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The Pre Trip Inspection Checklist form is an essential tool for ensuring vehicle safety and compliance before any trip. This form guides drivers through a systematic evaluation of their vehicle, focusing on key components such as brakes, tires, lights, and fluid levels. By following the checklist, drivers can identify potential issues that may compromise safety on the road. The form typically includes sections for both exterior and interior checks, allowing for a comprehensive assessment. Additionally, it serves as a record of the inspection, which can be crucial for regulatory compliance and liability protection. Completing this checklist not only promotes the safety of the driver and passengers but also helps maintain the vehicle's performance and longevity.
Key takeaways
Filling out and using the Pre Trip Inspection Checklist form is essential for ensuring safety and compliance. Here are some key takeaways to keep in mind:
- Thoroughness is crucial: Every item on the checklist should be inspected carefully. This includes checking lights, brakes, tires, and fluid levels.
- Document everything: Accurate records of inspections help in maintaining accountability and can serve as evidence in case of disputes.
- Regular updates: The checklist should be reviewed and updated regularly to reflect any changes in regulations or vehicle conditions.
- Training is important: Ensure that all personnel responsible for inspections are properly trained to understand the checklist and its importance.
By following these guidelines, you can promote a culture of safety and responsibility on the road.
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Documents used along the form
When preparing for a trip, especially in a commercial or transportation context, several documents accompany the Pre Trip Inspection Checklist form. These documents help ensure safety, compliance, and efficiency. Below is a list of commonly used forms that you might encounter.
- Driver's Logbook: This document records the hours a driver has worked, including driving time and rest periods. It helps ensure compliance with regulations regarding driving hours.
- Vehicle Maintenance Record: A detailed account of all maintenance and repairs performed on the vehicle. This record is essential for tracking the vehicle's condition and ensuring it is safe for operation.
- Bill of Lading: A legal document between the shipper and carrier that outlines the details of the shipment. It serves as a receipt for the goods and includes information about the destination and delivery instructions.
- Inspection Report: This report documents any issues found during inspections, including those related to safety and compliance. It can be used to track necessary repairs or maintenance.
- Insurance Certificate: This document proves that the vehicle is insured. It provides details about the coverage and is often required by law for commercial vehicles.
- Emergency Response Plan: A plan outlining the steps to take in case of an emergency, such as an accident or breakdown. This document is crucial for ensuring the safety of the driver and passengers.
- New York Motorcycle Bill of Sale: This document records the sale or transfer of a motorcycle in New York State, serving as proof of ownership and facilitating the registration process. For more information, visit Formaid Org.
- Fuel Receipt: A record of fuel purchases, which is important for tracking expenses and ensuring proper accounting for fuel used during the trip.
- Route Plan: A detailed outline of the intended travel route, including stops and estimated travel times. This helps in planning the trip efficiently and managing time effectively.
Having these documents ready and organized can make a significant difference in the smooth execution of a trip. They not only promote safety and compliance but also enhance overall operational efficiency. Always ensure that you have the necessary paperwork completed and accessible before hitting the road.
Dos and Don'ts
When filling out the Pre Trip Inspection Checklist form, it’s essential to follow certain guidelines to ensure accuracy and compliance. Here are seven things to keep in mind:
- Do read the instructions carefully before starting.
- Don't rush through the checklist; take your time to ensure all items are checked.
- Do use clear and legible handwriting when filling out the form.
- Don't leave any sections blank; every part of the checklist must be completed.
- Do double-check your entries for any errors or omissions.
- Don't forget to sign and date the form once completed.
- Do keep a copy of the checklist for your records.
By following these guidelines, you can help ensure that your Pre Trip Inspection Checklist is filled out correctly and thoroughly.
Common mistakes
Filling out the Pre Trip Inspection Checklist form is crucial for ensuring safety on the road. However, many people make common mistakes that can lead to serious issues. One frequent error is skipping sections of the checklist. Each part of the form is designed to catch specific problems. If a driver overlooks a section, they might miss a critical safety concern.
Another mistake is providing vague descriptions. When noting issues, clarity is key. Instead of writing "the brakes are bad," it's better to specify what the problem is, such as "brakes squeak when applied." This level of detail helps maintenance teams address the issue more effectively.
Some individuals fail to date the form properly. The date is essential for tracking maintenance and inspections. Without it, there can be confusion about when the inspection took place, leading to potential safety risks.
Inaccurate measurements can also be a problem. For example, if a driver notes tire pressure but doesn't use the correct unit of measurement, it can lead to misunderstandings. Always double-check that measurements are clear and accurate.
Another common error is neglecting to sign the form. A signature confirms that the inspection was completed and that the driver takes responsibility for the vehicle's condition. Without a signature, the form may not hold up in case of an incident.
People sometimes forget to update the checklist after repairs. If a vehicle has been serviced, it’s important to reflect those changes on the form. This ensures that everyone is aware of the vehicle’s current state and any previous issues that were resolved.
Relying solely on memory is another mistake. Some drivers think they can remember what they observed during the inspection. However, it’s easy to forget details. Writing everything down ensures that nothing is overlooked.
Lastly, using old or outdated forms can lead to confusion. Checklists can change over time. Always use the most current version to ensure compliance with safety regulations and best practices.
File Characteristics
| Fact Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Purpose | The Pre Trip Inspection Checklist is designed to ensure that all vehicle components are in safe working condition before a trip. |
| Legal Requirement | Many states require a pre-trip inspection as part of their vehicle operation laws, ensuring compliance with safety regulations. |
| Components Checked | The checklist typically includes checks for brakes, lights, tires, and fluid levels, among other essential vehicle parts. |
| Documentation | Drivers must complete and sign the checklist, which serves as a record of the inspection for legal and safety purposes. |
| Frequency | Inspections should be performed before each trip to ensure ongoing vehicle safety and compliance with regulations. |
| State Variations | Different states may have specific requirements for their pre-trip inspection forms, governed by local transportation laws. |
| Driver Responsibility | It is the driver's responsibility to perform the inspection and report any issues found during the process. |
| Consequences of Non-Compliance | Failure to complete the pre-trip inspection can result in penalties, including fines and increased liability in case of accidents. |
| Training | Drivers should receive training on how to properly complete the checklist and understand the importance of each inspection item. |
Form Sample
Class A CDL
®
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
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
Engine Air Duct Work
Oil Dip Stick
Oil Fill
|
Accessory Drive |
|
Belts |
|
Water Pump |
Turbo Charger |
Alternator |
Reference Items |
1
Class A CDL
®
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 |
|
|
Steering Gear |
|
Box |
|
Pitman Arm |
|
Reference Items |
POWER STEERING RESERVOIR |
ENGINE COMPARTMENT - DRIVER SIDE CON’T |
||
|
|
|
|
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 |
|
|
|
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 |
|
|
Box |
|
|
|
o Mounted properly |
|
|
|
o No missing parts, nuts or bolts |
|
|
|
o Lines and hoses not leaking or |
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 |
|
|
|
Reference Items |
Air Governor
Air Compressor
Engine Oil Pan
2
Class A CDL
®
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
Steering Column
Additional Hoses & Wiring
Shock Absorber
Steering Gear Box |
Frame Rail |
Fuel Filter |
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
Reference Items |
3
Class A CDL
®
FRONT SUSPENSION
LEAF SPRINGS
o Not shifted or out of place
oNot cracked, broken or missing
SPRING MOUNTS
oMounted securely- front, back, and
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
Axle |
Service Brake |
Chamber |
Reference Items |
LEAF SPRINGS
o Not shifted or out of place
oNot cracked, broken or missing
SPRING MOUNTS
oMounted securely- front, back, and
oNot cracked or broken
SHOCK ABSORBER
oMounted Securely
oNot bent or dented o Not leaking
FRONT SUSPENSION CON’T
Frame Rail
Leaf Spring
Air Dryer location varies depending on model.
Located either behind the front bumper or behind the fuel tank.
Reference Items |
4
Spring Mount
Air Dryer
Class A CDL
®
HOSES AND LINES |
|
FRONT BRAKES |
|
|
|
||
o Mounted securely |
Service Brake |
|
|
o |
Not leaking |
|
|
o |
Not cracked or frayed |
Chamber |
|
|
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 |
|
|
|
|
||
parts |
Steering |
|
|
|
|
Knuckle |
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
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
Reference Items |
Air Line
Air Hose
Shock Absorber
Spring
5
Class A CDL
®
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 |
||
|
||
Outer Hub |
Valve Cap |
|
Oil Seal |
|
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 |
Reference Items |
6
Class A CDL
®
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,
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 |
|
|
Battery Box & |
|
Batteries |
|
Frame |
Catwalk |
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
Reference Items |
7
Class A CDL
®
DRIVE AXLE SUSPENSION
CONTROL ARM MOUNT o Mounted securely
o Not bent, broken or damaged
CONTROLARM
oMounted securely – front, back, and
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 |
|
|
Chamber |
Control Arm |
|
|
Spring Brake |
|
Chamber |
Air Bag |
|
|
|
Control Arm |
|
Mount |
Control Arm |
|
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
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 |
|
|
Pins |
|
Control Arm |
Air Bag |
|
|
Mount |
|
|
Tire |
Control Arm |
|
|
Space |
Reference Items |
8
Class A CDL
®
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
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 |
Reference Items |
9
Class A CDL
®
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 |
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 |
Reference Items |
|
|
|
|
o Check that the locking jaws are fully |
|
|
closed around the shank of the king pin |
10 |
|