CDL Practice Tests: Pre-Trip Inspection
Choose A Section:
Go!When doing a pre-trip inspection, what should you check on the battery box?
- Battery connections should not show signs of excessive corrosion
- All these are correct
- Battery(s) are secure, connections are tight and cell caps are present
- Battery box and cover or door must be secure
Battery/Box
- Wherever located, see that battery(s) are secure, connections are tight and cell caps are present.
- Battery connections should not show signs of excessive corrosion.
- Battery box and cover or door must be secure.
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.
- 20 degrees (or about 4 inches on a 20-inch wheel) before the front left wheel barely moves.
- There should be zero degrees of play in the steering wheel
- 10 degrees (or about 2 inches on a 20-inch wheel) before the front left wheel barely moves.
Which is the proper procedure for checking the trailer parking brakes?
- Gently trying to pull forward with the trailer parking brake on
- Measure the distance between the parking brake shoe and the drum. Make sure it is less than 1 inch
- Check the angle of the S-cam coming out of the brake chamber
- All these are correct
When doing a pre-trip inspection, which of the following is NOT one of the required pieces of emergency equipment you must have?
- A properly charged and rated fire extinguisher
- Spare electrical fuses, unless circuit breaker equipped vehicle.
- Three red reflective triangles, six fuses or three liquid burning flares.
- A basic tool kit
Emergency Equipment
- Check for spare electrical fuses, unless circuit breaker equipped vehicle.
- Check for three red reflective triangles, six fuses or three liquid burning flares.
- Check for a properly charged and rated fire extinguisher.
When checking the suspension components, what should you check for?
- Look for missing, shifted, cracked or broken leaf springs.
- All these are correct
- Look for broken or distorted coil springs.
- Air ride suspension should be checked for damage and leaks.
Suspension Springs/Air/Torque
- Look for missing, shifted, cracked or broken leaf springs.
- Look for broken or distorted coil springs.
- If vehicle is equipped with torsion bars, torque arms or other types of suspension components, check that they are not damaged and are mounted securely.
- Air ride suspension should be checked for damage and leaks.
What are two indications of loose lug nuts?
- Low hub oil level or brakes squeaking
- Twisted or bent valve stem and over-inflated tires
- All these are correct
- Rusty trails or shiny threads
When doing a pre-trip inspection of the engine compartment, which of the following are you NOT looking for?
- Inspect hoses for condition and leaks.
- Look for puddles on the ground.
- Make sure the air lines are properly attached to the trailer
- Look for dripping fluids on the underside of the engine and transmission.
Engine Compartment (Engine Off) Leaks/Hoses
- Look for puddles on the ground.
- Look for dripping fluids on underside of engine and transmission.
- Inspect hoses for condition and leaks.
What should you check for on drum brakes during a pre-trip inspection?
- All these are correct
- Check for contaminates, such as debris or oil/grease.
- Check for cracks, dents or holes. Also check for loose or missing bolts.
- Brake linings (where visible) should not be worn dangerously thin.
Drum Brake
- Check for cracks, dents or holes. Also check for loose or missing bolts.
- Check for contaminates, such as debris or oil/grease.
- Brake linings (where visible) should not be worn dangerously thin.
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 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)
- 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)
What do you check for with the safety belt during a pre-trip inspection?
- The belt adjusts and latches properly
- All these are correct
- The belt is not ripped or frayed
- The belt is securely mounted
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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