CDL Pre-Trip Inspection Checklist

A practical Class A pre-trip inspection order with the items drivers should name, touch, and explain during practice.

Start with a safe setup

Park on level ground, set the parking brakes, place the transmission in neutral, and keep the key in your control. Look for leaks, damage, leaning, and hazards before touching the vehicle.

Engine compartment

Check fluids, belts, hoses, wiring, steering components, suspension, brakes, wheels, tires, and visible frame parts. Name what is secure, not cracked, not leaking, and properly mounted.

In-cab and brake checks

Test the seat belt, mirrors, gauges, warning lights, horn, wipers, heater and defroster. Follow your state manual's air-brake leakage, warning, spring-brake, and service-brake sequence exactly.

Coupling, trailer, and lights

Inspect the fifth wheel, locking jaws, kingpin, platform, release arm, air and electrical lines, landing gear, trailer frame, doors, lights, reflectors, tires, and brakes.