CDL Pre-Trip Inspection Checklist: What to Check Before Your Skills Test

Minnesota allows applicants to use the official vehicle-inspection checklist during the vehicle-inspection portion of the test.

You may check items off as you complete them.

Do not add extra notes or writing to the official test checklist unless the testing authority permits it.

1. 01

   Vehicle Inspection

2. 02

   Basic Vehicle Control

3. 03

   On-Road Driving

The skills test is designed to make sure you can:

• determine whether the vehicle is safe to operate
• control the vehicle at low speed
• operate safely in traffic

This is an example of the thought process, not an official Minnesota test script. Don’t try to memorize one exact speech.

For a Class A combination vehicle, Minnesota’s current inspection checklist includes in-cab items, the front of the vehicle, steering axle, side of vehicle, coupling components, trailer items and rear-of-trailer items.

Tick items off as you study. Nothing is saved and no account is needed.

A Class B or Class C straight-vehicle inspection follows many of the same basic safety categories but does not include the Class A combination-vehicle coupling and trailer components.

A vehicle with unsafe or improperly functioning major systems will not be allowed to continue into the road portion until the problem is corrected.

The purpose of these checks is to make sure the parking brakes can hold the vehicle when required.

On combination vehicles, the test may also include a trailer parking-brake check when the vehicle is equipped for it.

The service-brake check verifies that the normal braking system stops the vehicle properly and does not cause the vehicle to pull unsafely to one side.

Minnesota’s current manual describes performing the service-brake check at low speed. Follow the manual for the exact procedure.

Securely Mounted

Is the part attached the way it should be?

Damaged

Is it cracked, bent, broken or visibly unsafe?

Leaking

Are there signs of air, fuel, coolant or other applicable leaks?

Worn

Are tires, hoses, belts or components excessively worn?

Contaminated

Are braking surfaces or other components contaminated?

Loose

Are bolts, nuts, mounts or components visibly loose?

Functioning

Do lights, brakes, wipers, horns and other equipment operate correctly?

Not every description applies to every part. Use the inspection language that actually makes sense for the item you are checking.

1. Mistake 1Memorizing words without knowing what the part is.
2. Mistake 2Naming the item but not pointing to it.
3. Mistake 3Pointing to the item but not explaining what you are checking.
4. Mistake 4Saying “looks good” without describing the unsafe condition you are checking for.
5. Mistake 5Rushing through brakes, tires and steering.
6. Mistake 6Studying a tractor-trailer checklist when you are testing in a Class B vehicle.
7. Mistake 7Studying a different state’s checklist instead of the current Minnesota manual.
8. Mistake 8Practicing on equipment that is different from the vehicle you will test in.
9. Mistake 9Ignoring the in-cab and brake-test portions because they are not outside the truck.
10. Mistake 10Trying to memorize the entire inspection the night before the test.

The best way to learn a pre-trip is with the actual vehicle.

Walk around the same type of equipment repeatedly.

Use the same order every time.

Point to the part. Say its name. Explain what you would inspect. Then move to the next item.

Recommended study pattern

1. Read the official checklist.
2. Watch or receive a proper demonstration.
3. Practice with the vehicle.
4. Perform the inspection without help.
5. Have someone identify the items you missed.
6. Repeat until your inspection is consistent.

Yes.

Minnesota’s CDL manual states that the vehicle-inspection checklist is available at exam stations and in the CDL manual and may be used during the vehicle-inspection portion of the test.

Applicants may check items off as they complete them.

The current Minnesota checklist also warns that additional markings or writing should not be added to the official list.

No.

Minnesota’s current CDL manual states that applicants are not required to get under the vehicle during the vehicle-inspection test.

You should still understand the components and know how to explain the condition you are checking.

No.

Minnesota’s manual states that you are not required to physically check fluids during the test.

You still need to identify the applicable fluid-level checks and explain what you would inspect.

Not necessarily.

Minnesota states that the vehicle inspection may be complete or partial.

That is another reason you should learn the entire applicable checklist instead of preparing for only one small portion.

The CDL skills test must be taken in a vehicle representative of the class of commercial vehicle you expect to operate.

The equipment can also affect restrictions placed on the CDL.

Read: Class A vs Class B CDL: Which License Do You Need?

True North’s planned local Class A hands-on training is hotshot-focused and does not include tractor-trailer training.

Print a clean study copy of either checklist. Anything you have already ticked above prints as checked. No email, name, phone number or login required.

The printed sheet is a study aid only. Use the official Minnesota checklist for the actual test.