Applicable inspection schedule: Schedule 1
Before you begin:
- set the parking brake
- shut off the engine
- block the wheels
1. Engine compartment
Open the engine compartment and make sure the safety lock for the hood is in the locked position, if equipped.
Inspect the following items:
| Fluid levels | All fluids must be at a safe operating level, including:
|
|---|---|
| Belts | Check all drive belts for tension, wear, cracks and fraying. Note: Never check the belts while the engine is running. |
| Hoses | Check all hoses for leaks, fraying, poor connections or damaged hose clamps. |
| Electrical wiring and connections | Check for bare wires or loose connections and make sure wiring is securely attached to the vehicle. |
| Steering | Steering linkage system components are not loose or damaged and no excessive free play. Bolts, nuts, clamps, universal joints are not missing or badly worn. |
2. Vehicle exterior
If there are multiples of the same item on the vehicle, you must inspect each item the same way. For example, on a typical Class 3 truck, there will be a minimum of 10 tires and rims that need to be inspected individually.
Inspect the following items:
| Headlights | Both the low beam and high beam lights must be working. |
|---|---|
| Hazard lights | Check the operation of all hazard lights on the front, sides and rear of the truck. |
| Signal lights | Check the operation of both the left and right signal lights on the front, sides and rear of the truck. |
| Clearance, marker and identification lights | Check that all lights on the top, front, rear and along the sides of the truck are working. |
| Tail lights | Make sure they are working. |
| Brake lights | Make sure they are working. |
| Reflective tape | All reflective tape along the sides and rear of the truck must be properly affixed and not damaged. |
| Inspection decal | Must be properly affixed and valid. |
| Mirrors | All mirrors must be securely attached to the vehicle and not damaged. |
| Doors | Both front driver side and passenger side doors must open and close properly from the outside. Must be securely fastened to the vehicle, not damaged; hinges are secure and not worn. |
| Batteries | Check for corrosion and leaks. Make sure the batteries and the battery cables are secure. Make sure the battery compartment cover is on and securely attached. |
| Fuel tank(s) | Fuel cap is on and secure. Tank is secure and the straps are not loose. Fuel lines are secure and there is no fuel leaking. |
| Exhaust system | Make sure there are no audible or visible signs of leaks. Components must be secure and not missing, perforated or patched. |
| Fluid leaks | Look for fluid leaks underneath the entire truck. |
| Suspension | All suspension components on each axle must be secure and not damaged including:
|
| Frame | Where the frame is visible, look for damage or cracks. |
| Underbody | Must be no structural damage, cracks, corrosion, deformations, perforations, or presence of openings not designed by the manufacturer. |
| Driveshaft | Must be no missing, loose or damaged parts, no excessive wear, and universal joints must not show evidence of free play. |
| Tires | Check each tire for:
|
| Rims | Look for damage or cracks. |
| Lug nuts | Look for missing lug nuts. Look for rust or shiny rings around the contact surfaces to indicate a loose lug nut. |
| Hubs | Must not be cracked, bent, distorted, worn, missing or leaking. If a sight glass is visible, you must also check that the hub oil is at a safe operating level. |
| Brakes | Must not be any cracks or damage to drum or disc. Excessive wear on discs or inside drum must not exceed manufacturer’s wear limit. |
| Load or cargo | Make sure the load is secure. |
| Tailgate or cargo doors | Must be closed and secure. All hinges must be secure and not damaged. |
3. Vehicle interior
For the in-cab inspection, some of the items will need to be inspected while the engine is running. We recommend starting the engine before you begin the in-cab inspection.
Inspect the following items:
| Driver seat | Make sure the seat is secure and properly adjusted for you. |
|---|---|
| Driver seat belt | Fasten and unfasten seat belt to make sure it works properly. |
| Mirrors | All mirrors must be clear, unobstructed and not damaged. Make sure all mirrors are properly adjusted for you. |
| Windshield | Must be clear, unobstructed and not damaged. |
| Windshield wipers and washer | Check the wipers for damage and make sure they wipe properly. Turn on the windshield washer to make sure it works properly. |
| Windows | Side and rear windows must be clear, unobstructed and not damaged. |
| Doors | Both front driver side and passenger side doors must open and close properly from the inside. |
| Steering | Check for excessive free play. |
| Horns | Make sure both the air and electric horns work properly. |
| Accelerator pedal | With the engine idling, depress the pedal and release. Check for binding or sticking. |
| Clutch pedal | If equipped, check for free play and amount of travel. |
| Brake pedal | Total pedal travel does not exceed 80% of the total available travel when heavy force is applied. The brakes release immediately when pressure is released from the pedal. If pedal is mounted to the floor, make sure there is nothing under the pedal that will affect the application of the brakes. |
| Instrument panel | Make sure there are no warning lights present. Turn on the left and right signals, hazard lights and high beams to make sure the indicator lights are working properly. |
| Gauges | Engine must be running. Identify each gauge and make sure each gauge is in its normal operating range. |
| Switches | Engine does not have to be running, but the key must be turned on. Identify each switch and make sure each switch is in its normal operating position. |
| Heater, defroster and fan speed | Make sure all temperature controls work and it switches between the heater and defroster positions. Check the fan speed in both the heater and defroster positions. Use your hand to physically check for air blowing out of the vents. |
| Fire extinguisher | Must be present in commercial vehicles wider than 2,060 mm. Must be secure and properly charged. |
| Flares, reflectors or triangles | A minimum of three flares/reflectors must be present if vehicle is wider than 2,060 mm and being operated outside corporate limits of an urban municipality. |
4. Brake response tests
Before driving anywhere, it is important to make sure that your brakes work. This section will explain how to test both the foot brake and park brake.
Remove the blocks and test the following items:
| Park brake | With the park brake applied, try to gently pull ahead. |
|---|---|
| Foot brake | Release the park brake, drive slowly ahead and apply the foot brake. |