Vehicle Inspection and Basic Control
Vehicle Inspection and Basic Control tests whether you can inspect a commercial vehicle before driving and control it at low speed. The exam emphasizes critical defects, the walk-around, and smooth starting, stopping, and steering.
Core rules
- Pre-trip inspection is a driver duty: do not drive until critical defects are fixed or the vehicle is placed out of service.
- Use the seven-step sequence: vehicle overview, engine compartment, lights and reflectors, walk-around, signal lights, brake check, and final check.
- Check fluids, belts, hoses, battery, tires, wheels, rims, lug nuts, suspension, coupling, and emergency equipment.
- Look for puddles and leaks; identify the fluid by color and smell before deciding whether to move.
- Basic control means adjusting the seat, mirrors, and seat belt; reading gauges; starting smoothly; releasing the parking brake only when ready; and stopping without wheel lock.
- Tire tread minimums: front steer axle 4/32 inch; all other tires 2/32 inch.
Worked example
During pre-trip you measure 3/32 inch tread on a steer tire. That tire is below the 4/32-inch minimum for the front steer axle, so the vehicle is not roadworthy until the tire is replaced. The 2/32-inch rule applies to other positions, not the steer axle.
Traps
Skipping the walk-around because the truck was checked yesterday; not testing the parking brake; adjusting mirrors after the vehicle starts moving.