Page 87 - 2021-2022 Commercial Drivers Manual

SECTION 11 : 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

operation. Lift must be fully retracted and • If equipped, make sure the locking pins are • See that fuel tank(s) are secure with no leaks
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
damaged, operate smoothly, and close se- compartment doors are not damaged, operate
curely from the inside. Please refer to Section 11.2 of this manual for properly, and latch securely.
detailed inspection procedures regarding the Battery/Box
• Check that any emergency exit warning de- following components:
vices are working. • Wherever located, see that battery(s) are se-
• Wheels.
Seating cure, connections are tight, and cell caps are
• 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. of excessive corrosion.
• Doors/ties/lift.
• Check that seat cushions are attached se-
curely to the seat frames. • Splash guards. • Check that battery box and cover or door is
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 Remainder of Vehicle
Air/Electrical Connections Passenger Entry/Lift Please refer to Section 11.2 of this manual for
detailed inspection procedures for the remain-
• Check that trailer air connectors are sealed • Check that entry doors operate smoothly and
and in good condition. close securely from the inside. der of the vehicle.
Remember, the pre-trip inspection must
• Make sure glad hands are locked in place, • Check that hand rails are secure and, if be passed before you can proceed to the
free of damage or air leaks. equipped, that the step light(s) are working. basic vehicle control skills test.
• Make sure the trailer electrical plug is firmly • Check that the entry steps are clear, with the
seated and locked in place. treads not loose or worn excessively. 11.6 – Taking the CDL Pre-trip
Header Board • If equipped with a handicap lift, look for any Inspection Test
leaking, damaged or missing part, and explain
• If equipped, check the header board to see how it should be checked for correct operation. 11.6.1 – Class A Pre-trip

that it is secure, free of damage, and strong Inspection Test
enough to contain cargo. • Lift should be fully retracted and latched
securely. If you are applying for a Class A CDL, you
• If equipped, the canvas or tarp carrier must will be required to perform one of the four ver-
be mounted and fastened securely. Emergency Exits
sions of a pre-trip inspection in the vehicle you
• On enclosed trailers, check the front area • Make sure that all emergency exits are not have brought with you for testing. Each of the
for signs of damage such as cracks, bulges, damaged, operate smoothly, and close se- four tests are equivalent and you will not know
or holes. curely from the inside. which test you will take until just before the
testing begins.
11.4.2 – Side of Trailer • Check that any emergency exit warning de- All of the tests include an engine start, an
vices are working.
Landing Gear in-cab-inspection, and an inspection of the cou-
Passenger Seating pling system. Then, your test may require an
• Check that the landing gear is fully raised, inspection of the entire vehicle or only a portion
has no missing parts, crank handle is secure, • Look for broken seat frames and check that of the vehicle which your CDL Examiner will
and the support frame is not damaged. seat frames are firmly attached to the floor. explain to you.
• Check that seat cushions are attached se-
• If power operated, check for air or hydraulic curely to the seat frames. 11.6.2 – Class B and C Pre-trip

leaks. Inspection Test
Doors/Ties/Lifts 11.5.2 – Entry/Exit
If you are applying for a Class B CDL, you
• If equipped, check that doors are not dam- Doors/Mirrors will be required to perform one of the three
aged. Check that doors open, close, and latch • Check that entry/exit doors are not dam- versions of a pre-trip inspection in the vehicle
properly from the outside. you have brought with you for testing. Each of
aged and operate smoothly from the outside.
• Check that ties, straps, chains, and binders Hinges should be secure with seals intact. the three tests are equivalent and you will not
are secure. know which test you will take until just before
• Make sure that the passenger exit mirrors the testing begins.
• If equipped with a cargo lift, look for leaking, and all external mirrors and mirror brackets All of the tests include an engine start and an
damaged or missing parts and explain how are not damaged and are mounted securely in-cab inspection. Then, your test may require
it should be checked for correct operation. with no loose fittings. an inspection of the entire vehicle or only a por-
tion of the vehicle which your CDL Examiner
• Lift should be fully retracted and latched 11.5.3 – External Inspection of

securely. Coach/Transit Bus will explain to you. You will also have to inspect
any special features of your vehicle (e.g, school
Frame or transit bus).
Level/Air Leaks
90