Pre-Trip Truck Inspections: Why They Are Needed and How to Get Started

Truckers depend on their trucks to transport cargo safely and on time. While tractor trailers are built for heavy-duty work, they need regular maintenance to stay in top shape.

Truck pre-trip inspections are more than just a safety matter. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires drivers to complete pre-trip inspections. Drivers must record any problems and complete repairs before the truck can travel again.

What is a pre-trip truck inspection?

A pre-trip truck inspection is a thorough check of the truck and its major systems to maintain safety on the road. Inspections need to occur before the start of a driver’s shift and at least once every 24 hours while on the road.

The inspection needs to be performed by the driver while on duty but before driving starts. Passing the pre-trip inspection test during your Entry-Level Driver Training program is part of getting a commercial driver’s license (CDL). You need to know how to inspect your truck throughout your career to prevent safety and liability issues.

Why truckers should always perform a pre-trip inspection

Driving a large truck can be a dangerous job. Over 500,000 large trucks were involved in traffic accidents in 2021 alone. An inspection checklist helps keep drivers safe and reduces liability.

Safety

A pre-trip inspection checklist helps uncover potentially dangerous conditions, such as unsecured loads or problems with brakes or steering. While experienced drivers might be tempted to skip or shortcut a pre-trip vehicle inspection, it’s never a good idea. “Better safe than sorry” should be the mantra 100% of the time, and drivers should always inspect everything before a truck hits the road.

Maintenance

A truck driver’s pre-trip inspection can find minor issues before they become serious. This can save you money on maintenance by solving problems before your trucks get on the road. Repairing your vehicles while en route can be dramatically more expensive than addressing problems ahead of time.

Compliance

Your Department of Transportation (DOT) pre-trip inspection helps you stay compliant with regulations. In the case of an audit, the DOT may review your inspection checklist to ensure it has been filled out properly. If the audit shows that issues have been ignored or uncovers a violation, it can lead to fines and hurt your compliance, safety, and accountability (CSA) score.

Your CSA score affects potential future jobs. If it goes up, you might see less business. Once your score gets too high, you could be subject to an investigation or placed out of operation.

Liability

While truck accidents represent a small portion of overall vehicle accidents, large trucks account for more than 4,000 fatal incidents involving drivers, passengers, and pedestrians each year. Even if drivers are not at fault, your liability can increase if:

• You can’t show proof that a pre-trip inspection report was done.
• The report was completed improperly.
• Known defects were not addressed.

Pre-trip inspections help reduce your liability. Finding and fixing issues before hitting the road can prevent expensive accidents. If you have a record of inspection results and you’re in an accident, it can protect you against liability claims. Documentation shows you took reasonable steps to ensure vehicle safety and compliance. Make sure you’re on top of inspections to protect yourself from liability issues while driving safely.

How long should a pre-trip inspection take?

No statutes require that a pre-trip inspection take a designated length of time. In practice, an inspection should take as long as necessary to ensure vehicles are safe to drive and have been properly maintained. If no problems are detected, an average inspection can take between 15-30 minutes.

Do not rush inspections. It’s easy to miss things that can put drivers and others at risk.

Pre-trip inspection checklist for truckers

Federal law requires you to log a pre-trip inspection, and this documentation can help you in case of any claims against your company. So, what should your inspection checklist include?

Here are some of the most common items:

1. Engine

Inside the engine compartment, check components including:

• Radiator
• Air compressor
• Steering gearbox
• Steering linkage
• Water pump
• Alternator
• Belts
• Hoses and wiring

2. Fuel tank

Your pre-trip inspection should include a visual check of your fuel tank and battery area to make sure nothing is cracked or leaking. Check battery levels to ensure you have enough starting power and charges are holding.

3. Fluids

Check under the truck for fluid leaks. Fluid on the ground could be from: 

• Fuel
• Oil
• Coolant
• Power steering fluid
• Brake fluid
• Windshield washer fluid

Look under the hood to rule out any problems inside the engine compartment. Check for adequate fluid levels and safe belt, hoss, and wire operation. Also, make sure the oil pressure gauge works properly.

4. Brakes

If your brakes aren’t working optimally, you put drivers and everybody else on the road in danger. A proper pre-trip inspection will cover the brake system both in-cab and externally:

• Truck drivers should check the brake adjustment with the slack adjuster for proper alignment.
• Check brake linings for appropriate thickness.
• Ensure your truck’s air lines aren’t damaged, don’t leak, and are properly sealed.

Brake checks should include parking brakes, air brakes, and hydraulic braking systems.

5. Tires

Inspect tires to make sure you have an acceptable amount of tire tread for safe operation. There should be no cuts, bubbles, or gouges. There should be no foreign objects, such as stones or large debris, between the wheels and no space between the tires and rims.

Also, be sure to check and maintain the appropriate air pressure.

6. Wheel lug nuts

Regardless of tire condition, you also need to check the lug nuts. Tighten any loose wheel fasteners. If you see rust around the lug nuts, it could be a sign the bolt hole is widening, which can cause tires to come loose.

7. Coupling system

A failure in the coupling system can cause you to lose your load. Pay particular attention to your kingpin and the sliding fifth-wheel locking pin. Then, check the other components that connect your trailer to your cab, including:

• Air lines
• Apron
• Electrical connections
• Gap
• Glad hands
• Locking jaws
• Mounting bolt
• Platform
• Release arm
• Skid plate

8. Lights and reflectors

Exterior lights and reflectors help other drivers see your vehicle approaching and make your rig more visible at night. Check that lights, warning lights, and turn signals are working properly, and lenses are clean for maximum visibility.

Reflectors tend to fade over time from exposure to the elements. Make sure your truck’s reflectors are free of any dirt or debris. They should be intact without cracks, missing pieces, or peeling.

9. Trailer

Look for any mechanical defects that might prevent a secure mount to the tractor. Do a pre-trip truck inspection to look for items like cracks, breaks, holes, missing rivets, or bends in the:

• Headboard
• Frame
• Release pins
• Crossmembers
• Release handles
• Locking pins
• Doors and hinges

10. Cabin

Inside the cabin, check seatbelts for any signs of wear or fray and ensure a snug fit. You should also check the operation and functionality of your inside and outside mirrors, seat position, steering wheel, and pedals.

Make checking the windshield for cracks or chips standard operating procedure, along with performing a safe start to make sure lights and turn signals are working properly. This includes ABS lights and gauges. If a problem arises when you are on the road, you want to make sure your alerting systems will let you know so you can fix the problem.

You’ll also want to check your windshield wipers and horns.

11. Emergency kit

Trucks are required to carry emergency equipment kits that include:

• Fire extinguishers that are readily available for use
• At least one spare fuse for each type of fuse needed for parts and accessories
• Warning devices for stopped vehicles, such as bidirectional reflective triangles
• Red warning flags that can be maintained in an upright position

Each item should be in working condition in case of an emergency stop.

Truck trailer pre-trip inspection best practices

With so much to keep track of, it can be challenging to perform pre-trip inspections and start driving on time. Consistency is key for efficient inspections. Use these tips to make your inspections more efficient:

• Follow a structure: Having a set process makes inspections easier and faster. Use a top-to-bottom or front-to-back approach to make inspections smoother. A clear routine builds consistency and reduces inspection time with practice.
• Check critical components: Start with the most critical components in an area. Brakes, lights, tires, and steering mechanisms often see issues. Finding these issues first lets you catch problems early, avoiding missed safety risks.
• Document your findings: Keep an inspection log. Note any faults, report them, and follow proper repair procedures. A documented history shows your compliance and helps protect you from liability problems.
• Use inspection apps: Digital tools guide you through inspection with a checklist. Apps often have photo documentation options, making recordkeeping easier. Transportation management system (TMS) software is a great way to track compliance while streamlining your business.
• Stick to a time: Give yourself a good 15 to 30 minutes for pre-trip inspections. Try to avoid rushing, but use the time limit to guide you through the most efficient inspection routine.

Common mistakes to avoid

Watch for these common mistakes to ensure your inspections are thorough:

• Skipping steps: Experience can lead to complacency. Always perform a complete inspection, even if you think there’s nothing wrong. If you skip steps, you can miss serious problems.
• Missing re-inspections: Always re-inspect after maintenance or repair work. New issues can pop up during repairs. You want to catch them before driving again.
• Ignoring issues: Take unusual vibrations, sounds, and dashboard warnings seriously. If ignored, warning signs can escalate to major issues. Investigate and report warning signs right away.
• Overlooking tires: Tires are easy to overlook. Make sure to check treads, inflation, and condition on all tires, every time.
• Neglecting load securement: If you’re carrying a load, you need to secure it. Double-check that it’s securely fastened to protect yourself and others on the road.
• Skipping lights: Light and reflector issues can lead to poor visibility and accidents. Always clean and check lights and reflectors before a trip.

Safely haul more high-paying loads

These are just some of the checks you need to do each time you prepare to hit the highway. Your pre-trip truck inspection checklist should include every aspect of your vehicle and its loads. Ensure you have all the necessary documentation and paperwork to prove the pre-trip inspection was completed correctly, and retain copies for your records.

Once your pre-trip inspection is complete, you’re ready to hit the road and start making money! Find the highest-paying loads with the Truckstop Load Board. Search hundreds of loads from trusted shippers and brokers and book the loads that meet your needs.

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