Make sure the parking brake is set, turn off the engine, and take the key with you. Turn on headlights (low beams) and four-way emer­gency flashers, and get out of the vehicle.

Step 5: Do Walk-around Inspection
  • Go to front of vehicle and check that low beams are on and both of the four-way flash­ers are working.
  • Push dimmer switch and check that high beams work.
  • Turn off headlights and four-way emergency flashers.
  • Turn on parking, clearance, side-marker, and identification lights.
  • Turn on right turn signal, and start walk- around inspection.
General
  • Walk-around and inspect.
  • Clean all lights, reflectors, and glass as you go along.
Left Front Side
  • Driver's door glass should be clean.
  • Door latches or locks should work properly.
  • Left front wheel.
    • Condition of wheel and rim--missing, bent, broken studs, clamps, lugs, or any signs of misalignment.
    • Condition of tires--properly inflated, valve stem and cap OK, no serious cuts, bulges, or tread wear.
    • Use wrench to test rust-streaked lug nuts, indicating looseness.
    • Hub oil level OK, no leaks.
  • Left front suspension.
    • Condition of spring, spring hangers, shackles, u-bolts.
    • Shock absorber condition.
  • Left front brake.
    • Condition of brake drum or disc.
    • Condition of hoses.
Front
  • Condition of front axle.
  • Condition of steering system.
    • No loose, worn, bent, damaged or miss­ing parts.
    • Must grab steering mechanism to test for looseness.
  • Condition of windshield.
    • Check for damage and clean if dirty.
    • Check windshield wiper arms for proper spring tension.
    • Check wiper blades for damage, "stiff" rubber, and securement.
  • Lights and reflectors.
    • Parking, clearance, and identification lights clean, operating, and proper color (amber at front).
    • Reflectors clean and proper color (amber at front).
    • Right front turn signal light clean, operat­ing, and proper color (amber or white on signals facing forward).
Right Side
  • Right front: check all items as done on left front.
  • Primary and secondary safety cab locks en­gaged (if cab-over-engine design).
  • Right fuel tank(s).
    • Securely mounted, not damaged, or leaking.
    • Fuel crossover line secure.
    • Tank(s) contain enough fuel.
    • Cap(s) on and secure.
  • Condition of visible parts.
    • Rear of engine--not leaking.
    • Transmission--not leaking.
    • Exhaust system--secure, not leaking, not touching wires, fuel, or air lines.
    • DEF Tank -ensure the level of diesel exhaust fluid in the tank is adequate (more than one eighth (1/8th - one eighth) tank)
    • Frame and cross members--no bends or cracks.
    • Air lines and electrical wiring--secured against snagging, rubbing, wearing.
    • Spare tire carrier or rack not damaged (if so equipped).
    • Spare tire and / or wheel securely mounted in rack.
    • Spare tire and wheel adequate (proper size, properly inflated).
  • Cargo securement (trucks).
    • Cargo properly blocked, braced, tied, chained, etc.
    • Header board adequate, secure (if re­quired).
    • Side boards, stakes strong enough, free of damage, properly set in place (if so equipped).
    • Canvas or tarp (if required) properly secured to prevent tearing, billowing, or blocking of mirrors.
    • If oversize, all required signs (flags, lamps, and reflectors) safely and properly mounted and all required permits in driver's possession.
    • Curbside cargo compartment doors in good condition, securely closed, latched  and / or locked and required security seals in place.
Right Rear
  • Condition of wheels and rims--no missing, bent, or broken spacers, studs, clamps, or lugs.
  • Condition of tires--properly inflated, valve stems and caps OK, no serious cuts, bulges, tread wear, tires not rubbing each other, and nothing stuck between them.
  • Tires same type, e.g., not mixed radial and bias types.
  • Tires evenly matched (same sizes).
  • Wheel bearing and / or seals not leaking.
  • Suspension.
    • Condition of spring(s), spring hangers, shackles, and u-bolts.
    • Axle secure.
    • Powered axle(s) not leaking lube (gear oil).
    • Condition of torque rod arms, bushings.
    • Condition of shock absorber(s).
    • If retractable axle equipped, check condition of lift mechanism. If air powered, check for leaks.
    • Condition of air ride components.
  • Brakes.
    • Brake adjustment.
    • Condition of brake drum(s) or discs.
    • Condition of hoses--look for any wear due to rubbing.
  • Lights and reflectors.
    • Side-marker lights and / or clearance lights and / or multi- function lights are clean, operating, and proper color (red at rear, others amber).
    • Side-marker reflectors clean and proper color (red at rear, others amber).
Rear
  • Lights and reflectors.
    • Rear clearance and identification lights clean, operating, and proper color (red at rear).
    • Reflectors clean and proper color (red at rear).
    • Taillights clean, operating, and proper color (red at rear).
    • Right rear turn signal operating, and proper color (red, yellow, or amber at rear).
  • License plate(s) present, clean, and secured.
  • Splash guards or mud flaps are present, not damaged, properly fastened, not dragging on ground, or rubbing tires.
  • Cargo secure (trucks).
  • Cargo properly blocked, braced, tied, chained, etc.
  • Tailboards up and properly secured.
  • End gates free of damage, properly secured in stake sockets.
  • Canvas or tarp (if required) properly secured to prevent tearing, billowing, or blocking of either the rearview mirrors or rear lights.
  • If over-length, or over-width, make sure all signs and / or additional lights and / or flags are safely and properly mounted and all required permits are in driver's possession.
  • Rear doors securely closed, latched and / or locked.
 Left Side
  • Check all items as done on right side, plus:
    • Battery(ies) (if not mounted in engine compartment).
    • Battery box(es) securely mounted to vehicle.
    • Box has secure cover.
    • Battery(ies) secured against movement.
    • Battery(ies) not broken or leaking.
    • Fluid in battery(ies) at proper level (except maintenance-free type).
    • Cell caps present and securely tightened (except maintenance-free type).
    • Vents in cell caps free of foreign material (except maintenance-free type).
Step 6: Check Signal Lights
  • Get In and Turn Off Lights
    • Turn off all lights.
    • Turn on stop lights (apply trailer hand brake or have a helper put on the brake pedal).
    • Turn on left turn signal lights.
  • Get Out and Check Lights
    • Left front turn signal light clean, operat­ing and proper color (amber or white on signals facing the front).
    • Left rear turn signal light and both stop lights clean, operating, and proper color (red, yellow, or amber).
  • Get In Vehicle
    • Turn off lights not needed for driving.
    • Check for all required papers, trip mani­fests, permits, etc.
    • Secure all loose articles in cab (they might interfere with operation of the controls or hit you in a crash).
    • Start the engine.
Step 7: Start the Engine and Check

Test for Hydraulic Leaks. If the vehicle has hydraulic brakes, pump the brake pedal three times. Then apply firm pressure to the pedal and hold for five seconds. The pedal should not move. If it does, there may be a leak or other problem. Get it fixed before driving. If the ve­hicle has air brakes, do the checks described in Sections 5 and 6 of this manual.

Brake System
  • Test Parking Brake(s)
    • Fasten safety belt
    • Set parking brake (power unit only).
    • Release trailer parking brake (if applicable).
    • Place vehicle into a low gear.
    • Gently pull forward against parking brake to make sure the parking brake holds.
    • Repeat the same steps for the trailer with trailer parking brake set and power unit parking brakes released (if applicable).

If it doesn't hold vehicle, it is faulty; get it fixed.

  • Test Service Brake Stopping Action
    • Go about five miles per hour.
    • Push brake pedal firmly
    • "Pulling" to one side or the other can mean brake trouble.
    • Any unusual brake pedal "feel" or delayed stopping action can mean trouble.

If you find anything unsafe during the pre­trip inspection, get it fixed. Federal and state laws forbid operating an unsafe vehicle.

2.1.6 Inspection During a Trip

Check Vehicle Operation Regularly. You should check:

  • Instruments.
  • Air pressure gauge (if you have air brakes).
  • Temperature gauge and / or water gauge and / or coolant gauge.
  • Pressure gauges.
  • Ammeter and / or voltmeter.
  • Mirrors.
  • Tires.
  • Cargo, cargo covers.
  • Lights.
  • Etc.

If you see, hear, smell, or feel anything that might mean trouble, check it out.

Safety Inspection.

Drivers of trucks and truck tractors when transporting cargo must inspect the securement of the cargo within the first 50 miles of a trip and every 150 miles or every three hours (whichever comes first) after.

2.1.7 After-trip Inspection and Report

You may have to make a written report each day on the condition of the vehicle(s) you drove. Report anything affecting safety or possibly leading to mechanical breakdown.

Test Your Knowledge - Subsection 2.1 

The vehicle inspection report tells the motor carrier about problems that may need fixing. Keep a copy of your report in the vehicle for one day. That way, the next driver can learn about any problems you have found.

  • What is the most important reason for doing a vehicle inspection?
  • What things should you check during a trip?
  • Name some key steering system parts.
  • Name some suspension system defects.
  • What three kinds of emergency equipment must you have?
  • What is the minimum tread depth for front tires? For other tires?
  • Name some things you should check on the front of your vehicle during the walk around inspection.
  • What should wheel bearing seals be checked for?
  • How many red reflective triangles should you carry?
  • How do you test hydraulic brakes for leaks?
  • Why put the starter switch key in your pocket during the pre-trip inspection?

These questions may be on your test. If you can't answer them all, re-read subsection 2.1