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Truck pre-trip inspection checklist for CDL drivers (free, printable)
Before driving a commercial truck, the driver must be satisfied it's in safe operating condition and must review and sign the last inspection report if it listed defects (49 CFR 396.13). A full pre-trip covers the engine compartment, cab gauges and air brake tests, lights, tires, wheels and rims, brakes, suspension, coupling devices and emergency equipment, in the same order every time.
- How often
- Before driving, every day
- The rule
- FMCSA 49 CFR 396.13 and 392.7
- Items
- 31 checks
- Takes
- About 8 minutes
By the CheckBadges team · Updated
Layout
Truck pre-trip inspection checklist for CDL drivers
Before driving, every day
| Item | OK | Problem | N/A |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine compartment (engine off) | |||
| Engine oil levelBetween the marks; no leaks | |||
| Coolant level and hosesAt the mark; hoses not cracked or leaking | |||
| Power steering fluidAt the mark; no leaks | |||
| BeltsAlternator, water pump and compressor belts tight, not frayed | |||
| Steering box and linkageBox mounted tight; no missing nuts, bolts or cotter pins | |||
| In the cab and air brake checks | |||
| Odometer reading | ________ miles | ||
| Gauges and warning lightsOil pressure, temperature and voltage normal; no warnings | |||
| Air pressure build-up and governorBuilds in the specified time; governor cuts out and in within range | |||
| Air leak-down testLoss within the limit with brakes released, then applied | |||
| Low-air warning and spring brakesWarning comes on, then spring brakes apply, as air is fanned down | |||
| Parking and service brake testsParking brake holds against a gentle pull; service brake stops straight | |||
| Steering wheel playWithin the limit; no binding | |||
| HornCity and air horns work | |||
| Wipers and windshieldWipers and washers work; glass clean and not cracked | |||
| MirrorsIn place, clean, adjusted | |||
| Seat beltLatches and retracts; webbing not cut | |||
| Emergency equipmentCharged extinguisher, warning triangles, spare fuses if needed | |||
| Fuel level | ☐ Full ☐ 3/4 ☐ 1/2 ☐ 1/4 ☐ Low | ||
| Lights and walkaround | |||
| Lights and reflectorsHead, tail, brake, turn, 4-way, clearance and marker lights work | |||
| TiresTread OK; no cuts or bulges; inflated; nothing stuck between duals | |||
| Wheels, rims and lug nutsNo cracks, welds, rust trails or missing nuts | |||
| Hub sealsNo oil or grease leaks; oil visible in hub windows | |||
| Brake chambers, slack adjusters and hosesSecure, undamaged, not leaking; linings not thin | |||
| SuspensionSprings, hangers, U-bolts and air bags not broken or leaking | |||
| Frame, fuel tank and exhaustNo cracks; tank secure with cap on; exhaust tight | |||
| Cargo, doors and securementLoad secured; doors, tarps and tie-downs fastened | |||
| Coupling (combination vehicles) | |||
| Fifth wheel and locking jawsMounts tight; jaws locked round the kingpin; release arm in | |||
| Trailer apron and kingpinNo gap at the fifth wheel; kingpin and apron not damaged | |||
| Glad hands and air linesSealed, no leaks; lines supported, not chafing or tangled | |||
| Trailer electrical cordPlugged in and locked; not chafed | |||
| Landing gearFully raised; crank handle stowed | |||
Problems found and action taken:
If anything is a problem, don't use the machine: tag it out and report it. Free checklist from checkbadges.com — put it on a QR sticker and operators can fill it in on their phone.
What to check on a truck, item by item
Engine compartment (engine off)
- Engine oil level — Between the marks; no leaks
- Coolant level and hoses — At the mark; hoses not cracked or leaking
- Power steering fluid — At the mark; no leaks
- Belts — Alternator, water pump and compressor belts tight, not frayed
- Steering box and linkage — Box mounted tight; no missing nuts, bolts or cotter pins
In the cab and air brake checks
- Odometer reading (reading, in miles)
- Gauges and warning lights — Oil pressure, temperature and voltage normal; no warnings
- Air pressure build-up and governor — Builds in the specified time; governor cuts out and in within range
- Air leak-down test — Loss within the limit with brakes released, then applied
- Low-air warning and spring brakes — Warning comes on, then spring brakes apply, as air is fanned down
- Parking and service brake tests — Parking brake holds against a gentle pull; service brake stops straight
- Steering wheel play — Within the limit; no binding
- Horn — City and air horns work
- Wipers and windshield — Wipers and washers work; glass clean and not cracked
- Mirrors — In place, clean, adjusted
- Seat belt — Latches and retracts; webbing not cut
- Emergency equipment — Charged extinguisher, warning triangles, spare fuses if needed
- Fuel level (Full / 3/4 / 1/2 / 1/4 / Low)
Lights and walkaround
- Lights and reflectors — Head, tail, brake, turn, 4-way, clearance and marker lights work
- Tires — Tread OK; no cuts or bulges; inflated; nothing stuck between duals
- Wheels, rims and lug nuts — No cracks, welds, rust trails or missing nuts
- Hub seals — No oil or grease leaks; oil visible in hub windows
- Brake chambers, slack adjusters and hoses — Secure, undamaged, not leaking; linings not thin
- Suspension — Springs, hangers, U-bolts and air bags not broken or leaking
- Frame, fuel tank and exhaust — No cracks; tank secure with cap on; exhaust tight
- Cargo, doors and securement — Load secured; doors, tarps and tie-downs fastened
Coupling (combination vehicles)
- Fifth wheel and locking jaws — Mounts tight; jaws locked round the kingpin; release arm in
- Trailer apron and kingpin — No gap at the fifth wheel; kingpin and apron not damaged
- Glad hands and air lines — Sealed, no leaks; lines supported, not chafing or tangled
- Trailer electrical cord — Plugged in and locked; not chafed
- Landing gear — Fully raised; crank handle stowed
What the law requires before you drive
Before driving a commercial motor vehicle, the driver has to be satisfied it's safe and has to deal with the last inspection report. 49 CFR 396.13 says the driver shall "be satisfied that the motor vehicle is in safe operating condition", review the last driver vehicle inspection report if one was required, and sign it to acknowledge the review and that the required repairs have been certified. 49 CFR 392.7(a) adds that no CMV may be driven unless the driver is satisfied these are "in good working order":
- service brakes, including trailer brake connections
- parking (hand) brake
- steering mechanism
- lighting devices and reflectors
- tires
- horn
- windshield wipers
- rear-vision mirrors
- coupling devices
- wheels and rims
- emergency equipment
Neither rule sets a form for the pre-trip itself. This checklist follows the usual CDL order: engine compartment, cab and brakes, walkaround, coupling. This page summarizes FMCSA's rules as of October 2026; check the current text, and your state's rules for trucks that stay in-state.
Pre-trip inspection vs post-trip DVIR
The pre-trip happens before driving and has no required form; the driver vehicle inspection report (DVIR) is written at the end of the day, and only when something is wrong:
| Pre-trip inspection | Post-trip DVIR | |
|---|---|---|
| Rule | 49 CFR 396.13 and 392.7 | 49 CFR 396.11 |
| When | Before driving | "At the completion of each day's work on each vehicle operated" |
| Written? | No form required; the driver signs the last DVIR if it listed defects | Yes, when a defect is found or reported; paper or electronic |
| No defects found | Nothing to file | No report needed (property carriers since 2014, passenger carriers since September 17, 2020) |
| Repairs | Don't drive until it's safe | The carrier repairs safety defects and certifies the repair, or that it's unnecessary, before the vehicle runs again |
| Kept | No period set | 3 months: the DVIR, the repair certification and the driver's review |
DVIRs can be electronic (49 CFR 390.32), and FMCSA's electronic DVIR rule, effective March 23, 2026, made that explicit. Carriers operating only one commercial motor vehicle, private passenger carriers (nonbusiness) and driveaway-towaway operations are exempt from 396.11. DVIR requirements covers the details.
How to do a pre-trip inspection
Do it in the same order every time, so nothing gets skipped:
- Walk up to the truck looking at it. Is it leaning? Fluid underneath? New damage, or anything hanging?
- Engine compartment, engine off: fluid levels, belts, hoses, leaks, wiring, and the steering box and linkage.
- Start it and check the cab: gauges and warning lights, mirrors, wipers, horn, seat belt, steering wheel play and the emergency equipment.
- Air brake checks: pressure build-up, governor cut-out and cut-in, leak-down with the brakes released and then applied, the low-air warning, and spring brake application as you fan the air down.
- Lights: switch on the headlights and four-way flashers, walk round, then check brake lights and turn signals with a helper.
- Walk round the truck, down one side, across the back and up the other: tires, wheels, rims and lug nuts, hubs, brake chambers and slack adjusters, suspension, frame, fuel tank, exhaust and cargo.
- Check the coupling: fifth wheel, jaws locked round the kingpin with no gap at the apron, glad hands and air lines, the electrical cord, and landing gear fully up.
- Final brake tests: the parking brake holds against a gentle pull, the trailer brakes hold, and the service brake stops the truck straight at low speed.
- Record the odometer and sign. If you found a defect, don't drive; report it.
The defects that take a truck out of service
These aren't the roadside out-of-service criteria inspectors use; they're the defects where the only honest answer at a pre-trip is don't drive:
| Defect | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Air pressure won't build, or leaks past the limit | Brakes can drag, fade or apply on the road |
| Brake out of adjustment, a damaged chamber or a leaking air line | Less braking at that wheel and longer stops for the whole rig |
| Flat tire, cords showing, a bulge or tread separation | Blowouts and tire fires at highway speed |
| Fifth wheel jaws not locked, or a gap under the apron | The trailer can drop or separate |
| Brake lights, turn signals or headlights out | Other drivers can't see what the truck is doing |
| Loose steering parts or too much steering play | Loss of steering control |
| Cracked rim, or missing or loose lug nuts | Wheels can come off |
What to do when something fails
Don't drive it, write it up, and tell dispatch or maintenance. The rule is clear on the carrier's side: before a driver operates the vehicle, the carrier "shall repair any defect or deficiency listed on the driver vehicle inspection report which would be likely to affect the safety of operation of the vehicle" (396.11(a)(3)), and certify it. In the yard, an out-of-service tag on the steering wheel stops the next driver taking it. What to do when equipment fails inspection covers the steps.
Keeping the record
DVIRs, repair certifications and the driver's review are kept for three months; the carrier's own inspection, repair and maintenance records are kept for a year under 49 CFR 396.3. A dated record of each pre-trip isn't required, but it shows the check happened. Equipment inspection record keeping covers the rest.
CheckBadges can put this checklist on a QR sticker in each cab: the driver scans it with their phone, signs with their name or PIN, attaches photos of any defect, and you get an email straight away. It records pre-trip checks; it isn't a full DVIR system with a repair certification workflow, so pair it with your DVIR process. See the vehicle inspection app.
Skip the clipboard
Put this pre-trip inspection checklist on a QR sticker.
- Operators scan the sticker with their own phone's camera. No app, account or password.
- Anything marked Problem emails you right away, with photos, and warns the next operator.
- Every check is saved by machine with who did it and when. Print one or export a CSV.
Free for 3 machines. Every item above is already filled in — edit anything. No card.
Truck 1
Pre-trip inspection checklist
Frequently asked questions
Is a pre-trip inspection required by DOT?
Yes, in substance. 49 CFR 396.13 says the driver must be satisfied the vehicle is in safe operating condition before driving, and 49 CFR 392.7 lists the parts that must be in good working order. Neither prescribes a written pre-trip form.
Do you have to fill out a DVIR if there are no defects?
No. Under 49 CFR 396.11(a)(2)(i), drivers aren't required to prepare a report if no defect or deficiency is discovered by or reported to them. That has applied to property carriers since 2014 and to passenger carriers since September 17, 2020.
How long must DVIRs be kept?
Three months from the date the report was prepared. That covers the DVIR itself, the certification of repairs and the certification of the driver's review (49 CFR 396.11(a)(4)).
Can a DVIR be done on a phone?
Yes. 49 CFR 396.11 and 396.13 allow the reports to be created and kept electronically under 49 CFR 390.32, and FMCSA's electronic DVIR rule, effective March 23, 2026, confirmed it. The electronic report still needs the driver's signature and the carrier's repair certification.
What are the 11 items on a DVIR?
Service brakes including trailer brake connections, parking brake, steering mechanism, lighting devices and reflectors, tires, horn, windshield wipers, rear vision mirrors, coupling devices, wheels and rims, and emergency equipment (49 CFR 396.11(a)(1)).
Keep reading
- DVIR requirementsA DVIR is required at the end of each day's work only when a defect is found. Repairs must be certified and reports kept 3 months. The FMCSA rules for 2026.
- Vehicle inspection appA vehicle inspection app for pre-trip checks: drivers scan a QR sticker in the cab and check on their own phone, with no app or login. Defects email you.
- Trailer inspection checklistFree trailer inspection checklist for equipment, utility and semi-trailers: hitch, safety chains, breakaway, lights, brakes, tires, ramps and tie-downs.
- Vehicle inspection checklistFree daily vehicle inspection checklist for company cars, pickups, vans and work trucks: tires, lights, brakes, fluids, mirrors, load and body damage.
- Vehicle fleetsFleet vehicle inspections with no app to install: drivers scan a QR sticker in each van or truck with their phone and do the pre-trip check. Defects alert you.
- The best vehicle inspection apps in 2026The best vehicle inspection apps of 2026 for pre-trip checks and DVIRs: how drivers do them, app and login needs, and what 10, 25 or 50 vehicles cost a month.
Do your truck checks by QR code.
Stick a QR code on every machine and operators do the pre-use check on their own phone — no app, no login. Free for up to 3 machines; try it with your real machines before you sign up.