Vehicle Inspection
Inspect before you drive
A pre-trip inspection catches problems before they become crashes. The test asks you to name what to check and how.
Concepts to master
- Walk-around: Check tires, lights, mirrors, fluids, and leaks. Look for cracks, bulges, and tread depth.
- Brakes: Check slack adjusters, brake chambers, hoses, and drums. Test the parking brake and service brake.
- Coupling: Check the fifth wheel, kingpin, and safety latch. Tug test after coupling.
- Lights: Check headlights, turn signals, brake lights, and clearance lights.
- Fluids and belts: Check oil, coolant, and power steering fluid; look for worn belts.
- In-cab checks: Gauges, horn, wipers, and seat belt.
- En route: Recheck cargo and brakes after the first 50 miles and every 150 miles or 3 hours.
Traps
Questions ask when to check brakes (before driving and after the first 50 miles) or what a slack adjuster does. Another trap: a pre-trip inspection does not replace en-route checks.
Worked example
Before leaving, you walk around the rig. You find a bulging sidewall on the right rear trailer tire. The tire must be replaced before driving - a bulge means internal damage and a blowout risk.
Rule of thumb
If you would not trust it at highway speed, do not leave the yard with it.