PRE-TRIP INSPECTION · QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Pre-Trip Inspection Practice Test — questions and answers

All 30 original Rig Toolbox practice questions for this test, printed in full with the correct answer and an explanation for each one. Read them here, then put them to work in Practice or the Exam Simulator — no sign-up, ever.

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Independent practice: these are Rig Toolbox's own study questions, not official exam questions. Always confirm rules in the official handbook for the licence you are taking.

About this question set

How many questions are here? 30 — the full bank for this test. The interactive test draws 20 of them at a time.

What is this test? Test the same tractor-trailer walk-around knowledge covered in the Rig Toolbox pre-trip guide.

Every question, with its answer

Question 1

Where should a systematic pre-trip inspection begin?

At any random wheel
With the vehicle safely parked and secured
Only after entering traffic
At the trailer doors

Correct answer: With the vehicle safely parked and secured

Park safely, apply the parking brake and secure the vehicle before inspecting.

Question 2

Which cab item is part of a pre-trip inspection?

Radio station
Seat belt, mirrors and windshield
Coffee holder
Phone charger

Correct answer: Seat belt, mirrors and windshield

The restraint system and clear visibility through mirrors and glass are safety-critical.

Question 3

What should you look for beneath the tractor?

Only old stains
Fresh puddles or visible leaks
Road paint
Tire marks only

Correct answer: Fresh puddles or visible leaks

Fresh fluid beneath the vehicle can reveal an active leak.

Question 4

Which condition should be checked under the hood?

Belts, hoses, wiring and fluid leaks
Trailer seal number only
Cargo count
Licence class

Correct answer: Belts, hoses, wiring and fluid leaks

Inspect accessible engine components for security, damage, wear and leakage.

Question 5

What can rust trails around a wheel fastener indicate?

A polished wheel
Possible loose lug nuts
Correct wheel torque
New brake lining

Correct answer: Possible loose lug nuts

Rust trails or shiny threads can be warning signs of movement or looseness.

Question 6

What should be checked on dual tires?

That they touch each other
Clear spacing with nothing lodged between them
That only the outside tire is inflated
That valve caps are removed

Correct answer: Clear spacing with nothing lodged between them

Duals need proper clearance and must be free of trapped objects.

Question 7

What confirms a secure fifth-wheel coupling?

A visible gap above the fifth wheel
Jaws fully around the kingpin and no gap at the apron
Release handle pulled out
Landing gear carrying the trailer weight

Correct answer: Jaws fully around the kingpin and no gap at the apron

The locking jaws must capture the kingpin and the trailer apron must sit flat.

Question 8

How should air and electrical lines be positioned?

Dragging on the deck
Connected, supported and free of damaging stretch
Wrapped around the release handle
Disconnected after coupling

Correct answer: Connected, supported and free of damaging stretch

Lines must be connected and supported with enough clearance for turns.

Question 9

Before travel, the trailer landing gear should be:

Fully raised with the handle secured
Six inches above the ground
Carrying part of the load
Lowered at every stop

Correct answer: Fully raised with the handle secured

Raise the landing gear fully and secure its crank handle before moving.

Question 10

What should be verified at a sliding trailer tandem?

Pins are locked and the release handle is secure
Only tire colour
Doors are open
Air lines are disconnected

Correct answer: Pins are locked and the release handle is secure

All locking pins must be fully engaged before the trailer moves.

Question 11

What should be checked at the rear of the trailer?

Doors, latches, lights, reflectors and rear guard
Only the licence plate colour
Only the company logo
Nothing if the seal is intact

Correct answer: Doors, latches, lights, reflectors and rear guard

The entire rear area must be secure, visible and serviceable.

Question 12

What is a warning sign at an air suspension?

Properly inflated bags
A deflated or damaged air bag
Clean frame paint
A secured shock absorber

Correct answer: A deflated or damaged air bag

A deflated, damaged or leaking air bag needs attention.

Question 13

What should you do with defects found during the inspection?

Erase them after departure
Record and report them according to the applicable procedure
Tell only the next driver
Wait one week

Correct answer: Record and report them according to the applicable procedure

Defects must be documented and reported as required before departure.

Question 14

Which phrase is useful at every inspection zone?

Looks fine from here
Mounted securely; no loose or missing parts
It worked yesterday
The shop will find it

Correct answer: Mounted securely; no loose or missing parts

A consistent condition-and-security check helps prevent missed defects.

Question 15

Does this online checklist replace required training or the legal inspection schedule?

Yes, completely
Only in Ontario
No
Only for empty trailers

Correct answer: No

It is a study aid; drivers must follow training, law, schedules and carrier procedures.

Question 16

Before a walk-around, how should the truck be positioned?

Safely parked and secured
Rolling slowly
Partly in traffic
With the driver absent

Correct answer: Safely parked and secured

Secure the vehicle before inspecting it.

Question 17

What might a fresh puddle beneath the vehicle indicate?

An active fluid leak
Normal tire inflation
A secured fifth wheel
An intact cargo seal

Correct answer: An active fluid leak

Fresh fluid can point to a leak that needs assessment.

Question 18

What should be checked at an accessible steering component?

Security, damage and leaks where applicable
Only paint colour
The radio setting
The delivery address

Correct answer: Security, damage and leaks where applicable

Inspection looks for safe condition and proper attachment.

Question 19

Why inspect windshield wipers?

They help maintain visibility in precipitation
They adjust brake pressure
They secure the load
They control trailer lights

Correct answer: They help maintain visibility in precipitation

Wipers help keep the driving view clear.

Question 20

Which tire condition is a warning sign?

Visible cut or bulge
Correct inflation
No foreign objects
Adequate clearance

Correct answer: Visible cut or bulge

Cuts or bulges can indicate a damaged tire.

Question 21

What should be inspected at the trailer rear?

Lights, doors, latches and reflectors
Only the paint
Only the brand name
Only the roof colour

Correct answer: Lights, doors, latches and reflectors

Rear components must be serviceable and secure.

Question 22

What should a driver verify about air and electrical lines?

Connected and protected from snagging
Dragging on the deck
Pinched between tractor and trailer
Disconnected

Correct answer: Connected and protected from snagging

Connections need to remain attached and free of damage.

Question 23

What should be checked at the landing gear before departure?

Raised and crank secured
Left down
Dragging slightly
Disconnected

Correct answer: Raised and crank secured

The landing gear needs to be fully stowed.

Question 24

Why inspect a trailer seal or door securement?

To identify an unlatched or damaged door
To change speed limits
To lower tire pressure
To reset the trip meter

Correct answer: To identify an unlatched or damaged door

Doors should remain secured throughout travel.

Question 25

A marker light fails during inspection. What should the driver do?

Record and follow the applicable defect procedure
Hide the lamp
Ignore it
Replace the route plan

Correct answer: Record and follow the applicable defect procedure

Record a defect and follow the governing schedule and carrier procedure.

Question 26

What should you look for at wheel fasteners?

Missing or loose-looking parts
Only matching paint
A fuel receipt
A new route number

Correct answer: Missing or loose-looking parts

Missing parts or movement marks can signal wheel trouble.

Question 27

What is a good way to avoid missing part of a walk-around?

Use a consistent sequence
Check random areas only
Skip the trailer
Inspect only after driving

Correct answer: Use a consistent sequence

A repeatable sequence helps catch overlooked defects.

Question 28

Why should the driver check mirrors before moving?

To confirm a clear field of view and secure mounting
To find the nearest truck wash
To set the clock
To measure trailer weight

Correct answer: To confirm a clear field of view and secure mounting

Mirrors must provide reliable visibility.

Question 29

What should a driver do when a safety-critical defect is found?

Follow the applicable out-of-service and repair requirements
Keep driving without a report
Tell no one
Wait until delivery

Correct answer: Follow the applicable out-of-service and repair requirements

A serious defect must be addressed under the applicable inspection rules.

Question 30

Which official source explains Ontario Class A daily inspection testing?

The MTO Truck Handbook
A U.S. tourist map
A fuel-price app
A trailer advertisement

Correct answer: The MTO Truck Handbook

The Ontario handbook explains the inspection test and schedules.

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