CDL Pre-Trip Inspection — Recitation Trainer
The pre-trip inspection is the part of the skills test most candidates fail, and it fails them because it is a recitation: you walk the vehicle and say what you are checking, out loud, in front of an examiner. Knowing the truck is not enough — you have to say it.
Four phrases do most of the work
Most of the recitation is these four phrases, repeated at each component. Learn them first and the rest is just the walk.
| Applies to | What you say |
|---|---|
| Any metal part, bracket, mount or frame member | “Securely mounted, not cracked, bent or broken.” |
| Anything carrying air, fuel, oil or coolant | “No leaks, no cuts, no bulges, properly connected.” |
| Tires and wheels | “Proper inflation, even tread, no cuts or bulges; rims not cracked or bent, all lug nuts present and tight, no rust streaks.” |
| Every lamp and reflector | “Clean, correct color, working, not cracked.” |
1. Vehicle overview
Start before you touch anything. Walk up, look underneath, and say what you see — this is where you set the examiner's expectation that you narrate everything.
- General condition — no damage, no lean
- No fresh oil, coolant or fuel puddles underneath
- Area around the vehicle is clear of hazards and people
- Review the last inspection report and confirm repairs
2. Engine compartment
Name each component and apply the right phrase. Examiners score whether you identified the part, not whether you gestured near it.
- Oil level, coolant level, power steering fluid — all above minimum
- Belts — correct tension, not frayed or cracked
- Hoses — no leaks, no cuts, no bulges, properly connected
- Wiring — insulated, secured, no chafing
- Alternator, water pump, air compressor — securely mounted, not cracked
3. In-cab checks
Start the engine and work the gauges. Say the readings aloud — a gauge you looked at but did not mention did not happen.
- Oil pressure rises to normal range
- Air pressure builds; ammeter and voltmeter read normal
- Steering play within limits; horn, wipers, washers work
- Mirrors and windshield clean, adjusted, not cracked
- Safety equipment present — fire extinguisher, spare fuses, warning devices
- Seat belt secure, not ripped or frayed
4. Driver-side walk-around
Work front to back in one direction. A consistent order is what stops you skipping a component under pressure.
- Door and hinges — open and close properly, seals intact
- Steering box and hoses — securely mounted, no leaks
- Suspension — springs, shackles, U-bolts, shock absorbers not cracked or leaking
- Brake chamber, hoses and drum — secure, no leaks, linings within limits
- Slack adjuster — pushrod movement within limits
- Tire and wheel — inflation, tread, rim, lug nuts, no rust streaks
5. Rear of the vehicle
Do not rush the rear. Cargo securement and the rear lamps are commonly missed and are easy points to keep.
- Splash guards and mud flaps — secure, not damaged or dragging
- Doors and hinges — open, close and latch properly
- Cargo secured — braced, blocked or tied so it cannot shift
- Rear lamps and reflectors — clean, correct color, working
- License plate secure and visible
6. Passenger-side walk-around
Repeat the driver-side sequence in reverse. Say it again in full — the examiner is checking consistency, not memory of having said it once.
- Same suspension, brake and tire checks as the driver side
- Fuel tank — secure, cap tight, no leaks
- Exhaust — secure, not leaking, no black soot marks
- Frame and cross members — not cracked, bent or broken
- Side lamps and reflectors — clean, correct color, working
7. Air brake and light check
This is the scored sequence with numbers in it, and the most common place to lose points. Say each figure aloud as you reach it.
- Charge the system to governor cut-out — about 125 psi — then chock the wheels and shut the engine off
- Leak test with brakes released: wait one minute — loss no more than 2 psi for a straight truck, 3 psi for a combination
- Applied leak test: press and hold 90 psi or more, wait another minute — no more than 3 psi for a straight truck, 4 psi for a combination
- Fan the brakes down — the low-air warning must activate before pressure falls below 60 psi
- Keep fanning — the parking brake knob must pop out and set the spring brakes, usually between 20 and 40 psi
- Restart and confirm pressure builds from 85 to 100 psi within 45 seconds in a dual system
- Confirm the governor cuts out near 125 psi and, after fanning the pressure down, cuts back in near 100 psi
- Parking brake test: set it, pull gently forward in low gear — the vehicle must not move
- Service brake test: roll about five miles per hour and apply firmly — no pulling to either side, no delay
- Walk the lights: headlights high and low, turn signals, four-way flashers, brake lights
Source
FMCSA Commercial Driver License Manual ↗
Exact scoring varies by state and by the vehicle you bring to the test. Confirm current requirements with your state licensing agency and your training provider.
Practice the knowledge behind it
Frequently asked questions
What do you say during a CDL pre-trip inspection?
For metal parts: securely mounted, not cracked, bent or broken. For anything carrying air or fluid: no leaks, no cuts, no bulges, properly connected. Those two phrases cover most of the vehicle, repeated at each component.
How many points are in the pre-trip inspection?
This page covers 41 points across 7 steps, taken from the FMCSA CDL manual. Your state may score a subset of them.
Can I bring a printed checklist to the test?
No. It is recited from memory, which is why this page is ordered as the walk rather than as an alphabetical list. Learn the four phrases, then the route around the vehicle.