Class A CDL Pre-Trip Inspection

Tractor Trailer
®

FRONT OF TRACTOR

 LIGHTS & REFLECTORS

o Proper Color
o Working Lights
o Not Broken
o Not cracked

 LEAKS
License Plate
o Check for puddles
o Check for drips under engine

Leaks

Pre-Trip Inspection Test Items Reference Items

ENGINE COMPARTMENT - PASSENGER SIDE

 WATER PUMP
o Mounted Securely Engine Air Duct
o No missing bolts or parts Work
o Hoses attached securely
o No leaking hoses or water pump
o Belts no more than ¾ inch of play
o Belts not cracked, frayed, or damaged
Engine Air Duct
Work Accessory Drive
 ALTERNATOR Belts
o Mounted Securely
o No missing bolts or parts
o Wires good connections, not frayed
o Belt no more than ¾ inch of play
Water Pump
o Belts not frayed or cracked Oil Dip Stick

Oil Fill
 OIL LEVEL
o Check for level and condition

 PLUS ALL OTHER HOSES &

WIRING
o Not cracked, frayed, or broken
o Belts no more than ¾ inch of play Turbo Charger Alternator
o Hoses not leaking

Pre-Trip Inspection Test Items Reference Items

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Class A CDL Pre-Trip Inspection
Tractor Trailer
®

ENGINE COMPARTMENT - DRIVER SIDE

 COOLANT
o Check for level and condition
o Hoses attached and not leaking
Engine Coolant
Reservoir
 POWER STEERING RESERVOIR
o Mounted properly
o Hoses attached and not leaking
o Check for level and condition Windsheild
Washer Fluid
Reservoir
 AIR COMPRESSOR Engine Air Duct
Work
o Mounted Securely
o No missing bolts or parts Power Steering
o No air leaks at lines Reservoir
Radiator Brace
o Check if gear or belt driven
Steering Gear
o Belt no more than ¾ inch of play Box
o Belts not cracked or frayed
Pitman Arm
 STEERING GEAR BOX
o Mounted properly
o No missing parts, nuts or bolts
o Lines and hoses not leaking or
broken

Pre-Trip Inspection Test Items Reference Items

ENGINE COMPARTMENT - DRIVER SIDE CON’T

 POWER STEERING RESERVOIR
o Mounted properly
o Hoses attached and not leaking
o Check for level and condition
Air Governor

 AIR COMPRESSOR Air Compressor

o Mounted Securely Power Steering
o No missing bolts or parts Reservoir
o No air leaks at lines
o Check if gear or belt driven
o Belt no more than ¾ inch of play
o Belts not cracked or frayed
Steering Gear
 STEERING GEAR BOX Box
o Mounted properly
o No missing parts, nuts or bolts
o Lines and hoses not leaking or Pitman Arm
Engine Oil Pan

broken

 STEERING LINKAGE
o Pitman arm, Drag link, Steering
knuckle, Tie rods and tie rod ends
o Not cracked, bent or broken Spring Mount Drag Link Leaf Spring

o Castle nuts and cotter pins

o Not missing and in place
Pre-Trip Inspection Test Items Reference Items

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Class A CDL Pre-Trip Inspection
Tractor Trailer
®

ENGINE COMPARTMENT - DRIVER SIDE CON’T

Engine Air Duct Steering Column

Work
 AIR COMPRESSOR
o Mounted Securely
Fan Belts
o No missing bolts or parts
o No air leaks at lines
o Check if gear or belt driven
Gear Driven Air Additional
o Belt no more than ¾ inch of play Compressor Hoses & Wiring
o Belts not cracked or frayed

 STEERING GEAR BOX Steering U-Joints

o Mounted properly
o No missing parts, nuts or bolts
o Lines and hoses not leaking or Shock Absorber
broken

Steering Gear Box Frame Rail Fuel Filter

Pre-Trip Inspection Test Items Reference Items

ENGINE COMPARTMENT - AIR COMPRESSOR

Air Governor
 AIR COMPRESSOR
o Mounted Securely
o No missing bolts or parts
o No air leaks at lines Gear Driven Air
Fuel Pump
o Check if gear or belt driven Compressor

o Belt no more than ¾ inch of play

o Belts not cracked or frayed

Hoses

Pre-Trip Inspection Test Items Reference Items

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Class A CDL Pre-Trip Inspection
Tractor Trailer
®

FRONT SUSPENSION

 LEAF SPRINGS Shock Absorber

o Not shifted or out of place
U-Bolts
o Not cracked, broken or missing
Leaf Spring
 SPRING MOUNTS
o Mounted securely- front, back, and
U-blots Axle

o Not cracked or broken Tie Rod

 SHOCK ABSORBER
o Mounted Securely Air Hose Service Brake
o Not bent or dented Chamber
o Not leaking Air LIne

Tie Rod End

Pre-Trip Inspection Test Items Reference Items

FRONT SUSPENSION CON’T

Frame Rail

 LEAF SPRINGS
o Not shifted or out of place
o Not cracked, broken or missing
U-Bolt
 SPRING MOUNTS
o Mounted securely- front, back, and
U-blots Spring Mount
o Not cracked or broken
Leaf Spring
 SHOCK ABSORBER
o Mounted Securely Air Dryer
o Not bent or dented
o Not leaking

Air Dryer location varies depending on model.

Located either behind the front bumper or behind the fuel tank.

Pre-Trip Inspection Test Items Reference Items

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Class A CDL Pre-Trip Inspection
Tractor Trailer
®

FRONT BRAKES
 HOSES AND LINES
o Mounted securely
Service Brake
o Not leaking Chamber
o Not cracked or frayed
Tire

 CHAMBER Push Rod

o Mounted securely
o Not dented or damaged Wheel
o Not leaking

 SLACK ADJUSTER Slack Adjuster

o No more than 1 inch of free play at Castle Nut

the push rod with the brakes released. Cotter Pin

Adjustment Nut
o Not bent, broken, loose, or missing
parts Steering
Knuckle
Brake Drum
 DRUMS
o Not cracked, broken or dented
o No oil leaking from inner oil seal, Snap Ring
free of debris Brake Lining

 LININGS
o No cracked, broken or missing parts
o Not less than ¼ inch in thickness
Pre-Trip Inspection Test Items Reference Items

FRONT BRAKES CON’T

 HOSES AND LINES
o Mounted securely
o Not leaking
o Not cracked or frayed

 CHAMBER Air Line

o Mounted securely Service Brake
o Not dented or damaged Chamber
Air Hose
o Not leaking
Push Rod Shock Absorber
 SLACK ADJUSTER
o No more than 1 inch of free play at
the push rod with the brakes released.
Clevis Pin & U-Bolt
o Not bent, broken, loose, or missing Cotter Pin
parts

 DRUMS
Slack Adjuster Spring
o Not cracked, broken or dented
o No oil leaking from inner oil seal,
free of debris

 LININGS
o No cracked, broken or missing parts
o Not less than ¼ inch in thickness
Pre-Trip Inspection Test Items Reference Items

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Class A CDL Pre-Trip Inspection
Tractor Trailer
®

FRONT WHEEL

 TIRES
o Proper inflation – company or
manufacturer specification
o No bulges, cuts, or retreads
o Minimum tread depth of 4/32” Tire Wheel

 RIMS
o Not bent, cracked, No welding repairs.
Hub Oil
Lug Nut
Reservior
 LUG NUTS
o None are missing
o Tight – no shinny threads, or rust trails
Outer Hub Valve Cap
Oil Seal
 OUTER HUB OIL SEALS
o Not leaking, no missing bolts
o Proper oil level

Pre-Trip Inspection Test Items Reference Items

DRIVER FUEL AREA

 DRIVER’S DOOR
Mirror
o Door opens and closes properly
o Seal is in good condition

 DRIVER’S MIRRORS Storage

Compartment
o Clean and free of obstruction
Door
o Not cracked, broken, or damaged
o Mounted securely

 FUEL TANK
o Mounted securely Cap & Seal
o Not leaking Battery Box &
Cover
o Seal in cap OK

Saddle Mounts Leaks

Pre-Trip Inspection Test Items Reference Items

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Class A CDL Pre-Trip Inspection
Tractor Trailer
®

 AIR LINES & ELECTRIC LINE

o Not cracked, frayed, cut, or kinked
o Mounted securely at the glad hands BEHIND THE CAB
o Not leaking

 BATTERY BOX & BATTERIES

o Box is mounted properly Lights &
o Batteries are secure in the box Reflectors
o Lid secure
o Connections not corroded

 CATWALK Electrical Line Exhaust

o Mounted properly
o Not, missing, or damaged
o Free of obstructions Glad Hand

 DRIVE SHAFT
o Not bent, or damaged
o Coupling, U-joints appear secure Service &
Emergency
Airlines
 EXHAUST SYSTEM Drive Shaft

o Securely mounted Battery Box &

o Not dented or damaged Batteries
o Not leaking
Frame Catwalk
 FRAME
o Not cracked, or damaged
o No missing bolts Pre-Trip Inspection Test Items Reference Items
o No illegal welds

 LIGHTS & REFLECTORS

o Clean and working

FRONT OF TRAILER

Lights

 HEADER BOARD
o No holes or missing rivets
Header Board
Height Sticker
 LIGHTS & REFLECTORS
o None broken, cracked, or missing
o Working and proper color of amber
Electric Hookup

Air Line

Pre-Trip Inspection Test Items Reference Items

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Class A CDL Pre-Trip Inspection
Tractor Trailer
®

DRIVE AXLE SUSPENSION

 CONTROL ARM MOUNT
o Mounted securely
Torsion Bar
o Not bent, broken or damaged Spring Brake
Chamber
Control Arm
 CONTROL ARM
o Mounted securely – front, back, and
U-bolts
o Not cracked, or broken Spring Brake
Chamber
Air Bag
 SHOCK ABSORBER
o Mounted Securely
o Not bent, dented or leaking Control Arm
Mount

 TORSION BAR Control Arm

o Mounted Securely
o Not bent, broken or damaged

 AIR BAGS
o Mounted Securely
o Not leaking

Pre-Trip Inspection Test Items Reference Items

DRIVE AXLE SUSPENSION CON’T & FIFTH WHEEL

 CONTROL ARM MOUNT Skid Plate

o Mounted securely
o Not bent, broken or damaged
Shock Absorber
 CONTROL ARM Mounting
Bolts
o Mounted securely – front, back, and
U-bolts Spring
Locking
o Not cracked, or broken Pins

 SHOCK ABSORBER
Air Bag
o Mounted Securely Control Arm
o Not bent, dented or leaking Mount

Tire
 TORSION BAR
o Mounted Securely Control Arm
o Not bent, broken or damaged
Space
 AIR BAGS
o Mounted Securely
o Not leaking

Pre-Trip Inspection Test Items Reference Items

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Class A CDL Pre-Trip Inspection
Tractor Trailer
®

DRIVE BRAKES & DRIVE SHAFT

 HOSES AND LINES
o Mounted securely
o Not leaking
o Not cracked or frayed
Air Line
Drive Shaft
 CHAMBER
o Mounted securely
Service Brake
o Not dented or damaged Chamber
o Not leaking
Universal Joint Frame
 SLACK ADJUSTER
o No more than 1 inch of free play at
the push rod with the brakes released.
o No bent, broken, loose, or missing Brake Chamber
Mount
parts
Differential
 DRUMS Slack Adjuster
o Not cracked, broken or dented
o No oil leaking from inner oil seal,
free of debris

 LININGS
o No cracked, broken or missing parts
o Not less than ¼ inch in thickness
Pre-Trip Inspection Test Items Reference Items

DRIVE WHEELS
 TIRES
o Proper inflation - company or
manufacturer specification.
o No bulges or cuts, can have retreads
o Minimum tread depth of 2/32”

 RIMS
Tire
o Not bent or cracked
o No welding repairs Lug Nuts

 LUG NUTS Bud Rim

o None missing
o Tight – no shinny threads, or rust Outer Axle Seal
trails

 OUTER AXLE SEAL

o Not leaking, no missing bolts

 SPACE OR SPACER
o Check for objects between wheels
o Check for proper spacing
Dayton Rim Spacer

Pre-Trip Inspection Test Items Reference Items

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Class A CDL Pre-Trip Inspection
Tractor Trailer
®

REAR OF TRACTOR

Locking Jaws

Reflectors

 LIGHTS & REFLECTORS

o Not cracked, or broken
o Working and proper color
Lights

 SPLASH GUARDS
o Not missing or torn and
properly mounted

Splash Guard Air Bags

Pre-Trip Inspection Test Items Reference Items

 MOUNTING BOLTS
o None missing or broken

 RELEASE ARM
o Not bent, broken, or damaged COUPLING SYSTEM
o Engaged in the lock position

 LOCKING PINS
o No missing or broken parts
o Engaged and locked
Skid Plate

 PLATFORM
o Securely holds skid plate Mounting Bolts Pivot Pin
o Not cracked, or broken

 SKID PLATE Release Arm

Slide Stops
o Mounted properly on the platform (all 4 corners)
o Properly greased
o Tilting freely Platform

Welds
 KING PIN
o Not broken, bent, or damaged

 APRON
o No bends or damage to visible portions

 GAP
Frame Slide Locking Pin Spring Mount
o Check that the trailer apron is lying flat
on the fifth wheel skid plate
Pre-Trip Inspection Test Items Reference Items
 JAWS
o Check that the locking jaws are fully
closed around the shank of the king pin 10
Class A CDL Pre-Trip Inspection
Tractor Trailer
®

SIDE OF TRAILER
 LANDING GEAR
o Fully raised and handle secure
o No missing parts
o Support frame not cracked, broken,
or damaged
Lights
 FRAME Trailer Floor
o Not cracks, bends, or damaged Cross Member
o No missing or damaged cross Top Rail
members
o No signs of holes or damage to
trailer floo Side Panels

Bottom Rail
 TANDEM RELEASE
o Locking pins secure and locked in
place
o Release handle is secure Placard Holder

King Pin
 LIGHTS & REFLECTORS
o Working and proper color
o Front and side are amber
o Rear edge is red
Landing Gear Reflectors Lights (Amber)
o Not broken, cracked, or missing

Pre-Trip Inspection Test Items Reference Items

TRAILER SUSPENSION

 LEAF SPRINGS
o Not shifted or out of place
Frame
o Not cracked, broken or missing

 SPRING MOUNTS Floor Braces

U-Bolts
o Mounted securely – front, back, and
U-bolts
o Not cracked, or broken
Spring Tandem Slide
Pin
 TORQUE ROD
o Mounted Securely
Spring Mount
o Not bent, broken or damaged
Release Arm

 SHOCK ABSORBER (If Equipped)

o Mounted Securely
o Not bent, dented or leaking
Torque Rods

 AIR BAGS (If Equipped)

o Mounted Securely
o Not leaking

Pre-Trip Inspection Test Items Reference Items

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Class A CDL Pre-Trip Inspection
Tractor Trailer
®

 HOSES AND LINES TRAILER BRAKES

o Mounted securely
o Not leaking
o Not cracked or frayed U-Bolts

 CHAMBER
o Mounted securely Leaf Spring
Tire

o Not dented or damaged

o Not leaking Wheel

Snap Ring
 SLACK ADJUSTER
o 90 degrees with brakes applied. Adjustment Nut

o No more than 1 inch of free play at

Slack Adjuster
the push rod with the brakes released. Brake Drum
o No bent, broken, loose, or missing
parts
Push Rod Brake Lining

 DRUMS
o Not cracked, broken or dented Clevis Pin &
o No oil leaking from inner oil seal, Cotter Pin
free of debris

 LININGS
o No cracked, broken or missing parts
o Not less than ¼ inch in thickness
Pre-Trip Inspection Test Items Reference Items

TRAILER WHEELS
 TIRES
o Proper inflation-company or
manufacturer specification.
o No bulges or cuts, can have retreads
o Minimum tread depth of 2/32”

 RIMS
o Not bent or cracked Tire
o No welding repairs
Lug Nuts

 LUG NUTS
o None missing Bud Rim

o Tight – no shinny threads, or rust

trails Outer Axle Seal

 OUTER HUB OIL SEAL

o Not leaking, no missing bolts
o Fluid level OK

 SPACE OR SPACER
o Check for objects between wheels
o Check for proper spacing

Pre-Trip Inspection Test Items Reference Items

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Class A CDL Pre-Trip Inspection
Tractor Trailer
®

REAR OF TRAILER

 DOORS
o Not bent, broken, or damaged
o Close and latch securely
o Hinges secure, no damage Door Seals

 DOOR TIES
o Not missing, broken, and
Hinges Latches
securely mounted

 SPLASH GUARDS
o Mounted properly
o Not missing, ripped or torn Reflectors
Lights

 DOT BUMPER
o Not bent or damaged

Splash Guard
 LIGHTS & REFLECTORS
o Working and proper color
o Not broken, cracked, or missing
License Plate Door Ties DOT Bumper

Pre-Trip Inspection Test Items Reference Items

 EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT  LIGHTING INDICATORS

o Spare electrical fuses o Left and right turn signal
o 3 reflective triangles o 4-Way Flashers
o Red ands mounted securely o High beam indicator
o Fire extinguisher
o Minimum of 10 BC  HORNS
o Fully charged o Electric (Street) horn works properly
o Securely mounted o Air horn works properly
IN CAB INSPECTION

 SAFETY BELT  HEATER & DEFROSTER

o Latches securely o Move switch from heat to defrost
o Mounted securely o Check for air flow

 STEERING WHEEL  WINDSHIELD

o No more than 10 degrees of free play o Clean and free of obstruction
o Not cracked or broken
 CLUTCH
o Engages and disengages smoothly  WIPERS & WASHER
o Working
 SHIFTER o Mounted securely to wiper arm
o Moves in and out of gear properly o Rubber not torn
o Range selector works o Washer sprays properly

 WATER TEMP GAUGE  MIRRORS

o Gauge is working (170 – 210 degrees) o Clean and adjusted

 OIL PRESSURE GAUGE  PARKING BRAKE VALVES

o Gauge is working properly o Both are present and not leaking
o Normal oil pressure (20 - 45 PSI) o Place vehicle in 1st gear
o Check that the warning light goes out o Release the tractor (yellow valve)
o And slowly pull against the trailer to ensure the coupling is secure, tug
 AMMETER/VOLTMETER again to ensure that the brakes will work. Pull the tractor Valve out.
o Gauge shows (12 – 14) volts to show o Release trailer (Red valve)
battery is charging and that the generator o And slowly tug against the tractor brakes to ensure they work.
or alternator is working properly
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