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Pre Trip Inspection Checklist Template

The Pre Trip Inspection Checklist form is a vital tool used by drivers to ensure that their vehicles are safe and roadworthy before embarking on a journey. This checklist helps identify potential issues, promoting safety for both the driver and other road users. To enhance your safety and compliance, fill out the form by clicking the button below.

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Structure

Before embarking on any journey, especially when operating a commercial vehicle, safety must be the top priority. The Pre Trip Inspection Checklist serves as a vital tool for drivers to ensure that their vehicles are in optimal condition. This comprehensive form covers various essential aspects, including the evaluation of the engine, brakes, lights, and tires. Each section prompts the driver to examine critical components, such as fluid levels, the functionality of safety equipment, and the overall structural integrity of the vehicle. By systematically checking these elements, drivers can identify potential issues that could lead to breakdowns or accidents on the road. Furthermore, the checklist encourages accountability and thoroughness, fostering a culture of safety that protects not only the driver but also passengers and other road users. Ultimately, completing this checklist is not just a regulatory requirement; it is a commitment to responsible driving and the well-being of everyone involved.

Instructions on How to Fill Out Pre Trip Inspection Checklist

Before you begin your journey, it’s essential to ensure that your vehicle is in good working order. Completing the Pre Trip Inspection Checklist helps you identify any potential issues that could affect your trip. Follow these steps to fill out the form accurately and effectively.

Start by writing the date at the top of the form. This helps keep track of when the inspection was conducted.
Fill in the vehicle identification information. Include the make, model, and year of the vehicle.
Next, indicate the odometer reading. This shows how far the vehicle has traveled.
Check the boxes for each inspection item. These typically include lights, brakes, tires, and fluid levels. Ensure each item is thoroughly examined.
For any items that require attention, write down specific notes. Be clear about what needs to be repaired or checked further.
After completing the checklist, sign and date the form at the bottom. This confirms that you conducted the inspection.
Keep a copy of the completed checklist for your records. It may be useful for future reference or inspections.

Once you have filled out the checklist, review it to ensure all necessary information is accurate and complete. This will help you stay organized and prepared for your trip.

Key takeaways

When filling out and using the Pre Trip Inspection Checklist form, there are several important points to keep in mind. Here’s a concise list of key takeaways to ensure you get it right.

Understand the Purpose: The checklist is designed to ensure that your vehicle is safe and ready for the road. It helps identify any potential issues before you start your trip.
Complete Every Section: Make sure to fill out all sections of the checklist. Skipping items can lead to overlooked safety concerns.
Be Thorough: Take your time during the inspection. A quick glance isn’t enough; check each component carefully.
Document Findings: If you find any issues, document them clearly on the form. This will be helpful for repairs and accountability.
Use Clear Language: Write in simple, clear terms. Avoid abbreviations that might confuse others who read the form later.
Sign and Date: Always sign and date the checklist once completed. This adds a layer of accountability and confirms the inspection was done.
Keep a Copy: Retain a copy of the completed checklist for your records. This can be useful for future reference or if questions arise.
Review Regularly: Regularly review and update your checklist to reflect any changes in your vehicle or inspection requirements.
Train Others: If you’re part of a team, ensure everyone is trained on how to properly fill out the checklist. Consistency is key for safety.

By following these takeaways, you can effectively use the Pre Trip Inspection Checklist form to promote safety and reliability on the road.

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Documents used along the form

The Pre Trip Inspection Checklist form is an essential tool for ensuring vehicle safety and compliance before embarking on a journey. However, it is often accompanied by several other important documents that help maintain safety standards and facilitate efficient operations. Below is a list of forms and documents commonly used alongside the Pre Trip Inspection Checklist.

Driver's Daily Log: This document records the hours a driver spends on duty, including driving time and rest periods. It ensures compliance with regulations regarding maximum driving hours.
Vehicle Maintenance Record: This form tracks all maintenance and repairs performed on the vehicle. Keeping this record helps identify any recurring issues and ensures that the vehicle remains in good working condition.
Fuel Purchase Receipt: These receipts document fuel purchases and are essential for tracking fuel expenses and ensuring proper accounting practices.
Accident Report Form: In the event of an accident, this form is used to document the incident, including details about the parties involved and any damages. It is crucial for insurance claims and legal purposes.
Bill of Lading: This document serves as a receipt for goods being transported and outlines the terms of the shipment. It is a vital part of the shipping process, ensuring that all parties are aware of their responsibilities.
Inspection Report: Conducted by a certified inspector, this report details the findings of a thorough vehicle inspection. It is often required by law to ensure that vehicles meet safety and regulatory standards.
Emergency Contact List: This list includes important contact information for emergency services, company personnel, and family members. It ensures that drivers can quickly reach out for help if needed.
Route Plan: A route plan outlines the intended path for a journey, including stops and checkpoints. It helps drivers stay organized and aware of their travel itinerary.
Safety Training Certificate: This certificate verifies that a driver has completed necessary safety training. It demonstrates the driver's commitment to safe driving practices and compliance with regulations.

By utilizing these documents alongside the Pre Trip Inspection Checklist, drivers and companies can enhance safety, ensure compliance, and maintain efficient operations on the road. Each form plays a vital role in the overall management of vehicle and driver responsibilities, fostering a culture of safety and accountability.

Sample - Pre Trip Inspection Checklist Form

Class A CDL Pre-Trip Inspection Tractor Trailer

FRONT OF TRACTOR

LIGHTS & REFLECTORS o Proper Color

o Working

o Not Broken o Not cracked

LEAKS

o Check for puddles

o Check for drips under engine

Lights

License Plate

Leaks

Pre-Trip Inspection Test Items

Reference Items

ENGINE COMPARTMENT - PASSENGER SIDE

WATER PUMP o Mounted Securely

o No missing bolts or parts o Hoses attached securely

o No leaking hoses or water pump o Belts no more than ¾ inch of play

o Belts not cracked, frayed, or damaged

ALTERNATOR

o Mounted Securely

o No missing bolts or parts

oWires good connections, not frayed

oBelt no more than ¾ inch of play

oBelts not frayed or cracked

OIL LEVEL

oCheck for level and condition

PLUS ALL OTHER HOSES & WIRING

oNot cracked, frayed, or broken

oBelts no more than ¾ inch of play o Hoses not leaking

Engine Air Duct Work

Oil Dip Stick

Oil Fill

	Accessory Drive
	Belts
	Water Pump
Turbo Charger	Alternator

Pre-Trip Inspection Test Items

Reference Items

Class A CDL Pre-Trip Inspection Tractor Trailer

ENGINE COMPARTMENT - DRIVER SIDE

COOLANT

oCheck for level and condition

oHoses attached and not leaking

POWER STEERING RESERVOIR

oMounted properly

oHoses attached and not leaking

oCheck for level and condition

AIR COMPRESSOR

oMounted Securely

oNo missing bolts or parts

oNo air leaks at lines

oCheck if gear or belt driven

oBelt no more than ¾ inch of play

oBelts not cracked or frayed

STEERING GEAR BOX

oMounted properly

oNo missing parts, nuts or bolts o Lines and hoses not leaking or broken

	Engine Coolant
	Reservoir
	Windsheild
	Washer Fluid
	Reservoir
Engine Air Duct
Work
Power Steering
Reservoir	Radiator Brace
	Radiator Brace
Steering Gear
Box
Pitman Arm

Pre-Trip Inspection Test Items

Reference Items

 POWER STEERING RESERVOIR	ENGINE COMPARTMENT - DRIVER SIDE CON’T
 POWER STEERING RESERVOIR
o Mounted properly
o Hoses attached and not leaking
o Check for level and condition
 AIR COMPRESSOR
o Mounted Securely	Power Steering
o No missing bolts or parts	Power Steering
o No missing bolts or parts	Reservoir
o No air leaks at lines
o Check if gear or belt driven
o Belt no more than ¾ inch of play
o Belts not cracked or frayed
 STEERING GEAR BOX	Steering Gear
 STEERING GEAR BOX	Box
o Mounted properly
o No missing parts, nuts or bolts
o Lines and hoses not leaking or	Pitman Arm
broken	Pitman Arm
broken
 STEERING LINKAGE
o Pitman arm, Drag link, Steering
knuckle, Tie rods and tie rod ends
o Not cracked, bent or broken	Spring Mount	Drag Link	Leaf Spring
o Castle nuts and cotter pins
o Not missing and in place

Pre-Trip Inspection Test Items

Reference Items

Air Governor

Air Compressor

Engine Oil Pan

Class A CDL Pre-Trip Inspection Tractor Trailer

AIR COMPRESSOR o Mounted Securely

o No missing bolts or parts o No air leaks at lines

o Check if gear or belt driven

o Belt no more than ¾ inch of play o Belts not cracked or frayed

STEERING GEAR BOX

o Mounted properly

oNo missing parts, nuts or bolts o Lines and hoses not leaking or broken

ENGINE COMPARTMENT - DRIVER SIDE CON’T

Engine Air Duct

Work

Fan Belts

Gear Driven Air

Compressor

Steering U-Joints

Steering Column

Additional Hoses & Wiring

Shock Absorber

Steering Gear Box	Frame Rail	Fuel Filter
Pre-Trip Inspection Test Items		Reference Items

ENGINE COMPARTMENT - AIR COMPRESSOR

AIR COMPRESSOR o Mounted Securely

o No missing bolts or parts o No air leaks at lines

o Check if gear or belt driven

o Belt no more than ¾ inch of play o Belts not cracked or frayed

Air Governor

Gear Driven Air Compressor

Hoses

Fuel Pump

Pre-Trip Inspection Test Items

Reference Items

Class A CDL Pre-Trip Inspection Tractor Trailer

FRONT SUSPENSION

LEAF SPRINGS

o Not shifted or out of place

oNot cracked, broken or missing

SPRING MOUNTS

oMounted securely- front, back, and U-blots

oNot cracked or broken

SHOCK ABSORBER

oMounted Securely

oNot bent or dented o Not leaking

Shock Absorber

Leaf Spring

Tie Rod

Air Hose

Air LIne

Tie Rod End

U-Bolts

Axle

Service Brake

Chamber

Pre-Trip Inspection Test Items

Reference Items

LEAF SPRINGS

o Not shifted or out of place

oNot cracked, broken or missing

SPRING MOUNTS

oMounted securely- front, back, and U-blots

oNot cracked or broken

SHOCK ABSORBER

oMounted Securely

oNot bent or dented o Not leaking

FRONT SUSPENSION CON’T

Frame Rail

U-Bolt

Leaf Spring

Air Dryer location varies depending on model.

Located either behind the front bumper or behind the fuel tank.

Pre-Trip Inspection Test Items

Reference Items

Spring Mount

Air Dryer

Class A CDL Pre-Trip Inspection Tractor Trailer

 HOSES AND LINES			FRONT BRAKES
 HOSES AND LINES
o Mounted securely		Service Brake
o	Not leaking	Service Brake
o	Not cracked or frayed	Chamber
o	Not cracked or frayed		Tire
			Tire
 CHAMBER		Push Rod
o Mounted securely
o Not dented or damaged			Wheel
o	Not leaking
 SLACK ADJUSTER			Slack Adjuster
o	No more than 1 inch of free play at	Castle Nut
the push rod with the brakes released.		Cotter Pin	Adjustment Nut
o	Not bent, broken, loose, or missing		Adjustment Nut
o	Not bent, broken, loose, or missing
parts		Steering
		Knuckle	Brake Drum
 DRUMS			Brake Drum
 DRUMS
o	Not cracked, broken or dented
o	No oil leaking from inner oil seal,	Snap Ring
free of debris			Brake Lining
 LININGS

oNo cracked, broken or missing parts o Not less than ¼ inch in thickness

Pre-Trip Inspection Test Items

Reference Items

HOSES AND LINES o Mounted securely o Not leaking

o Not cracked or frayed

CHAMBER

o Mounted securely

oNot dented or damaged

oNot leaking

SLACK ADJUSTER

oNo more than 1 inch of free play at the push rod with the brakes released.

oNot bent, broken, loose, or missing parts

DRUMS

oNot cracked, broken or dented

oNo oil leaking from inner oil seal, free of debris

LININGS

oNo cracked, broken or missing parts

oNot less than ¼ inch in thickness

FRONT BRAKES CON’T

Service Brake

Chamber

Push Rod

Clevis Pin &

Cotter Pin

Slack Adjuster

Pre-Trip Inspection Test Items

Reference Items

Air Line

Air Hose

Shock Absorber

U-Bolt

Spring

Class A CDL Pre-Trip Inspection Tractor Trailer

FRONT WHEEL

TIRES

oProper inflation – company or manufacturer specification

o No bulges, cuts, or retreads

o Minimum tread depth of 4/32”

RIMS

oNot bent, cracked, No welding repairs.

LUG NUTS

oNone are missing

oTight – no shinny threads, or rust trails

OUTER HUB OIL SEALS

oNot leaking, no missing bolts o Proper oil level

	Tire	Wheel
	Hub Oil	Lug Nut
	Reservior	Lug Nut
	Reservior
	Outer Hub	Valve Cap
	Oil Seal

Pre-Trip Inspection Test Items

Reference Items

DRIVER FUEL AREA

DRIVER’S DOOR

oDoor opens and closes properly

oSeal is in good condition

DRIVER’S MIRRORS

oClean and free of obstruction

oNot cracked, broken, or damaged

oMounted securely

FUEL TANK

oMounted securely

o Not leaking

o Seal in cap OK

Mirror

Storage

Compartment

Door

Cap & Seal

Battery Box &

Cover

Saddle Mounts	Leaks
Pre-Trip Inspection Test Items	Reference Items

Class A CDL Pre-Trip Inspection Tractor Trailer

AIR LINES & ELECTRIC LINE o Not cracked, frayed, cut, or kinked o Mounted securely at the glad hands o Not leaking

BEHIND THE CAB

BATTERY BOX & BATTERIES o Box is mounted properly

o Batteries are secure in the box o Lid secure

o Connections not corroded

CATWALK

o Mounted properly

oNot, missing, or damaged

oFree of obstructions

DRIVE SHAFT

oNot bent, or damaged

oCoupling, U-joints appear secure

EXHAUST SYSTEM

oSecurely mounted

oNot dented or damaged

oNot leaking

FRAME

oNot cracked, or damaged

oNo missing bolts

oNo illegal welds

LIGHTS & REFLECTORS

oClean and working

Lights &
Reflectors
Electrical Line	Exhaust
Glad Hand
Service &
Emergency
Airlines	Drive Shaft
	Drive Shaft
Battery Box &
Batteries
Frame	Catwalk

Pre-Trip Inspection Test Items

Reference Items

FRONT OF TRAILER

HEADER BOARD

oNo holes or missing rivets

LIGHTS & REFLECTORS

oNone broken, cracked, or missing

oWorking and proper color of amber

Lights

Header Board

Height Sticker

Electric Hookup

Air Line

Pre-Trip Inspection Test Items

Reference Items

Class A CDL Pre-Trip Inspection Tractor Trailer

DRIVE AXLE SUSPENSION

CONTROL ARM MOUNT o Mounted securely

o Not bent, broken or damaged

CONTROLARM

oMounted securely – front, back, and

U-bolts

o Not cracked, or broken

SHOCK ABSORBER

o Mounted Securely

oNot bent, dented or leaking

TORSION BAR

oMounted Securely

oNot bent, broken or damaged

AIR BAGS

oMounted Securely

o Not leaking

Spring Brake	Torsion Bar
Spring Brake
Chamber	Control Arm
	Control Arm
Spring Brake
Chamber	Air Bag
	Air Bag
	Control Arm
	Mount
Control Arm

Pre-Trip Inspection Test Items

Reference Items

DRIVE AXLE SUSPENSION CON’T & FIFTH WHEEL

CONTROL ARM MOUNT o Mounted securely

o Not bent, broken or damaged

CONTROLARM

oMounted securely – front, back, and

U-bolts

o Not cracked, or broken

SHOCK ABSORBER

o Mounted Securely

oNot bent, dented or leaking

TORSION BAR

oMounted Securely

oNot bent, broken or damaged

AIR BAGS

oMounted Securely

o Not leaking

Skid Plate
	Shock Absorber
Mounting
Bolts
Locking	Spring
Locking
Pins
Control Arm	Air Bag
Control Arm
Mount
	Tire
Control Arm
	Space

Pre-Trip Inspection Test Items

Reference Items

Class A CDL Pre-Trip Inspection Tractor Trailer

HOSES AND LINES o Mounted securely o Not leaking

o Not cracked or frayed

CHAMBER

o Mounted securely

oNot dented or damaged

oNot leaking

SLACK ADJUSTER

oNo more than 1 inch of free play at the push rod with the brakes released.

oNo bent, broken, loose, or missing parts

DRUMS

oNot cracked, broken or dented

oNo oil leaking from inner oil seal, free of debris

LININGS

oNo cracked, broken or missing parts

oNot less than ¼ inch in thickness

DRIVE BRAKES & DRIVE SHAFT

Drive Shaft

Universal Joint

Differential

Pre-Trip Inspection Test Items

Reference Items

Air Line

Service Brake Chamber

Frame

Brake Chamber Mount

Slack Adjuster

TIRES

oProper inflation - company or manufacturer specification.

o No bulges or cuts, can have retreads o Minimum tread depth of 2/32”

RIMS

oNot bent or cracked

oNo welding repairs

LUG NUTS

oNone missing

oTight – no shinny threads, or rust trails

OUTER AXLE SEAL

oNot leaking, no missing bolts

SPACE OR SPACER

oCheck for objects between wheels

oCheck for proper spacing

Lug Nuts

Outer Axle Seal

DRIVE WHEELS

Tire

Bud Rim

Dayton Rim	Spacer
Pre-Trip Inspection Test Items	Reference Items

Class A CDL Pre-Trip Inspection Tractor Trailer

REAR OF TRACTOR

LIGHTS & REFLECTORS o Not cracked, or broken

o Working and proper color

SPLASH GUARDS

oNot missing or torn and properly mounted

Locking Jaws
	Reflectors
	Lights
Splash Guard	Air Bags

Pre-Trip Inspection Test Items

Reference Items

MOUNTING BOLTS

oNone missing or broken

RELEASE ARM

oNot bent, broken, or damaged

oEngaged in the lock position

LOCKING PINS

oNo missing or broken parts

oEngaged and locked

PLATFORM

oSecurely holds skid plate

oNot cracked, or broken

SKID PLATE

oMounted properly on the platform

oProperly greased

oTilting freely

Mounting Bolts

Slide Stops (all 4 corners)

COUPLING SYSTEM

Skid Plate

Pivot Pin

Release Arm

Platform

 KING PIN

Welds

oNot broken, bent, or damaged

APRON

oNo bends or damage to visible portions

GAP

oCheck that the trailer apron is lying flat on the fifth wheel skid plate

Frame

Slide Locking Pin

Spring Mount

 JAWS	Pre-Trip Inspection Test Items	Reference Items
 JAWS
o Check that the locking jaws are fully
closed around the shank of the king pin	10

Dos and Don'ts

When filling out the Pre Trip Inspection Checklist form, it is essential to follow certain guidelines to ensure accuracy and compliance. Here is a list of things you should and shouldn't do:

Do: Review the entire checklist thoroughly before starting the inspection.
Do: Use clear and legible handwriting when filling out the form.
Do: Double-check all entries for accuracy before submitting the checklist.
Do: Note any defects or issues clearly, providing as much detail as possible.
Do: Sign and date the form to confirm that the inspection was completed.
Don't: Rush through the inspection; take your time to ensure nothing is overlooked.
Don't: Use abbreviations or unclear terms that may confuse the reader.

By adhering to these guidelines, you can help ensure that the Pre Trip Inspection Checklist is completed correctly and effectively.