CDL Pre-Trip Inspection Manual - CDL College

CDL Skills TestPRE-TRIP InspectionEngine Compartment 1 AxleSide and Back of Truck 1 AxleConnections and Trailer 1 AxleExternal Light CheckIn-Cab with Brake Check7505 Dahlia St. Commerce City, CO 80022 303-227-7841

Engine Compartment 1 AxleABC–Abrasions, Bruises, Cuts BBC–Bent, Broken, Cracked Not Leaking–air and liquid-holding partsWear Gloves–touch every part you inspect Order–inspect from the top down and from the center outMake It Easy: 3 Fluids, 3 Components, Belts and Hoses; Axle LastLeaks, Leans, Lights (3 L’s) 3 FluidsStand in front of the truck. Ensure there are noLEAKS underneath the engine compartment.Make sure the truck isn’t LEANing to one sidewhich could indicate a suspension problem orlow tire pressure.Lastly, verify that the LIGHTson the front of the truck arethe proper color, securelymounted, not cracked ordirty, and have nomoisture inside.Check front of truck for anyother damage. Tell the testerthat you’ll note all damageon your DVIR (Driver VehicleInspection Report).Coolant: verify proper level,not leaking, securely mounted,not BBC; check the hoses forsplits or cuts and ensure theyare securely mounted.Oil: indicate where thedipstick is located and that theoil is at the proper level.Power Steering fluid: notleaking, proper level, securelymounted, not BBC; check thehoses for splits or cuts andensure they are securelymounted.3 ComponentsBelts and HosesAlternator: not BBC and mustbe securely mounted; wires aresecurely mounted and notfrayed. Belt or gear driven, belthas no more than 1/2" to 3/4"Look for FINS!of play, no splits or cuts.Water Pump: (follow large pipefrom bottom of radiator to findNot all water pumpsw.p.) securely mounted, notlook the same. FollowBBC; not leaking, belt or gearthe large hose from thebottom of the radiator.driven, belt has no more than1/2" to 3/4" inch of play and hasno splits or cuts.Air Compressor: not BBC andmust be securely mounted; noaudible leaks and belt or geardriven. If belt-driven, belt hasno more than 1/2" to 3/4" inchof play and has no splits or cuts.After properly inspecting the power steeringhose and the coolant hose, tell the tester thatyou would inspect all remaining hoses thesame way.After properly inspecting the alternator belt,tell the tester that you will inspect all remainingbelts the same way.

Engine Compartment cont’dABC–Abrasions, Bruises, Cuts BBC–Bent, Broken, Cracked Not Leaking–air and liquid-holding partsWear Gloves–touch every part you inspect Order–inspect from the top down and from the center outMake It Easy: 3 Fluids, 3 Components, Belts and Hoses; Axle LastSteeringPower Steering Box: notBBC, no leaks, securelymounted, all hardwarepresent, none missing;hose no ABC’s, securelymounted.Pitman Arm: not BBC,securely mounted, allhardware in place nonemissing. Castle nuts notBBC, cotter pins in place.Drag Link: not BBC,securely mounted, castlenuts not BBC, cotter pinin place. Bushings: noABC’s, properly greased.BrakesBrake Hose: hose to brakeschamber not split or cut,no audible leaks, securelymounted.Brake Chamber: not BBC,securely mounted, noaudible leaks, all hardwarein place none missing.Slack Adjuster: not BBCsecurely mounted, nomissing pins, pushrod hasno more than 1" of playand is at a 90 angle tobrake chamber.Brake Drum: not BBC,securely mounted, noblueing from heat.Brake Pads: not BBC,securely mounted, noless than 1/4" of pad.Upper and Lower ControlArms and Tie Rod: notBBC, securely mounted,all hardware present.SuspensionSpring mounts: springmounts and hardware arenot BBC, securely mountedto frame.Leaf Springs: not BBC,securely mounted, noscissoring.Wheel/TireWheel inside: not BBC,securely mounted, noillegal welds, bead isundamaged.Tire: sidewalls have noABC’s; tread depth is 4/32"min., evenly worn, checkinflation w/ air gauge (donot kick tires); no re-treadson steers.Wheel outside: not BBC,securely mounted, noillegal welds, bead isundamaged.Valve Stem: not BBC,securely mounted,metal cap.U-bolts: not BBC, securelymounted, no shiny metal,nuts in place not BBC.Shock absorber: not BBC,securely mounted, no leaks,rubber bushings no ABC’s.Lug Nuts: not BBC,securely mounted, norust trails or spidering,none missing.Hub Seal: not BBC,securely mounted, notleaking, hardware inplace not loose; explainhow to check oil level.

Side and Back of Truck 1 AxleABC–Abrasions, Bruises, Cuts BBC–Bent, Broken, Cracked Not Leaking–air and liquid-holding partsWear Gloves–touch every part you inspect Order–inspect from the top down and from the center outMake It Easy: Inspect from Top to Bottom, Front to Rear; Axle LastSide and Back of TruckMirror: securely mounted, not BBC, all hardware inplace none missing.Door: securely mounted, not BBC, opens and closes,hinges securely mounted, not BBC, rubber sealsecurely mounted, no ABC’s; glass not BBC.Steps: securely mounted, not BBC, hold my weight,not excessively dirty.Fuel tank: securely mounted, not BBC, not leaking,cap is tight.Exhaust: securely mounted, not BBC, all hardwarepresent, no evidence of leaks (exterior soot).Cat Walk and Steps: securely mounted, not BBC,not excessively dirty; steps securely mounted,not BBC, free of debris.Frame: securely mounted, not BBC, no illegal welds.Drive Shaft: securely mounted, not BBC, U-jointssecurely mounted, not BBC, no foreign objects.Rear lights: proper color, securely mounted, not crackedor dirty, no moisture inside the lense.Mud Flap: securely mounted, not BBC, all hardware inplace none missing; mud flap not split or cut, 6" from tire,8" from ground.Space: enough space between rear of truck and landinggear for turns.

Side and Back of Truck cont’dABC–Abrasions, Bruises, Cuts BBC–Bent, Broken, Cracked Not Leaking–air and liquid-holding partsWear Gloves–touch every part you inspect Order–inspect from the top down and from the center outMake It Easy: Inspect from Top to Bottom, Front to Rear; Axle LastAxleNote–not all axles are the same. You must determinewhich suspension components are present and inspectthose components.Axle: suspension, brakes, wheels, tires.Spring mounts: spring mounts and hardware are notBBC, securely mounted to frame.Leaf Springs: not BBC, securely mounted, no scissoring. (No leaf springs? Inspect the torque rod or swingarm: securely mounted and no damage).Torque Arm: securely mounted and no damage.U-bolts: not BBC, securely mounted, no shiny metal,nuts in place not BBC.Shock Absorber: not BBC, securely mounted, noleaks, rubber bushings no ABC’s.Air Bags: the bags not split or cut, no audible leaks,mounts are securely mounted, not BBC, all hardwarein place none missing.Brakes: hose to brakes chamber not split or cut, noaudible leaks, securely mounted.Brake Chamber: not BBC, securely mounted, noaudible leaks, all hardware in place none missing.Slack Adjuster: not BBC and securely mounted, nomissing pins, pushrod has no more than 1" of play andis at a 90 angle to brake chamber.Brake Drum: not BBC, securely mounted, no blueingfrom heat.Brake Pads: not BBC, securely mounted, no less than1/4" of pad.Wheel: not BBC, securely mounted, no illegal welds,bead is undamaged.Tires: sidewalls have no ABC’s; tread depth is 2/32"min., evenly worn, check inflation w/ air gauge (do notkick tires); can be re-tread; no foreign objects betweentires, no gap between wheels.Wheel outside: not BBC, securely mounted, no illegalwelds, bead is undamaged.Valve Stem: not BBC, securely mounted, metal cap.Lug Nuts: not BBC, securely mounted, no rust trails orspidering, none missing.Hub Seal: not BBC, securely mounted, not leaking,hardware in place not loose; explain how to check oillevel with finger.

Connections and Trailer 1 AxleABC–Abrasions, Bruises, Cuts BBC–Bent, Broken, Cracked Not Leaking–air and liquid-holding partsWear Gloves–touch every part you inspect Order–inspect from the top down and from the center outMake It Easy: Connections–Start at enly worn, check inflation w/ air gauge (do not kick tires);can be re-tread;no foreign objects between tires, no gap between wheels.Wheel outside: not BBC, securely mounted, no illegal welds, bead is undamaged.Valve Stem: not BBC, securely mounted, metal cap.Lug Nuts: not BBC, securely mounted, no rust trails or spidering, none missing.Hub Seal: not BBC, securely mounted, not leaking, hardware in place not loose;explain how to check oil level with finger.

External Light CheckABC–Abrasions, Bruises, Cuts BBC–Bent, Broken, Cracked Not Leaking–air and liquid-holding partsWear Gloves–touch every part you inspect Order–inspect from the top down and from the center outMake It Easy: Truck first, then trailerFront of truck:clearance lightsheadlightshigh beamsleft turnright turn4-way flashersLeft side of truck:clearance lightleft turn4-way flashersRear of Truck:brake lightstail lightsleft turnright turn4-way flashersRight side of truck:clearance lightright turn4-way flashersFront of trailer:clearance lightsLeft side of trailer:clearance lightleft turn4-way flashersRear of trailer:clearance lightstail lightsbrake lightsleft turn signalright turn signal4-way flashersRight side of trailer:clearance lightright turn4-way flashersThere are 26 lights to check.Follow the logical flow and youshouldn’t miss any. 4 sides forthe truck, 4 sides for the trailer.