What is a Pre-Trip Inspection Checklist for Class A CDL

What is a CDL pre-trip inspection checklist?

A pre-trip inspection checklist helps truck drivers remember all the major systems and parts to inspect before heading out on a route. Knowing how to complete a pre-trip vehicle inspection is an important part of trucking. 

Pre-trip inspections for class A licensees

The class A commercial driver’s license (CDL) typically covers non-passenger commercial vehicles. These might include tractor-trailers, tankers, livestock carriers, flatbeds, and more.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) requires drivers to perform a pre-trip inspection before driving a commercial vehicle. Similar to Class B CDL holders, the actual daily pre-trip inspection takes about 15 minutes or less. Typically, the inspection includes the following, with some employers making their own variations.

• Brakes and air system

• Steering mechanism

• Lights and reflectors

• Tires, wheels, and rims

• Windshield wipers

• Rearview mirrors

• Emergency equipment

Drivers complete a driver vehicle inspection report (DVIR) recording the completed inspection.

Class A CDL pre-trip inspection checklist

When getting a CDL, drivers need to pass a  pre-trip inspection test. It’s more intensive than the inspection drivers perform daily. This pre-trip inspection checklist for a Class A CDL gives drivers an overview of performing an inspection. Check your state’s CDL manual for a complete list of inspection requirements.

Click here for a Class B pre-trip inspection list.

Engine compartment

• Fluids - coolant, oil, and power steering: Reservoirs and tanks should not leak. Check hoses for splits or cuts and that they are securely mounted on both ends. Verify proper fluid levels with a dipstick.

• Belts - alternator, pumps, compressor: All belts should be securely mounted without cracks or frays. Belt should have no more than 1/2" to 3/4" of play. 

• Hoses (passenger and driver’s sides): All hoses, including power steering and coolant hose, should be secured on both ends. They should not have splits, cuts, or leaks.

• Air compressor: May be difficult to see. Ensure it’s securely mounted, not broken, cracked or leaking.

• Alternator: All wires are properly connected.

• Water pump: All hoses are properly connected and not leaking. 

Front of tractor/truck

• Steering gearbox and hoses: No damage or leaks. Hose should be secured on both ends. They should not have splits, cuts, or leaks.

• Steering shaft/steering column: Not bent or broken.

• Pitman arm: All caste nuts and cotter pins are present and tight.

• Drag link: Rubber is not split and properly greased.

• Upper and lower control arms and tie rod: Tie rod should be secure, not cracked or bent.

Front suspension

• Spring mounts/spring hanger: Not cracked or broken.

• Leaf springs: None are cracked, broken, or shifted.

• U-bolts: All accounted for.

• Shock absorber: No visible leaks. Leaks will show at the point where the top and bottom of the shock meet. Rubber is not split or shows signs of dry rot.

• Airbag: Check rubber for abrasions, cuts or audible leaks plus any missing mounting bolts.

Driver door and fuel area

• Mirrors and bracket: Hardware attached properly. Mirror should be clean and not broken.

• Door and hinges: Demonstrate door operations, latching properly, hinges intact. Door seals should not be torn or rotten. 

• Steps: Mounted properly and can hold weight.

• Fuel tank: Not leaking; cap is tight with seal intact.

Rear of tractor/truck

• Drive shaft: Not twisted, U-joints not broken and free of debris.

• Exhaust system: Not loose, no sign of leaks (exterior soot).

• Frame: Nothing broken or unauthorized welds.

• Catwalk and steps: Properly mounted and clear of loose objects.

• Mudflap: Secured, not missing or broken. At the right height.

Coupling area

• Air connector: Secure on both ends, no abrasions, cuts, or audible leaks. Connectors should not drag or tangle.

• Electric lines: Secure on both ends, no abrasions or cuts. Safety latches in place. Lines should not drag on the catwalk or tangle.

• Glad hands: Seals should be in good condition with no cracks, signs of rotting, or leaking air.

• Fifth wheel platform: Secure to frame, not cracked, bent or broken. No unauthorized or illegal welds.

• Mounting bolts: No missing bolts and mounted tight.

• Skid plate: Properly greased.

• Release arm: Secure in fully locked position.

• King pin: Mounted and secure. No cracks, bends, and breaks.

• Locking jaw: Fully locked around the king pin. 

• Apron: Mounted and secure. No cracks, bends, and breaks.

• Sliding 5th wheel locking pins: Pin must be in the fully locked position.

Brake system (both tractor and trailer)

• Brake hose: Securely mounted on both ends. No splits, cuts, and not audibly leaking air.

• Brake chamber: Not audibly leaking air.

• Slack adjuster and push rod: When brakes are released and pulled by hand, the push rod should have no more than 1” of play. It should stay at a 90° angle to the brake chamber.

• Brake drum:  No bluing from excessive heat.

• Brake pads/brake lining: Check for oil and debris on the lining. Minimum brake pad thickness is ¼.” 

Wheel system (both tractor and trailer)

• Wheel rims: No unauthorized or illegal welds.

• Steer tires: Look for cuts, bulges, and abrasions on the tread and sidewalls. Tread depth should be a minimum of 4/32”. Tread should be evenly worn. Check inflation levels on tires with an air gauge, filled to manufacturer’s specifications.

• Drive tires: Look for cuts, bulges, and abrasions on the tread and sidewalls. Tread depth should be a minimum of 2/32”. Tread should be evenly worn. Check inflation levels on tires with an air gauge, filled to manufacturer’s specifications.

• Valve stem. Properly secured, metal cap in place. Not audibly leaking air.

• Lug nuts: All accounted for. Check for rust or cracks.

• Hub seal/axle seal: Should not be loose. No visible leaks.

• Spacing: If equipped with duals, there must be proper spacing between the tires.

Trailer

• Frame and cross members: Secure, not cracked, bent or broken and none missing.

• Header board: Secure and not excessively damaged. No holes or missing rivets. 

• Landing gear: Must be fully raised and the cradle handle secured. Not cracked, bent or broken.

• Doors and hinges: Secured and should open, close and latch properly. Door seals have no separation, no rubber tubing sticking out.

• Tandem release:  Release handle and locking pins should be fully locked.

• Trailers airbag: Check rubber for abrasions, cuts or audible leaks, plus any missing mounting bolts.

• Trailer spring mounts/spring hanger: Not cracked or broken

• Trailer leaf springs: None are cracked, broken, or shifted.

• Trailer u-bolts: All accounted for.

• Trailer shock absorber: No visible leaks. Leaks will show at the point where the top and bottom of the shock meet. Rubber is not split or shows signs of dry rot.

• Torque arm/radius rod: Secure mounting, bushings intact.

Lights and reflectors

Check all lights on the front, both sides of tractor, truck rear, both sides of trailer, and trailer rear. Turn on to ensure lights and reflectors are working.

• Running lights: Walk around the truck and trailer to examine all.

• High beams/low beams: Walk around the truck and trailer to examine all.

• Turn signals: Signal both right turn and left turn. Walk around the truck and trailer to examine all.

• Hazards/4-way flashers: Walk around the truck and trailer to examine all.

• Brake lights: Ask the examiner to watch brake lights. Confirm they worked using the side mirror. 

• License plate lights: Walk around the truck and trailer to examine all.

• Reflector tapes: Clean and not worn. Walk around the truck and trailer to examine all.

In-cab inspection and air brake test

• Seat belt: No rips or frays and should adjust and latch properly.

• Lighting indicators: See lights and reflectors section

• Oil pressure indicator: Demonstrate normal operating range.

• Water temperature gauge: Demonstrate normal operating range.

• Air pressure gauges: Build to governor cut out.

• Ammeter/voltmeter: Charging between 13 and 14 volts.

• Mirrors: Secure, not cracked or broken. No obstructions and properly adjusted.

• Windshield: No more than a 1” crack is permitted. Clean and free of debris.

• Windshield wipers and washers: Turn on to show they are working properly.

• Horns (city and air): Show they are working properly.

• Heater/defroster: Turn on to show they are working properly.

• Safety/emergency equipment: Must have a fire extinguisher, three red reflective triangles and spare electrical fuses. Extinguisher must be fully charged and secured.

• Steering wheel: Secured to steering column.

• Foot pedals: Free of grease and debris. No obstructions. 

• Hydraulic brake check: Pump the brake pedal several times. Apply pressure to the pedal and hold for five seconds. The pedal should not move.

• Air brake check: Air brake devices vary. Drivers must test three components of the air brake check correctly: applied pressure, warning lights and buzzers, and valve pop-outs.

• Parking brake: 

• Trailer parking brake: Set the trailer brake, release the tractor brake. Put truck in low gear and tug. 

• Tractor parking brake: Set the tractor brake, release the trailer brake. Put truck in low gear and tug.

• Service brake: Release both the tractor and trailer brakes. Drive 3 – 5 mph. Apply the service brake and come to a complete stop. Ensure steering does not pull to the left or right when applying the brakes.

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