CDL Vehicle Pre-Trip Inspection Test - Answer Key

Sep 18, 2026

Uploaded by Mack Lee

Commercial Vehicle Pre-Trip Inspection Test materials outline how to perform and present a CDL safety inspection for Class A, and for Class B or Class C, covering required vehicle systems and safety-critical components. The checklist instructs candidates to name, point to, and explain each item’s purpose, while prohibiting extra markings before testing. It includes guidance on in-vehicle start procedures, air brake inspection steps (air loss, low air alarm, emergency brake, governor cutoff), and clear criteria for acceptable pressure behavior.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages13

Reading Time33 min

AccessFree to download

Class A Checklist

In-Vehicle/Engine Start

Lights Operations Check

Front of Vehicle/Engine Area

Steering Axle

Side of Vehicle

Combination Vehicles Only

Trailer Only

Class B or Class C Checklist

Safe Start and In-Vehicle Procedures

Air Brake Check (air loss, low air alarm, emergency brake, governor cutoff)

You are only required to inspect the items on the CDL Vehicle Inspection checklist. You may use the checklist provided in this section for your test and check off items as you have completed them, but NO additional markings or writing may be placed on this list prior to the test. You MUST name, point to and/or touch and fully explain to the examiner WHAT you are inspecting each safety critical item for. If you do not, you will not get credit for the item(s). (Remember to latch the hood.) Class A Checklist Tractor Semi-Trailer or Truck & Trailer or Bus & Trailer In-Vehicle/Engine Start PG. 3 ☐ *air or *hydraulic brake check ☐ parking & trailer brake check ☐ service brake check ☐ lighting indicators ☐ emergency equipment ☐ windshield & traffic monitoring devices ☐ wipers & washers ☐ heater & defroster ☐ horn(s) Lights Operations Check PG. 4 ☐ all external lights Front of Vehicle/Engine Area PG. 4 ☐ lenses ☐ fluid levels ☐ fluid & air leaks ☐ steering systems Steering Axle PG. 4 & 5 ☐ tires ☐ rims ☐ lug nuts ☐ springs/mounts & air bags & shocks ☐ brake lines or hoses & leaks ☐ brake contaminates Side of Vehicle PG. 5 ☐ lenses & reflectors ☐ traffic monitoring devices ☐ battery ☐ fuel tank(s)/DEF tank ☐ frame(s) Combination Vehicles Only PG. 6 ☐ air & electric lines & connectors ☐ fifth wheel skid plate or pintle hook or tow hitch ☐ kingpin & apron & gap or drawbar ring & tongue or coupler & tongue ☐ locking & safety devices Trailer Only PG. 6 ☐ landing gear & clearance ☐ reflective tape Rear of Trailer PG. 6 ☐ lenses & reflectors * Automatic failure if not performed correctly Passenger and School Bus Only ☐ passenger entry & lift ☐ emergency exits ☐ passenger seating ☐ passenger monitoring devices School Bus Only ☐ student lights (front & back)☐ stop arm(s) & safety arm ☐ first aid & body fluid kits READ MN CDL MANUAL SECTION 10M PAGES 189-200 The Commercial Vehicle Pre-Trip Inspection Test is designed to test your ability to check a variety of commercial vehicle safety equipment and vehicle components. You are required to check the items listed below that relate to the operation of your vehicle. You will need to point out the item to be checked and explain how you check that item. You may use this checklist during your pre-trip inspection. All commercial vehicles must display a current inspection sticker to receive a road test. Department of Public Safety Driver and Vehicle Services-445 Minnesota St., Saint Paul, MN 55101 Phone: (651) 201-7626 TTY: (651) 282-6555 Fax: (651) 296-5316 Rev. October 2023 You are only required to inspect the items on the CDL Vehicle Inspection checklist. You may use the checklist provided in this section for your test and check off items as you have completed them, but NO additional markings or writing may be placed on this list prior to the test. You MUST name, point to and/or touch and fully explain to the examiner WHAT you are inspecting each safety critical item for. If you do not, you will not get credit for the item(s). (Remember to latch the hood.) Class B or Class C Checklist Straight Truck or Other Straight Vehicle In-Vehicle/Engine Start ☐ *air or *hydraulic brake check ☐ parking & trailer brake check ☐ service brake check ☐ lighting indicators ☐ emergency equipment ☐ windshield & traffic monitoring devices ☐ wipers & washers ☐ heater & defroster ☐ horn(s) Lights Operations Check ☐ all external lights Front of Vehicle/Engine Area ☐ lenses ☐ fluid levels ☐ fluid & air leaks ☐ steering systems Steering Axle ☐ tires ☐ rims ☐ lug nuts ☐ springs/mounts & air bags & shocks ☐ brake lines or hoses & leaks ☐ brake contaminates Side of Vehicle ☐ lenses & reflectors ☐ traffic monitoring devices ☐ battery ☐ fuel tank(s)/DEF tank ☐ frame(s) Rear of Vehicle ☐ lenses & reflectors * Automatic failure if not performed correctly READ MN CDL MANUAL SECTIO

FAQs

What does the test require you to do for each safety-critical item?

Name, point to and/or touch the item, then fully explain what you are inspecting and why for the examiner. Failing to explain correctly does not earn credit for that item.

Is it allowed to add extra markings or writing on the checklist before the test?

No. Only the inspection checkoff items may be used, and no additional markings or writing may be placed on the list prior to testing.

What pressure standard is referenced during the air brake air-loss check?

The instructions state you should not lose more than 4 psi per minute (3 psi for Class B), while keeping service brakes held for the full minute.

Sep 18, 2026

Uploaded by Mack Lee