Department of Motor Vehicles

Vehicle Inspection Study Guide

STRAIGHT TRUCK/SCHOOL BUS
During the actual tests, you will be expected to point to or touch each
of the parts of your vehicle listed below. Name the part and explain
what damage or problems you might find. The types of damages or
problems are listed below and in the vehicle inspection section in the
CDL Manual.
Note: All axles touching the ground on one side of the vehicle must
be inspected.
This study guide cannot be used during the actual pre-trip
inspection portion of the skills test.
Front of Vehicle
Lights Check for proper color/clean lenses,
cracks, missing screws and condensation.
Also check for function, left/right turn
signals, headlights, high/low beam and
four-way flashers.
Steering Box Check for missing/loose bolts, cracks and
nonfactory welds. Check for steering fluid
leaks and torn or frayed hoses.
Steering Linkage Check the steering column, pitman arm
and drag link for cracks, bends,
non-factory welds, missing castle
nuts/cotter pins and proper lubrication.
Engine Compartment
Oil Level Check by pulling out the dipstick, wiping
it and reinserting it, then pull out to look
at the low and full marks to determine the
level.
Coolant Level Observe the site glass or line markings
for proper level. If not equipped, explain
removing radiator cap for level. (Do not
remove cap.)
Power Steering Fluid Observe the sight glass or line markings for
proper level. If not equipped, open the
cap and check for proper level.
Water Pump Check for missing/loose bolts, cracks,
proper belt tension, cracked or frayed belts
and coolant leaks.
Alternator Check for missing/loose bolts, cracks,
proper belt tension, cracked or frayed
belts, and cracked, burnt or loose wires.
Air Compressor Check for missing/loose bolts. Check belts
for tension, cracked or frayed lines and
leaks.
Leaks Look under the engine compartment for
coolant, power steering, transmission and
oil leaks.
Wiring insulation Check for cracked, worn electrical wiring
insulation.
Hydraulic Brakes
(if equipped)
Check the site glass or line on container
for proper brake fluid. Check the master
cylinder for cracks, leaks, check the brake
lines for cracks, frays and brake fluid leaks.
Inside the Vehicle
(start engine)
Clutch/Gearshift If standard, check for excessive play in
clutch no more than two inches. Check the
gear ranges to ensure they engage. Check
the boot for holes and dry rot. If automatic,
check gearshift for ranges.
Air Pressure Gauge Check for cracks and cleanliness. Air pressure
should build to a minimum of 100 PSI in
both the primary and secondary system.
Oil Pressure Gauge Check the gauge for cracks and cleanliness.
Oil pressure should come up to normal
within seconds after the engine is started. If
no gauge, identify the location of the warning
light that indicates a system failure.
Ammeter/Voltmeter Check the gauge for cracks and cleanliness.
Amps/Volts should come up to normal within
seconds after the engine is started. If no
gauge, identify the location of the warning
light that indicates a system failure.
Air Brake Build air pressure up to 100-120 PSI, cut
engine off and release all brakes, press hard
on the foot brake and hold down for one
minute. Air pressure should not drop over
three PSI. Turn ignition key on and continue
with foot brake pumping air pressure down.
At around 60 PSI, the Low Air buzzer
should sound and/or a warning light should
appear. Keep pumping air down with foot
brake and at about 40 PSI, the parking brake
knob should pop out.
Hydraulic Brake
(if equipped)
Pump the brake pedal three times, apply
firm pressure to the pedal and hold for five
seconds. The pedal should not move. If it
does, there may be a leak.
Steering Play Check steering wheel play of no more than
ten degrees (approximately two inches of
movement at the rim of a 20-inch steering
wheel).
Parking Brake Set the parking brake, put the vehicle in low
gear and gently release your foot from the
brake pedal (and clutch if equipped), until
you feel the vehicle pulling against the brake.
The vehicle should not move.
Mirrors/Windshield Check mirrors for proper adjustment. Check
the windshield for cracks, cleanliness and
illegal stickers.
Wipers Check the wipers for looseness, dry rot and
function.
Lighting Indicators Check the following for function: panel
light, high/low beam indicator, left and right
turn signal indicators and four-way flasher
indicator.
Horns Check both the highway and city horns for
proper function.
Heater/Defroster Check both the defroster and heater fans for
proper function.
Safety/Emergency
Equipment
Ensure working fire extinguisher properly
charged and mounted, spare electrical
fuses (unless equipped with circuit
breakers), three reflective triangles.
Front Suspension
Springs Check for missing, cracked, shifted or bent
springs. If 1/4 or more are missing, your
vehicle could be put out of service.
Spring Mount(s) Check both mounts and the U bolts for
cracks, non-factory welds, missing or loose
bolts and nuts.
Shock Absorber Check for cracks, leaks and missing bolts.
Front Wheel
Rims Check the rims for bends, cracks and
nonfactory welds.
Hub Seal Check the hub oil seal for missing bolts,
cracks, leaks and proper level (if equipped
with site glass).
Tire Check the tire for at least 4/32 tread
depth in the major grooves. Check for
cuts, bulges and proper air pressure using
an air gauge.
Lug Nuts Check the lug nuts for missing, loose nuts
and rust around them.
Front Brakes
Slack Adjuster Check the slack adjuster for missing cotter
pins. If the slack adjuster moves more than
one inch where the push rod attaches to
it, it probably needs to be adjusted. Slack
adjusters should not be at more than a
90-degree angle with the brakes applied.
Chambers Check the chambers for cracks, dents and
air leaks.
Air Hose Check the hoses for loose connections, dry
rot, holes and air leaks.
Brake Drum Check the drum for cracks, non-factory
welds and signs of grease or oil.
Hydraulic Brakes
(if equipped)
Check the rotor for cracks, non-factory
welds and signs of fluid leaks. Check the
lines for cuts, holes, loose connections and
fluid leaks. Check the calipers for cracks,
missing/loose bolts and fluid leaks.
Driver/Fuel Area
Door Check the door for cracked or bent hinges
and that it functions properly.
Mirrors Check the mirrors for cracks, cleanliness
and missing/loose bolts/nuts.
Fuel Tank Check the fuel tank for cracks, holes and
that the straps are not loose or cracked.
Shiny metal by straps could indicate a
loose strap. Check under fuel tank for
leaks.
Under the Vehicle
Drive shaft Check the drive shaft for cracks, non-factory
welds, missing/loose bolts or nuts and proper
lubrication.
Exhaust System Check the exhaust system for cracks, holes,
missing/loose bolts and nuts. Check for signs
of soot, which can indicate an exhaust leak.
Frame Check the vehicle frame for cracks, bends,
nonfactory welds and rust.
Rear of Vehicle
Rear Wheels Check the rear wheels the same as the front
with the exception of the tire depth, it should
be 2/32 in the major grooves. Check the
space between the dual tires. Tires should
not be touching and no sign of debris. If
equipped with spacers, they should not be
bent, cracked or nonfactory welds.
Rear Suspension Inspect this area the same as the front.
Suspensions vary and all items should
be checked for cracks, bent, non-factory
welds, missing/loose bolts or nuts. Inspect
walker beams, torsion bars and air bellows,
if equipped.
Rear Brakes Inspect this area the same as the front of the
vehicle.
Rear Lights Check for proper color and clean
lenses/reflectors, cracks, missing screws and
condensation. Also check for function of
left/right turn signals, brake lights, reverse
lights and four way flashers.
If Passenger Vehicle
Also Inspect:
Passenger Entry Check that steps and handrails secure, no
missing hardware, no worn matting, door
opens and closes correctly.
Seating Check that all seats are secure with no
missing hardware.
Emergency Exits Check the function of all exits both inside
and out, including all warning devices.
Baggage Compartment
(if equipped)
Check that doors open and close correctly
and are secure with no missing hardware.
DL 141 (07/01/2013)