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Modern CDL Class A Pre-Trip Inspection Checklist

Modern Pre-Trip Inspection Class A with Air Brakes

Once you have completed the federally required Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) theory and behind the wheel (road and range) mandated training, the next step to gaining your Commercial Driver's License (CDL) are the three basic skills formal tests. The three tests and the order for which they must be completed are as follows: the Pre-Trip, Basic Control Skills, and the Road Course. This article discusses the Pre-Trip Inspection.

During the modernized version of the Pre-Trip Inspection skills test for the air brake equipped Class A Tractor and Trailer, you will check the safety critical items found on the Class A Checklist.

When you are completing the inspection test, you must name and point to or touch each safety critical item, and fully explain what you are inspecting (you must ensure the tester knows what you are referring to). You will be graded on whether you know what to check each part for, and not necessarily that you know the specific names of the parts. You will have to check only the items on the Class A Checklist.

A full step by step video demonstration of the Pre-trip inspection procedure. A written checklist can be found below the video to help with your study.

For the modernized version of the Pre-Trip Inspection, you are allowed to use a checklist (download it here). When you use the checklist during the official test, there can be no additional marks or notes on the list.

Modernized Pre-Trip Inspection Class A Checklist Items

Begin the vehicle's inspection In-Vehicle/Engine Start section. During the test, you will only be required to inspect one of the vehicle's axles. The test requires you to only inspect the driver's side unless the item is only on the passenger side; for example, the engine compartment.

In-Vehicle/Engine Start (need to demonstrate all mechanisms)

  1. Air Brake Check: Four parts, must get all parts correct or it is an automatic failure
    1. Air gauge.
      1. Working (approximately 120 to 140 psi).
      2. Identify when the cut-off pressure achieved (state the pressure).
    2. Air leaks.
      1. Turn engine off.
      2. Turn key to the "on" position.
      3. Release brakes.
      4. Apply foot brake.
      5. Let the air gauge settle.
      6. With the window down, depress and hold the foot brake for one minute. Listen for leaks. (Allowed to use cell phone as your timer -- Cannot lose more than four pounds of pressure).
    3. Low air warning device.
      1. Engine still off with the key in the "on" position.
      2. State, "The low air warning device must activate at 55 psi or above."
      3. Apply and release (fan) the foot brake to lower air pressure until the low air warning device activates.
      4. Once the low air warning device is activated, state, "The low air warning device activated at (actual psi observed)."
    4. Emergency brake(s) test.
      1. Engine still off with the key in the "on" position.
      2. State, "Parking brakes should pop, release, or close between 20 to 45 psi."
      3. Apply and release (fan) the foot brake to lower air pressure until the parking brakes activate by closing or "popping out."
      4. Once the parking brakes activate, say, "The parking brakes activated at (actual psi observed)."
  2. Parking Brake Check
    1. Tractor/Truck parking brake check.
      1. Release trailer parking brake.
      2. Put vehicle in forward gear and gently tug to feel brake is holding.
    2. Trailer parking brake.
      1. Activate the trailer parking brake.
      2. Release tractor/truck parking brake.
      3. Put vehicle in forward gear and gently tug to feel brake is holding.
  3. Service Brake Check
    1. Foot brake.
      1. Put vehicle in forward gear and accelerate to approximately 5 mph.
      2. Apply foot brake and state, "vehicle stops."
      3. Check for (no) pull in the steering wheel to left or right (hold lightly).
  4. Lighting Indicators
    1. At Start of Engine
      1. Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) light dashboard-on then off (working properly), if equipped.
      2. ABS light side of trailer-on, then off (working properly), if equipped.
      3. Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) light dashboard-on then off (gauge depicts more than 1/8th of a tank of DEF fluid), if equipped.
    2. After Start of Engine
      1. Left turn signal.
      2. Right turn signal.
      3. 4-way flashers.
      4. High beam headlight (turn on headlight switch).
  5. Safety/Emergency Equipment
    1. must have fire extinguisher
      1. mounted.
      2. charged.
    2. three triangles
      1. red.
      2. reflective.
    3. spare fuses or breakers (whichever the truck is equipped with).
  6. Windshield
    1. Three inspection items
      1. Clean.
      2. Not cracked.
      3. No stickers (obstructions).
  7. Monitoring Devices
    1. Mirrors
      1. Clean.
      2. Adjusted properly.
    2. Cameras (if equipped)
      1. Clean.
      2. Adjusted for viewing.
      3. Display working properly.
  8. Wipers
    1. Wiper arms
      1. Secure to vehicle.
      2. Not broken (damaged).
    2. Wiper Blades
      1. Not split or cut (damage).
      2. Secure to wiper arm.
    3. Washer Fluid
      1. Squirts on windshield.
    4. Demonstrate the operation of the wipers and washer fluid.
  9. Heater/Defroster
    1. Heater
      1. Activate heater, turn on.
      2. Activate defroster, turn on.
  10. Horn
    1. Electric horn.
      1. Sound the electric horn.
    2. Air horn.
      1. Blow air horn.

Exterior Lights Operation Check

  1. Must check all functions of the lights in front, sides, and the rear of the vehicle.
    1. Turn on headlights and left turn signal.
      1. Safely exit the vehicle (maintaining three points of contact).
      2. Check for proper operation of headlights.
      3. Check for proper operation of left turn signal from front, the driver's side and the rear of the tractor/truck, and the rear of the trailer.
      4. Check clearance lights on the front, the driver's side of the tractor/truck and trailer, and the rear of the trailer.
    2. Turn on high beams and right turn signal
      1. Check for proper operation of high beams.
      2. Check for proper operation of right turn signal from front, the passenger's side and the rear of the tractor/truck, and the rear of the trailer.
      3. Check clearance lights on the passenger's side of the tractor/truck and trailer.
    3. Activate 4-Way flashers
      1. Check for proper operation of 4-way flashers from front, the passenger's side and the rear of the tractor/truck, and the rear of the trailer, and the driver's side and the rear of the tractor/truck.
    4. Check the brake lights (you may ask for your tester's assistance)
      1. Check for proper operation of the brake lights on the rear of the tractor/truck, and the rear of the trailer.

Exterior of the Vehicle and Engine Compartment Checks

  1. Front of the Vehicle
    1. Lenses
      1. Clean.
      2. Not cracked or broken (damaged).
      3. Color (amber).
      4. None are missing.
    2. Under vehicle
      1. Check for oil and/or fluid puddles.
  2. Engine Compartment
    1. Engine oil level
      1. Point to the oil dipstick.
      2. State, "The oil level on the dipstick is between add and full."
    2. Coolant level
      1. Point to the coolant reservoir.
      2. State, "The reservoir fluid is between hot and cold."
    3. Power steering fluid level
      1. Point to the power steering fluid reservoir.
      2. State, "The power steering fluid level is between add and full."
    4. Look for fluid leaks
      1. Check for excessive fluid leaks on the ground under the vehicle.
      2. Check for excessive fluid leaks on the engine (both sides).
      3. Check for excessive fluid leaks on the transmission.
    5. Compressed air leaks
      1. Check hoses and air lines for leaks (both sides of the engine).
  3. Steering System Components
    1. Power steering box
      1. Securely mounted.
      2. Not leaking.
    2. Power steering hoses
      1. Not split or cut (damage).
      2. Not leaking.
      3. Securely mounted.
    3. Steering linkage
      1. Not bent or broken (damage).
    4. Castle nuts & cotter keys
      1. Tight.
      2. Not not missing.
    5. Steering linkage sockets
      1. Not wore or loose.
  4. Front axle suspension
    1. Spring mounts
      1. Securely mounted.
      2. Not cracked (damage).
    2. Leaf springs
      1. All in alignment (straight).
      2. Not cracked (damage).
      3. None missing.
    3. Shock absorber
      1. Securely mounted.
      2. Not bent or broken.
      3. Not leaking.
    4. Air bags (if equipped)
      1. Securely mounted.
      2. Not leaking.
    5. Ensure the vehicle is level
      1. Check vehicle is level from both side to side and front to back.
  5. Front axle air brakes
    1. Compressed air hoses
      1. Can supply air.
      2. Not leaking.
      3. Fittings are secure.
      4. Not split of cut (damaged).
    2. Brake drums and linings
      1. No contaminants (grease or oil).
  6. Front wheel
    1. Tire
      1. Minimum 4/32” tread depth (tread depth gauge).
      2. Tread evenly worn.
      3. Not swollen, no cuts on sidewalls.
      4. Check the valve stem is accessible and has a cap.
      5. Check tire pressure with a tire pressure gauge.
    2. Rim
      1. No cracks, and not bent (damage).
      2. Has no aftermarket welds.
      3. No distorted (out of round) lug nut holes.
    3. Lug nuts
      1. None missing.
      2. No broken studs.
      3. No rust trails or shiny threads (shows looseness).
  7. Side of vehicle
    1. Lenses
      1. Clean.
      2. Not cracked (damage).
      3. Proper color (amber).
      4. Not missing.
    2. Reflectors
      1. Clean.
      2. Not cracked (damage).
      3. Proper color (amber).
      4. Not missing.
  8. Monitoring devices
    1. Mirror
      1. Bracket not broken (damage).
      2. Bracket securely mounted.
      3. Glass is clean.
      4. Glass is not cracked (damage).
    2. Cameras (if equipped)
      1. Clean.
      2. Adjusted for viewing.
  9. Battery system
    1. Batteries and cables
      1. Batteries are secure.
      2. Connections are clean, not corroded.
      3. Cables are secure to the battery; insulated, and not chafed.
      4. Battery box and lid are secure.
  10. Fuel tanks
    1. Diesel Tank
      1. Securely mounted.
      2. Cap is secure.
      3. Not leaking from tank, cap, or fuel lines.
    2. DEF Tank
      1. Securely mounted.
      2. Cap is secure.
      3. Not leaking from tank, cap, or fuel lines.
  11. Frame
    1. Longitude Rail
      1. Straight.
      2. Not cracked (damage).
    2. Cross members
      1. Straight.
      2. Not cracked (damage).
    3. Floor
      1. No holes.
      2. Not cracked.

The Coupling System

  1. Tractor/truck side
    1. Air fittings
      1. Secure.
      2. No damage.
      3. Not leaking.
    2. Electric plug
      1. Secure.
      2. No damage.
  2. Trailer side
    1. Air fittings
      1. Secure.
      2. No damage.
    2. Electric plug
      1. Secure.
      2. No damage.
    3. Air lines
      1. Not pinched, cut, or tangled (damage).
      2. Not leaking, state, "listening for leaks."
      3. Not rubbing.
    4. Electric line
      1. Not pinched, cut, or mended (not taped).
      2. Not rubbing.
  3. Locking and safety devices
    1. The 5th wheel skid plate
      1. Not cracked (damaged).
      2. Greased.
      3. Pivot pin in place (securely mounted).
    2. Release arm
      1. Pushed all the way in (locked).
      2. Safety latch is in place, if equipped.
    3. Gap
      1. Check for (no) gap between 5th wheel plate and apron.
    4. Apron
      1. Not bent or cracked (damage).
      2. Not worn.
    5. Locking pins
      1. Look to ensure pins are extended through locking device, if equipped.
      2. No damage.
    6. King pin
      1. Not bent (damage).
      2. Not worn.
    7. Jaws
      1. Look from back of 5th wheel to see the jaws have wrapped around the king pin, no play; tight.
    8. Clearance
      1. Check to ensure proper clearance between tractor/truck and trailer landing gear.

The Trailer

  1. Landing gear
    1. Four inspection items
      1. Fully raised.
      2. No missing parts.
      3. Handle secured.
      4. Landing pads not broken (damage)
    2. Frame
      1. Longitude Rail
        1. Straight.
        2. Not cracked (damage).
      2. Cross members
        1. Straight.
        2. Not cracked (damage).
      3. Floor
        1. No holes.
        2. No cracks (damage).
      4. Tandem release
        1. Pins extend through slide.
        2. Release lever secure.
  2. Side of trailer
    1. Reflective tape
      1. Secure to trailer.
  3. Rear of trailer
    1. Lenses
      1. Clean.
      2. Not cracked.
      3. Proper color (red).
      4. None missing.
    2. Reflectors
      1. Clean.
      2. Not cracked.
      3. Proper color (red).
      4. None missing.

Videos are a great way to supplement your learning experience, but attending a certified, formalized truck driving school would be a way of ensuring you gain the knowledge and skills required to achieve your Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). Nothing can replace the actual behind the wheel driving experience! Classes convene regularly, so call (352)794-6080, and reserve your drive time, now!


All CDL Testing & Training

All SMG CDL testing and training is initiated and completed at Interstate Commercial Driving School (ICDS) located at:

Interstate Commercial Driving School
7225 N Citrus Avenue
Crystal River, Florida 34428
Tel: (352)794-6080

SMG Contact Information:

Sean M. Gerrits, Inc. dba SMG, Inc.
6730 N Citrus Avenue
Crystal River, Florida 34428

Tel: (352)795-7170

Fax: (352)795-8723

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