How the pre-trip inspection is scored
The pre-trip inspection is the part of the CDL skills test you say out loud. You walk around the truck, name each part, point to it, and say what you are checking it for. The examiner scores what you can prove you know, not how fast you walk.
The current list has 9 parts and 84 steps. 30 of those steps are Must-say items: the examiner has to hear them or the part does not count. 9 steps inside the air brake check are auto-fail items: miss one and the inspection ends, however well the rest went.
Almost every part is scored on the same three questions, so learn them once and use them everywhere: is it damaged, is it leaking, and is it mounted or fastened the way it should be. Say the name, the three checks, and the result.
- Name it: "Left front steer tire."
- Say what you are checking for: "Tread depth, sidewall, and the valve stem cap."
- Say the result: "It is good."
Talk at the pace you would use to explain the truck to a new driver. Silence earns nothing, and rushing is what makes people skip the trailer.
The CDL pre-trip checklist, part by part
Below is the whole approved list, in the order most examiners run it, and the same list the spoken practice tool scores against. Open a part to see every step. The steps marked Must say are the ones the examiner has to hear.
Work one part at a time until it comes out without the page, then chain the parts together in order. Drivers who read the list once and then practise the whole walk-around out loud pass the retest; drivers who only read it tend to freeze at the air brake check.
Safety rules for the whole test3 steps - 2 must-say
Name each part, point to it, and say what you are checking it for. The examiner gives no credit for a part you do not explain.
- I put wheel chocks on the wheels before I start.
- Every time I get out of the cab, I set the parking brake and put the truck in neutral. Forgetting this is an unsafe act and can fail the test.must say
- I face the truck and keep three points of contact when I climb in or out.must say
Source: Pennsylvania CDL Manual (PUB 223), Section 10M; Texas CDL Handbook (DL-7C), Section 11
In-cab / engine start: dash lights6 steps - 6 must-say
Name each part, point to it, and say what you are checking it for. The examiner gives no credit for a part you do not explain.
- The left turn signal light on the dash works.must say
- The right turn signal light on the dash works.must say
- The four-way flasher light on the dash works.must say
- The high beam light on the dash works.must say
- The ABS (anti-lock brake) light comes on, then goes off. On a combination, the trailer ABS light on the rear driver side also comes on, then goes off.must say
- If the truck has DEF (diesel exhaust fluid, a liquid that cleans the exhaust), the DEF light on the dash works.must say
Source: Pennsylvania CDL Manual (PUB 223), Section 10M; Texas CDL Handbook (DL-7C), Section 11
In-cab / engine start: equipment and brake checks12 steps - 4 must-say
Name each part, point to it, and say what you are checking it for. The examiner gives no credit for a part you do not explain.
- There are three red reflective triangles. (Six fusee flares or three liquid burning flares also count.)
- The fire extinguisher is charged and strapped in tight.
- There are spare fuses. If the truck has no fuses, I tell the examiner it uses circuit breakers and point them out.must say
- The windshield is clean. No cracks or damage. Nothing blocks my view except the inspection sticker.
- The mirrors are clean and set right from inside the cab. If there are cameras, they are clean, working, and the screen is set so I can see it.
- The wiper arms and blades are tight and not damaged. I turn them on and off to show they work.
- There is washer fluid. I spray it to show the washers work.
- I turn on the heater and defroster to show they work.
- The air horn and/or electric horn works.
- Parking brake test: tractor parking brake on, trailer brakes off, foot off the brake pedal. I gently pull forward. The truck should not move.must say
- Trailer brake test: tractor parking brake off, trailer parking brake on, foot off the brake pedal. I gently pull forward. The truck should not move. This also checks that the trailer is hooked on.must say
- Service brake test: I pull forward at 5 mph and press the brake pedal to a full stop. The truck should stop and should not pull to the left or right.must say
Source: Pennsylvania CDL Manual (PUB 223), Section 10M; Texas CDL Handbook (DL-7C), Section 11
In-cab: air brake check10 steps
Explain and do every part of the air brake check. On the real test, missing any part fails the whole inspection.
- I chock the wheels if required and start the engine.auto-fail
- Part 1, air gauge and governor cut-out: the air gauge works and air builds up until the governor cuts out (stops the compressor). That is about 120 to 140 psi, or the maker's number. I say the cut-out number for this truck.auto-fail
- Part 2, leak test: I shut off the engine and turn the key back to "on." I release the parking brake and push in the trailer air supply knob (tractor protection valve).auto-fail
- I press the brake pedal all the way down. After the gauge settles from the first drop, I hold the pedal for one full minute.auto-fail
- Air should not drop more than 4 psi in one minute on a combination vehicle. (The limit is 3 psi for a single vehicle, or for a truck pulling a trailer that has no air brakes.)auto-fail
- Part 3, low air warning: engine still off, key on. I pump the brake pedal to let air out (fanning the brakes).auto-fail
- The low air warning (buzzer, light, or flag) comes on before the air drops below 55 psi. I say the number where it came on.auto-fail
- Part 4, emergency brakes: I keep pumping. The parking brake knob pops out between 20 and 45 psi (or the maker's number). I say the maker's number for this truck.auto-fail
- On a trailer with air brakes, the trailer air supply knob (tractor protection valve) pops out at the same time as, or before, the tractor parking brake knob.auto-fail
- If the knobs are not built to pop out, I listen for air rushing out, which means the parking brakes came on. If the truck has a backup (primary and secondary) air system, I say so and explain the knobs will not pop out when only one of the two air systems loses pressure.
Source: Pennsylvania CDL Manual (PUB 223), Section 10M; Texas CDL Handbook (DL-7C), Section 11
Lights check (outside lights)9 steps - 8 must-say
Name each part, point to it, and say what you are checking it for. The examiner gives no credit for a part you do not explain.
- I ask the examiner to watch the lights and I tell them where to stand (front, sides, rear).
- Left turn signals work.must say
- Right turn signals work.must say
- Four-way flashers work.must say
- Low beam headlights work.must say
- High beam headlights work.must say
- Clearance and marker lights work.must say
- Taillights work.must say
- Brake lights come on when I press the brake and go off when I let go.must say
Source: Pennsylvania CDL Manual (PUB 223), Section 10M; Texas CDL Handbook (DL-7C), Section 11
Front of vehicle / engine area (engine off)11 steps
Name each part, point to it, and say what you are checking it for. The examiner gives no credit for a part you do not explain.
- Front light covers are the right color, clean, not broken, and not missing.
- Engine oil: I show where the dipstick is. The level should be between the "add" and "full" marks.
- Coolant: I show where to check it. The level should be between "add" and "full." I never open the radiator cap when the engine is hot.
- Power steering fluid: I show where to check it. The level should be between "add" and "full."
- Leaks: no puddles on the ground under the truck.
- No fluid dripping from under the engine or transmission.
- Hoses and air lines are in good shape and not leaking.
- The power steering box is mounted tight and not leaking.
- Steering hoses and connections are not cracked, worn, or leaking.
- No nuts, bolts, or cotter keys (small locking pins) are missing in the steering parts.
- The links, arms, and rods from the steering box to the wheel are not worn or cracked. Joints and sockets are not worn or loose.
Source: Pennsylvania CDL Manual (PUB 223), Section 10M; Texas CDL Handbook (DL-7C), Section 11
Steering axle14 steps - 9 must-say
Name each part, point to it, and say what you are checking it for. The examiner gives no credit for a part you do not explain.
- Tire pressure: I check it with a tire gauge. Kicking the tire or hitting it with a mallet gets no credit. If the truck has an automatic tire inflation or pressure monitor system hooked to the valve stems, I say so and check that it works.must say
- Tire condition: no cuts or damage that show the cords in the tread or sidewall. No bumps or bulges. Valve caps are on and stems are not damaged. Dual tires are the same size.must say
- Tread depth: I use a tread depth gauge in the main grooves. At least 4/32 inch on steer tires and 2/32 inch on all other tires.must say
- Rims are not damaged, cracked, or bent. No welding repairs. No rust trails that could mean the rim is loose.
- Stud and bolt holes are not stretched out of round.
- All lug nuts are there and tight. No rust trails or shiny threads (signs of a loose nut). No broken studs.
- Leaf springs are not missing, shifted, cracked, or broken. Spring mounts are not cracked or broken and have all their parts.must say
- U-bolts and mounting bolts that hold the springs to the axle are not broken, missing, or loose.must say
- If it has coil springs: not broken or bent, and the mounts are solid.must say
- If it has air ride suspension: the air bags are secure, not damaged, and not leaking.must say
- Shock absorbers are secure, not damaged, and not leaking.must say
- The truck sits level, front to back and side to side.must say
- Brake hoses and lines are not cracked, worn, frayed, or leaking. Fittings are tight.
- No grease or oil on the brake linings, pads, drum, or disc, where I can see them.
Source: Pennsylvania CDL Manual (PUB 223), Section 10M; Texas CDL Handbook (DL-7C), Section 11; Pennsylvania CDL Manual (PUB 223), Section 2
Side of vehicle5 steps
Name each part, point to it, and say what you are checking it for. The examiner gives no credit for a part you do not explain.
- Side light covers and reflectors on the tractor and trailer are the right color, clean, not broken, and not missing.
- Outside mirrors are clean and not cracked. Brackets are not bent and are mounted tight. Cameras, if any, are clean.
- Batteries are secure. Connections are tight with no heavy rust or corrosion. Cables are not cracked or worn. The battery box cover is secure. If I cannot see the batteries, I tell the examiner.
- Fuel tanks and the DEF tank are mounted tight, caps are tight, and nothing leaks from the tanks or lines.
- The frame has no cracks, broken welds, or holes. The cargo floor has no cracks or holes. On the trailer, the tandem release lever and pins are secure.
Source: Pennsylvania CDL Manual (PUB 223), Section 10M; Texas CDL Handbook (DL-7C), Section 11
Combination vehicle: coupling, trailer, rear14 steps - 1 must-say
Name each part, point to it, and say what you are checking it for. The examiner gives no credit for a part you do not explain.
- Air and electric connectors are seated, sealed, locked in, and not damaged. I check both ends: the tractor side and the trailer side. Checking only one end gets no credit.must say
- Air hoses and electric lines are not cut, cracked, rubbed through, spliced, taped, or worn (no wire or steel braid showing). I listen for air leaks.
- Lines are not tangled, kinked, pinched, or dragging on the truck or the ground.
- The fifth wheel plate (the flat plate the trailer sits on) is mounted tight to its platform, has no cracks or breaks, and is greased if needed.
- The kingpin (the pin under the trailer that locks into the fifth wheel) is there and not bent, damaged, or worn.
- The apron (the plate around the kingpin) is not bent, cracked, or broken.
- The trailer sits flat on the fifth wheel. No gap between the apron and the fifth wheel.
- I look into the gap. The locking jaws are fully closed around the kingpin, with no play.
- The fifth wheel release arm is in the locked position and the safety latch is in place.
- If the fifth wheel slides, the locking pins are not damaged and are fully in.
- The landing gear (trailer legs) is all the way up, has no missing parts, the crank handle is secured, and the frame and pads are not damaged. If it is powered, no air or hydraulic leaks.
- The fifth wheel is set so the tractor frame clears the landing gear in turns.
- Reflective tape is on the sides and rear of the trailer and stuck on well.
- Rear light covers and reflectors on the trailer are the right color, clean, not broken, and not missing.
Source: Pennsylvania CDL Manual (PUB 223), Section 10M; Texas CDL Handbook (DL-7C), Section 11
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The steps that end the test
The air brake check is where pre-trips end early. 9 of its steps are auto-fail items, and they are the steps people blank on: the engine is off, the cab is quiet, and there are numbers to say.
- Governor cut-out: air builds until the compressor stops. Say the cut-out number for your truck, usually 120 to 140 psi.
- Static leak test: engine off, key on, parking brake released, trailer air supply pushed in. Press the pedal all the way and hold one full minute.
- The limit: no more than 4 psi lost in a minute on a combination vehicle, or 3 psi on a single vehicle.
- Low air warning: pump the brakes and say the pressure where the buzzer, light or flag came on, which must be before it drops below 55 psi.
- Emergency brakes: keep pumping. The knobs pop out between 20 and 45 psi, or at the maker number for that truck.
- Trailer air supply: on a trailer with air brakes the trailer knob pops out with the tractor knob, or before it.
If the truck has a backup air system (primary and secondary), say so and explain that the knobs will not pop out when only one of the two systems loses pressure. That sentence is on the examiner sheet, and it is the one most drivers leave out.
Practice the walk-around out loud, in order
Reading the checklist is the easy half. The test is speaking it: naming a part, saying what you are checking for, and saying the result, in order, without the page in your hand.
The exam prep practice tool does exactly that. You speak the inspection, it marks the steps you named against this same list, and it shows the part you missed and the steps inside it. Two scored runs on the CDL pre-trip are free, and the air brake check is the part most drivers end up re-running.
Pre-trip test day: what to expect
The pre-trip is usually scored with the basic control skills and the road test in one appointment, and the inspection comes first, while the truck is still cold. You spend most of it outside the truck, so dress for the weather and bring gloves.
- Bring your CDL permit, your current license, and your medical card if your state lists it. Ask your school what else your state adds.
- Say the part you are on before you walk to it, not after, so the examiner can follow you.
- If you forget a part, name it as soon as you remember instead of skipping ahead. A recalled part beats a silent gap.
- Retest rules and fees are set by your state and the third party that tests you, so ask before you leave the first attempt.
How drivers pay for CDL school and the test
CDL school runs from a few thousand dollars at a community college to a five-figure private program, and most drivers do not pay it out of pocket. WIOA training grants pay tuition and often the test fees for people who qualify, and carriers pay for school in exchange for a work commitment.
Find out what your state will pay for before you sign anything, and ask the school whether it is on the state eligible training provider list. The step-by-step version is in the CDL training guide linked below.