This is the one we used in school at Crowder for our CDL test and it is also the one CFI uses. Only CFI has a few additional items.

PRE-TRIP INSPECTION
FRONT - (From top to bottom)
"My partner is inside the vehicle turning things on and off as needed."
· Clearance lights - working properly, not broken.
· Windshield - illegal stickers, clear on driver's side (no cracks)
· Wipers - no pieces hanging loose.
· Headlights (high/low beams, 4-ways, turn signals, market lights) - working properly, not broken.
· Check on flat ground for leaning - indicates possible suspension problems.
· Check ground under vehicle for fluid leaks.
UNDER HOOD
(Passenger side)
· Duct work - securely fastened, no cracks or holes.
· Exhaust - securely fastened, no breaks, black soot, check all the way back.
· Stack - securely fastened, not twisted, heat shield secure (return to front).
· Water pump - no cracks, no signs of leaks.
· Water hoses - securely fastened at either ends, no cracks, leaks, or kinks.
· Anti-Freeze - check level, should be full (indicator shows half).
· Oil - check level, secure cap.
· Alternator - securely fastened, wires attached.
· Alternator belts - not worn, broken, ½ to ¾ inch play.
(Driver's side)
· Jaws snapped in
· Lever locked in place
· Safety latch is locked (if equipped).
· 5th wheel slide pin is locked.


TRAILER
· Header board - rivets/bolts secured, none missing.
· Sheeting - not pulled loose.
· Clearance/marker lights - all the way down the side and back, working properly, not broken.
· Apron (metal plate) - securely welded, not bent out.
· Cross members - secured to base of trailer (check all the way down the trailer).
· Floor - load worthy, no holes.
· Landing gear - foot secure, handle stowed, not bent.
· turn signal - working condition, not broken.
· Air lines - secured top springs, not dragging the ground.
· Back sliding frame - pins locked in place.
· Flaps - not torn/ripped, hanging within 8 inches from ground.
(Back)
· Door hinges - bolts in place, not bent.
· Door latches - top/bottom secure.
· Safety latch - in place, not missing.
· Lights - turn signals, brakes, 4-way, running, marker (clearance) - working properly, not broken.
· License plate/light - working properly, securely mounted.
· DOT bumper - secure, not falling off.
· Open door hangers - attached to side of trailer if doors are opened.


"I will check the other side of the vehicle the same as this side."



IN CAB
Truck OFF
· Seat - securely bolted to floor, positioned correctly.
· Seat belt - in good condition, latches properly.
· Mirrors - clean, not broken/cracked, adjusted for you.
· Gear box - mounted securely.
· Brake knobs - in place, not broken/damaged.
· Debris - floor of cab should be free of debris.
· Clutch - should have about 1½ inches of free play.
· Horns (city & air) - working properly.
(Windshield was checked from the outside)
Truck ON
· Guages
· Oil - working, minimum of 30lbs.
· Volt - working, around 14 volts.
· Water - working, around 180.
Air pressure - working, at least 120 (primary, secondary).
· Defroster - good working condition.
· Light indicators - 4-way, turn signal, high beam indicator.
· Wipers - working properly.
· Steering wheel - no more than 2 inches of play either direction (truck must be running).







BRAKE TEST
· Tug test - push in one brake knob (yellow/red), place truck into 1st gear.
· Repeat with other brake knob.
· Depress both brake knobs and place truck into neutral.
· Shut off engine.
Truck OFF/Key ON
· Depress brake pedal, hold 90 psi on application gauge ... shouldn't drop more than 4 psi per minute.
· Pump brake until warning buzzers & lights come on (primary & secondary), around 60 psi.
· Continue to pump until brake knobs pop out, around 20 - 40 psi.

 

Along with the FMCSA website, there is another that I find useful: the National Transportation Library (NTL). If you have a question about the meaning of a part of the regulations that isn't clear to you, and you can't seem to find an answer anywhere else, go to the NTL. Click on the ask-a-librarian link, and post your question. If they can't answer it, they may give you the name and web address or email address to someone at FMCSA who can answer your question. At least, that has been my experience using the NTL.

http://ntl.bts.gov/