When approaching the vehicle (Step 1), a vehicle leaning to one side may mean:

A flat tire, broken spring or shifted cargo

You must sign the previous driver's vehicle inspection report:

Every time, even with no defects

Which belts should you check for tightness and wear in the engine compartment?

Alternator, water pump and air compressor belts

When tilting the cab to inspect the engine, you should first:

Secure loose things so they do not fall and break something

At start-up, the ABS warning light on the dash stays on. This means:

The ABS is not working properly

On a trailer, where is the yellow ABS warning light that shows the trailer ABS is not working?

On the front right of the tractor

Coolant and engine oil temperature gauges should:

Begin a gradual rise to the normal operating range

Why do you take the key with you in Step 4?

So no one can start or move the vehicle while you inspect it

Because the lights only work without the key

In Step 4, which lights do you turn on before getting out of the cab?

Low-beam headlights and four-way emergency flashers

High beams and right turn signal

During the cab check, the safety belt should be:

Securely mounted, adjust and latch properly, and not ripped or frayed

Which of these is an OPTIONAL item in the emergency equipment check?

Spare fuses on a vehicle without circuit breakers

Mirrors and the windshield should be checked for:

Cracks, dirt, illegal stickers or other obstructions

The seven-step inspection, Steps 1–4: overview, engine, cab and lights – CDL General Knowledge study guide

On the skills test you must inspect the vehicle out loud: point to or touch each part, name it, and say what you check and why. Doing the inspection the same way every time helps you learn every step and not forget anything.

The seven steps at a glance

Step 1: Vehicle overview (approach, review last report).
Step 2: Check the engine compartment.
Step 3: Start the engine and inspect inside the cab.
Step 4: Turn off the engine and check the lights.
Step 5: Do the walk-around inspection.
Step 6: Check the signal lights.
Step 7: Start the engine and check (brakes).

Step 1 — Vehicle overview

Approaching the vehicle: notice its general condition. Look for damage or the vehicle leaning to one side (could mean a flat tire, broken spring or shifted load). Look under it for fresh oil, coolant, grease or fuel leaks. Check the area around it for hazards to movement: people, other vehicles, objects, low-hanging wires or limbs.

Review the last vehicle inspection report: drivers may have to write a report each day. Any safety item listed must be fixed by the motor carrier, which then certifies on the report either that the repair was done or that none was needed. You sign the report only if defects were noted and certified as repaired or not needed.

Step 2 — Check the engine compartment

First make sure the parking brakes are on and/or the wheels are chocked. You may need to raise the hood, tilt the cab (secure loose things first so they don't fall and break something), or open the engine door. Check:

engine oil level;
coolant level in the radiator; condition of hoses;
power steering fluid level and hose condition (if equipped);
windshield washer fluid level;
battery fluid level, connections and tie-downs (the battery may be elsewhere);
automatic transmission fluid level (may need the engine running);
belts (alternator, water pump, air compressor): they should be tight and not badly worn — learn how much "give" each belt should have when adjusted right;
leaks in the engine compartment (fuel, coolant, oil, power steering fluid, hydraulic fluid, battery fluid);
cracked or worn electrical wiring insulation.

Then lower and secure the hood, cab or engine door.

Step 3 — Start the engine and inspect inside the cab

Get in and start the engine: make sure the parking brake is on, put the gearshift in neutral (or park if automatic), start the engine and listen for unusual noises. If equipped, check the ABS indicator lights: the dash light should come on and then go off. If it stays on, ABS is not working. On trailers, if the yellow ABS light on the left rear of the trailer stays on, the trailer ABS is not working.

Look at the gauges:

Oil pressure — should come up to normal within seconds after starting.
Air pressure — should build from 50 to 90 psi within 3 minutes. Build to governor cut-out (usually about 120–140 psi; know your vehicle).
Ammeter and/or voltmeter — in the normal range.
Coolant temperature and engine oil temperature — should begin a gradual rise to normal operating range.
Warning lights and buzzers — oil, coolant, charging circuit and ABS lights should go out right away.

Check the controls for looseness, sticking, damage or improper setting: steering wheel, clutch, accelerator, brake controls (foot brake, trailer brake if equipped, parking brake, retarder controls if equipped), transmission controls, interaxle differential lock (if equipped), horn(s), windshield wiper/washer, and lights (headlights, dimmer switch, turn signals, four-way flashers, parking/clearance/identification/marker switches).

Check mirrors and windshield for cracks, dirt, illegal stickers or anything that blocks your view. Clean and adjust as needed.

Check emergency equipment: spare fuses (unless circuit breakers), three red reflective triangles (or 6 fuses or 3 liquid-burning flares), and a properly charged and rated fire extinguisher. Optional items: tire chains (where winter requires), tire-changing equipment, list of emergency phone numbers, accident reporting kit.

Check the safety belt: securely mounted, adjusts and latches properly, not ripped or frayed.

Step 4 — Turn off the engine and check the lights

Check that the parking brake is set, shut the engine off, and take the key with you (keep it in your pocket) — so no one can start or move the vehicle while you are walking around or under it.

Turn on the headlights (low beams) and the four-way emergency flashers, and get out.

Go to the front of the vehicle: check that the low beams are on and both four-way flashers work. Push the dimmer switch and check that the high beams work. Then turn off the headlights and flashers.

Turn on the parking, clearance, side-marker and identification lights, and turn on the right turn signal — then start the walk-around.

References and scope

The topic reference is listed below. Sources support verification; the lesson itself is here. The current content needs technical and language review before public launch.

Manual reference: 2.1.4, 2.1.5 (Steps 1–4)

Official CDL handbook · Utah ↗States Our editorial approach

Put it into practice

Educational questions with explanations. The answer review also works without the interactive quiz.

Preparing your questions…

Review questions with answers

When approaching the vehicle (Step 1), a vehicle leaning to one side may mean:
1. It is parked on a flat surface
2. A flat tire, broken spring or shifted cargo
3. The fuel tank is full
4. The engine is warm
Show answer

A flat tire, broken spring or shifted cargo
Leaning can show a tire, suspension or cargo problem.
You must sign the previous driver's vehicle inspection report:
1. Every time, even with no defects
2. Never
3. Only if defects were noted and certified as repaired or not needing repair
4. Only on Mondays
Show answer

Only if defects were noted and certified as repaired or not needing repair
Sign only when defects were noted and certified repaired or not needed.
Who must repair items on an inspection report that affect safety and certify the repair?
1. The motor carrier
2. The next driver
3. The state DMV
4. The shipper
Show answer

The motor carrier
The motor carrier must repair safety items and certify repairs were made or unnecessary.
What should you do before checking the engine compartment (Step 2)?
1. Start the engine
2. Release the parking brake
3. Turn on the headlights
4. Make sure the parking brakes are on and/or the wheels are chocked
Show answer

Make sure the parking brakes are on and/or the wheels are chocked
Step 2 begins by checking that the parking brakes are on and/or wheels chocked.
Which belts should you check for tightness and wear in the engine compartment?
1. Seat belts only
2. Alternator, water pump and air compressor belts
3. Only the fan clutch
4. Trailer straps
Show answer

Alternator, water pump and air compressor belts
Check alternator, water pump and air compressor belts and know their correct "give".
When tilting the cab to inspect the engine, you should first:
1. Start the engine
2. Open all the windows
3. Secure loose things so they do not fall and break something
4. Disconnect the battery
Show answer

Secure loose things so they do not fall and break something
Secure loose items before tilting the cab.
After starting the engine, oil pressure should come up to normal:
1. Within seconds
2. Within 3 minutes
3. After 10 minutes of driving
4. Only at highway speed
Show answer

Within seconds
Oil pressure should reach normal within seconds after the engine starts.
During the cab check, air pressure should build from 50 to 90 psi within:
1. 30 seconds
2. 1 minute
3. 10 minutes
4. 3 minutes
Show answer

3 minutes
Air should build from 50 to 90 psi within 3 minutes.
Governor cut-out pressure is usually around:
1. 60–80 psi
2. 120–140 psi
3. 150–175 psi
4. 200 psi
Show answer

120–140 psi
Build air to governor cut-out, usually about 120–140 psi; know your vehicle.
At start-up, the ABS warning light on the dash stays on. This means:
1. ABS is working normally
2. The parking brake is set
3. The ABS is not working properly
4. The trailer is disconnected
Show answer

The ABS is not working properly
The ABS light should come on and then go off; if it stays on, ABS is not working.
On a trailer, where is the yellow ABS warning light that shows the trailer ABS is not working?
1. On the left rear of the trailer
2. On the front right of the tractor
3. Inside the trailer
4. On the kingpin
Show answer

On the left rear of the trailer
A yellow lamp at the trailer's left rear that does not go out means the trailer ABS has a problem.
Coolant and engine oil temperature gauges should:
1. Read maximum right away
2. Stay at zero
3. Jump up and down
4. Begin a gradual rise to the normal operating range
Show answer

Begin a gradual rise to the normal operating range
Temperatures should rise gradually to normal.
Why do you take the key with you in Step 4?
1. To save the battery
2. So no one can start or move the vehicle while you inspect it
3. Because the lights only work without the key
4. To lock the fuel cap
Show answer

So no one can start or move the vehicle while you inspect it
Taking the key keeps anyone from moving the vehicle while you are around or under it.
In Step 4, which lights do you turn on before getting out of the cab?
1. High beams and right turn signal
2. Only the dome light
3. Low-beam headlights and four-way emergency flashers
4. Stop lights only
Show answer

Low-beam headlights and four-way emergency flashers
Turn on low beams and four-way flashers, then check them from the front.
During the cab check, the safety belt should be:
1. Securely mounted, adjust and latch properly, and not ripped or frayed
2. Removed if uncomfortable
3. Tied in a knot to stay short
4. Checked only once a year
Show answer

Securely mounted, adjust and latch properly, and not ripped or frayed
Check that the belt is mounted, adjusts, latches and is not ripped or frayed.
Which of these is an OPTIONAL item in the emergency equipment check?
1. Fire extinguisher
2. Reflective triangles
3. Spare fuses on a vehicle without circuit breakers
4. Tire chains
Show answer

Tire chains
Chains (where winter requires), tire-changing equipment, emergency phone list and accident kit are optional.
Mirrors and the windshield should be checked for:
1. Brand name
2. Cracks, dirt, illegal stickers or other obstructions
3. Tint color only
4. Manufacturing date
Show answer

Cracks, dirt, illegal stickers or other obstructions
Inspect mirrors and windshield for cracks, dirt, illegal stickers or other things that block your view.