CDL Vehicle Inspection Practice Test Part 3

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?