CDL Practice Tests: Pre-Trip Inspection

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Question #522 (1 of 10)

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What should you check for on the tires during a pre-trip inspection?

  • Make sure that valve caps and stems are not missing, broken or damaged.
  • Check that tread is evenly worn
  • All these are correct
  • Look for cuts or other damage to tread or sidewalls

The following items must be inspected on every tire:

  • Tread depth: Check for minimum tread depth (4/32 on steering axle tires and 2/32 on all other tires).
  • Tire condition: Check that tread is evenly worn and look for cuts or other damage to tread or sidewalls. Also, make sure that valve caps and stems are not missing, broken or damaged.
  • Tire inflation: Check for proper inflation by using a tire gauge or a mallet. Note: You will not get credit if you simply kick the tires to check for proper inflation.
  • That there is no mismatch tires (size and construction).
  • Re-grooved or re-capped tires are not permitted on bus steer tires.
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Question #506 (2 of 10)

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When doing a pre-trip inspection of the power steering, play in the steering wheel should not exceed how much?

  • 20 degrees (or about 4 inches on a 20-inch wheel) before the front left wheel barely moves.
  • 10 degrees (or about 2 inches on a 20-inch wheel) before the front left wheel barely moves.
  • There should be zero degrees of play in the steering wheel
  • 30 degrees (or about 6 inches on a 20-inch wheel) before the front left wheel barely moves.
Power steering: With the engine running, check for excessive play by turning the steering wheel back and forth. Play should not exceed 10 degrees (or about 2 inches on a 20-inch wheel) before the front left wheel barely moves.
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Question #509 (3 of 10)

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Which is the proper procedure for checking hydraulic brakes?

  • Hold the brake pedal down. Make sure the pedal slowly moves all the way to the floor within 10 seconds
  • Pump the brake three times and watch the hydraulic pressure gauge to make sure it's building pressure
  • All these are correct
  • Pump the brake pedal three times and then hold it down for five seconds. The brake pedal should not move (depress) during the five seconds.

Hydraulic Brake Check (if equipped)

  • Pump the brake pedal three times and then hold it down for five seconds. The brake pedal should not move (depress) during the five seconds.
  • If equipped with a hydraulic brake reserve (back-up) system, with the key off, depress the brake pedal and listen for the sound of the reserve system electric motor.
  • Check that the warning buzzer or light is off.
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Question #523 (4 of 10)

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Re-grooved or re-capped tires are not permitted on:

  • Steer tires
  • Drive tires
  • Trailer tires
  • Any tires

The following items must be inspected on every tire:

  • Tread depth: Check for minimum tread depth (4/32 on steering axle tires and 2/32 on all other tires).
  • Tire condition: Check that tread is evenly worn and look for cuts or other damage to tread or sidewalls. Also, make sure that valve caps and stems are not missing, broken or damaged.
  • Tire inflation: Check for proper inflation by using a tire gauge or a mallet. Note: You will not get credit if you simply kick the tires to check for proper inflation.
  • That there is no mismatch tires (size and construction).
  • Re-grooved or re-capped tires are not permitted on bus steer tires.
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Question #519 (5 of 10)

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For manual slack adjustors, the brake pushrod should not move more than _________ (with the brakes released) when pulled by hand.

  • 1 foot
  • 2 inches
  • 1 inch
  • 6 inches
For manual slack adjustors, the brake pushrod should not move more than 1 inch (with the brakes released) when pulled by hand.
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Question #512 (6 of 10)

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When doing an emergency system check on air brake systems, how do you begin the test?

  • Turn off the electrical power and begin fanning off the air pressure by pulling out the red parking brake knob
  • Turn the engine on and begin fanning off the air pressure by rapidly applying and releasing the foot brake
  • Turn electrical power on and begin fanning off the air pressure by rapidly applying and releasing the foot brake
  • Turn electrical power off and begin fanning off the air pressure by rapidly applying and releasing the foot brake
Emergency System Check. Turn electrical power on and begin fanning off the air pressure by rapidly applying and releasing the foot brake. Low air warning devices (buzzer, light, other) should activate before air pressure drops below 60 psi. Continue to fan off the air pressure. Normally within the range of 20-45 psi on a tractor-trailer combination vehicle, the tractor parking valve and parking brake valve should close (pop out). On other combination vehicle types and single vehicle types, the parking brake valve should close (pop out).
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Question #502 (7 of 10)

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During the pre-trip inspection test you must:

  • All these are correct
  • Show that the vehicle is safe to drive
  • Explain to the examiner what you are checking and why
  • Walk around the vehicle and point to or touch each item
During the pre-trip inspection, you must show that the vehicle is safe to drive. You may have to walk around the vehicle and point to or touch each item and explain to the examiner what you are checking and why. At the time of your test, the examiner will direct you to the areas of the vehicle to inspect for the test. In addition to this section, you should also review Section 2 prior to conducting the pre-trip inspection.
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Question #520 (8 of 10)

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What should you check for on drum brakes during a pre-trip inspection?

  • Check for contaminates, such as debris or oil/grease.
  • Brake linings (where visible) should not be worn dangerously thin.
  • All these are correct
  • Check for cracks, dents or holes. Also check for loose or missing bolts.

Drum Brake

  • Check for cracks, dents or holes. Also check for loose or missing bolts.
  • Check for contaminates, such as debris or oil/grease.
  • Brake linings (where visible) should not be worn dangerously thin.
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Question #527 (9 of 10)

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In addition to checking for spare electrical fuses (if equipped), three red reflective triangles and a properly charged and rated fire extinguisher, school bus drivers must also inspect which of the following emergency equipment?

  • None of these are correct
  • Emergency flares and flashlight
  • First aid kit and body fluid cleanup kit
  • Tool kit and tire patching kit

In addition to checking for spare electrical fuses (if equipped), three red reflective triangles and a properly charged and rated fire extinguisher, school bus drivers must also inspect the following emergency equipment:

  • First Aid Emergency Kit
  • Body Fluid Cleanup Kit
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Question #508 (10 of 10)

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Which is the proper procedure for checking the trailer parking brakes?

  • Measure the distance between the parking brake shoe and the drum. Make sure it is less than 1 inch
  • All these are correct
  • Check the angle of the S-cam coming out of the brake chamber
  • Gently trying to pull forward with the trailer parking brake on
Trailer (if applicable): With the tractor parking brake released and the trailer parking brake engaged (combination vehicles only), check that the trailer parking brake will hold the vehicle by gently trying to pull forward with the trailer parking brake on.
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About The Pre-Trip Inspectin CDL Exam

The The Pre-Trip Inspectin portion of the CDL Exam is required to obtain your CDL. During the pre-trip inspection, you must show that the vehicle is safe to drive. You may have to walk around the vehicle and point to or touch each item and explain to the examiner what you are checking and why. You will NOT have to crawl under the hood or under the vehicle.

Drivers need to have knowledge of how the actual vehicle(s) that they are conducting the test in operate. The drivers need to be able to explain and demonstrate different checks for the examiner as requested.

Taking the CDL Pre-trip Inspection Test

Class A Pre-trip Inspection Test

If you are applying for a Class A CDL, you will be required to perform a pre-trip inspection in the vehicle you have brought with you for testing. The vehicle must be a combination vehicle, representative of the unit you will be driving and must meet the class weight requirements. If the vehicle is an air brake vehicle, you must first pass the air brake knowledge test. You also must have passed all applicable endorsement knowledge tests that pertain to the vehicle you bring in for testing. Your test will require an inspection of the areas of the vehicle as instructed by your CDL examiner.

Class B and C Pre-trip Inspection Test

If you are applying for a Class B or C CDL, you will be required to perform a pre-trip inspection in the vehicle you have brought with you for testing. The vehicle must be a straight truck, passenger bus or school bus, representative of the vehicle you will be driving and must meet the class weight requirements. If the vehicle is an air brake vehicle, you must first pass the air brake knowledge test. You also must have passed all applicable endorsement knowledge tests that pertain to the vehicle you bring in for testing. Your test will require an inspection of the areas of the vehicle as instructed by your CDL examiner.

TruckingTruth's Pre-Trip Inspection Study Guide

We have an excellent Pre-trip Inspection Study Guide which includes a complete pre-trip inspection with photos and descriptions, numerous pre-trip inspection videos, and a complete vehicle checklist.

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