Pre-Trip Inspection Checklist
Complete checklist for commercial motor vehicle pre-trip inspections. Organized by vehicle area. Based on FMCSA inspection criteria.
A complete pre-trip inspection is required by FMCSR 392.7 at the start of every trip. This checklist covers the items most often examined during Level I, II, and III roadside inspections — the same items on the CDL skills test. Use it as a printable reference for daily checks, a CDL study aid, or a training tool for new drivers. Sections are ordered the way most experienced drivers walk the truck: engine bay, cab, lights, suspension, brakes, tires, coupling, and trailer.
When to use this
- → Starting a shift on a different vehicle than your usual
- → Preparing for a CDL skills test and need a complete reference
- → Auditing a driver's pre-trip routine for compliance
- → Documenting a defect to support a DataQs dispute
Engine Compartment
- Fluid levels (oil, coolant, power steering, washer fluid)
- Belts and hoses — check for cracks, fraying, leaks
- Wiring — check for loose or damaged wires
- Air compressor — check for leaks, secure mounting
- Steering gear box — check for leaks, secure mounting
- Water pump — no leaks
Cab / Controls
- Gauges and warning lights functioning
- Windshield — no cracks that obstruct view
- Mirrors — clean, properly adjusted, no cracks
- Horn — working
- Wipers and washers — functional
- Heater/defroster — functional
- Emergency equipment (fire extinguisher, reflective triangles, spare fuses)
- Seat belt — functional, not frayed
Lights
- Headlights (high and low beam)
- Turn signals — front and rear
- 4-way hazard flashers
- Clearance/marker lights
- Identification lights
- Tail lights and brake lights
- License plate light
Steering & Suspension
- Steering wheel free play — no more than 10 degrees
- Steering column — secure, no unusual play
- Front axle — no cracks, no bent components
- U-bolts, spring hangers, spring mounts — secure
- Shock absorbers — no leaks, functional
- Leaf springs — no missing, shifted, cracked, or broken leaves
- Air bags (if equipped) — no leaks, properly inflated
Brakes
- Brake drums/rotors — no cracks, not too thin
- Brake linings/pads — not worn dangerously thin
- Brake hoses and lines — no leaks, not crimped or worn
- Slack adjusters — properly adjusted
- Air brake system — build-up time, governor cut-out, leak test
- Low air warning device — activates before 60 psi
- Parking brake — holds on grade
- Service brake — vehicle stops in a straight line
Tires & Wheels
- Tread depth — steer tires 4/32", drive/trailer 2/32" minimum
- Tire condition — no cuts, bulges, or tread separation
- Tire inflation — visually check all tires
- Lug nuts — all present, no cracks, not loose
- Rims — no cracks, no welded repairs
- Hub oil seals — no leaks
- Valve stems and caps — present, not damaged
- Matching tire sizes on each axle
Coupling (Tractor-Trailer)
- Fifth wheel — no visible space between apron and plate
- Kingpin — not bent, locking jaws closed around it
- Release handle — in locked position, safety latch engaged
- Mounting bolts — secure
- Air and electrical lines — no leaks, properly connected, enough slack for turns
- Glad hands — sealed, no air leaks
- Trailer air supply valve — working
- Landing gear — fully raised, handle secure, no damage
Trailer / Cargo
- Cargo — properly distributed, secured, not leaking
- Cargo securement devices — adequate, in good condition
- Header board — adequate to prevent cargo shift
- Side rails and stakes — present, in good condition (flatbeds)
- Tailgate/doors — properly secured
- Splash guards/mud flaps — present, not dragging
- Rear impact guard (ICC bumper) — present, secure
FMCSR 392.7: You must be satisfied that the vehicle is in safe operating condition before driving. A pre-trip inspection is required by federal regulation. This checklist covers the most common items inspectors check during Level I, II, and III roadside inspections.
Recommended pre-trip workflow
- Approach the vehicle and walk around. Look for fluid leaks under the truck. Note any obvious damage. Check that the parking brake is set.
- Inspect the engine compartment. Check oil, coolant, power steering fluid, washer fluid. Inspect belts and hoses for cracks or fraying. Look for loose wiring or fluid leaks. Check air compressor and steering gear box.
- Check inside the cab and controls. Test horn, gauges, warning lights, wipers, washers, defrost. Check seat belt for fraying. Verify presence of fire extinguisher, three reflective triangles, and spare fuses (for non-LED-only vehicles).
- Test all lights. Headlights (low and high beam), turn signals (front and rear), four-way hazards, clearance and marker lights, identification lights, tail lights, brake lights, license plate light. Check ABS warning indicators.
- Inspect steering, suspension, and brakes. Steering wheel free play maximum 10 degrees. Front axle and U-bolts secure. Shock absorbers and leaf springs intact. Brake drums and rotors uncracked, linings not worn through. Conduct an air brake leak-down test, governor cut-out, and low-air warning test.
- Inspect tires and wheels on every axle. Steer tires minimum 4/32 inch tread depth, drive and trailer 2/32 inch. No cuts, bulges, or exposed cord. All lug nuts present, not cracked, not loose. Hub oil seals not leaking. Valve stems intact.
- Inspect the coupling system. Fifth wheel locked closed around kingpin, no visible space between apron and trailer plate. Release handle in locked position with safety latch engaged. Air and electrical lines connected with adequate slack. Glad hands sealed. Landing gear fully raised.
- Inspect the trailer and cargo. Cargo properly distributed and secured per FMCSR 393 Subpart I. Header board adequate. Side rails (flatbed) intact. Tailgate or doors secured. Splash guards present. Rear impact guard intact.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is a pre-trip inspection legally required?
- Yes. Per FMCSR 392.7, you must be satisfied that the vehicle is in safe operating condition before driving. Federal regulation requires a documented inspection at the start of every trip and a written post-trip Driver Vehicle Inspection Report at the end.
- How long should a pre-trip inspection take?
- A thorough pre-trip on a tractor-trailer takes 15 to 30 minutes for an experienced driver. The CDL skills test allows up to 90 minutes. Less than 10 minutes is a red flag — it usually means key items were skipped.
- What gets a truck out of service at a roadside inspection?
- The most common OOS triggers include brake defects (over 20% defective brakes on a single axle), flat or burst tires on steer axles, exposed cord, missing or inoperative lights at night, broken springs, and inoperative windshield wipers in inclement weather.
- What is the steer-tire tread depth minimum?
- Per FMCSR 393.75(b), steer tires must have at least 4/32 inch tread depth measured in any major tread groove. Drive and trailer tires require a minimum of 2/32 inch. Tires below the minimum are an OOS violation.
- Do I have to inspect the trailer if it isn't mine?
- Yes. Driver responsibility under FMCSR 392.7 covers any vehicle being operated, regardless of ownership. If you connect to a trailer, you become responsible for its safe operating condition for that trip.
- What is the difference between pre-trip and post-trip inspections?
- Pre-trip is the safety check at the start of every day or shift. Post-trip is the written DVIR at the end of every shift, documenting any defects discovered. The DVIR must be retained on file for 90 days.
- Do I have to use a printed checklist?
- No federal regulation requires a printed checklist for pre-trip. The DVIR (post-trip) must be in writing, but the pre-trip is satisfied by the driver being able to certify the vehicle is in safe operating condition. Most carriers use a checklist for consistency and audit defense.
- What documents must I have during the inspection?
- Driver license (CDL), medical examiner's certificate, current registration, current proof of insurance, MCS-150 receipt (if required), HOS records (paper or ELD), shipping papers, hazmat papers (if applicable), and vehicle inspection report from the most recent inspection.
Related tools
Data sources & freshness
TruckCodex aggregates official public-sector datasets. See the Source registry for dataset-level coverage and the Freshness log for last-import timestamps.
Census, SAFER, SMS, Licensing & Insurance (L&I), roadside inspections, crashes, and authority history.
Refreshed daily.
Vehicle recall campaigns, defect investigations, and consumer safety complaints (SCRS).
Refreshed daily.
Cross-border carrier registry and Canadian recall campaigns where applicable.
Refreshed weekly.
TruckCodex is an independent aggregator; it is not affiliated with FMCSA, NHTSA, EIA, or Transport Canada. Always verify compliance-critical information directly with the originating agency.