PREPARING COMMERCIAL trucks for training

 To prevent fall and injury, it is important for drivers to maintain three-point contact when entering and exiting the cab. To enter the cab safely, use the following steps: 1. Always check steps and handles for grease, fuel, oil, mud, and ice. Clean off all residue before entering cab. Keep steps as clean as possible to eliminate slipping and injury. 2. Wear appropriate footwear and high-visibility clothing. 3. Maintain a minimum of three points of contact between your body and call at all times during the entry. Focus on your entry, always facing the tractor, avoiding distractions which may result in injury. 4. Place one foot on the step while keeping the other foot securely on the ground. Grip the handle on the inside of the door with one hand and the handle on the exterior cab frame with the other. Notice the three points of contact – two hands and one foot. 5. Move your lower foot to the top step, pulling your body with your arms if necessary. There are still three points of contact. 6. Bring your rear foot to the top step. Both feet are now on the top step so you may release one handle and still maintain three points of contact. 7. Slide or step into the cab and release the remaining handle, because you are now safely inside. 

Drivers who have a class A commercial driver’s license (CDL) usually have to complete a pre-trip inspection on their non-passenger commercial vehicles. Having a pre-trip inspection checklist handy helps driver’s know what to expect when they pass their CDL examination and what parts of their vehicle the will need to inspect before heading out on the road. 

• Brakes and air system.
• Steering mechanism.
• Lights and reflectors.
• Tires, wheels, and rims.
• Windshield wipers.
• Rearview mirrors.
• Emergency equipment.

 When getting a CDL, drivers need to pass a  pre-trip inspection test. It’s more intensive than the inspection drivers perform daily. This pre-trip inspection checklist for a Class A CDL gives drivers an overview of performing an inspection. Check your state’s CDL manual for a complete list of inspection requirements. 

• Fluids - coolant, oil, and power steering: Reservoirs and tanks should not leak. Check hoses for splits or cuts and that they are securely mounted on both ends. Verify proper fluid levels with a dipstick.
• Belts - alternator, pumps, compressor: All belts should be securely mounted without cracks or frays. Belt should have no more than 1/2" to 3/4" of play. 
• Hoses (passenger and driver’s sides): All hoses, including power steering and coolant hose, should be secured on both ends. They should not have splits, cuts, or leaks.
• Air compressor: May be difficult to see. Ensure it’s securely mounted, not broken, cracked or leaking.
• Alternator: All wires are properly connected.
• Water pump: All hoses are properly connected and not leaking. 

• Steering gearbox and hoses: No damage or leaks. Hose should be secured on both ends. They should not have splits, cuts, or leaks.
• Steering shaft/steering column: Not bent or broken.
• Pitman arm: All caste nuts and cotter pins are present and tight.
• Drag link: Rubber is not split and properly greased.
• Upper and lower control arms and tie rod: Tie rod should be secure, not cracked or bent.

• Spring mounts/spring hanger: Not cracked or broken.
• Leaf springs: None are cracked, broken, or shifted.
• U-bolts: All accounted for.
• Shock absorber: No visible leaks. Leaks will show at the point where the top and bottom of the shock meet. Rubber is not split or shows signs of dry rot.
• Airbag: Check rubber for abrasions, cuts or audible leaks plus any missing mounting bolts.

• Mirrors and bracket: Hardware attached properly. Mirror should be clean and not broken.
• Door and hinges: Demonstrate door operations, latching properly, hinges intact. Door seals should not be torn or rotten. 
• Steps: Mounted properly and can hold weight.
• Fuel tank: Not leaking; cap is tight with seal intact.

• Drive shaft: Not twisted, U-joints not broken and free of debris.
• Exhaust system: Not loose, no sign of leaks (exterior soot).
• Frame: Nothing broken or unauthorized welds.
• Catwalk and steps: Properly mounted and clear of loose objects.
• Mudflap: Secured, not missing or broken. At the right height.

• Air connector: Secure on both ends, no abrasions, cuts, or audible leaks. Connectors should not drag or tangle.
• Electric lines: Secure on both ends, no abrasions or cuts. Safety latches in place. Lines should not drag on the catwalk or tangle.
• Glad hands: Seals should be in good condition with no cracks, signs of rotting, or leaking air.
• Fifth wheel platform: Secure to frame, not cracked, bent or broken. No unauthorized or illegal welds.
• Mounting bolts: No missing bolts and mounted tight.
• Skid plate: Properly greased.
• Release arm: Secure in fully locked position.
• King pin: Mounted and secure. No cracks, bends, and breaks.
• Locking jaw: Fully locked around the king pin. 
• Apron: Mounted and secure. No cracks, bends, and breaks.
• Sliding 5th wheel locking pins: Pin must be in the fully locked position.

• Brake hose: Securely mounted on both ends. No splits, cuts, and not audibly leaking air.
• Brake chamber: Not audibly leaking air.
• Slack adjuster and push rod: When brakes are released and pulled by hand, the push rod should have no more than 1” of play. It should stay at a 90° angle to the brake chamber.
• Brake drum:  No bluing from excessive heat.
• Brake pads/brake lining: Check for oil and debris on the lining. Minimum brake pad thickness is ¼.” 

• Wheel rims: No unauthorized or illegal welds.
• Steer tires: Look for cuts, bulges, and abrasions on the tread and sidewalls. Tread depth should be a minimum of 4/32”. Tread should be evenly worn. Check inflation levels on tires with an air gauge, filled to manufacturer’s specifications.
• Drive tires: Look for cuts, bulges, and abrasions on the tread and sidewalls. Tread depth should be a minimum of 2/32”. Tread should be evenly worn. Check inflation levels on tires with an air gauge, filled to manufacturer’s specifications.
• Valve stem. Properly secured, metal cap in place. Not audibly leaking air.
• Lug nuts: All accounted for. Check for rust or cracks.
• Hub seal/axle seal: Should not be loose. No visible leaks.
• Spacing: If equipped with duals, there must be proper spacing between the tires.

• Frame and cross members: Secure, not cracked, bent or broken and none missing.
• Header board: Secure and not excessively damaged. No holes or missing rivets. 
• Landing gear: Must be fully raised and the cradle handle secured. Not cracked, bent or broken.
• Doors and hinges: Secured and should open, close and latch properly. Door seals have no separation, no rubber tubing sticking out.
• Tandem release:  Release handle and locking pins should be fully locked.
• Trailers airbag: Check rubber for abrasions, cuts or audible leaks, plus any missing mounting bolts.
• Trailer spring mounts/spring hanger: Not cracked or broken
• Trailer leaf springs: None are cracked, broken, or shifted.
• Trailer u-bolts: All accounted for.
• Trailer shock absorber: No visible leaks. Leaks will show at the point where the top and bottom of the shock meet. Rubber is not split or shows signs of dry rot.
• Torque arm/radius rod: Secure mounting, bushings intact.

Check all lights on the front, both sides of tractor, truck rear, both sides of trailer, and trailer rear. Turn on to ensure lights and reflectors are working.

• Running lights: Walk around the truck and trailer to examine all.
• High beams/low beams: Walk around the truck and trailer to examine all.
• Turn signals: Signal both right turn and left turn. Walk around the truck and trailer to examine all.
• Hazards/4-way flashers: Walk around the truck and trailer to examine all.
• Brake lights: Ask the examiner to watch brake lights. Confirm they worked using the side mirror. 
• License plate lights: Walk around the truck and trailer to examine all.
• Reflector tapes: Clean and not worn. Walk around the truck and trailer to examine all.

• Seat belt: No rips or frays and should adjust and latch properly.
• Lighting indicators: See lights and reflectors section
• Oil pressure indicator: Demonstrate normal operating range.
• Water temperature gauge: Demonstrate normal operating range.
• Air pressure gauges: Build to governor cut out.
• Ammeter/voltmeter: Charging between 13 and 14 volts.
• Mirrors: Secure, not cracked or broken. No obstructions and properly adjusted.
• Windshield: No more than a 1” crack is permitted. Clean and free of debris.
• Windshield wipers and washers: Turn on to show they are working properly.
• Horns (city and air): Show they are working properly.
• Heater/defroster: Turn on to show they are working properly.
• Safety/emergency equipment: Must have a fire extinguisher, three red reflective triangles and spare electrical fuses. Extinguisher must be fully charged and secured.
• Steering wheel: Secured to steering column.
• Foot pedals: Free of grease and debris. No obstructions. 
• Hydraulic brake check: Pump the brake pedal several times. Apply pressure to the pedal and hold for five seconds. The pedal should not move.
• Air brake check: Air brake devices vary. Drivers must test three components of the air brake check correctly: applied pressure, warning lights and buzzers, and valve pop-outs.
• Parking brake: 
• Trailer parking brake: Set the trailer brake, release the tractor brake. Put truck in low gear and tug. 
• Tractor parking brake: Set the tractor brake, release the trailer brake. Put truck in low gear and tug.
• Service brake: Release both the tractor and trailer brakes. Drive 3 – 5 mph. Apply the service brake and come to a complete stop. Ensure steering does not pull to the left or right when applying the brakes.

 A driver’s first responsibility is to ensure that everything regarding their vehicle is in order. Prior to operating the truck, it is important that you are fully alert and not impaired by anything that may affect your judgement. When approaching the truck, the driver needs to assess the general condition of the truck:  Complete an overall visual inspection of the truck, noting damage, fluid leaks under the truck, and general appearance.  Check to see if the tractor-trailer is leaning to one side or the other.  Confirm that the Vehicle Inspection Program (VIP) certificate/sticker is present and valid and conduct the ‘Under the Hood’ portion of the pre-trip inspection