2. Driving Safety 

2.1 Vehicle Inspection

2.1.1 Why Inspect

Safety is the most important reason you in­spect your vehicle, safety for yourself and for other road users.

A vehicle defect found during an inspection could save you problems later. You could have a breakdown on the road that will cost time and dollars, or even worse, a crash caused by the defect.

Federal and state laws require that drivers inspect their vehicles. Federal and state inspectors also may inspect your vehicles. If they judge the vehicle to be unsafe, they will put it "out of service" until it is fixed.

2.1.2 Types of Vehicle Inspection

Pre-trip Inspection. A pre-trip inspection will help you find problems that could cause a crash or breakdown.

  • During a Trip. For safety you should:
  • Watch gauges for signs of trouble.
  • Use your senses to check for problems (look, listen, smell, feel).
  • Check critical items when you stop:
    • Tires, wheels and rims.
    • Brakes.
    • Lights and reflectors.
    • Brake and electrical connections to trailer.
    • Trailer coupling devices.
    • Cargo securement devices.

After-trip Inspection and Report. You should do an after-trip inspection at the end of the trip, day, or tour of duty on each vehicle you operated. It may include filling out a ve­hicle condition report listing any problems you find. The inspection report helps a motor carrier know when the vehicle needs repairs.

This section contains knowledge and safe driving information that all commercial drivers should know. You must pass a test on this information to get a CDL. This section does not have specific information on air brakes, combination vehicles, doubles, or passenger vehicles. When preparing for the Pre-trip Inspection Test, you must review the material in Section 11 in addition to the infor­mation in this section. This section does have basic information on hazardous materials (HazMat) that all drivers should know. If you need a HazMat endorsement, you should study Section 9.

2.1.3 What to Look For

Steering system, long description is under the heading "Long descriptions" at the end of this document
Figure 2.1
Tire Problems
  • Too much or too little air pressure.
  • Bad wear. You need at least 4/32-inch (4 over 32) tread depth in every major groove on front tires. You need 2/32 (two over 32) inch on other tires. No fabric should show through the tread or sidewall.
  • Cuts or other damage.
  • Tread separation.
  • Dual tires that come in contact with each other or parts of the vehicle.
  • Mismatched sizes.
  • Radial and bias-ply tires used together.
  • Cut or cracked valve stems.
  • Regrooved, recapped, or retreaded tires on the front wheels of a bus. These are prohib­ited.
Key Suspension Parts, long description is under the heading "Long descriptions" at the end of this document
Figure 2.2
Wheel and Rim Problems
  • Damaged rims and / or wheels
  • Rust around wheel nuts may mean the nuts are loose--check tightness. After a tire has been changed, stop a short while later and re-check tightness of nuts.
  • Missing clamps, spacers, studs, or lugs means danger.
  • Mismatched, bent, or cracked lock rings are dangerous.
  • Wheels or rims that have had welding repairs are not safe.
Bad Brake Drums or Shoes
  • Cracked drums.
  • Shoes or pads with oil, grease, or brake fluid on them.
  • Shoes worn dangerously thin, missing, or broken.
Safety defect: Broken leaf in spring, long description is under the heading "Long descriptions" at the end of this document
Figure 2.3
Steering System Defects
  • Missing nuts, bolts, cotter keys, or other parts.
  • Bent, loose, or broken parts, such as steering column, steering gear box, or tie rods.
  • If power steering equipped, check hoses, pumps, and fluid level; check for leaks.
  • Steering wheel play of more than 10 degrees (approximately 2 inches movement at the rim of a 20-inch steering wheel) can make it hard to steer.
Air Suspension Parts, long description is under heading "Long descriptions" at the end of the document
Figure 2.4
Suspension System Defects

The suspension system holds up the vehicle and its load. It keeps the axles in place. Therefore, broken suspension parts can be extremely dangerous. Look for:

  • Spring hangers that allow movement of axle from proper position. See Figure 2.2.
  • Cracked or broken spring hangers.
  • Missing or broken leaves in any leaf spring. If one-fourth or more are missing, it will put the vehicle "out of service': but any defect could be dangerous. See Figure 2.3.
  • Broken leaves in a multi-leaf spring or leaves that have shifted so they might hit a tire or other part.
  • Leaking shock absorbers.
  • Torque rod or arm, u-bolts, spring hangers, or other axle positioning parts that are cracked, damaged, or missing.
  • Air suspension systems that are damaged and / or leaking. See Figure 2.4.
Exhaust System Defects. (Alternate Language: Muffler, Smokestack)
  • A broken exhaust system can let poison fumes into the cab or sleeper berth. Look for:
  • Loose, broken, or missing exhaust pipes, mufflers, tailpipes, or vertical stacks.
  • Loose, broken, or missing mounting brackets, clamps, bolts, or nuts.
  • Exhaust system parts rubbing against fuel system parts, tires, or other moving parts of vehicle.
  • Exhaust system parts that are leaking.
  • Any loose, cracked, broken, or missing frame members.
Emergency Equipment

Vehicles must be equipped with emergency equipment. Look for:

  • Fire extinguisher(s).
  • Spare electrical fuses (unless equipped with circuit breakers).
  • Warning devices for parked vehicles (for example, three reflective warning triangles or 3 liquid burning flares).

Cargo (Trucks). You must make sure the truck is not overloaded and the cargo is balanced and secured before each trip. If the cargo contains hazardous materials, you must inspect for proper papers and placarding.