Texas CDL General Knowledge Practice Exam

What should a driver check during a pre-trip inspection?

1. Weather conditions

2. Tires, lights, brakes, steering, and fluid levels

3. Passenger comfort features

4. All of the above

The correct answer is: Tires, lights, brakes, steering, and fluid levels

During a pre-trip inspection, it is essential for a driver to check critical safety and operational elements of the vehicle. These include tires, which should be inspected for proper air pressure and tread depth; lights to ensure visibility and signaling; brakes for functionality and effectiveness; steering components for any signs of wear or damage; and fluid levels to prevent mechanical failure during the trip. The focus on these specific components comes from the necessity to ensure that the vehicle is safe to operate and compliant with regulations. Checking passenger comfort features, while important for overall travel experience, does not directly impact the safety and operational readiness of the vehicle. Similarly, assessing weather conditions can inform a driver's decisions but is not a mechanical aspect of vehicle readiness. Therefore, concentrating on the vehicle's critical systems such as tires, lights, brakes, steering, and fluid levels is paramount for ensuring safety on the road.