Your $29 Kit is unlocked

Thank you — the full trainer on this device is now unlocked: every question bank, the full-length simulator, the readiness verdict, and miss-bank drills. This page holds the printable parts of your kit. Bookmark it.

Printable pre-trip inspection walkthrough

The modernized pre-trip inspection follows the same sequence examiners use: engine compartment, front, in-cab air-brake tests, sides, coupling, and trailer. Walk it in this order until the order itself is automatic — 50 checkpoints. Prefer to drill it? The interactive pre-trip trainer walks the same 50 checkpoints and then tests your recall area by area.

Approach & engine compartment

• Approach the vehicle: look for leaks underneath — oil, coolant, fuel, or air-system drips on the ground.
• Check the general condition: nothing leaning, no damage, no obstacles around or under the vehicle.
• Engine oil level: pull the dipstick, wipe, reinsert, and confirm the level is within the safe range.
• Coolant level: check the sight glass or reservoir — never open a hot radiator cap.
• Power steering fluid: level in the safe range, pump free of leaks.
• Engine belts: check for cracks, fraying, and looseness — no more than about 3/4 inch of play.
• Hoses: firm, not cracked, bulging, leaking, or worn through.
• Battery (if exposed): secure, connections tight and corrosion-free, caps in place.

Front of the vehicle

• Front axle and steering components: nothing bent, broken, or loose; castle nuts and cotter pins in place.
• Steering box and hoses: secure, no leaks.
• Front suspension: leaf springs not shifted, cracked, or broken; U-bolts secure; shock absorber mounted and not leaking.
• Front brakes: hoses intact, no leaks; linings not dangerously thin; no oil or grease on the components.
• Front wheel: rim undamaged, no missing or loose lug nuts (watch for rust trails and shiny threads), tire properly inflated.
• Front tire tread: at least 4/32 inch on steering tires; no cuts, bulges, or exposed cord; valve stem capped and not leaking.
• Lights and reflectors at the front: clean, working, and the correct color.

In-cab & start-up checks

• Seat belt: mounted securely, latches, not frayed or cut.
• Mirrors: adjusted before moving; windshield clean; wipers and washers working.
• Safe start: parking brake set, transmission in neutral (or park), then start the engine.
• Gauges: oil pressure rises to normal within seconds; air pressure builds steadily; voltmeter in range; temperature climbs normally.
• Air pressure build-up: from 85 to 100 psi in about 45 seconds at operating RPM.
• Governor cut-out: air governor cuts out around 120–125 psi.
• Low-pressure warning: signal activates before pressure falls below 60 psi (test by fanning the brake pedal, engine off).
• Spring brakes: they pop on automatically between 20 and 45 psi as you fan down the pressure.
• Applied leakage test: engine off, brakes applied — loss no more than 3 psi per minute (single vehicle) or 4 psi (combination).
• Horn, heater/defroster, and all dashboard warning lights functioning.
• Emergency equipment: spare fuses, three red reflective triangles, and a properly charged, rated fire extinguisher.

Side of the vehicle & fuel area

• Doors and latches: open, close, and latch securely; steps and handholds solid.
• Fuel tank: secure, cap tight, no leaks from tank, lines, or cap.
• Drive shaft: not bent or cracked, no loose couplings.
• Exhaust system: secure, no leaks, not touching fuel lines, tires, or wiring.
• Frame: no cracks, broken welds, or holes; cross members secure.
• Side lights and reflectors: clean, working, correct color.

Rear wheels, brakes & coupling (combination)

• Rear tires: at least 2/32 inch tread; duals not touching each other or the rim; properly inflated.
• Rear wheels: rims undamaged, all lug nuts present and tight, no cracked spacers on duals.
• Rear suspension: springs, hangers, torque rod, and shocks secure and undamaged; air bags not leaking (if equipped).
• Rear brakes: slack adjusters within limits, hoses intact, drums and linings sound, no leaks at the chambers.
• Fifth wheel (tractor-trailer): skid plate greased, mounting bolts secure, locking jaws around the kingpin shank — not the head — release lever locked, safety latch engaged.
• Air and electrical lines to the trailer: connected, sealed, free of chafing, enough slack for turns, supported so they cannot catch.
• Trailer landing gear: fully raised, crank handle secured, support frame undamaged.
• Kingpin and apron: kingpin not bent; apron not damaged; no gap between apron and skid plate when coupled.

Trailer & rear of the vehicle

• Trailer frame and body: no cracked or broken cross members; doors latch and seal; spare tire secure if carried.
• Trailer lights and reflectors: brake, turn, tail, and clearance lights working and correct in color; ABS lamp functioning if equipped.
• Reflectors and conspicuity tape: present, clean, and visible along the sides and rear.
• Rear impact guard (ICC bar): present and secure on applicable trailers.
• Cargo: loaded and secured — blocked, braced, or tied down; seals checked if the load is sealed; weight legal and balanced.
• Mud flaps: present behind the rear wheels where required, not dragging or torn.

Final checks before moving

• Test the service brakes at walking pace: the vehicle stops straight, without pulling, delay, or unusual feel.
• Test the trailer brakes with the hand valve (combination) and confirm the trailer holds.
• Test the parking brake: it holds the vehicle against a gentle pull.
• Confirm all lights one final time with a walk-around or a helper.

Endorsement cheat sheets

General Knowledge — the numbers sheet

• Look 12–15 seconds ahead; scan mirrors every 5–8 seconds.
• Tread depth: steering tires 4/32 in minimum; all others 2/32 in.
• Stopping distance at 55 mph: about 300 feet total (perception + reaction + braking).
• Following distance: 1 second per 10 feet of vehicle length under 40 mph; add 1 second above 40 mph.
• BAC disqualification for CDL holders starts at 0.04.

Air Brakes — the numbers sheet

• Governor cut-out ≈ 120–125 psi; cut-in ≈ 100 psi.
• Low-pressure warning: before 60 psi.
• Spring brakes engage automatically: 20–45 psi.
• Build-up test: 85 → 100 psi within ~45 seconds.
• Applied leakage: ≤3 psi/min single vehicle, ≤4 psi/min combination.
• Brake lag adds ~32 feet at 55 mph before braking begins.
• Drain air tanks at the end of every day of driving.

Combination Vehicles — the numbers sheet

• Blue glad hand = service line; red = emergency/supply line.
• Rearward amplification: the last trailer whips hardest — crack-the-whip rollovers start there.
• Hand (trolley) valve: for testing trailer brakes only — never for parking or regular braking.
• After coupling: tug test, visual kingpin check (jaws on the shank, not the head), then raise landing gear fully.
• Turn wide and slow: off-tracking means the trailer's rear wheels follow a shorter path than the tractor's fronts.

Texas Section 14 — the numbers sheet

• Maximum vehicle height in Texas: 14 feet including load.
• Mud flaps required on vehicles with four or more tires on the rear axle.
• Signal at least 100 feet before turning.
• Section 14 is a separate pass/fail test: 30 questions, 80% to pass, English only.

Hazardous Materials — the numbers sheet

• The test: 30 questions, 80% to pass, from CDL Manual Section 9. It is an endorsement — you test for it on top of your base CDL.
• Placards: 10¾ inches square, diamond-shaped, on all four sides of the vehicle.
• Shipping papers: kept within the driver's immediate reach at the controls; tabbed or placed first so they stand out.
• Leaking packages: never accept them, never drive with them — report the problem and refuse the load.
• No smoking within 25 feet of a placarded vehicle carrying flammable or explosive materials.
• Placarded vehicles must stop at railroad crossings 15 to 50 feet before the nearest rail.
• An incident must be reported — the National Response Center number appears in every manual: know that reporting is mandatory, not optional.

Tank Vehicles — the numbers sheet

• The test: 20 questions, 80% to pass, from CDL Manual Section 8. Tanker endorsement (N) is required for tanks above 1,000 gallons aggregate.
• Liquid surge: the liquid's weight shifts when you stop, start, and turn — on smooth-bore (unbaffled) tanks it hits hardest.
• Outage (ullage): always leave room for the liquid to expand — never fill a tank completely.
• High center of gravity: slow well below the posted speed before curves and ramps — rollovers start with the turn, not the road.
• Brake earlier than you think you need to; surge adds stopping distance.

Doubles & Triples — the numbers sheet

• The test: 20 questions, 80% to pass, from CDL Manual Section 7. Doubles/Triples endorsement (T) on top of your base CDL.
• Rearward amplification ("crack-the-whip"): the rear trailer amplifies steering input — about 2× on doubles, about 3.5× on triples. Steer gently at speed.
• Heaviest trailer goes first, closest to the tractor; lightest goes last.
• Coupling: converter dolly connects via pintle hook with safety chains — the dolly's own brakes lock during coupling.
• Longer stopping distances and the widest off-tracking: more following space, earlier braking, no sudden lane changes.

Your 7-day cram plan

1. Day 1 — Baseline. One full-length simulator per test you face. Note every weak section.
2. Day 2 — Weakest section repair. Read it in the manual, drill its questions, read every explanation.
3. Day 3 — Second section + miss drills. Clear the miss bank to zero.
4. Day 4 — Mixed practice. Full-bank practice mode; confirm old misses stay fixed.
5. Day 5 — Two simulators. Both should clear 80% with cushion. Drill anything new that surfaces.
6. Day 6 — Pre-trip day. Walk the inspection checklist above three times; finish with one simulator.
7. Day 7 — Light review. Numbers sheets only. Documents ready. Stop by evening — test tomorrow.