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This lesson will tell you what to inspect on commercial vehicles. There are many components you will need to examine. The first section applies to all vehicles. Both trucks and busses share the same type of drivetrain and suspension components.
CDL SKILLS TESTERS: Contracted Examiners conduct CDL skills tests in Idaho. Once you have passed the required written tests you can schedule your skills test. You will need a Commercial Learner’s Permit to make an appointment with a CDL Skills Examiner. A list of examiners is available online at: https://itd.idaho.gov/itddmv/ , under Driver’s License / ID Cards, Skills Tests
Most examiners do tests on a part-time basis and may have limited availability. Tests must be scheduled at least two days in advance to allow time for the Examiner to enter the test into the state test system. You cannot be tested the same day you call the examiner, so call well in advance of when you wish to be tested!
Be sure to show up for your appointment. If you fail to show up, and later request a test, the examiner may be unable to test you.
The skills test is in three parts: Pre-Trip Inspection, Basic Control Skills, and Road test. You must pass all three parts to successfully complete the test. If you fail any part of the test, you will be required to retake the entire three part test again following a three day waiting period. It should take approximately 2 hours to complete the entire skills test.
You will have 45 minutes to complete your pre-trip inspection (all vehicle types). At the end of 45 minutes, the examiner will score your test. If you are doing your brake system checks at that time you will be allowed to complete the brake test.
You will need to provide a vehicle for the test or rent one from a tester who has rental vehicles available. Whether you use your own vehicle, a company vehicle, or one that is borrowed from a friend, you must have proof of insurance and current registration to use it for the test. The vehicle should be reasonably clean. If during the inspection, any item is found that makes the vehicle unsafe or prevents it from operating legally on the road, the test will be terminated by the examiner, and you will have to reschedule for another time.
Be sure the vehicle is representative of the license you are seeking. For example, to obtain an unrestricted Class A CDL, you need to bring a tractor-trailer combination with a manual transmission. Testing in a pickup truck and trailer or a truck with a pintle hitch trailer will result in an (O) restriction. Any vehicle with an automatic transmission will result in an (E) Restriction. Read the following restrictions carefully so you understand them.
If the vehicle used for the test is not equipped with air brakes, your CDL will show an air brake restriction (L) stating that you are not licensed to operate vehicles equipped with air brakes. Once you have successfully tested in a vehicle equipped with air brakes, you may test in other vehicle(s) without air brakes for additional endorsements and not have the restriction applied to your license (it’s a one-time test).
If an applicant performs the CDL skills test in a vehicle equipped with air over hydraulic brakes, a restriction will be placed on the CDL that the person is restricted from operating a Commercial Motor Vehicle equipped with any braking system operating fully on the air brake principle.
For purposes of the CDL skills test and the restriction, air over hydraulic brakes includes any braking system operating partially on the air brake and partially on the hydraulic brake principle.
If an applicant performs a Class A skills test in a combination vehicle with the power unit and towed unit connected with a pintle hook or other non-fifth wheel connection, a restriction will be placed on the CDL that the person is restricted from operating a tractor- trailer combination connected by a fifth wheel.
If an applicant performs the CDL skills test in a vehicle equipped with an automatic transmission, a restriction will be placed on the CDL that the person is restricted from operating a Commercial Motor Vehicle equipped with a manual transmission.
For purposes of the CDL skills test and the restriction, an automatic transmission includes any transmission not operating fully on the gear shift and clutch principle.
Exact Terminology is not required: If you do not remember the technical name of a component but know the function of the component and properly inspect it, the examiner will give you credit for inspecting it.
Your vehicle may not have all the components shown in this chapter. You are only required to inspect components that are found on the vehicle you are using for the test.
For test purposes, each component is scored separately. For example, you will need to inspect the components on the front axle, the drive axle, and one trailer axle for a Class A vehicle.
Inspection Instructions: To receive credit for inspecting various components of the vehicle and/or trailer:
NOTE: Be careful when doing this! Each axle is different and minimum tire tread depths are different on steering and drive/ trailer tires. You need to practice inspecting each of the required axles to make sure you don’t miss important components.
The following is an example of the proper way to tell the examiner what you will be looking for when you inspect a component. To examine the drive tire(s), you must remember the following Inspection points:
You should tell the examiner something like this:
“I’m checking the condition of the tire, to make sure the tread is evenly worn and it doesn’t have any cuts, bulges or other damage to the tread or sidewalls. I’m checking that the valve caps are on and not missing, and the valve stem is not damaged. I’m checking the tread depth of the tire it has to have at least 2/32 of an inch tread remaining for this axle. I would check with a tire gauge to make sure it is properly inflated.”
You may inspect your vehicle in any order you wish, but you must be sure to inspect the engine compartment, the external components including the lights, the in-cab inspections, and the engine start-up checks. The examiner is allowed to assist you in inspecting the lights by observing them and letting you know they are functioning correctly; however, you must specifically tell the examiner which lights you want him/her to check as you activate them. The examiner will not prompt you for this information.
You should walk all the way around your vehicle checking for problems when conducting your pre-trip inspection; however, for the purposes of the test, you need only describe the tire checks, brake component, etc. on one side. Some components (battery box, fuel tank, etc.) may only be found on one side of the vehicle. If you are in doubt, be sure to walk all the way around as you would normally.
Components with Multiple Inspection Points: If a component has multiple inspection points, you must properly mention a majority of the inspection points to receive credit for the component. (The tires, for example, have four inspection points to remember). You will find the inspection points for each component later in this chapter.
Practice the Vehicle Inspection: Applicants fail the vehicle inspection more than any other part of the skills test. If you fail any part of the skills test, you will have to take the entire three (3) part test again and pay additional fees, so PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!
You should practice the inspection on the vehicle you intend to use for the test. Study this chapter well and have a friend, co-worker or family member practice with you.
Pre-Trip Inspection Form: Airplane pilots use checklists to make sure their plane is safe to fly and to make sure they don’t skip important components in the inspection process. Likewise, a truck or bus driver should use a pre-trip inspection form to ensure they properly inspect their vehicle before beginning their trip.
It is recommended you make up your own checklist based on the components found in this lesson to help you practice for the test and learn the proper inspection items.
You cannot take your checklist to the skills test, but it will assist you in memorizing the inspection components as you see them on the vehicle you are inspecting.
You may use a Vehicle Inspection Memory Aid from the CDL manual to help you remember inspection items during the test. A full size aid you can cut out and use for practice is located in the back of the CDL manual. The memory aid cannot have any writing or notes on it. If you have notes on your inspection guide, the examiner will not allow you to use it for the test.
The applicant will automatically fail the entire test for any of the following reasons: