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The seven-step inspection, Steps 5–7, plus checks during and after the trip

General Knowledge7 minManual section 2.1.5 (Steps 5–7), 2.1.6, 2.1.7

Steps 5 to 7 take you around the outside of the vehicle, then back to check the signal lights and the brakes. Finally, you learn what to check while driving, how often to check cargo, and what to report at the end of the day.

Step 5 — Walk-around: general and left front

Walk around and inspect. Clean all lights, reflectors and glass as you go.

Left front side:

  • Driver's door glass clean; door latches or locks work.
  • Left front wheel: wheel and rim — no missing, bent or broken studs, clamps or lugs, no signs of misalignment. Tire — properly inflated, valve stem and cap OK, no serious cuts, bulges or tread wear. Use a wrench to test rust-streaked lug nuts (rust streaks mean they may be loose). Hub oil level OK, no leaks.
  • Left front suspension: springs, spring hangers, shackles, U-bolts; shock absorber condition.
  • Left front brake: condition of brake drum or disc; condition of hoses.

Step 5 — Front, right side, rear, left side

Front: condition of front axle and steering system — no loose, worn, bent, damaged or missing parts; grab the steering mechanism to test for looseness. Windshield — check for damage, clean if dirty; wiper arms have proper spring tension; wiper blades not damaged, not "stiff", and secure. Parking, clearance and identification lights clean, working, and amber at the front. Reflectors clean and amber at the front. Right front turn signal clean, working, amber or white on signals facing forward.

Right side: right front — check everything you checked on the left front. Primary and secondary safety cab locks engaged (cab-over-engine). Right fuel tank(s): securely mounted, not damaged or leaking; fuel crossover line secure; enough fuel; cap(s) on and secure. Rear of engine and transmission not leaking. Exhaust secure, not leaking, not touching wires, fuel or air lines. Frame and cross members — no bends or cracks. Air lines and electrical wiring secured against snagging, rubbing or wearing. Spare tire carrier not damaged; spare securely mounted, proper size and properly inflated. Cargo securement (trucks): cargo blocked, braced, tied, chained, etc.; header board adequate and secure (if required); side boards and stakes strong, undamaged, set in place; canvas or tarp secured so it does not tear, billow or block mirrors. Curbside cargo compartment doors in good condition, closed, latched/locked, required security seals in place.

Right rear: wheels and rims — no missing, bent or broken spacers, studs, clamps or lugs. Tires — inflated, valve stems and caps OK, no serious cuts, bulges or tread wear, tires not rubbing each other and nothing stuck between them; same type (not mixed radial and bias); evenly matched (same size). Wheel bearings/seals not leaking. Suspension: springs, hangers, shackles, U-bolts; axle secure; powered axle(s) not leaking lube (gear oil); torque rod arms and bushings; shock absorbers. If it has a retractable (lift) axle, check the lift mechanism; if air powered, check for leaks. Air-ride components. Brakes: brake adjustment, condition of drums or discs, hoses (wear from rubbing). Side-marker lights and reflectors clean, working, red at the rear, amber elsewhere.

Rear: rear clearance and identification lights, reflectors and taillights clean, working and red at the rear. Right rear turn signal working, red, yellow or amber at the rear. License plate(s) present, clean and secured. Splash guards present, undamaged, properly fastened, not dragging or rubbing tires. Cargo secure; tailboards up and secured; end gates undamaged and secured in stake sockets; tarp does not block rearview mirrors or rear lights. If over-length or over-width, all signs, extra lights or flags are safely mounted and all required permits are in the driver's possession. Rear doors securely closed and latched/locked.

Left side: check everything as on the right side, plus the batteries if not in the engine compartment: battery box securely mounted, cover secure, batteries secured against movement, not broken or leaking, fluid at proper level, cell caps present and tight, and vents in cell caps free of foreign material (these last three do not apply to maintenance-free batteries).

Step 6 — Check signal lights

Get in and turn off lights: turn off all lights. Turn on the stop lights (apply the trailer hand brake or have a helper press the brake pedal). Turn on the left turn signal.

Get out and check lights: left front turn signal clean, working, amber or white on signals facing the front. Left rear turn signal and both stop lights clean, working, red, yellow or amber.

Step 7 — Start the engine and check the brakes

Get in the vehicle: turn off lights not needed for driving. Check for all required papers, trip manifests, permits, etc. Secure all loose articles in the cab (they could get under the pedals or hit you in a crash). Start the engine.

Test for hydraulic leaks (hydraulic brakes): pump the brake pedal 3 times, then apply firm pressure and hold for 5 seconds. The pedal must stay still. If it moves, there may be a leak or other fault — have it repaired before you drive. (Air brakes: do the checks in the air brakes and combination sections.)

Test the parking brake(s): fasten your seat belt; set the parking brake (power unit only); release the trailer parking brake (if any); put the vehicle in a low gear; gently pull forward against the parking brake to be sure it holds. Repeat for the trailer with the trailer parking brake set and the power unit brakes released. If it does not hold, it is faulty — get it fixed.

Test the service brake stopping action: go about 5 mph, then push the brake pedal firmly. "Pulling" to one side can mean brake trouble. Any unusual pedal "feel" or delayed stopping can mean trouble.

If you find anything unsafe, get it fixed. Federal and state laws forbid operating an unsafe vehicle.

Inspection during a trip

Check these regularly while driving: instruments; air pressure gauge (if air brakes); temperature gauges; pressure gauges; ammeter/voltmeter; mirrors; tires; cargo and cargo covers; lights. Anything you see, hear, smell or feel that could signal a problem should be checked out.

Cargo securement checks (trucks and truck tractors carrying cargo): inspect the cargo securement within the first 50 miles of a trip, then every 150 miles or every 3 hours, whichever comes first.

After-trip inspection and report

You may need to fill out a written report every day about the condition of each vehicle you drove (DVIR, driver vehicle inspection report). Report anything affecting safety or possibly leading to a mechanical breakdown.

The report tells the motor carrier about problems that may need fixing. The manual says to keep a copy of your report in the vehicle for one day, so the next driver can learn about any problems you found.

Current federal note: for trucks hauling property, a written DVIR is required when a defect or deficiency is found or reported; passenger carriers must file one every day. Your state manual may use the older wording "each day".

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: 2.1.5 (Steps 5–7), 2.1.6, 2.1.7

Official CDL handbook · Utah ↗StatesOur 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

  1. During the walk-around, how do you test rust-streaked lug nuts?
    1. Look at them from the cab
    2. Tap them with your foot
    3. Use a wrench to check for looseness
    4. Spray them with water
    Show answer
    Use a wrench to check for looseness

    Use a wrench to test rust-streaked lug nuts, which may be loose.

  2. What color should clearance lights and reflectors be at the FRONT of the vehicle?
    1. Amber
    2. Red
    3. Blue
    4. Green
    Show answer
    Amber

    Lights and reflectors at the front should be amber.

  3. What color should side-marker lights and reflectors be at the REAR?
    1. Amber
    2. White
    3. Blue
    4. Red
    Show answer
    Red

    Side markers are red at the rear and amber elsewhere.

  4. What should you check wheel bearing seals for during the walk-around?
    1. Paint color
    2. Leaks
    3. Brand labels
    4. Temperature with your hand
    Show answer
    Leaks

    Wheel bearings and seals should not be leaking.

  5. On the front of the vehicle, how do you test the steering system for looseness?
    1. Turn the wheel with the engine off
    2. Kick the front tire
    3. Grab the steering mechanism and test for looseness
    4. Listen for noises while driving
    Show answer
    Grab the steering mechanism and test for looseness

    You must grab the steering mechanism to test for looseness.

  6. If a load is over-length or over-width, the driver must:
    1. Have all required permits and proper signs, lights or flags mounted
    2. Drive only at night
    3. Remove the license plate
    4. Carry nothing extra
    Show answer
    Have all required permits and proper signs, lights or flags mounted

    Oversize loads need properly mounted signs/flags/lights and all permits in the driver's possession.

  7. On the left side, which extra item do you check that was not on the right side (if not in the engine compartment)?
    1. The fuel crossover line
    2. The spare tire
    3. The license plate
    4. The battery box and batteries
    Show answer
    The battery box and batteries

    On the left side, also check batteries and the battery box if they are not in the engine compartment.

  8. To check the stop lights in Step 6 without a helper, you can:
    1. Press the horn
    2. Apply the trailer hand brake
    3. Turn on the four-way flashers
    4. Set the parking brake
    Show answer
    Apply the trailer hand brake

    Turn on stop lights by applying the trailer hand brake or having a helper press the pedal.

  9. How do you test hydraulic brakes for leaks?
    1. Drive fast and brake hard
    2. Look under the truck for puddles only
    3. Pump the pedal 3 times, then hold firm pressure for 5 seconds; the pedal should not move
    4. Press the pedal once lightly
    Show answer
    Pump the pedal 3 times, then hold firm pressure for 5 seconds; the pedal should not move

    Pump three times, then hold firmly for five seconds; if the pedal moves, there may be a leak.

  10. To test the parking brake, you:
    1. Set it, put the vehicle in a low gear and gently pull forward against it
    2. Release it and roll downhill
    3. Set it and rev the engine to full power
    4. Test it only on a slope in reverse
    Show answer
    Set it, put the vehicle in a low gear and gently pull forward against it

    With the parking brake set and in low gear, gently pull forward to make sure it holds.

  11. When testing service brake stopping action, at about what speed do you push the brake pedal firmly?
    1. 25 mph
    2. 15 mph
    3. 1 mph
    4. 5 mph
    Show answer
    5 mph

    Go about 5 mph and push the pedal firmly; pulling to one side can mean brake trouble.

  12. During the service brake test, the vehicle pulls to one side. This can mean:
    1. The tires are new
    2. Brake trouble
    3. The load is too light
    4. Normal braking
    Show answer
    Brake trouble

    Pulling to one side when braking can mean brake trouble.

  13. Drivers of trucks carrying cargo must first inspect the cargo securement within the first:
    1. 10 miles
    2. 25 miles
    3. 50 miles
    4. 100 miles
    Show answer
    50 miles

    Check cargo securement within the first 50 miles of a trip.

  14. After the first check, cargo securement must be re-checked every:
    1. 150 miles or 3 hours, whichever comes first
    2. 100 miles or 2 hours, whichever comes last
    3. 300 miles or 6 hours
    4. Fuel stop only
    Show answer
    150 miles or 3 hours, whichever comes first

    Re-check every 150 miles or every 3 hours, whichever comes first.

  15. If you see, hear, smell or feel anything that might mean trouble while driving, you should:
    1. Ignore it until the end of the day
    2. Turn up the radio
    3. Speed up to reach the terminal
    4. Check it out
    Show answer
    Check it out

    Use your senses and check out anything that might mean trouble.

  16. According to the manual, how long should you keep a copy of your vehicle inspection report in the vehicle?
    1. One hour
    2. One day
    3. One month
    4. One year
    Show answer
    One day

    Keep a copy in the vehicle for one day so the next driver can learn of problems.

  17. Federal and state laws allow you to drive an unsafe vehicle for a short distance if you are careful.
    1. True
    2. False
    Show answer
    False

    False. If you find anything unsafe, get it fixed; laws forbid operating an unsafe vehicle.

  18. Why should you secure all loose articles in the cab before driving?
    1. They might interfere with the controls or hit you in a crash
    2. They make the truck heavier
    3. They block the radio signal
    4. Inspectors charge a fee for them
    Show answer
    They might interfere with the controls or hit you in a crash

    Loose items can get under pedals or fly into you in a crash.

  19. What color must the right rear turn signal be?
    1. White only
    2. Blue
    3. Green
    4. Red, yellow or amber
    Show answer
    Red, yellow or amber

    Rear turn signals should be red, yellow or amber.

  20. When checking dual tires on the right rear, you should make sure:
    1. They are different sizes for better grip
    2. They are not rubbing each other and nothing is stuck between them
    3. One is radial and one is bias-ply
    4. Only the outer tire has air
    Show answer
    They are not rubbing each other and nothing is stuck between them

    Duals must not rub, must have nothing stuck between them, and must be the same type and size.

  21. Powered (drive) axles should be checked for:
    1. Paint chips
    2. Extra weight
    3. Leaking lube (gear oil)
    4. The axle number sticker
    Show answer
    Leaking lube (gear oil)

    Check that powered axles are not leaking lube (gear oil).

  22. On the right side, the fuel tank check includes:
    1. Tank securely mounted, not leaking, crossover line secure, enough fuel, and caps on
    2. Only the fuel gauge in the cab
    3. Painting the tank
    4. Removing the cap to vent it
    Show answer
    Tank securely mounted, not leaking, crossover line secure, enough fuel, and caps on

    Check mounting, leaks, crossover line, fuel level and that caps are on and secure.