California CDL Class A - Pre Trip / In Cab / Air Brakes Flashcards
Clearance Lights, Turns Signals, Four Way Flashers, Headlights
Securely mounted
proper color
clean
not cracked
all are present
in working condition.
Under Tractor
Check there is no air, oil, coolant, fuel, or grease leaking underneath the engine and transmission;
there are no objects underneath
nothing hanging down.
Tractor Unit
Not leaning, if LEANING, it would show signs of suspension or air inflation problems.
Radiator Reservoir
Securely mounted, not cracked or leaking;
should be above the “REFILL” mark;
cap and nuts are present and tight
Dipstick
Check oil level when engine is off;
it should be above the “REFILL” mark and add oil if needed;
cap is tight.
Windshield Washer Fluid
Securely mounted;
not cracked or leaking;
it should be above the “REFILL” mark;
cap is tight
Power Steering Reservoir
Well Secured, no cracks or leaks, level should be above the refill mark.
Steering Gearbox
Securely mounted with frame;
not cracked or leaking;
all nuts and bolts are tight
Gearbox Hoses
not cracked, frayed, worn or damaged;
not leaking;
clamps are tight
Steering Universal Joint
Well lubricated;
not cracked, worn or loose;
nuts are tight.
Pitman Arm, Drag Link, Steering Arm, Tierod, Tire Rod Arm
not cracked or bent
sockets are not worn or loose and that there are no missing nuts, bolts, or cotter keys.
Tractor Frame
Not cracked or broken, not welded, no extra holes or damage on frame;
Cross members are not broken or damaged.
Air Lines
not cracked, or damaged;
not leaking;
in good condition.
Air Hoses
Not cracked, frayed, worn or damaged;
Not leaking;
Clamps are tight;
Spring Hangers
securely mounted to frame;
not cracked, broken or damaged;
nuts and bolts are tight on both sides.
Leaf Springs
are not cracked, missing, shifted or broken
Shock Absorber
securely mounted;
not bent or leaking;
good busing on both sides
Brake Drum
no cracks, dents, or holes;
not loose or missing bolts;
no debris or oil/grease, not contaminated
Tire - Air
Air - 100/110 PSI, Check air by tire gauge (for all tires)
Valve Stem - Not missing / broken or leaking;
sealed with steel cap
Tire - Condition
tire tread is evenly worn;
no bumps or bulges;
no cuts or damage on the tread and the sidewalls.
Tire - Depth
not less than 4/32” on steer tires;
2/32 on other tires;
steer tires must match with no recaps.
Wheel - Rim
not cracked, bent or damaged;
no rust trails;
the rim is not loose.
Wheel - Lug Nuts
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.
Fuel Tank
Securely mounted with frame;
straps are tight;
not cracked or leaking;
lines and fuel cap have good seal and not leaking.
Def Tank
securely mounted with frame;
straps are tight;
not cracked or leaking;
lines and fuel cap has good seal and not leaking
Battery Box
Securely mounted with the frame
nuts are tight
Battery Box Cover
cover is well secured and latched properly
Battery
batteries are well secured
connections are tight;
no corrosion;
terminals are clean;
cables are secured;
batteries are not leaking
Brackets and Mirrors
securely mounted with doors on both sides;
mirrors are well adjusted for a driver;
not cracked;
and clean
Brake Service Ports: Both Sides, Tractor and Trailer
securely mounted to trailer’s frame;
seals are in good condition
Gladhands
gladhands are well connected to the trailer;
locked in place;
have good seal;
not leaking
Trailer Air Lines
not leaking
securely hanged; not dragging against tractor parts;
not damaged, cut, chafed or worn;
and are in good condition
Electrical Plug: Both Sides, Tractor and Trailer
securely mounted with frame;
no damage;
nuts are tight
Electrical connectors
make sure that the truck’s connectors and trailer’s electrical plug well connected and locked in place
Electrical Wiring
securely hanged, not dragging against tractor parts;
not damaged, cut, chafed or worn,
is in good condition.
Fifth Wheel / Skid Plate
securely mounted to vehicle by fifth wheel platform;
no cracks, breaks or excessive wear;
properly lubricated
Apron
securely mounted;
not cracked, bent or broken;
and is well lubricated
Gap
There is no daylight/gap between the fifth wheel and the trailer apron.
Safety Pin
is in good condition;
fifth wheel is well attached to platform with a safety pin
Locking Pin
is not missing or broken;
is in locked position
Release Handle
is in locked position
Locking Jaws And Lever
locking jaws are fully secured around kingpin;
no play between them
Kingpin
Kingpin is well attached to the apron;
Check it is locked;
not bent, damaged, or worn.
Marker Light
Well attached;
Proper color;
No damage;
in working order.
Reflectors
well attached;
in red color;
not cracked;
clean and shiny
Trailer Frame
not cracked or broken, not welded;
no extra holes or damage on frame;
cross members are not broken or damaged.
Landing Gear
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.
Reflectors
in red color;
well attached;
not cracked;
clean and shiny
Rear Lights
well attached;
in red color;
clean;
not cracked
Turn signals, 4-way flasher, tail light, marker light, brake light - all working properly
License Plate Lights
well mounted;
not cracked or damaged;
proper color
clean;
in working condition.
In Cab - Mirrors
Securely mounted with door on both sides;
mirrors are well adjusted for a driver;
not cracked;
and clean
In Cab - Windshield
well attached, clean, not cracked;
no illegal stickers
In Cab - Windshield Wipers
arms and blades are secure, no damage;
in working order;
(turn on/off to show the examiner)
In Cab - Windshield Washer Fluid
Working properly (show to the examiner)
In Cab - F-E-T
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
In Cab - Parking Brakes
red applies to the trailer, yellow - for the tractor; working properly
In Cab - Service Brake Pedal
in working order
In Cab - Horn
working properly
Turn Signals
left, right, and 4-way flasher are in working order (show on the dashboard)
Headlight Switch
low beams, high beams in working order (show on the dashboard)
Heater / Defroster (When Engine is On)
in working order; turn on/off to show to the examiner
Air Brake Test 1
Governor Cut-Off Test
1: Governor Cut-Off Test - My governor cut-out is ____PSI
Air Brake Test 2
Applied Air Leakage Test
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.
Air Brake Test 3
Low Air Warning Test
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
Air Brake Test 4
Pop-Out Test
It should happen between 20 and 45 PSI
“Both my parking brakes popped out at ___PSI” (If one by one, explain one by 1)
Parking Brake Test (TUG Test)
Tractor Brake Test
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”
Parking Brake Test (TUG Test)
Trailer Brake Test
Apply trailer brakes
Release tractor parking brake
Now let go of the brake slowly
“Tailer did not move, this is a good test”
Service Brake Check
Release Both Brakes
Drive forward slowly and apply the service brake. Vehicle should not pull to either side. After that properly stop the vehicle.
