Pre-Trip Inspection Checklist for Truck Drivers (Printable Order)

October 26, 20262 min readBy ELD HUB Editorial

Short answer: Before driving, federal rules require you to be satisfied that the truck is in safe operating condition, review and sign the last vehicle inspection report if it listed defects, and confirm these parts work: service brakes (including trailer connections), parking brake, steering, lights and reflectors, tires, horn, wipers, mirrors, coupling devices, wheels and rims, and emergency equipment. (49 CFR 392.7, 396.13)

The checklist below puts those items in a walk-around order. It is a working checklist, not the CDL skills-test script — your state's CDL manual has its own exam wording.

1. Paperwork first (2 minutes)

Review the last driver vehicle inspection report (DVIR). If defects were listed, confirm the repair certification and sign it (396.13(b)–(c)). See what a DVIR is.
Registration, insurance card, permits, and your ELD instruction sheet / malfunction sheet and blank paper logs in the cab.
ELD logged in and showing the right duty status.

2. Engine compartment

Oil, coolant and power steering fluid levels; no leaks.
Belts and hoses: no cracks, fraying or looseness.
Steering box and linkage secure, no missing nuts or cotter pins.

3. Cab check

Gauges normal after start-up (oil pressure, air pressure building, voltage).
Horn, wipers and washer fluid.
Mirrors clean and adjusted.
Emergency equipment: fire extinguisher (charged and secured), three reflective triangles, spare fuses if required.
Steering play within normal range.

4. Lights

Headlights (high/low), turn signals, four-ways, brake lights, clearance and marker lights, reflectors and reflective tape.

5. Walk-around

Area	What to check
Tires	Inflation, tread depth, cuts or bulges, no mismatched duals touching
Wheels & rims	Missing or loose lug nuts, rust trails, cracks
Brakes	Slack adjusters, chambers, hoses, no audible air leaks
Suspension	Springs, mounts, air bags
Frame & body	Cracks, loose parts, doors latched
Coupling	Fifth wheel locked, jaws closed on kingpin, no gap, glad hands and electrical line connected
Cargo	Secured and within weight limits

6. Brake test

Parking brake holds against a gentle pull.
Service brake stops smoothly without pulling.
For air brakes: governor cut-in/cut-out, air loss rate and low-air warning work as described in your state's CDL manual.

If you find a defect

Do not drive a vehicle with a defect likely to cause a breakdown or crash. Report it, get it repaired, and make sure the repair is documented on the DVIR. Roadside inspectors often start with the same items — see what DOT inspectors check on ELDs.