Free Semi Truck Pre-Trip Inspection Checklist & Air Brake Test Tool
Every commercial driver is required to complete a pre-trip inspection before operating a commercial motor vehicle — but most checklists stop at a simple pass/fail form. This tool covers the full FMCSA pre-trip inspection checklist for US drivers and Ontario Schedules 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6 for Canadian carriers, including a complete 8-step air brake test with guided timers most drivers have never done correctly. No login. No app. Works on any phone or tablet at the yard.
SEMITRUCKOIL
Pre-Trip Inspection Tool • FMCSA & Ontario Schedules 1, 2, 3, 5 & 6
Daily Driver Checklist
Select an action below to get started. Inspections are saved locally on this device for 14 days.
Home
New Inspection
FMCSA or Ontario Schedule 1–6. Sign and lock the record.
Air Brake Pre-Trip
Timed leak-down test. Pass/Fail unlocks after the required hold.
Print / Send
Print to PDF or share recent inspections.
Officer Mode
Lock the app for roadside review. PIN-protected exit.
New Daily Inspection
Select schedule, complete all items, sign, and lock.
Driver Mode
1 · Select inspection schedule
FMCSA – US Federal pre-trip inspection per 49 CFR 396.11.
2 · Vehicle & Driver Details
Status key:
OK
Minor Defect
Major Defect
N/A
3 · Inspection Items
Driver Signature *
After certification this record is locked.
Air Brake Pre-Trip — Full Test
Complete 8-step procedure. Work through each step in order before operating the vehicle.
Air Gate
Step 1 of 8
Step 1 Setup & Initial Build
The system must be fully charged before testing can begin. Starting from low air eliminates false readings from residual pressure.
- Chock all wheels.
- Start engine and release all brakes.
- Watch the dash gauge — pressure should climb steadily.
- Let it build until the compressor governor shuts off (you'll hear it). Note the cut-out pressure.
Normal cut-out: 120–135 psi. If it cuts out below 120 or above 135, that's a governor fault — fail.
Step 2 Pressure Build-Up Rate
A slow build rate means the compressor is worn, the air dryer is restricted, or there's a significant leak. If pressure builds too slowly the system can't recover fast enough during hard braking.
- Fan the brakes down to about 50 psi with engine running at governed RPM.
- Time how long it takes to climb from 50 psi back to 90 psi.
Must reach 90 psi within 3 minutes. Most healthy systems do it in under 45 seconds.
Step 3 Governor Cut-In
The governor controls when the compressor starts and stops pumping. If the cut-in pressure is too low, the system runs short on air before the compressor kicks in. Too high and the compressor never stops, building heat.
- Continue fanning brakes slowly down from cut-out.
- Watch the gauge — the compressor should begin pumping again before pressure drops too low.
Compressor must cut in (restart) at or above 85 psi (typically 100–110 psi on most trucks).
Step 4 Low Air Warning Device
This is the driver's only warning that the system is losing air. A failed warning device means a driver could lose brakes without any alert. It's a major defect in every jurisdiction.
- Shut off the engine. Turn key to ON (gauges active, engine off).
- Fan the brakes repeatedly to drain air.
- Watch for the warning light and/or buzzer to activate.
Warning must activate at or before 55 psi. If it comes on at 60 psi, that's fine — it must not wait until below 55.
Step 5 Spring Brake Auto-Apply
Spring brakes are fail-safe — they apply automatically when air pressure drops too low. This is your last line of defense if the air system fails completely. They must apply before pressure gets so low the service brakes are also gone.
- Continue fanning brakes after the low-air warning activates (engine still off).
- Watch the dash — the spring brake warning light should come on and you'll feel the brakes lock up.
- Try to move the vehicle — it should be immoveable.
Spring brakes must apply between 20–45 psi. Vehicle must not roll with springs applied.
Step 6 Leak-Down — Brakes Released (Timed)
This test checks for leaks in the supply side of the system — tanks, lines, fittings, and valves — when no brake components are pressurized. Even a small supply leak means you'll eventually run out of air on a long downgrade.
- Rebuild pressure to governor cut-out.
- Shut engine off. Turn key to ON. Release all brakes completely.
- Let pressure stabilize for 60 seconds, then press Start Timer.
- Watch the gauge — do not touch the brake pedal.
Max allowable drop: 2 psi/min single vehicle • 3 psi/min combination (tractor-trailer).
01:00
Step 7 Leak-Down — Brakes Applied (Timed)
This test checks the brake side of the system — chambers, diaphragms, valves, and lines that are pressurized only when brakes are applied. A leaking brake chamber can cause uneven braking and total brake loss on a long downhill.
- Rebuild pressure to governor cut-out.
- Shut engine off. Fully apply the foot brake pedal and hold firmly.
- Let pressure stabilize (initial drop is normal), then press Start Timer.
- Continue holding the pedal for the full minute.
Max allowable drop: 3 psi/min single vehicle • 4 psi/min combination (tractor-trailer).
01:00
Step 8 Visual Inspection
Electronic tests find leaks but won't show you a cracked chamber, a chafed air line, or a slack adjuster that's out of adjustment. Walk the vehicle — eyes on every brake component.
- Walk around the vehicle. Listen for audible air leaks from any fittings, hoses, or chambers.
- Check brake chambers — no cracks, secure mounting, no grease contamination on the diaphragm area.
- Check air lines — no chafing, no kinks, no rubbing against frame or tires.
- Check slack adjusters — all should be at a similar angle. Grossly out-of-spec = major defect.
- In winter: check for ice in airlines, valves, and tank drain valves.
No audible leaks, no damaged components, no ice — all chambers secure and lines intact.
Print / Send Inspections
Select a recent inspection and use your device print dialog to generate a PDF.
Driver / Admin
Recent Inspections (last 14 days)
Officer / Roadside Mode
Lock the app and hand the device to an officer for read-only review.
Officer Mode
When Officer Mode is active the driver cannot edit logs or navigate to other screens. Exiting requires the admin PIN set under Settings.
Recent Inspections
14-Day Inspection History
Local records on this device. Not cloud storage.
Local Only
Settings
Driver and company defaults pre-fill the daily inspection form.
Device Profile
Help & Reference
Quick guidance for drivers, supervisors, and officers.
Reference
- FMCSA Schedule: Covers US federal 49 CFR 396.11 required items for commercial motor vehicles.
- Ontario Schedules: Schedules 1, 2, 3, 5 & 6 per Ontario's Highway Traffic Act regulations.
- Minor vs Major: Tap the defect intelligence toggle under each item to see classification guidance.
- Oil Callouts: Items with lubrication relevance link to AMSOIL products via Vyscocity.
- Signature: Sign the pad before saving. Tap Clear to retry.
- Air Brake Timer: Pass/Fail is locked until the 60-second hold completes.
- Officer Mode: Locks navigation and shows read-only history. Exit requires your admin PIN.
- Print / PDF: Use your browser's print dialog (Ctrl+P / Cmd+P) and select "Save as PDF".
- 14-Day History: Records saved locally on this device. Not synced to any server.
What a Real Pre-Trip Inspection Actually Covers
Most drivers complete a pre-trip in under five minutes. An officer or a serious mechanical failure will expose exactly what was skipped. The FMCSA requires inspection of brakes, steering, tires, lights, coupling devices, fuel system, exhaust, and emergency equipment before every trip — and Ontario's Highway Traffic Act schedules mirror that scope for Canadian carriers.
The air brake pre-trip is where the most gaps exist. The leak-down test with brakes applied is widely known, but the build-up rate check, governor cut-in test, low air warning activation, and spring brake auto-apply test are legally required and routinely skipped. A driver who has never run a full air brake sequence is one long downgrade away from finding out why it matters.
Pre-Trip Inspections and Your Engine Oil
Oil-related defects — low engine oil, power steering fluid, active leaks — are checklist items, not suggestions. An engine running low on oil on a pre-trip that gets waved through is a warranty void and a breakdown waiting to happen.
If your pre-trip is consistently flagging low oil or short drain intervals, the fix is extending protection between changes. AMSOIL synthetic diesel engine oil is rated for extended drain intervals under severe commercial duty — available through Vyscocity, an authorized AMSOIL dealer. The same goes for fifth wheel grease, power steering fluid, and drivetrain lubricants your pre-trip checklist touches every day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this tool compliant with FMCSA regulations?
The checklist covers all items required under 49 CFR 396.11. It is a reference and documentation aid — carriers should verify requirements against their own jurisdiction and safety management system.
Does it work for Canadian drivers?
Yes. Ontario Schedules 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6 are all included. Select the appropriate schedule when starting an inspection.
Is the air brake test legally sufficient?
The 8-step procedure covers all required elements under FMCSA and Ontario regulations. Results are saved locally on your device — for carriers requiring centralized records, export via the Print / PDF function.
Does it save my inspections?
Records are saved locally on your device for 14 days. No account or internet connection required.
Where can I get AMSOIL products for my truck?
Vyscocity is an authorized AMSOIL dealer carrying diesel engine oil, gear lube, grease, and full drivetrain lubricants for commercial trucks.