CDL Practice Tests: Pre-Trip Inspection

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Question #530 (1 of 10)

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What should you check for when checking the landing gear on the trailer?

  • Make sure there are no missing parts
  • Make sure the crank handle is secured and the support frame is not damaged
  • All of these are correct
  • Check that the landing gear is fully raised
Check that the landing gear is fully raised, has no missing parts, crank handle is secure and the support frame is not damaged.
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Question #505 (2 of 10)

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When doing a pre-trip inspection, which of the following is NOT one of the required pieces of emergency equipment you must have?

  • A properly charged and rated fire extinguisher
  • Spare electrical fuses, unless circuit breaker equipped vehicle.
  • Three red reflective triangles, six fuses or three liquid burning flares.
  • A basic tool kit

Emergency Equipment

  • Check for spare electrical fuses, unless circuit breaker equipped vehicle.
  • Check for three red reflective triangles, six fuses or three liquid burning flares.
  • Check for a properly charged and rated fire extinguisher.
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Question #526 (3 of 10)

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When doing a pre-trip inspection, how much of a gap should there be between the 5th wheel and the trailer?

  • No less than 2 inches
  • No gap
  • 1 inch
  • 1/4 inch
Make sure there is no gap between the fifth-wheel and trailer, and check that locking jaws are fully closed around the kingpin.
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Question #522 (4 of 10)

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

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

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 #516 (5 of 10)

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What do you check for with the safety belt during a pre-trip inspection?

  • The belt is not ripped or frayed
  • The belt is securely mounted
  • All these are correct
  • The belt adjusts and latches properly
Check that the safety belt is securely mounted, adjusts and latches properly, and is not ripped or frayed.
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Question #508 (6 of 10)

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

  • All these are correct
  • Measure the distance between the parking brake shoe and the drum. Make sure it is less than 1 inch
  • Gently trying to pull forward with the trailer parking brake on
  • Check the angle of the S-cam coming out of the brake chamber
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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Question #506 (7 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?

  • 30 degrees (or about 6 inches on a 20-inch wheel) before the front left wheel barely moves.
  • There should be zero degrees of play in the steering wheel
  • 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.
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 #520 (8 of 10)

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

  • All these are correct
  • 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.

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 #510 (9 of 10)

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When doing an air brake system leak check, which of the following is the correct setup for the test?

  • Build the air pressure until it is between 50 - 60 pounds, keep the engine running, chock your wheels, (if necessary), release the tractor parking valve and trailer parking valve
  • With the air pressure built up to the governor cut-off (120-140 psi), shut off the engine, chock your wheels, (if necessary), release the tractor parking valve and trailer parking valve
  • With the air pressure built up to the governor cut-off (120-140 psi), shut off the engine running, chock your wheels, (if necessary), and engage the tractor parking valve and trailer parking valve
  • None of these are correct
System Leak Check. With the air pressure built up to the governor cut-off (120-140 psi), shut off the engine, chock your wheels, (if necessary), release the tractor parking valve and trailer parking valve (combination vehicles), fully apply the foot brake and hold it for one minute. Check the air gauge to see if the air pressure drops more than 3 pounds in one minute (single vehicle) or 4 pounds in one minute (combination vehicle).
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Question #509 (10 of 10)

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Which is the proper procedure for checking hydraulic brakes?

  • 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.
  • All these are correct
  • 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

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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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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