Vehicle Inspection test: the rules and how to talk to the examiner

The CDL skills test has three parts, and the Vehicle Inspection (pre-trip) comes first. It is done in English, face to face with an examiner. You do not just look at parts — you must say out loud what each part is and what could be wrong with it. This lesson explains the rules of the test, the checklist, and the exact English sentences you can use.

Why there is an inspection test

Federal and state laws say a CDL driver must inspect the vehicle to decide if it is safe to drive. A good inspection finds defects before they cause a breakdown or a crash.

The test looks at safety-critical items — the parts that can hurt someone if they fail. You must show you know enough to decide that the vehicle is safe.

During the test you inspect the parts of only one axle. But be ready: the examiner expects you to know that the same axle check (tires, rims, lug nuts, suspension, brake lines) applies to every axle on a real trip.

The test does not include every federal inspection rule. You are still responsible for knowing the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR).

Order of the skills tests: you must pass the Vehicle Inspection test before the Basic Control Skills test, and you must pass Basic Control before the Road Test.

Rules you must follow during the test

• Use wheel chocks during the inspection for safety (many states require it).
• You will walk around the vehicle and get in and out of it. Every time you leave the cab, set the parking brake(s) and put the vehicle in neutral.
• Get in and out facing the vehicle and keep three points of contact at all times (for example two hands and one foot). On a bus, face forward and hold the handrail firmly.
• You only have to inspect the items on the official CDL Vehicle Inspection checklist. You may carry that checklist and tick items as you finish them, but you may not write anything else on it before the test.
• For each item you must name it, point to it and/or touch it, and explain what you are checking it for. If you only point and say "good," you get no credit for that item.
• You do not have to crawl under the vehicle.
• A vehicle with parts marked or labeled by anyone other than the manufacturer (stickers, painted notes) cannot be used for the test.

Automatic failure

• Not following the examiner's instructions can end the test with an automatic failure. If you do not understand an instruction, ask the examiner to explain it again — that is allowed.
• An unsafe act, such as forgetting to set the parking brake before getting out, can also end the test with an automatic failure. The safety of you, the examiner and the test area comes first.
• The air brake check (or the hydraulic brake check if your vehicle has hydraulic brakes) is marked with a star on the checklist. If you do not explain and perform it correctly, you fail the whole inspection test automatically.

The checklists (the order of the inspection)

There are three checklists. Learn the one for the vehicle you will test in.

• Class A (tractor semi-trailer, truck and trailer, or bus and trailer): In-vehicle/engine start → Lights operations check → Front of vehicle/engine area → Steering axle → Side of vehicle (including frame and tandem release) → Combination vehicles only (lines, fifth wheel or pintle hook or tow hitch, kingpin/apron/gap or drawbar or coupler, locking devices) → Trailer only (landing gear, reflective tape) → Rear of trailer.
• Class B or C straight truck: the same as Class A but without the combination and trailer items, and it ends with the rear of the vehicle.
• Class B or C passenger or school bus: In-vehicle/engine start → Passenger and school bus items (entry and lift, emergency exits, seating, passenger monitoring devices) → School bus only items (student lights, stop arm and safety arm, first aid and body fluid kits) → Lights → Front/engine → Steering axle → Side → Rear.

In-vehicle/engine start always includes: air or hydraulic brake check (starred), parking and trailer brake check, service brake check, lighting indicators, emergency equipment, windshield and traffic monitoring devices, wipers and washers, heater and defroster, and horn(s).

What to say: the English sentence patterns

The examiner grades what you say. Use a simple pattern for every item: name the part → point/touch → say what you check for. Speak clearly and loudly enough to be heard.

• This is the ___. — use it to name the part.
• I'm checking that the ___ is not cracked, bent, or broken. — for metal and hard parts (brackets, rims, frame, springs).
• I'm checking that the ___ is properly mounted and secured. — for anything bolted on (mirrors, steering box, fuel tank, battery, fifth wheel).
• I'm checking that there are no leaks. — for hoses, lines, tanks, shocks, air bags.
• I'm checking that the hose is not cut, cracked, chafed, or worn. — for hoses, air lines, electrical lines.
• I'm checking that the lens is the proper color, clean, not broken, and not missing. — for lenses and reflectors.
• I'm checking for missing nuts, bolts, or cotter pins. — for steering linkage and coupling parts.

Join them: "This is the steering box. I'm checking that it is properly mounted and secured, and that it is not leaking." Saying a full sentence like this for every item is what earns the points.

Put it into practice

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