CDL Practice Tests: Pre-Trip Inspection

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Question #513 (1 of 10)

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When doing an emergency system check on air brake systems, the low air warning device (buzzer, light, other) should activate when the pressure gets below what reading?

  • 100 psi
  • 140 psi
  • 60 psi
  • 80 psi
Emergency System Check. Turn electrical power on and begin fanning off the air pressure by rapidly applying and releasing the foot brake. Low air warning devices (buzzer, light, other) should activate before air pressure drops below 60 psi. Continue to fan off the air pressure. Normally within the range of 20-45 psi on a tractor-trailer combination vehicle, the tractor parking valve, and parking brake valve should close (pop out). On other combination vehicle types and single vehicle types, the parking brake valve should close (pop out).
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Question #530 (2 of 10)

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What should you check for when checking the landing gear on the trailer?

  • Make sure the crank handle is secured and the support frame is not damaged
  • All of these are correct
  • Check that the landing gear is fully raised
  • Make sure there are no missing parts
Check that the landing gear is fully raised, has no missing parts, crank handle is secure and the support frame is not damaged.
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Question #517 (3 of 10)

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When checking the steering box components under the hood, what should you check for?

  • Check that the steering box is securely mounted and not leaking
  • Check for power steering fluid leaks or damage to power steering hoses
  • All these are correct
  • Look for any missing nuts, bolts and cotter keys

Steering Box/Hoses

  • Check that the steering box is securely mounted and not leaking. Look for any missing nuts, bolts and cotter keys.
  • Check for power steering fluid leaks or damage to power steering hoses.
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Question #522 (4 of 10)

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What should you check for on the tires during a pre-trip inspection?

  • Look for cuts or other damage to tread or sidewalls
  • Make sure that valve caps and stems are not missing, broken or damaged.
  • Check that tread is evenly worn
  • All these are correct

The following items must be inspected on every tire:

  • Tread depth: Check for minimum tread depth (4/32 on steering axle tires and 2/32 on all other tires).
  • Tire condition: Check that tread is evenly worn and look for cuts or other damage to tread or sidewalls. Also, make sure that valve caps and stems are not missing, broken or damaged.
  • Tire inflation: Check for proper inflation by using a tire gauge or a mallet. Note: You will not get credit if you simply kick the tires to check for proper inflation.
  • That there is no mismatch tires (size and construction).
  • Re-grooved or re-capped tires are not permitted on bus steer tires.
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Question #516 (5 of 10)

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What do you check for with the safety belt during a pre-trip inspection?

  • All these are correct
  • The belt adjusts and latches properly
  • The belt is securely mounted
  • The belt is not ripped or frayed
Check that the safety belt is securely mounted, adjusts and latches properly, and is not ripped or frayed.
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Question #514 (6 of 10)

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When doing an emergency system check on air brake systems, the tractor parking valve and the trailer parking valve should close (pop out) when the pressure gets below what reading?

  • 20-45 psi
  • 10-30 psi
  • 80 - 100 psi
  • 60-80 psi
Emergency System Check. Turn electrical power on and begin fanning off the air pressure by rapidly applying and releasing the foot brake. Low air warning devices (buzzer, light, other) should activate before air pressure drops below 60 psi. Continue to fan off the air pressure. Normally within the range of 20-45 psi on a tractor-trailer combination vehicle, the tractor parking valve and the trailer parking valve should close (pop out). On other combination vehicle types and single vehicle types, the parking brake valve should close (pop out).
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Question #506 (7 of 10)

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When doing a pre-trip inspection of the power steering, play in the steering wheel should not exceed how much?

  • 30 degrees (or about 6 inches on a 20-inch wheel) before the front left wheel barely moves.
  • There should be zero degrees of play in the steering wheel
  • 20 degrees (or about 4 inches on a 20-inch wheel) before the front left wheel barely moves.
  • 10 degrees (or about 2 inches on a 20-inch wheel) before the front left wheel barely moves.
Power steering: With the engine running, check for excessive play by turning the steering wheel back and forth. Play should not exceed 10 degrees (or about 2 inches on a 20-inch wheel) before the front left wheel barely moves.
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Question #511 (8 of 10)

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When doing an air brake system leak check, how long do you hold the pedal and what do you check for?

  • Hold the pedal for one minute. Check the air gauge to see if the air pressure drops more than 3 pounds in one minute (single vehicle) or 4 pounds in one minute (combination vehicle)
  • Hold the pedal for two minutes. Check the air gauge to see if the air pressure drops more than 1 pound in one minute (single vehicle) or 2 pounds in one minute (combination vehicle)
  • Hold the pedal for one minute. Check the air gauge to see if the air pressure drops more than 6 pounds in one minute (single vehicle) or 8 pounds in one minute (combination vehicle)
  • Hold the pedal for 10 seconds. Check the air gauge to see if the air pressure drops more than 3 pounds in one minute (single vehicle) or 4 pounds in one minute (combination vehicle)
System Leak Check. With the air pressure built up to the governor cut-off (120-140 psi), shut off the engine, chock your wheels, (if necessary), release the tractor parking valve and trailer parking valve (combination vehicles), fully apply the foot brake and hold it for one minute. Check the air gauge to see if the air pressure drops more than 3 pounds in one minute (single vehicle) or 4 pounds in one minute (combination vehicle).
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Question #524 (9 of 10)

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What are two indications of loose lug nuts?

  • All these are correct
  • Rusty trails or shiny threads
  • Twisted or bent valve stem and over-inflated tires
  • Low hub oil level or brakes squeaking
Check that all lug nuts are present, free of cracks and distortions and show no signs of looseness such as rust trails or shiny threads.
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Question #504 (10 of 10)

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Which of the following is NOT one of the belts you will check during a pre-trip inspection of the engine compartment?

  • Power steering belt
  • Water pump belt
  • Camshaft belt
  • Alternator belt

Check the following belts for snugness (up to 1/4-inch play at center of belt), cracks or frays:

  • Power steering belt.
  • Water pump belt.
  • Alternator belt.
  • Air compressor belt.
The camshaft is inside the engine and does not have a belt you can see or check.
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About The Pre-Trip Inspectin CDL Exam

The The Pre-Trip Inspectin portion of the CDL Exam is required to obtain your CDL. During the pre-trip inspection, you must show that the vehicle is safe to drive. You may have to walk around the vehicle and point to or touch each item and explain to the examiner what you are checking and why. You will NOT have to crawl under the hood or under the vehicle.

Drivers need to have knowledge of how the actual vehicle(s) that they are conducting the test in operate. The drivers need to be able to explain and demonstrate different checks for the examiner as requested.

Taking the CDL Pre-trip Inspection Test

Class A Pre-trip Inspection Test

If you are applying for a Class A CDL, you will be required to perform a pre-trip inspection in the vehicle you have brought with you for testing. The vehicle must be a combination vehicle, representative of the unit you will be driving and must meet the class weight requirements. If the vehicle is an air brake vehicle, you must first pass the air brake knowledge test. You also must have passed all applicable endorsement knowledge tests that pertain to the vehicle you bring in for testing. Your test will require an inspection of the areas of the vehicle as instructed by your CDL examiner.

Class B and C Pre-trip Inspection Test

If you are applying for a Class B or C CDL, you will be required to perform a pre-trip inspection in the vehicle you have brought with you for testing. The vehicle must be a straight truck, passenger bus or school bus, representative of the vehicle you will be driving and must meet the class weight requirements. If the vehicle is an air brake vehicle, you must first pass the air brake knowledge test. You also must have passed all applicable endorsement knowledge tests that pertain to the vehicle you bring in for testing. Your test will require an inspection of the areas of the vehicle as instructed by your CDL examiner.

TruckingTruth's Pre-Trip Inspection Study Guide

We have an excellent Pre-trip Inspection Study Guide which includes a complete pre-trip inspection with photos and descriptions, numerous pre-trip inspection videos, and a complete vehicle checklist.

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