CDL pre-trip inspection checklist (2026)
- 32 items in 8 areas, from the air brake check in the cab to the reflectors at the rear.
- The air brake check is an automatic fail in most state manuals if any part is done wrong.
- 25 states confirm you may bring a blank checklist as a memory aid (see by state).
- Numbers to say: governor cut-out 120–140 psi, no more than 4 psi lost in a minute, low air warning before 55 psi (60 on the New York and North Carolina pre-trip), spring brakes 20–45 psi.
All 32 items on two letter-size pages, grouped by area, with a box to tick and the points to say for each one. Scan the code next to an area and Mr. Egg walks you through it in the app.
How the pre-trip test works
For every item you do three things: point at it, name it, and say what you are checking it for. “These are the leaf springs. No missing, shifted, cracked or broken leaves” scores. “Suspension looks good” does not.
Most states now give the modernized test, and this checklist follows it. Learn it in the order you will walk it, and say the same words in the same order every time: that is what keeps you from freezing in front of a hundred parts.
The full checklist: all 32 items
Items marked “auto fail” end the test if done wrong.
In the cab
Where the air brake check happens, the most common automatic fail on the whole test. Video and the exact words →
| Item | What to check |
|---|---|
| Air brake checkauto fail | Builds air to governor cut-out and says the value · Leakage test done right · Low air warning before the limit · Spring brake valves pop in range Script and video |
| Parking & trailer brake check | Parking brake holds · Trailer brake holds Script in the app |
| Service brake check | Pulls forward at about 5 mph · Applies the foot brake to stop · Doesn't pull to either side Script in the app |
| Lighting indicators | Left and right turn indicators · Four-way flasher indicator · High beam indicator · ABS light comes on then goes off Script in the app |
| Emergency equipment | Three red reflective triangles · Fire extinguisher charged and secured · Spare fuses or circuit breakers Script in the app |
| Windshield & traffic monitoring devices | Windshield clean, not cracked · Nothing blocking the view · Mirrors clean and adjusted Script in the app |
| Wipers & washers | Arms and blades secure, not damaged · Wipers operate smoothly · Washers work Script in the app |
| Heater & defroster | Heater works · Defroster works Script in the app |
| Horn(s) | Horns work Script in the app |
Lights check
| Item | What to check |
|---|---|
| All external lights | Left and right turn signals · Four-way flashers · Low and high beams · Clearance / marker lights · Tail lights · Brake lights on and off Script in the app |
Front of the truck and engine
| Item | What to check |
|---|---|
| Lenses | Names the front lenses · Proper color · Clean, not broken, not missing Script in the app |
| Fluid levels | Engine oil · Coolant · Power steering fluid · Between add and full Script in the app |
| Fluid & air leaks | No puddles on the ground · Nothing dripping · Hoses and air lines not leaking Script in the app |
| Steering systems | Steering box mounted, not leaking · Steering hoses · Linkage not worn or cracked · Joints and fasteners Script in the app |
Steering axle
Where examiners like to plant defects. Vague answers lose points here. Video and the exact words →
| Item | What to check |
|---|---|
| Tires | Names the steer tires · Pressure with a tire gauge · Tread depth 4/32 · No cuts, bulges, cords showing · Valve stem and cap Script in the app |
| Rims | Names the rim · Not cracked, bent or damaged · No welding repairs · Bolt holes not elongated Script in the app |
| Lug nuts | Names the lug nuts · All present · Not loose, no rust trails or shiny threads · Studs not bent, broken or missing Script in the app |
| Springs, mounts, U-bolts, air bags & shocks | Names the leaf springs · Not missing, shifted, cracked or broken · Spring mounts secure · U-bolts · Shock absorber Script and video |
| Brake lines or hoses & leaks | Names the brake hose / lines · Not cracked, worn or frayed · Couplings and fittings secure · No leaks Script in the app |
| Brake contaminates | Names the drum / linings · No grease or oil Script in the app |
Side of the tractor
| Item | What to check |
|---|---|
| Lenses & reflectors | Names side lenses and reflectors · Proper color · Clean, not broken, not missing Script in the app |
| Traffic monitoring devices | Names the mirrors · Clean, not cracked · Brackets secure Script in the app |
| Battery | Names the batteries · Batteries secure · Connections tight, no heavy corrosion · Cables secure, not cracked or worn · Box / cover secure Script in the app |
| Fuel tank/DEF tank | Names the fuel tank · Securely mounted · Cap tight · No leaks from tank or lines Script in the app |
| Frame(s) & tandem release | Names the frame · No cracks, broken welds or holes · Floor not cracked or holed · Tandem release locked Script in the app |
Coupling system
You must look into the gap and say the jaws are closed around the kingpin. Video and the exact words →
| Item | What to check |
|---|---|
| Air & electric lines & connectors | Names air and electric lines · Connectors seated and locked · Not cut, chafed, spliced or taped · Not tangled, pinched or dragging · No air leaks Script in the app |
| Fifth wheel skid plate | Names the fifth wheel skid plate · Securely mounted · No loose or missing parts · No cracks, breaks or heavy wear Script in the app |
| Kingpin & apron & gap | Names the kingpin and apron · Kingpin not bent, damaged or worn · Apron not bent, cracked or broken · No gap Script in the app |
| Locking & safety devices | Jaws closed on the kingpin · Release arm engaged · Safety latch in place Script and video |
Trailer
| Item | What to check |
|---|---|
| Landing gear & clearance | Names the landing gear · Fully raised, no missing parts · Crank handle secured · Support frame and pads not damaged · Clears the tractor in a turn Script in the app |
| Reflective tape | Names the reflective tape · Present and secure Script in the app |
Rear
| Item | What to check |
|---|---|
| Lenses & reflectors | Names rear lenses and reflectors · Proper color · Clean, not broken, not missing Script in the app |
Mr. Egg walks you around the truck in 32 short video lessons with the full script for every item, lets you record yourself saying it back, and runs a timed mock inspection scored by an AI examiner. Scripts are explained in Spanish too.
Get all 32 scripts in the appCan you bring a checklist to the pre-trip test?
In 25 states the manual or licensing agency confirms you may use a blank checklist as a memory aid during the vehicle inspection. Hawaii’s current manual gives no permission to use one. For the other states we have not confirmed it either way, so ask when you book the test.
A blank checklist only lists the items. You still have to say what you are checking, which is why the script matters more than the list.
How to practise
- Learn one area at a time, in walk-around order, until you can say it without looking.
- Say it out loud at normal speed. Reading it silently does not prepare you for saying it to an examiner.
- Learn the air brake numbers for your state. For the pre-trip, most say 55 psi for the low air warning; New York and North Carolina say 60.
- Do a full timed run before test day, on a real truck if your school lets you, or a mock inspection.
Also studying for the knowledge test? Try the pre-trip inspection practice questions, or see Mr. Egg’s pre-trip lessons.