1. During the engine compartment portion of a Class A pre-trip inspection, what is the maximum acceptable belt deflection when pressed at the midpoint between pulleys?

2. What is the maximum acceptable steering wheel play during the cab check portion of a pre-trip inspection for a commercial motor vehicle?

3. During in-route inspection, a driver observes that the air compressor builds pressure from 85 PSI to 100 PSI. According to CDL Manual standards, this pressure build should occur within what maximum time frame when the engine is at idle?

4. At the end of a driving day, a driver completes a DVIR noting that the right front turn signal bulb is burned out. The driver submits the report to the carrier’s maintenance department and the carrier’s dispatcher calls to say the vehicle will be dispatched again the following morning. What action must occur before the driver operates the vehicle the next day?

5. A driver completes a 500-mile trip and during the post-trip inspection notices that the left rear trailer tire has a visible bulge on the sidewall approximately 2 inches in diameter. The driver is due to begin 10 hours of off-duty rest. What is the correct procedure for reporting and handling this defect?

6. A driver with a Class B CDL is performing a pre-trip inspection on a straight truck with air brakes. Which inspection component would NOT be part of this Class B vehicle’s pre-trip procedure compared to a Class A combination vehicle inspection?

7. A commercial motor vehicle passes its annual inspection on March 15, 2026. According to 49 CFR Section 396.17, when must the next annual inspection be completed?

8. A driver reports a steering system defect on the DVIR at the end of a trip, noting excessive steering wheel play of approximately 3 inches. The carrier schedules repairs for the following week but continues dispatching the vehicle for daily local deliveries. What violation has occurred?

9. A driver is performing a pre-trip inspection on a Class A tractor-semitrailer. The driver begins by checking the trailer brakes and then moves to the engine compartment. What is the correct sequence for the pre-trip inspection, and what error has this driver made?

10. A driver completes a pre-trip inspection and discovers that the slack adjuster on the left front brake shows push rod travel of 1.5 inches. The driver documents this on the DVIR but decides to proceed with the trip because the carrier’s maintenance department is closed and cannot certify repairs until Monday. Which analysis correctly describes the regulatory and safety implications of this decision?

11. During the engine compartment portion of a pre-trip inspection (with engine off), what is the maximum acceptable belt deflection when pressed at the midpoint between pulleys?

12. According to CVSA North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria, what tire condition automatically places a commercial motor vehicle out of service regardless of other factors?

13. What is the primary purpose of the post-trip inspection that must be conducted at the end of each day’s driving?

14. A driver is operating a loaded tractor-semitrailer on a interstate highway at 65 MPH. During the trip, the driver notices an unusual vibration coming from the left front wheel area that intensifies when braking. The vibration is not present during acceleration or steady cruising. The driver also notices the steering wheel has a slight shimmy during braking events. What should the driver do?

15. A driver completes a post-trip inspection and discovers a cracked brake hose on the tractor’s rear drive axle. The driver properly documents this defect on the DVIR and submits it to the motor carrier. The next morning, the carrier dispatches the same driver on the same vehicle without repairing the cracked hose. The carrier states that the defect is “minor” and will be repaired at the next scheduled maintenance interval in two weeks. What is the driver’s correct response?

16. A driver is preparing to conduct a pre-trip inspection on a straight truck (Class B) that has been sitting at the terminal for three weeks while the driver was on vacation. The driver notices that the annual inspection decal on the windshield shows an expiration date of 14 months ago. The driver asks the dispatcher about the decal and is told that the vehicle was inspected recently but the new decal has not been applied yet. The dispatcher provides a printed annual inspection report dated two weeks ago. What should the driver do?

17. During a pre-trip inspection of a Class A tractor with air brakes, the driver measures the push rod travel on the slack adjusters. On the left front brake chamber, the push rod travels 1.25 inches when the brake is applied. On the right front brake chamber, the push rod travels 0.75 inches. Based on CVSA out-of-service criteria for drum brakes with manual slack adjusters, which analysis is correct?

18. A driver conducts a pre-trip inspection and checks the required emergency equipment in the cab. The driver finds a fire extinguisher with a gauge showing it is fully charged, three reflective triangles in good condition, and a box containing six spare electrical fuses of various amperages. The vehicle’s electrical system uses circuit breakers instead of fuses. Which determination about emergency equipment compliance is correct?

19. A driver needs to complete a full pre-trip inspection for a Class A tractor-semitrailer. Arrange the following inspection areas in the correct sequence: (1) Engine compartment with engine off, (2) Trailer walk-around, (3) Cab check with engine running, (4) Vehicle exterior walk-around, (5) Coupling system inspection including fifth wheel and air lines.

20. A Class A tractor-semitrailer is stopped at a weigh station for a roadside inspection. The CVSA inspector checks the vehicle and places it out of service for three violations: (1) Left steer axle tire with tread depth of 2/32 inch, (2) Right rear drive axle slack adjuster with 1.5 inches of push rod travel, and (3) Inoperative left rear trailer brake light. The driver argues that the vehicle passed a pre-trip inspection that morning and was therefore safe to operate. Which analysis correctly identifies the regulatory implications of this situation?

21. During the cab check portion of a pre-trip inspection, what emergency equipment must be present and verified as functional in a commercial motor vehicle?

22. What is the minimum acceptable tread depth for steer axle tires compared to other axle tires during a pre-trip inspection?

23. When inspecting slack adjusters during a pre-trip inspection on a vehicle with drum brakes and manual slack adjusters, what is the maximum acceptable push rod travel when the brakes are applied?

24. A driver completes a post-trip inspection and documents three defects on the DVIR: a cracked windshield, a malfunctioning wiper motor, and a leaky air hose. The driver submits the DVIR to the carrier’s maintenance department at 6:00 PM. The dispatcher calls at 7:00 AM the next morning stating the truck is being dispatched for another driver. What federal requirement has been violated?

25. During the cab check portion of a pre-trip inspection, a driver notices that the right-side convex mirror is cracked but still provides a partial view of the trailer’s right side. The driver decides to proceed with the trip, planning to replace the mirror at the next scheduled maintenance stop in three days. What should the driver do instead?

26. During an in-route check, a driver observes that the air compressor takes 60 seconds to build pressure from 85 PSI to 100 PSI at engine idle. Based on CDL Manual standards, what does this indicate and what action should the driver take?

27. A driver completes a day’s driving at 4:00 PM and parks the truck at a truck stop for a 10-hour rest period. During the rest period at 8:00 PM, the driver notices the left rear trailer tire appears low on air pressure. What is the correct procedure for handling this observation?

28. During a Class A tractor-semitrailer pre-trip inspection, what three checks must the driver perform to verify that the fifth wheel is properly coupled to the trailer?

29. A driver performing a pre-trip inspection discovers the following defects: (1) right front turn signal lens is cracked but bulb functions, (2) left rear trailer tire has tread depth of 3/32 inch, (3) slack adjuster on left front brake shows push rod travel of 1.25 inches, and (4) windshield washer reservoir is empty. Which analysis correctly identifies which defects must be corrected before operation versus those that can be documented and addressed later?

30. A driver performs a Class A tractor-semitrailer pre-trip inspection in the following sequence: (1) Checks trailer brakes and lights, (2) Performs engine compartment inspection with engine off, (3) Starts engine and performs cab check, (4) Checks fifth wheel coupling, (5) Performs walk-around exterior inspection. What errors did this driver make in the inspection sequence?

31. During the cab check portion of a pre-trip inspection (with engine running), what is the maximum acceptable amount of steering wheel play (free play) for a commercial motor vehicle?

32. During the exterior walk-around inspection of a commercial motor vehicle, what wheel or rim condition should the driver identify as requiring immediate repair and reporting on the DVIR?

33. During the walk-around inspection of a Class A tractor-semitrailer, what suspension component condition indicates a defect that should be reported on the DVIR?

34. A driver is performing an air brake system leak test on a Class A tractor-semitrailer. With the parking brake applied and the engine turned off, the driver observes the air pressure gauges for one minute. The primary tank drops from 100 PSI to 97 PSI. The secondary tank drops from 100 PSI to 96 PSI. Based on these readings, which determination is correct?

35. A driver has just completed coupling a tractor to a semitrailer and wants to verify that the fifth wheel is properly locked. The driver performs a tug test by putting the tractor in low gear and pulling gently forward against the trailer brakes. The trailer does not move. The driver then visually inspects the fifth wheel and sees the locking lever is in the locked position with the safety latch engaged. What additional verification step should the driver perform before concluding the coupling inspection?

36. A driver is inspecting a loaded flatbed trailer during the pre-trip inspection. The trailer carries steel coils loaded in the forward section. The driver observes that each coil is secured with two chains crossing over the top of the coil, and the chains are attached to anchor points on the trailer deck. The chains appear tight with no slack. The driver also notices that edge protection is not used between the chains and the steel coil edges. Based on 49 CFR Part 393 cargo securement requirements, what should the driver determine?

37. During the walk-around inspection of a Class B straight truck with air brakes, a driver inspects the brake drums on the rear axle through the wheel openings. The driver observes that one brake drum has visible cracks extending across the drum surface. The driver also notes that the brake linings on that wheel appear to be within acceptable limits with adequate thickness. What action should the driver take based on this inspection finding?

38. During the walk-around inspection of a Class A tractor, the driver checks the exhaust system and observes that the exhaust pipe mounting bracket is loose, allowing the pipe to vibrate during engine operation. The exhaust pipe itself shows no cracks or holes, and exhaust gases are properly directed away from the cab. The exhaust system otherwise appears functional. What should the driver determine about this condition?

39. A driver is completing the trailer inspection portion of a pre-trip inspection for a Class A tractor-semitrailer. The driver needs to verify the trailer air line connections. Arrange the following trailer air line verification steps in the correct sequence: (1) Connect the red glad hand to the trailer service air line, (2) Check that air lines are properly sealed with no audible leaks, (3) Connect the blue glad hand to the trailer emergency/supply air line, (4) Verify trailer brakes respond to tractor brake pedal application, (5) Check that glad hand seals (rubber gaskets) are present and in good condition.

40. A driver conducts a pre-trip inspection on a Class A tractor-semitrailer and identifies the following conditions: (1) Left steer tire tread depth measured at 3/32 inch, (2) Right drive axle dual tires have diameter difference of 3/8 inch, (3) Left trailer axle slack adjuster push rod travel measured at 1.1 inches, (4) Fire extinguisher gauge shows “charged” position but expiration date is 18 months past. Based on CVSA Out-of-Service Criteria and FMCSA regulations, which analysis correctly identifies the vehicle’s operational status?

41. During a pre-trip inspection, what is the maximum acceptable amount of steering wheel play (free movement before the front wheels begin to turn) for a commercial motor vehicle?

42. When inspecting wheels and rims during a pre-trip inspection, what defects must the driver identify as unacceptable conditions requiring repair before operation?

43. When performing the air brake static leak test during a pre-trip inspection with the parking brake applied and engine off, what is the maximum acceptable air pressure loss for a combination vehicle (tractor-trailer)?

44. A motor carrier’s annual vehicle inspection was performed on January 15, 2026. The inspection report and decal were properly documented. When is the next annual inspection required to be completed to maintain compliance with 49 CFR Section 396.17?

45. A driver completes a post-trip inspection and finds no defects on the vehicle. The dispatcher instructs the driver to skip writing the DVIR since there are no defects to report. What should the driver do regarding DVIR documentation?

46. During a walk-around exterior inspection, a driver notices that one of the rear drive axle’s spring leaves is cracked halfway through its width. The spring is still attached and the axle appears to be sitting at normal height. The driver’s next destination is a repair shop 50 miles away. What is the correct decision regarding this defect?

47. While driving on a highway at 55 mph, a driver notices a sudden vibration in the steering wheel that started after hitting a pothole. The vibration persists even after reducing speed to 40 mph. The driver is 30 miles from the nearest service area. What is the correct procedure for handling this situation?

48. A driver needs to uncouple a tractor from a semitrailer at a truck stop. What is the correct sequence of steps for the uncoupling procedure?

49. A driver performing an engine compartment inspection discovers the following conditions: (1) A coolant hose has a soft spot 2 inches long where the rubber feels spongy, (2) A fan belt shows 1 inch of deflection when pressed at midpoint between pulleys, (3) Power steering fluid level is at the “MIN” mark on the reservoir. Which analysis correctly identifies which conditions require repair before operation versus those acceptable for continued operation?

50. A roadside inspector examines a Class A combination vehicle and documents the following findings: (1) Both steer axle tires have tread depth of 3/32 inch, (2) Three lug nuts are missing from the left rear trailer wheel (10 of 10 studs originally), (3) The low air pressure warning device activates at 55 PSI, (4) The windshield has a crack 8 inches long running from the bottom edge upward through the driver’s direct vision area. Based on CVSA North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria, which combination of defects would place this vehicle out of service?