Pre -Trip Inspection Tips
Topic 33841 | Page 1
Start wherever you feel comfortable. I start on the drivers and walk around so I end up back at the drivers door when done.
In school and for the test their maybe a specific order they want you to do it. If so do that, then determine what is best afterwards.
Mark, most pre-trip inspections are done like Bobcat suggested. At least in my experience.
In school, we always popped the hood first and started with the driver’s side engine compartment and then worked counter clockwise around the truck until we got back to where we started.
We had a printed guide at first and this was how the guide started and progressed.
Good question. Keep em coming.
Pre-trip Inspection:
A pre-trip inspection is a thorough inspection of the truck completed before driving for the first time each day.
Federal and state laws require that drivers inspect their vehicles. Federal and state inspectors also may inspect your vehicles. If they judge a vehicle to be unsafe, they will put it “out of service” until it is repaired.
- Pre-Trip Inspection Study Guide
- Daniel's Pre-Trip Inspection
- Pre-Trip Inspection Checklist
- Pre-Trip Inspection Practice Questions
Pre-trip Inspection:
A pre-trip inspection is a thorough inspection of the truck completed before driving for the first time each day.
Federal and state laws require that drivers inspect their vehicles. Federal and state inspectors also may inspect your vehicles. If they judge a vehicle to be unsafe, they will put it “out of service” until it is repaired.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Your school will teach you how they prefer it done. Especially if they use their own testers.
Generally you start with a walk up . No leaks and not leaning.
Do the front of the truck with the clearance markers Down the hood to the lights
And I preferred to start on the passenger side of the hood and then over to the drivers side. That’s how we taught it when I was a cdl instructor.
Consistency is key..do it the same way
Some testers start you off with the brake test so if you fail that they don’t have to listen to the rest of it since it is go/no go
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Once on your own, do it the same way every time.
I still do mine in the order of the Prime packet. I know that "script" in my head, so I know that I won't forget any "spot" if I just do it that way.
This is also a good time to get the mindset of "same way, every time" so that you know you aren't going to miss a step somewhere that could be catastrophic to you or someone else.
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Is it better to start on the left side or the right side? Is there a specific spot you’re supposed to start from?