CDL Pre-Trip Inspection Checklist & Memorization Trainer
The pre-trip is the most-failed part of the CDL skills test: you have to recite the whole vehicle out loud and know the federal specs cold. Explore every zone of the walk-around, then drill the exact numbers you must memorize, each with its 49 CFR citation.
30%
of our pre-trip questions are rated hard, tied for the toughest CDL section
7
FMCSA inspection steps you must complete in order
9
federal specs you have to memorize for the skills test
Explore the walk-around
Click each zone of the vehicle to see what you inspect, what to say, and the federal spec that applies.
Walk-around inspection
0 of 6 zones reviewed
Front of vehicle
Cab front & steer axle
Steering box & linkage
Securely mounted, not cracked or leaking; no missing nuts/bolts/cotter keys.
≤ 10° (about 2 in on a 20-in wheel) · 49 CFR 393.209
Steer-axle tires
Tread depth, inflation, and condition; no bulges, cuts, or fabric showing.
≥ 4/32 in · 49 CFR 393.75(b)
Lights & reflectors (front)
Headlights, turn signals, and reflectors clean, correct color, working.
Windshield & wipers
Glass not cracked in the swept area; wiper arms and blades secure and not worn.
Drill the specs out loud
Say each spec out loud, then flip the card. Miss one and it comes back until the deck is clean.
Say-it-out-loud drill
You'll see a prompt for each pre-trip spec. Say the answer out loud, just like you will to the examiner, then flip the card to check yourself. Miss one and it comes back until the deck is clean.
The FMCSA seven-step method
Every CDL pre-trip follows the same seven steps, in order. The walk-around (step 5) and the air-brake check (step 7) carry the most points.
- 1
Vehicle overview
Approach, review last inspection report, check for leaks and lean.
- 2
Check the engine compartment
Fluids, belts, hoses, and leaks with the engine off.
- 3
Start the engine and inspect inside the cab
Start up, then check gauges and controls.
- 4
Turn off the engine and check the lights
Set the parking brake, kill the engine, set up the light check.
- 5
Do the walk-around inspection
The big one: walk the whole vehicle checking each zone.
- 6
Check the signal lights
Back in the cab, verify turn signals and brake lights.
- 7
Start the engine and check the brake system
The air-brake check: build-up, warning, and the leak/stop tests.
The specs you must memorize
Every figure below is set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations or the FMCSA CDL Manual.
| What you check | The spec | Citation |
|---|---|---|
| Steering wheel free play | ≤ 10° (about 2 in on a 20-in wheel)More than this means worn steering linkage and puts the vehicle out of service. | 49 CFR 393.209 |
| Tread depth — steering axle | ≥ 4/32 inMeasured in every major groove with a tread gauge. Steering tires need more than other axles. | 49 CFR 393.75(b) |
| Tread depth — all other axles | ≥ 2/32 inMinimum in every major groove for non-steering tires. | 49 CFR 393.75(c) |
| Pushrod travel (Type 30 long-stroke) | ≤ 1 inExcess travel means the brakes are out of adjustment. Exact limit varies by chamber type on the CVSA table. | CVSA / FMCSA brake-adjustment limits |
| Brake-lining thickness (min) | ≥ 1/4 in (varies by brake type)Below the federal minimum at any point on the lining puts the vehicle out of service. | 49 CFR 393.47 |
| Static air-leak limit | Single: 2 psi/min · Combination: 3 psi/minBrakes released, engine off, fully charged. Applied-brake limits are 3 psi (single) and 4 psi (combination). | FMCSA CDL Manual §6.2.7 |
| Warning triangle placement (divided highway) | 10 ft · 100 ft · 200 ft behind, within 10 minPlaced toward approaching traffic. One triangle is not enough; they are federally required, not optional. | 49 CFR 392.22 |
| Required emergency equipment | Spare fuses · 3 reflective triangles · charged fire extinguisherThe three items every commercial vehicle must carry. A first-aid kit and road map are not federally required. | 49 CFR 393.95 |
| High hitch (coupling defect) | No gap between fifth-wheel platesJaws closed under the trailer plate but not around the kingpin. Confirm the lock visually with a flashlight, not by sound. | FMCSA CDL Manual §6.1 |
Ready to test yourself? Take a CDL pre-trip inspection practice test for your state.