California CDL Class A - Pre Trip / In Cab / Air Brakes

Question 1

Clearance Lights, Turns Signals, Four Way Flashers, Headlights

Answer 1

Securely mounted
proper color
clean
not cracked
all are present
in working condition.

Question 2

Under Tractor

Answer 2

Check there is no air, oil, coolant, fuel, or grease leaking underneath the engine and transmission;
there are no objects underneath
nothing hanging down.

Question 3

Tractor Unit

Answer 3

Not leaning, if LEANING, it would show signs of suspension or air inflation problems.

Question 4

Radiator Reservoir

Answer 4

Securely mounted, not cracked or leaking;
should be above the “REFILL” mark;
cap and nuts are present and tight

Question 5

Dipstick

Answer 5

Check oil level when engine is off;
it should be above the “REFILL” mark and add oil if needed;
cap is tight.

Question 6

Windshield Washer Fluid

Answer 6

Securely mounted;
not cracked or leaking;
it should be above the “REFILL” mark;
cap is tight

Question 7

Power Steering Reservoir

Answer 7

Well Secured, no cracks or leaks, level should be above the refill mark.

Question 8

Steering Gearbox

Answer 8

Securely mounted with frame;
not cracked or leaking;
all nuts and bolts are tight

Question 9

Gearbox Hoses

Answer 9

not cracked, frayed, worn or damaged;
not leaking;
clamps are tight

Question 10

Steering Universal Joint

Answer 10

Well lubricated;
not cracked, worn or loose;
nuts are tight.

Question 11

Pitman Arm, Drag Link, Steering Arm, Tierod, Tire Rod Arm

Answer 11

not cracked or bent
sockets are not worn or loose and that there are no missing nuts, bolts, or cotter keys.

Question 12

Tractor Frame

Answer 12

Not cracked or broken, not welded, no extra holes or damage on frame;
Cross members are not broken or damaged.

Question 13

Air Lines

Answer 13

not cracked, or damaged;
not leaking;
in good condition.

Question 14

Air Hoses

Answer 14

Not cracked, frayed, worn or damaged;
Not leaking;
Clamps are tight;

Question 15

Spring Hangers

Answer 15

securely mounted to frame;
not cracked, broken or damaged;
nuts and bolts are tight on both sides.

Question 16

Leaf Springs

Answer 16

are not cracked, missing, shifted or broken

Question 17

Shock Absorber

Answer 17

securely mounted;
not bent or leaking;
good busing on both sides

Question 18

Brake Drum

Answer 18

no cracks, dents, or holes;
not loose or missing bolts;
no debris or oil/grease, not contaminated

Question 19

Tire - Air

Answer 19

Air - 100/110 PSI, Check air by tire gauge (for all tires)

Valve Stem - Not missing / broken or leaking;
sealed with steel cap

Question 20

Tire - Condition

Answer 20

tire tread is evenly worn;
no bumps or bulges;
no cuts or damage on the tread and the sidewalls.

Question 21

Tire - Depth

Answer 21

not less than 4/32” on steer tires;
2/32 on other tires;
steer tires must match with no recaps.

Question 22

Wheel - Rim

Answer 22

not cracked, bent or damaged;
no rust trails;
the rim is not loose.

Question 23

Wheel - Lug Nuts

Answer 23

all lug nuts are present and tight;
if loose, there would be a shiny spot on aluminum rim;
no cracks.
Bolt holes are not cracked or distorted.

Question 24

Fuel Tank

Answer 24

Securely mounted with frame;
straps are tight;
not cracked or leaking;
lines and fuel cap have good seal and not leaking.

Question 25

Def Tank

Answer 25

securely mounted with frame; straps are tight; not cracked or leaking; lines and fuel cap has good seal and not leaking

Question 26

Battery Box

Answer 26

Securely mounted with the frame nuts are tight

Question 27

Battery Box Cover

Answer 27

cover is well secured and latched properly

Question 28

Battery

Answer 28

batteries are well secured connections are tight; no corrosion; terminals are clean; cables are secured; batteries are not leaking

Question 29

Brackets and Mirrors

Answer 29

securely mounted with doors on both sides; mirrors are well adjusted for a driver; not cracked; and clean

Question 30

Brake Service Ports: Both Sides, Tractor and Trailer

Answer 30

securely mounted to trailer’s frame; seals are in good condition

Question 31

Gladhands

Answer 31

gladhands are well connected to the trailer; locked in place; have good seal; not leaking

Question 32

Trailer Air Lines

Answer 32

not leaking securely hanged; not dragging against tractor parts; not damaged, cut, chafed or worn; and are in good condition

Question 33

Electrical Plug: Both Sides, Tractor and Trailer

Answer 33

securely mounted with frame; no damage; nuts are tight

Question 34

Electrical connectors

Answer 34

make sure that the truck’s connectors and trailer’s electrical plug well connected and locked in place

Question 35

Electrical Wiring

Answer 35

securely hanged, not dragging against tractor parts; not damaged, cut, chafed or worn, is in good condition.

Question 36

Fifth Wheel / Skid Plate

Answer 36

securely mounted to vehicle by fifth wheel platform; no cracks, breaks or excessive wear; properly lubricated

Question 37

Apron

Answer 37

securely mounted; not cracked, bent or broken; and is well lubricated

Question 38

Gap

Answer 38

There is no daylight/gap between the fifth wheel and the trailer apron.

Question 39

Safety Pin

Answer 39

is in good condition; fifth wheel is well attached to platform with a safety pin

Question 40

Locking Pin

Answer 40

is not missing or broken; is in locked position

Question 41

Release Handle

Answer 41

is in locked position

Question 42

Locking Jaws And Lever

Answer 42

locking jaws are fully secured around kingpin; no play between them

Question 43

Kingpin

Answer 43

Kingpin is well attached to the apron; Check it is locked; not bent, damaged, or worn.

Question 44

Marker Light

Answer 44

Well attached; Proper color; No damage; in working order.

Question 45

Reflectors

Answer 45

well attached; in red color; not cracked; clean and shiny

Question 46

Trailer Frame

Answer 46

not cracked or broken, not welded; no extra holes or damage on frame; cross members are not broken or damaged.

Question 46

Landing Gear

Answer 46

is fully raised, has no missing parts and support the frame; landing gear pads are not damaged; The landing gear handle on the other side is always in lock position; enough space between the 5th wheel and landing gear.

Question 47

Reflectors

Answer 47

in red color; well attached; not cracked; clean and shiny

Question 48

Rear Lights

Answer 48

well attached; in red color; clean; not cracked Turn signals, 4-way flasher, tail light, marker light, brake light - all working properly

Question 49

License Plate Lights

Answer 49

well mounted; not cracked or damaged; proper color clean; in working condition.

Question 50

In Cab - Mirrors

Answer 50

Securely mounted with door on both sides; mirrors are well adjusted for a driver; not cracked; and clean

Question 51

In Cab - Windshield

Answer 51

well attached, clean, not cracked; no illegal stickers

Question 52

In Cab - Windshield Wipers

Answer 52

arms and blades are secure, no damage; in working order; (turn on/off to show the examiner)

Question 53

In Cab - Windshield Washer Fluid

Answer 53

Working properly (show to the examiner)

Question 54

In Cab - F-E-T

Answer 54

Fues - this is where I keep my spare fuses Extinguishers - well secured, fully charged, updated Triangles - this is where I keep my 3 red reflective triangles

Question 55

In Cab - Parking Brakes

Answer 55

red applies to the trailer, yellow - for the tractor; working properly

Question 56

In Cab - Service Brake Pedal

Answer 56

in working order

Question 57

In Cab - Horn

Answer 57

working properly

Question 58

Turn Signals

Answer 58

left, right, and 4-way flasher are in working order (show on the dashboard)

Question 59

Headlight Switch

Answer 59

low beams, high beams in working order (show on the dashboard)

Question 60

Heater / Defroster (When Engine is On)

Answer 60

in working order; turn on/off to show to the examiner

Question 61

Air Brake Test 1 Governor Cut-Off Test

Answer 61

1: Governor Cut-Off Test - My governor cut-out is ____PSI

Question 62

Air Brake Test 2 Applied Air Leakage Test

Answer 62

The combination of truck and trailer should not lose more than 4 PSI in a minute turn off the engineer turn on the ignition release both brakes, wait until the system is settled down “Now I am applying service brake for 1 minute to check air leakage” Let the needle seattle, my needle stop at ____PSI, and then start your time (1 minute). After 1 minute give the result. ANSWER: - My tractor and trailer did not lose any air. This is a good test - My tractor and trailer lost 2 PSI, which is not more than 4 PSI. This is a good test.

Question 63

Air Brake Test 3 Low Air Warning Test

Answer 63

It should happen not less than 55 (specify buzzer activation) Then fan the service brake pedal down until you get a steady low pressure warning light and buzzer. Warning light and buzzer come on at ___PSI. It is a good test

Question 64

Air Brake Test 4 Pop-Out Test

Answer 64

It should happen between 20 and 45 PSI “Both my parking brakes popped out at ___PSI” (If one by one, explain one by 1)

Question 65

Parking Brake Test (TUG Test) Tractor Brake Test

Answer 65

start the engine with the system fully charged. “Now I going to do the parking brake test” A: With your vehicle in gear, do the tractor’s brakes test. Make sure that the tractor’s brake is set and trailer’s brake is release Slowly let off the brake, the brakes should hold the vehicle “Truck did not move, this is a good test”

Question 66

Parking Brake Test (TUG Test) Trailer Brake Test

Answer 66

Apply trailer brakes Release tractor parking brake Now let go of the brake slowly "Tailer did not move, this is a good test"

Question 67

Service Brake Check

Answer 67

Release Both Brakes Drive forward slowly and apply the service brake. Vehicle should not pull to either side. After that properly stop the vehicle.