Semi-trailer truck pre-trip inspection

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Any semi-trailer truck pre-trip inspection should be based on the CDL Vehicle Inspection Test‎‎.


Contents

Versions

According to the 11.6.1 section of the CDL Vehicle Inspection Test‎‎, the tested applicant is "required to perform one of the four versions of a Vehicle inspection in the vehicle." All versions include:

  1. an engine start,
  2. an in-cab inspection,
  3. an inspection of the coupling system,
  4. an inspection of the entire vehicle or only a portion of the vehicle.

Version A

  1. Front of truck
  2. Engine compartment
  3. Steering components
  4. Of one side of the steering axle:
  5. Coupling system
  6. Inside the cab, including Air brake check, Parking brake check, Service brake check

Version B

  1. Driver's door/fuel area
  2. Behind the cab
  3. Of one side of any tractor tandem axles:
  4. Coupling system
  5. Inside the cab, including Air brake check, Parking brake check, Service brake check

Version C

  1. Coupling system
  2. Trailer front and sides
  3. Of one side of any trailer tandem axles:
  4. Trailer rear
  5. Inside the cab, including Air brake check, Parking brake check, Service brake check

Full version

An inspection of the entire vehicle may consist of:
  1. Front of truck
  2. Engine compartment
  3. Steering components
  4. Of one side of any axle:
  5. Driver's door/fuel area
  6. Behind the cab
  7. Coupling system
  8. Trailer front and sides
  9. Trailer rear
  10. Inside the cab, including Air brake check, Parking brake check, Service brake check

Front of tractor

Front lights

The headlights, turn signals, and clearance lights:
  1. Meet general requirements.
  2. Are clean.
  3. Are the proper color.

Front leaks

No leaks or puddles from dripping fluids under the engine or transmission.

Engine compartment

The Steering components belong to the engine compartment, but moved to a separate section of this description.

DPF

Mounting brackets, hoses, and electrical components of the diesel particulate filter (DPF) meet:
  1. General requirements.
  2. Requirements for fluid-containing items.

Engine hoses

Engine hoses must meet the Requirements for fluid-containing items.

Coolant level

The coolant level must be at the proper level as observed from the reservoir tank or sight glass.

Water pump

The tested person is supposed to identify whether the pump is belt-driven or gear-driven. Any belt-driven pump must meet the Requirements for engine compartment belts. Boldly, any water pump must meet:
  1. General requirements.
  2. Requirements for fluid-containing items.

Oil dipstick

The oil must be at proper operating level when its dipstick pulled out, wiped off, re-inserted, and pulled out back.

Alternator

The tested person is supposed to identify whether the alternator is belt-driven or gear-driven. Any belt-driven alternator must meet the Requirements for engine compartment belts. Boldly, any alternator must meet:
  1. General requirements.
  2. Requirements for electrical items.

Air compressor

The tested person is supposed to identify whether the air compressor is belt-driven or gear-driven. Any belt-driven air compressor must meet the Requirements for engine compartment belts. Boldly, any air compressor must meet:
  1. General requirements.
  2. Requirements for air-handling items.

Steering components

Power steering pump

The tested person is supposed to identify whether the pump is belt-driven or gear-driven. Any belt-driven pump must meet the Requirements for engine compartment belts. Boldly, any power steering pump must meet:
  1. General requirements.
  2. Requirements for fluid-containing items.

Power steering fluid reservoir

The tested person must check that the fluid is at the proper level from the side glass or while pulling the dipstick. Level must be above refill mark.

Steering gear box

The tested person is supposed to:
  1. Identify the steering gear box and the power steering hoses.
  2. Check whether the box and the hoses meet the:

Steering linkage

The tested person is supposed to:
  1. Identify connecting links, arms, rods, joints, and sockets.
  2. Check whether components of the steering linkage meet the General requirements.

Suspension components

Spring mounts

The tested person is supposed to:
  1. Identify both spring mounts and their bushings, nuts, and/or bolts.
  2. Check whether the front and rear mounts, as well as their components meet the General requirements.

Spring leaves

The tested person is supposed to:
  1. Identify spring leaves.
  2. Check whether the leaves:

U-bolts

The tested person is supposed to:
  1. Identify U-bolts and their related nuts.
  2. Check whether the bolts and nuts meet the General requirements.

Shock absorbers

The tested person is supposed to:
  1. Identify shock absorber.
  2. Check whether the absorber meets the:

Air bags

The tested person is supposed to:
  1. Identify air bags and those hoses, air bag mounting brackets and bolts that are related to them.
  2. Check whether the air bags:

Brake components

Air hoses

The tested person is supposed to:
  1. Identify air hoses that supply brake chambers and their related couplings.
  2. Check whether the hoses meet the:

Brake chamber

The tested person is supposed to:
  1. Identify brake chambers and those clamps that are related to them.
  2. Check whether the chambers and clamps meet the:

Slack adjuster/push rod

The tested person is supposed to:
  1. Identify slack adjusters and push rods.
  2. Check whether the adjusters and rods meet the General requirements.
  3. State that manual slack adjusters should not move more than approximately one inch when pulled by hand if brakes are released.

Brake drum

The tested person is supposed to:
  1. Identify the brake drums if they are visible or state that they are hidden behind the shield.
  2. If they are visible, check whether the brake drums:

Brake linings

The tested person is supposed to:
  1. Identify both brake linings (also called "shoes") if they are visible or state that they are hidden behind the shield.
  2. If they are visible, check whether the brake linings:
    • Are not worn dangerously thin.
    • Have no signs of grease, oil, or debris.
    • Meet the General requirements.

Tires

Tire surfaces

The tested person is supposed to check whether the tires:
  1. Have no abrasions, bulges, or cuts on sidewall and tread areas.
  2. Are evenly worn.
  3. Meet the General requirements.

Tread depth

The tested person is supposed to check whether the tread depth is at least:
  1. 4/32 of an inch on every steering axle tire.
  2. 2/32 of an inch on every non-steering axle tire.

Air pressure

The tested person is supposed to:
  1. Know that the tires must be inflated to 100 psi.
  2. Check the pressure with an air pressure gauge at the valve stem.

Valve stem/cap

The tested person is supposed to:
  1. Identify one valve stem and its cap on a single tire or both stems and caps on dual tires.
  2. Check whether the stems and caps meet the General requirements.

Wheels

Rims

The tested person is supposed to:
  1. Identify the rims. For dual tires, the rims can be either Budd-spaced or Dayton/split. Daytona/split tires have a spacer between two rims, while Budd-spaced rims don't.
  2. Check whether:
    • The rims: have no welds.
    • For dual tires, there is no debris between the tires.
    • The rims and, for Dayton/split tires, spacers meet the General requirements.

Lug nuts

The tested person is supposed to check whether the
  1. Lug nuts:
    • Show no signs of rust trails or shiny metal that would indicate looseness.
    • Meet the General requirements.
  2. Bolt holes are not cracked or distorted.

Hub/axle seal

The tested person is supposed to:
  1. Identify the hub seal on the steering axle or axle seal on non-steering axles, as well as those bolts and, if equipped, dipsticks, that are related to them.
  2. Check whether the seals and bolts meet the:
If the seal is equipped with a dipstick, another check can be performed to see whether the fluid is filled to proper level.

Side of tractor

External mirrors

The tested person is supposed to check whether the external mirrors and their brackets:
  1. Are free of excessive dirt.
  2. Meet the General requirements.

Tractor side lights

If the inspected tractor is equipped with side lights, the tested person is supposed to check whether the lights:
  1. Are the proper color, amber.
  2. Meet the General requirements.

Cab doors

The tested person is supposed to check whether the:
  1. Doors open and close properly.
  2. Door windows are free of excessive dirt.
  3. Door hinges are secure.
  4. Door seals are intact.
  5. Doors, windows, hinges, and seals meet the General requirements.

DEF tank

The tested person is supposed to:
  1. Identify the diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) tank and its cap.
  2. Check whether the tank and cap meet the:

Fuel tank

The tested person is supposed to:
  1. Identify the fuel tank, its straps and cap.
  2. Check whether the tank and cap meet the:

Behind the cab and tractor

Catwalk and steps

The tested person is supposed to:
  1. Identify the catwalk and steps.
  2. Check whether the catwalk and steps:

Exhaust system

The tested person is supposed to:
  1. Identify the exhaust and, if equipped, its clamps.
  2. Check whether the exhaust and, if equipped, clamps, meet the:

Drive shaft

The tested person is supposed to:
  1. Identify the drive shaft and those U-joints that are related to that.
  2. Check whether the drive shaft and U-joints:

Frame

The tested person is supposed to:
  1. Identify the tractor frame.
  2. Check whether the frame meets the General requirements.

Rear tractor lights/reflectors

The tested person is supposed to:
  1. Identify the tail lights, brake lights, turn signals, reverse lights, and reflectors.
  2. Check whether they:
    • Are the proper color, white for the brake lights and red for the other lights.
    • Meet the General requirements.

Coupling system

Electrical line coupling

The tested person is supposed to:
  1. Identify the electrical line coupling.
  2. Check whether the lines:

Air line coupling

The tested person is supposed to:
  1. Identify both air line couplings, including their hoses, glad hands, and glad hand seals.
  2. Check whether the:

Trailer apron

The tested person is supposed to:
  1. Identify the apron.
  2. Check whether the apron:
    • Sits well on the fifth wheel skid plate. There should be no gap or daylight between the plate and apron.
    • Meets the General requirements.

Kingpin and jaws

The tested person is supposed to:
  1. Identify the kingpin and locking jaws.
  2. Check whether the locking jaws:

Fifth wheel skid plate

The tested person is supposed to:
  1. Identify and their related .
  2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

Fifth wheel platform

The tested person is supposed to:
  1. Identify and their related .
  2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

Sliding locking system

The tested person is supposed to:
  1. Identify and their related .
  2. Check whether the meets the:

Trailer front and sides

Trailer header board

The tested person is supposed to:
  1. Identify and their related .
  2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

DOT reflective tape

The tested person is supposed to:
  1. Identify and their related .
  2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

Landing gear

The tested person is supposed to:
  1. Identify and their related .
  2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

Trailer side lights

The tested person is supposed to:
  1. Identify and their related .
  2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

Frame and tandem release

The tested person is supposed to:
  1. Identify and their related .
  2. Check whether the meets the:

Splash guards

The tested person is supposed to:
  1. Identify and their related .
  2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

Door tie back hook

The tested person is supposed to:
  1. Identify and their related .
  2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

Trailer rear

Trailer rear lights

The tested person is supposed to:
  1. Identify and their related .
  2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

Trailer doors

The tested person is supposed to:
  1. Identify and their related .
  2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

Door tie back chain

The tested person is supposed to:
  1. Identify and their related .
  2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

Inside the cab

Emergency equipment

The tested person is supposed to:
  1. Identify and their related .
  2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

Safety belt

The tested person is supposed to:
  1. Identify and their related .
  2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

Safe start engine

The tested person is supposed to:
  1. Identify and their related .
  2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

ABS light

The tested person is supposed to:
  1. Identify and their related .
  2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

Horns

The tested person is supposed to:
  1. Identify and their related .
  2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

Mirrors

The tested person is supposed to:
  1. Identify and their related .
  2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

Windshield

The tested person is supposed to:
  1. Identify and their related .
  2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

Windshield wipers

The tested person is supposed to:
  1. Identify and their related .
  2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

Oil pressure gauge

The tested person is supposed to:
  1. Identify and their related .
  2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

Ammeter/voltmeter

The tested person is supposed to:
  1. Identify and their related .
  2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

Temperature gauge

The tested person is supposed to:
  1. Identify and their related .
  2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

Air pressure gauge

The tested person is supposed to:
  1. Identify and their related .
  2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

DEF level indicator

The tested person is supposed to:
  1. Identify and their related .
  2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

Light indicators

The tested person is supposed to:
  1. Identify and their related .
  2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

Cab and windshield fans

The tested person is supposed to:
  1. Identify and their related .
  2. Check whether the meet the General requirements.

Brake check series

The brake check series consists of three different checks:
  1. Air brake check
  2. Parking brake check
  3. Service brake check

Air brake check

Failure to perform all three components of the air brake check correctly will result in an automatic failure of thee vehicle inspection test. If you realize that you have missed something or did something incorrectly during your air brake check, you may start over.

Air brake check preparation

Leak down test

Low air warning device test

Tractor protection valve test

Parking brake check

Parking brake check preparation

Tractor parking brake check

Trailer parking brake check

Service brake check

Preparation

Execution

Requirements

Air-handling items

  • Any inspected item that handles air must be not loose or leaking.
  • Its hoses must be:
    1. Mounted securely at their couplings, one for the exhaust and two couplings for everything else.
    2. Not dry-rotted.
    3. Free from cuts, frays, holes, leaks, and/or other damage.

Electrical items

  • Any inspected item that provides the tractor and/or trailer with electricity must be not burnt or frayed.
  • Its wires must be free from cuts and/or other damage.

Engine compartment belts

Engine compartment belts may include power steering belt, water pump belt, alternator belt, and/or air compressor belt. During the inspection, they must:
  1. Be checked for snugness (1/2 to 3/4 inch play at center of belt), cracks, frays, loose fibers or signs of wear.
  2. Not be damaged or missing, be mounted securely and operating properly.

Fluid-containing items

  • Any inspected item that contains any fluid must be not loose or leaking.
  • Its hoses must be free from frays, leaks, and/or other damage.

General

Any inspected item and its component or part must be:
  • If the item should:
    1. Not be movable, then, securely mounted and have no missing nuts, bolts, or bushings.
    2. Be movable, then, fastened, tight, or not loose.
  • Not bent, broken, cracked, damaged, dent, or missing.
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