Problems to Check for During a Pre-Trip Inspection

Staying safe is important in every industry, but it is essential for truck driving. Since tractor-trailers often travel on public highways, any issues with these vehicles or the freight they transport can become serious hazards that affect others on the road. One of your responsibilities as a truck driver is to perform a pre-trip inspection before starting a haul. This is also part of the commercial driver’s license (CDL) skills test. 

Here are a few of the areas you should check during these inspections:

Internal Pre-Trip Inspection

Engine Compartment

You will need to examine the engine compartment to identify a variety of potential issues. Any leaks or drips, a low oil or coolant level, inadequate steering fluid, frayed belts, or any improperly mounted parts will need to be corrected before you can drive the vehicle. 

Cab Check

During the cab check, you should ensure the oil pressure, temperature, and air gauges are working correctly. Adjust your mirrors and ensure that they are clean and undamaged. Your windshield should also be free of any obstructions. In addition, there are multiple dash indicators you must test. 

Brake Tests

Testing your brakes is one of the most important parts of the pre-trip inspection and an important part of your CDL skills test. If you are driving a vehicle with air brakes, you will automatically fail the exam if you do not perform this part of the inspection properly. There are three parts of the air brake check which you will learn at Phoenix Truck Driving School. You will also need to check the hydraulic brake reserve, parking brake, and service brakes. 

External Pre-Trip Inspection

Steering

Check to make sure the steering box is properly mounted and that power steering fluid is not leaking. You should also look for missing cotter keys, nuts, or bolts. Connections between the steering box and wheel should be intact without wear or cracks. 

Suspension

Check that there are no missing or damaged leaf or coil springs. Examine all parts of your vehicle’s suspension equipment. You will also need to look at the mounts and shock absorbers for every axle. 

Brake Components

In addition to the brake tests during the internal inspection, you will need to check the exterior components of your vehicle’s brake system. This includes slack adjusters, push rods, brake chambers, brake hoses/lines, couplings, drum brakes, and brake linings. 

Wheels

Make sure that your wheels are in good driving condition. This includes checking tire depth, condition, and inflation. Rims also must be free of welding repairs and cannot be damaged or bent. All lug nuts must be present and cannot be loose, cracked, or distorted. 

Rear and Side Tractor-Trailer Exterior

There are multiple components you must inspect on the rear and side exterior of your tractor-trailer. These include your doors, mirrors, fuel tank, drive shaft, exhaust system, splash guards, ties, and lifts. 

Coupling/Tractor

The tractor must be securely attached to your vehicle. You must check for air leaks, ensure the mounting bolts are secure, and perform additional inspections to ensure safe coupling. 

Prepare for Your CDL Inspection Test

The list above only includes a portion of what you will be expected to know for your CDL skills test. There are over 100 different parts that you must identify and check. For your Class A CDL pre-trip inspection test you will need to perform one of four possible inspections. Phoenix Truck Driving School can help you prepare for and pass the different portions of your CDL test. We use a mix of classroom learning and hands-on experience and you will learn from highly-skilled instructors. 

Contact us today to learn more about pre-trip inspections and other aspects of the CDL test.

Local, Regional, or OTR Trucking?

After you earn your commercial driver’s license (CDL), there are a wide variety of truck driving jobs that you can choose from. Our job placement assistance program can help you determine which options best suit your desired pay and lifestyle. In addition to determining the type of freight you will haul and whether you prefer team or solo driving, there are different routes you may drive: local, regional, or over-the-road (OTR) trucking.

Here are some facts about each type of CDL job:

Local Truck Driving

Local drivers travel within their city or state and often have a dedicated route. This means they drive to the same places each day. Local jobs usually require driving during the day so you can come home every night with one or two days off per week, depending on the company you are working for. 

The major benefit of these kinds of jobs is that they offer more home time than regional or OTR truck driving. The predictable and consistent schedule can also be a positive aspect depending on your preference. Although local trucking jobs usually pay less than long haul driving, this can vary greatly depending on the type of freight and who you work for. 

Regional Routes

Regional drivers are on the road for one or two weeks at a time and deliver goods within a smaller area of the country. This is usually within a radius of 1,000 miles from your home terminal. You will be home most weekends and sometimes every weekend, depending on the motor carrier you drive for. Some regional truckers have a dedicated route whereas others drive multiple routes. 

This is a middle ground between local and OTR trucking as it often pays more than local routes and allows you to be home more often than OTR jobs. 

OTR Trucking Jobs

OTR truck drivers travel through the 48 continental United States. Since they haul freight over long distances, they are usually on the road for three to four weeks at a time. Home time varies depending on the trucking company.

Since it does require more time away from home, pay for OTR jobs is usually higher than for local or regional hauls. Many drivers enjoy the freedom of the open road and OTR routes allow you to see more of the country. 

What Type of Trucking Job is Best for You?

Whether local, regional, or OTR driving is right for you depends on your personal preferences for pay and home time. There are benefits to each type of job. Additionally, individual companies offer different benefits, pay, and time off. 

We can help you find the trucking job that’s right for you

As a student at Phoenix Truck Driving School, you will earn your CDL and learn valuable skills from our world-class instructors. Whether you prefer local, regional, or OTR trucking, our job placement assistance team can help you find companies hiring drivers like you. 

Contact us today to learn more about our truck driving school in Albuquerque, NM.