Page 92 - Georgia Commercial Drivers Manual 2020

11SECTION : PRE-TRIP INSPECTION TEST

• The entry steps must be clear with the treads • Look for cracks, broken welds, holes or other • See that the vehicle is sitting level (front and
not loose or worn excessively. damage to the frame, cross members, box, rear), and if air-equipped, check for audible
and floor. air leaks from the suspension system.
• If equipped with a handicap lift, look for
leaking, damaged, or missing parts and ex- Tandem Release Arm/Locking Pins Fuel Tank(s)
plain how lift should be checked for correct • If equipped, make sure the locking pins are • See that fuel tank(s) are secure with no leaks
operation. Lift must be fully retracted and
latched securely. locked in place and release arm is secured. from tank(s) or lines.
Baggage Compartments
Emergency Exit 11.4.3 – Remainder of Trailer • Check that baggage and all other exterior
• Make sure that all emergency exits are not Remainder of Trailer
compartment doors are not damaged, operate
damaged, operate smoothly, and close se- Please refer to Section 11.2 of this manual for properly, and latch securely.
curely from the inside. detailed inspection procedures regarding the Battery/Box
• Check that any emergency exit warning de- following components: • Wherever located, see that battery(s) are se-
vices are working. • Wheels. cure, connections are tight, and cell caps are
Seating • Suspension system. present.
• Look for broken seat frames and check that • Brakes. • Battery connections should not show signs
seat frames are firmly attached to the floor. • Doors/ties/lift. of excessive corrosion.
• Check that seat cushions are attached se- • Splash guards. • Check that battery box and cover or door is
curely to the seat frames. not damaged and is secure.

11.4 – Trailer 11.5 – Coach/Transit Bus 11.5.4 – Remainder of
Coach/Transit Bus
11.4.1 – Trailer Front 11.5.1 – Passenger Items
Air/Electrical Connections Passenger Entry/Lift Remainder of Vehicle
• Check that trailer air connectors are sealed • Check that entry doors operate smoothly and Please refer to Section 11.2 of this manual for

and in good condition. close securely from the inside. detailed inspection procedures for the remain-
• Make sure glad hands are locked in place, • Check that hand rails are secure and, if der of the vehicle.

free of damage or air leaks. equipped, that the step light(s) are working. Remember, the pre-trip inspection must
• Make sure the trailer electrical plug is firmly • Check that the entry steps are clear, with the be passed before you can proceed to the
basic vehicle control skills test.
seated and locked in place. treads not loose or worn excessively.
Header Board • If equipped with a handicap lift, look for any 11.6 – Taking the CDL Pre-trip
• If equipped, check the header board to see Inspection Test
leaking, damaged or missing part, and explain
that it is secure, free of damage, and strong how it should be checked for correct operation. 11.6.1 – C lass A Pre-trip
enough to contain cargo. • Lift should be fully retracted and latched Inspection Test
• If equipped, the canvas or tarp carrier must securely.
be mounted and fastened securely. Emergency Exits If you are applying for a Class A CDL, you
• On enclosed trailers, check the front area • Make sure that all emergency exits are not will be required to perform one of the four ver-
for signs of damage such as cracks, bulges, damaged, operate smoothly, and close se- sions of a pre-trip inspection in the vehicle you
or holes. curely from the inside. have brought with you for testing. Each of the
• Check that any emergency exit warning de- four tests are equivalent and you will not know
11.4.2 – Side of Trailer vices are working. which test you will take until just before the
Landing Gear Passenger Seating testing begins.
• Check that the landing gear is fully raised, • Look for broken seat frames and check that
seat frames are firmly attached to the floor. All of the tests include an engine start, an
has no missing parts, crank handle is secure, • Check that seat cushions are attached se- in-cab-inspection, and an inspection of the cou-
and the support frame is not damaged. curely to the seat frames. pling system. Then, your test may require an
• If power operated, check for air or hydraulic inspection of the entire vehicle or only a portion
leaks. 11.5.2 – Entry/Exit of the vehicle which your CDL Examiner will
Doors/Ties/Lifts Doors/Mirrors explain to you.
• If equipped, check that doors are not dam- • Check that entry/exit doors are not dam- 11.6.2 – Class B and C Pre-trip
aged. Check that doors open, close, and latch
properly from the outside. aged and operate smoothly from the outside. Inspection Test
• Check that ties, straps, chains, and binders Hinges should be secure with seals intact. If you are applying for a Class B CDL, you
are secure. • Make sure that the passenger exit mirrors will be required to perform one of the three
• If equipped with a cargo lift, look for leaking, and all external mirrors and mirror brackets versions of a pre-trip inspection in the vehicle
damaged or missing parts and explain how are not damaged and are mounted securely you have brought with you for testing. Each of
it should be checked for correct operation. with no loose fittings. the three tests are equivalent and you will not
• Lift should be fully retracted and latched know which test you will take until just before
securely. 11.5.3 – E xternal Inspection of the testing begins.
Frame Coach/Transit Bus All of the tests include an engine start and an
in-cab inspection. Then, your test may require
Level/Air Leaks an inspection of the entire vehicle or only a por-
tion of the vehicle which your CDL Examiner
will explain to you. You will also have to inspect
any special features of your vehicle (e.g, school
or transit bus).

90 2019-2020 GEORGIA COMMERCIAL DRIVERS MANUAL