Page 11-1 Section 11 - Vehicle Inspection
Section 11
Vehicle Inspection Test
This Section Covers:
• Internal Inspections (All Vehicles)
• Passenger Vehicle Inspections
• School Bus Vehicle Inspections
• Lights Operations Check (All Vehicles)
• External Inspections (All Vehicles)
• Combination Vehicle Inspections
Federal and jurisdictional laws require that CDL
drivers inspect their vehicle to determine if it is safe to
drive. A vehicle inspection will help you find problems
or defects that can cause a breakdown or, even
worse, a crash. It is important to inspect all vehicle
components for proper working order.
During your CDL Vehicle Inspection test, your
inspection will focus on the safety critical items for the
operation of your vehicle. During this inspection, you
must show you have the knowledge to determine that
the vehicle is safe to drive. During the test, you will
only be required to inspect one vehicle axle,
however, you should be prepared to perform the
same inspection, described in section (11.5.2) on all
of the vehicle axles. The vehicle inspection used to
evaluate your basic knowledge does not cover all the
federal inspection guidelines. It is your responsibility
to be knowledgeable of the Federal Motor Carrier
Safety Regulations.
[For safety purposes, you should use wheel chocks
during the Vehicle Inspection test.] You will have to
walk around and enter/exit the vehicle to conduct the
inspection. When exiting the vehicle, you must set
the parking brake(s) and place the vehicle in neutral.
When entering/exiting the vehicle, you must do so
safely by facing the vehicle and maintaining three (3)
points of contact with the vehicle at all times (when
entering/exiting a bus, you may face forward and
maintain a firm grasp on the handrail at all times).
You are only required to inspect the items on the
CDL Vehicle Inspection checklist. You may use the
checklist provided in this section for your test and
check off items as you have completed them, but NO
additional markings or writing may be placed on this
list prior to the test.
You MUST name, point to and/or touch and fully
explain to the examiner WHAT you are inspecting
each safety critical item for. If you do not, you will not
get credit for the item(s). [You will NOT have to crawl
under the vehicle.] Any vehicle that has components
marked or labeled, other than by the manufacturer,
CANNOT be used for the Vehicle Inspection test.
Failure to Follow Instructions or Unsafe Act –
Failure to follow examiner instructions for completing
the test as directed may result in an automatic failure,
and the test may be terminated by the examiner.
Always follow the examiner’s instructions and
directions. If you do not understand the instructions,
ask the examiner for clarification.
Committing an “unsafe act” (e.g., forgetting to set the
parking brake), may result in an automatic failure for
an unsafe act, and the test may be terminated by the
examiner. Safety of the driver, the examiner and the
testing area is of the highest priority. Always think
SAFETY.
11.1 Internal Inspection (All Vehicles)
Study the following vehicle parts for the vehicle you
will be using during the CDL Vehicle Inspection test.
You should be able to identify each part and tell the
examiner what you are looking for or inspecting.
11.1.1 – In-Vehicle/Engine Start
Lighting Indicators
Description: Dashboard indicator lights for signals,
flashers, headlight high beam; Anti-lock Braking
System (ABS); and Diesel Exhaust Fuel (DEF)/Diesel
Particulate Filter (DPF).
Why Inspect: Indicates which functions are active or
warns of problem vehicle components.
Inspection: Each of the following items must be
inspected. Inspect to make sure the dash indicators
work when the vehicle starts and when
corresponding lights are turned on including:
• Left turn signal indicator.
• Right turn signal indicator.
• Four-way emergency indicator.
• High beam headlight indicator.
• ABS indicator on dashboard; (and for
combination vehicles only, the rear driver’s side
trailer ABS light should turn on then off), if
equipped.
• DEF indicator, if equipped.
Note: Operational inspection of actual turn signals,
four-way indicators and high beam functions must be
done separately during the lights operation inspection
described in Section 11.4.
Emergency Equipment
Description: Required emergency equipment.
Why Inspect: Emergency equipment must be
available and in usable condition.
Inspection:
• Inspect for three (3) red reflective triangles, six
(6) fuses or three (3) liquid burning flares.
• Inspect for a properly charged and secured fire
extinguisher.
• Inspect for spare electrical fuses (if used) or
identify circuit breakers.