Vehicle Inspection
This domain tests the pre-trip inspection, the on-the-road inspection, and your ability to recognize defects that make a vehicle unsafe or out of service. The examiner expects a systematic walk-around, not a glance at the truck.
Build a repeatable sequence
Start with the engine compartment: fluid levels, belt tension and cracks, hose condition, leaks under the engine. Move around the vehicle checking steering linkage, suspension, brake chambers, pushrod travel, slack adjusters, tires and wheels, lights and reflectors, and the coupling system. In the cab, check gauges, controls, mirrors, seat belt, and emergency equipment. Know the tread limits: 4/32 inch on front tires and 2/32 inch on other tires. Check both sides and the rear; do not assume a defect is only on one side.
During and after the trip
Watch gauges for temperature, oil pressure, air pressure, and warning lights. Stop and check tires, cargo securement, and lights when safe. After the trip, report defects; do not sign off a vehicle you know is unsafe.
Worked example
You find a brake pushrod stroke longer than the adjustment limit. Reasoning: the brake may not apply fully, so the vehicle is out of service until repaired. A warning light or a soft pedal is not a substitute for measuring travel.
Traps
Inspecting only the driver side, skipping the coupling, overlooking emergency equipment, and treating a gauge warning as normal cost marks. Say what you are checking and what a defect would mean.