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CDL Pre-Trip Inspection Practice Questions


1. During the pre-trip inspection, you must show that:

A. the vehicle is safe to drive.
B. the vehicle is newer than 4 years old.
C. you are competent and have no alcohol in your system.

2. During the pre-trip inspection you will:

A. sit in a truck and drive around talking about your expertise.
B. take a computerized test about truck driving.
C. walk around the vehicle and point to or touch each item and explain to the examiner what you are checking and why.

3. When checking the hoses you should:

A. look for puddles on the ground.
B. look for dripping fluids on underside of engine and transmission.
C. inspect hoses for condition and leaks.
D. All of the above.

4. When checking the oil level you will show the examiner:

A. that the oil level is within safe operating range.
B. add water to the wipers.
C. indicate where the power steering fluid dipstick is located.

5. You should never check the reservoir sight glass of the coolant level.

A. True
B. False

6. When checking the power steering fluid at the pre-trip inspection the level must be above the refill mark to be acceptable

A. True
B. False

7. Check the following belts for snugness, cracks, or frays:

A. power steering belt and water pump belt, alternator belt and air compressor belt.
B. air compressor belt and seat belt.
C. power steering belt and driver's belt.
D. none of the above.

8. To check the clutch/gearshift you should:

A. depress clutch.
B. place gearshift lever in neutral (or park for automatic transmissions).
C. start engine, then release clutch slowly.
D. all of the above.

9. You must check to make sure that the oil pressure gauge is working.

A. True
B. False

10. When checking the oil pressure gauge you should make sure that:

A. the gauge shows decreasing oil pressure.
B. shows increasing or normal oil pressure or that the warning light goes off.
C. shows that there is enough gas for your trip.

11. The temperature gauge is unimportant at a pre-trip inspection.

A. True
B. False

12. During a pre-trip inspection the mirrors and windshield should be checked for:

A. proper steering.
B. colorful observation.
C. cleanliness, obstructions, and damage.

13. Some emergency equipment that should always be carried is:

A. unimportant during the pre-trip inspection.
B. spare electrical fuses, three reflective triangles, a properly charged and rated fire extinguisher.
C. spare electrical fuses, a walkie talkie, a fire extinguisher.

14. To check for steering play in a non-power steering vehicle you should turn the steering wheel back and forth. Play should not exceed:

A. 30 degrees
B. 20 degrees
C. 10 degrees

15. Check that wiper arms and blades are secure, damaged, and operate occasionally.

A. True
B. False

Answer Key
1. A
2. C
3. D
4. A
5. B
6. A
7. A
8. D
9. A
10. B
11. B
12. C
13. B
14. C
15. B


1. During a pre-trip inspection you should show the examiner that you can check the lighting indicators for:

A. the left and right turn signal.
B. the four-way emergency flashers.
C. the high beam headlights.
D. all of the above.

2. The horn and heater/defroster should be checked during a pre-trip inspection.

A. True
B. False

3. To check the parking brake you should:

A. apply the parking brake and make sure that it will hold the vehicle by shifting into a lower gear and gently pulling against the brake.
B. apply the parking brake and pressing the foot brake to make sure that they will work together.
C. You need not show that the parking brake works.

4. During a hydraulic brake check you must pump the brake pedal____times and then hold it down for______seconds. The brake pedal should not move (depress) for five seconds.

A. 3, 5
B. 5, 10
C. 10,15

5. Failure to perform an air brake check will result in an automatic failure of the vehicle inspection test.

A. True
B. False

6. When checking lights and reflectors all external and reflective equipment must be clean and functional. Light and reflector checks include:

A. headlights, seatbelts, tail lights, decorative lights.
B. clearance lights, headlights, tail lights, turn signals, four-way flashers, brake lights, and red reflectors (on rear and amber reflectors everywhere else).
C. clearance lights, Christmas lights, head and tail lights.

7. An external inspection of the steering box and hoses will include checking that the steering box is securely mounted and not leaking more than 4 ounces of fluid per hour.

A. True
B. False

8. The steering box must be securely mounted. You will check for:

A. proper paint on the box.
B. secure lighting on the steering box.
C. missing nuts, bolts, and cotter keys.

9. On the steering linkage you must check for joints and sockets that are worn or loose and that there are no missing bolts, nuts, or cotter keys.

A. True
B. False

10. The Suspension System check should include:

A. hoses, springs, mounts, brakes.
B. springs/air/torque, mounts, shock absorbers.
C. mounts, shocks, brakes.

11. It is unnecessary to check the slack adjusters when checking the brake system.

A. True
B. False

12. On some brake drums, there are openings where the brake linings can be seen from outside the drum. For this type of drum, check that:

A. a visible amount of brake lining is showing.
B. a visible amount of brake lining is not showing.
C. that the brake lining is very thin.

13. Should you be prepared to perform the same brake components inspection of every axle (power unit and trailer, if equipped)?

A. Yes
B. No

14. The following items must be inspected on every tire:

A. Tread depth, tire brand, and hub oil seals.
B. Tread depth, hub oil seals, lug nuts, and white walls.
C. Tread depth, hub oil seals, lug nuts, and spacers.

15. Listen for air leaks when checking the air/electric lines. Hoses and electrical lines should not be cut but can be spliced.

A. True
B. False

Answer Key
1. D
2. A
3. A
4. A
5. A
6. B
7. B
8. C
9. A
10. B
11. B
12. A
13. A
14. C
15. B




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