CDL Pre-Trip Vehicle Inspection Exam
Practice Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. What is the first step in a pre-trip inspection?
A. Check the tires
B. Check under the vehicle
C. Check the vehicle documents and safety equipment
D. Check the lights
Rationale: Always ensure the vehicle is legally compliant and all
required safety equipment is present before inspecting physical
components.
2. When checking the front of the vehicle, what should you inspect?
A. Exhaust system only
B. Lights, mirrors, windshield, and wipers
C. Tires only
D. Engine oil level
, Rationale: Front inspection ensures visibility and safety; lights and
mirrors must work, and windshield/wipers must be clean.
3. How should you check tires during a pre-trip inspection?
A. By touching them only
B. By looking at the color
C. By checking air pressure, tread depth, and sidewalls
D. By shaking the vehicle
Rationale: Proper tire inspection prevents blowouts and ensures
adequate traction; all key areas should be checked.
4. What is the minimum tread depth for front tires?
A. 1/32 inch
B. 2/32 inch
C. 4/32 inch
D. 6/32 inch
Rationale: Front tires must have at least 4/32 inch tread for safe
steering and handling.
5. How should you check that the brakes are working?
A. By driving only
B. By inspecting brake components for wear and leaks and testing
brake operation
C. By listening to the engine
D. By checking tire pressure
, Rationale: Inspecting the brakes for leaks, wear, and operation
ensures stopping power and safety.
6. When inspecting the coupling system on a tractor-trailer, what should
you check?
A. Only the trailer tires
B. Fifth wheel, kingpin, and locking jaws
C. Engine oil
D. Headlights
Rationale: Proper coupling ensures the trailer is securely attached
and reduces risk of separation.
7. What should you check on the engine compartment during a pre-trip?
A. Only belts
B. Fluids, belts, hoses, and leaks
C. Tires
D. Windshield
Rationale: Engine inspection prevents breakdowns and ensures all
systems function properly.
8. How should lights be checked?
A. By looking at them while engine off
B. Turn on the lights and walk around the vehicle to verify operation
C. By honking the horn
D. By shaking the vehicle
, Rationale: Walking around while lights are on ensures all lights are
visible and working.
9. What is a critical thing to check on the mirrors?
A. That they are clean and properly adjusted
B. That they are round
C. That they are colored
D. That they are broken
Rationale: Properly adjusted mirrors are crucial for visibility and safe
lane changes.
10. Why should you check windshield wipers?
A. To see if they make noise
B. To ensure they are functional and the windshield is clean
C. To check tire tread
D. To test the horn
Rationale: Functional wipers ensure visibility in rain or snow.
11. When inspecting the steering system, what should you look for?
A. Steering wheel size
B. Steering wheel color
C. Play in the steering, broken components, and leaks
D. Engine oil
Rationale: Loose or damaged steering can cause loss of vehicle
control.
Practice Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. What is the first step in a pre-trip inspection?
A. Check the tires
B. Check under the vehicle
C. Check the vehicle documents and safety equipment
D. Check the lights
Rationale: Always ensure the vehicle is legally compliant and all
required safety equipment is present before inspecting physical
components.
2. When checking the front of the vehicle, what should you inspect?
A. Exhaust system only
B. Lights, mirrors, windshield, and wipers
C. Tires only
D. Engine oil level
, Rationale: Front inspection ensures visibility and safety; lights and
mirrors must work, and windshield/wipers must be clean.
3. How should you check tires during a pre-trip inspection?
A. By touching them only
B. By looking at the color
C. By checking air pressure, tread depth, and sidewalls
D. By shaking the vehicle
Rationale: Proper tire inspection prevents blowouts and ensures
adequate traction; all key areas should be checked.
4. What is the minimum tread depth for front tires?
A. 1/32 inch
B. 2/32 inch
C. 4/32 inch
D. 6/32 inch
Rationale: Front tires must have at least 4/32 inch tread for safe
steering and handling.
5. How should you check that the brakes are working?
A. By driving only
B. By inspecting brake components for wear and leaks and testing
brake operation
C. By listening to the engine
D. By checking tire pressure
, Rationale: Inspecting the brakes for leaks, wear, and operation
ensures stopping power and safety.
6. When inspecting the coupling system on a tractor-trailer, what should
you check?
A. Only the trailer tires
B. Fifth wheel, kingpin, and locking jaws
C. Engine oil
D. Headlights
Rationale: Proper coupling ensures the trailer is securely attached
and reduces risk of separation.
7. What should you check on the engine compartment during a pre-trip?
A. Only belts
B. Fluids, belts, hoses, and leaks
C. Tires
D. Windshield
Rationale: Engine inspection prevents breakdowns and ensures all
systems function properly.
8. How should lights be checked?
A. By looking at them while engine off
B. Turn on the lights and walk around the vehicle to verify operation
C. By honking the horn
D. By shaking the vehicle
, Rationale: Walking around while lights are on ensures all lights are
visible and working.
9. What is a critical thing to check on the mirrors?
A. That they are clean and properly adjusted
B. That they are round
C. That they are colored
D. That they are broken
Rationale: Properly adjusted mirrors are crucial for visibility and safe
lane changes.
10. Why should you check windshield wipers?
A. To see if they make noise
B. To ensure they are functional and the windshield is clean
C. To check tire tread
D. To test the horn
Rationale: Functional wipers ensure visibility in rain or snow.
11. When inspecting the steering system, what should you look for?
A. Steering wheel size
B. Steering wheel color
C. Play in the steering, broken components, and leaks
D. Engine oil
Rationale: Loose or damaged steering can cause loss of vehicle
control.
