CDL Practice Tests: Pre-Trip Inspection
Choose A Section:
Go!When doing a pre-trip inspection, which of the following is NOT one of the required pieces of emergency equipment you must have?
- Spare electrical fuses, unless circuit breaker equipped vehicle.
- A basic tool kit
- Three red reflective triangles, six fuses or three liquid burning flares.
- A properly charged and rated fire extinguisher
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 doing a pre-trip inspection of the engine compartment, which of the following are you NOT looking for?
- Look for dripping fluids on the underside of the engine and transmission.
- Look for puddles on the ground.
- Make sure the air lines are properly attached to the trailer
- Inspect hoses for condition and leaks.
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.
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 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)
- 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)
What should you check for on the tires during a pre-trip inspection?
- Check that tread is evenly worn
- All these are correct
- Look for cuts or other damage to tread or sidewalls
- Make sure that valve caps and stems are not missing, broken or damaged.
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.
When inspecting the air and electrical connections to the trailer, which of the following items does NOT need to be checked?
- Make sure the brake fluid lines are properly attached and not leaking
- Check that trailer air connectors are sealed and in good condition.
- Make sure the trailer electrical plug is firmly seated and locked in place.
- Make sure glad hands are locked in place, free of damage and oil/grease that can cause air leaks.
Air/Electrical Connections
- Check that trailer air connectors are sealed and in good condition.
- Make sure glad hands are locked in place, free of damage and oil/grease that can cause air leaks.
- Make sure the trailer electrical plug is firmly seated and locked in place.
Re-grooved or re-capped tires are not permitted on:
- Steer tires
- Any tires
- Trailer tires
- Drive tires
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.
When doing a pre-trip inspection of the power steering, play in the steering wheel should not exceed how much?
- 20 degrees (or about 4 inches on a 20-inch wheel) before the front left wheel barely moves.
- 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
- 10 degrees (or about 2 inches on a 20-inch wheel) before the front left wheel barely moves.
What should you check for on drum brakes during a pre-trip inspection?
- Check for cracks, dents or holes. Also check for loose or missing bolts.
- Check for contaminates, such as debris or oil/grease.
- All these are correct
- 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 checking the suspension components, what should you check for?
- Air ride suspension should be checked for damage and leaks.
- Look for missing, shifted, cracked or broken leaf springs.
- All these are correct
- Look for broken or distorted coil springs.
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.
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
- All these are correct
- Check for power steering fluid leaks or damage to power steering hoses
- 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.
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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