The walkaround, in order.
Test me / Listen & repeatStep 1 · Remember the 7 stops
“Pop the hood, hit the hub, check the cab side, check the hookup, walk the trailer, climb in, air it out.”
- 1. Pop the hood
- 2. Hit the hub
- 3. Check the cab side
- 4. Check the hookup
- 5. Walk the trailer
- 6. Climb in
- 7. Air it out
Step 2 · Pick the call by what the part is
Wet call · Holds liquid or air
“Securely mounted, not cracked, broken, or leaking.”
Steel call · Solid metal
“Securely mounted, not cracked, bent, or broken.”
Rubber call · Hoses and lines
“Securely mounted, not ripped, torn, frayed, or leaking.”
Easy rule: wet parts leak, steel parts bend, rubber parts tear.
Stop 1 of 7
Pop the hood
Look under → Fill it → Pump it → Steer it → Connect it
Look under
Fill it
Pump it
- 4Water pump Locked
- 5Alternator Locked
- 6Air compressor Locked
Steer it
- 7Steering gear box Locked
- 8Steering column Locked
- 9Pitman arm Locked
- 10Drag link Locked
Connect it
- 11Hoses and lines Locked
- 12Belts Locked
That's the free sample: parts 1–3
Unlock every line, all 7 stops and 56 checks, plus Test Me, Say it and Listen & Repeat for all of them.
Stop 2 of 7
Hit the hub
Hold it → Smooth it → Stop it → Spin it
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All 7 stops, 56 checks, diagrams and practice tests.
Stop 3 of 7
Check the cab side
Door → Fuel → Battery
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All 7 stops, 56 checks, diagrams and practice tests.
Stop 4 of 7
Check the hookup
Fumes → Frame → Fifth wheel → Duals
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All 7 stops, 56 checks, diagrams and practice tests.
Stop 5 of 7
Walk the trailer
Front → Legs → Body → Wheels → Flaps → Lights → Tape
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All 7 stops, 56 checks, diagrams and practice tests.
Stop 6 of 7
Climb in
Start it → Read it → Work it → Buckle it
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All 7 stops, 56 checks, diagrams and practice tests.
Stop 7 of 7
Air it out
Leak it → Light it → Pop it → Pump it → Tug it → Stop it
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All 7 stops, 56 checks, diagrams and practice tests.
The only numbers to memorize
- Belts: no more than 3/4 inch of play.
- Slack adjuster: no more than 1 inch of play when pulled by hand.
- Steer tires: at least 4/32 inch of tread (never regrooved).
- Drive and trailer tires: at least 2/32 inch of tread.
- Reflective tape: at least half of each trailer side, plus the full rear bottom and upper rear corners.
- Steering wheel: no more than 10 degrees of play (about 2 inches on a 20-inch wheel).
- Air brakes: low-air warning before 60 psi; spring brakes and trailer air supply knob pop out at 20–45 psi; build-up 85–100 psi in 45 seconds; governor cut-out around 125 psi, cut-in around 100 psi; static leak less than 3 psi and applied leak no more than 4 psi in a minute (combination).
Examiners and states differ slightly, and some test the in-cab and air brake steps in a different order. Check your state's CDL manual for its exact numbers.