicle axle, however, you should be prepared to perform the same inspection, described in section (11 M.5.2) on all of the vehicle axles. The vehicle inspection used to evaluate your basic knowledge does not cover all the federal inspection guidelines. It is your responsibility to be knowledgeable of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.

[For safety purposes, you should use wheel chocks during the Vehicle Inspection test.] You will have to walk around and enter and / or exit the vehicle to conduct the inspection. When exiting the vehicle, you must set the parking brake(s) and place the vehicle in neutral.

When entering and / or exiting the vehicle, you must safely exit and / or enter by facing the vehicle and maintaining three (3) points of contact at all times (when entering and / or exiting a bus, safely enter and / or exit by facing forward and maintaining a firm grasp on the handrail).

You are only required to inspect the items on the CDL Vehicle Inspection checklist. You may use the checklist provided in this section for your test and check off items as you have completed them, but NO additional markings or writing may be placed on this list prior to the test.

You must name, point to and / or touch and fully explain to the examiner WHAT you are inspecting each safety critical item for. If you do not, you will not get credit for the item(s). [You will NOT have to crawl under the vehicle.] Any vehicle that has components marked or labeled, other than by the manufacturer, cannot be used for the Vehicle Inspection test.

Failure to Follow Instructions or Unsafe Act

Failure to follow examiner instructions for completing the test as directed may result in an automatic failure, and the test may be terminated by the examiner.

Always follow the examiner's instructions and directions. If you do not understand the instructions, ask the examiner for clarification.

Committing an "unsafe act" (e.g., forgetting to set the parking brake), may result in an automatic failure for an unsafe act, and the test may be terminated by the examiner. Safety of the driver, the examiner and the testing area is of the highest priority. Always think SAFETY.

11 M.1 Internal Inspection (All Vehicles)

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