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Alberta Class 1–4 overview

Alberta Class 1–4: Trip inspections and the air brake check

Which vehicles need daily trip inspections, minor and major defects, the 24-hour report, circle-check items such as tire tread and the fifth wheel, the in-cab air brake test values, check stops, scales and post-trip checks.

  • 18 questions
  • Topic drill
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Trip inspections and the air brake check · Question 1Score 0/0

What is the rule for a major defect listed on the inspection schedule?

Study reference: Commercial Driver's Guide (Spring 2023), Ch. 3 Trip Inspections — Purpose, Vehicles that require inspections, Trip inspections, Trip air brake inspection, Enroute check stops, Inspection stations, Post-trip

All 18 questions in this test

Every question and its answer choices. The correct answers and explanations appear when you take the test above.

  1. What is the rule for a major defect listed on the inspection schedule?

    1. You may drive it to your destination
    2. You must repair it within 24 hours
    3. The vehicle may not be driven on a highway
    4. You may drive it at reduced speed

  2. A carrier operates only in Alberta. Which trucks need trip inspection reports?

    1. Every truck, whatever its weight
    2. Trucks registered at 11,794 kg or more
    3. Only trucks with air brakes
    4. Trucks registered at 4,500 kg or more

  3. What is the minimum tread depth for drive axle and trailer tires?

    1. 3.2 mm
    2. 2.4 mm
    3. 0.8 mm
    4. 1.6 mm

  4. You find a minor defect during your inspection. When may you still drive the vehicle?

    1. Never; all defects stop the vehicle
    2. Only with a peace officer's written permission
    3. Only after a mechanic has repaired it and signed off
    4. After recording it and reporting it to the carrier

  5. Your governor cuts out at 125 psi. Where should it cut in?

    1. About 100 to 105 psi
    2. About 85 to 90 psi
    3. About 115 to 120 psi
    4. About 60 psi

  6. The lights at a highway inspection station are flashing. Which vehicles must report?

    1. Only loaded trucks
    2. Only tractor-trailers
    3. All commercial vehicles over 4,500 kg
    4. Only vehicles with dangerous goods

  7. During a circle check, what should you see at the fifth wheel?

    1. The slider pin left unlocked
    2. A small gap of daylight between the plate and the apron
    3. Plate flush with the apron, jaws locked on the kingpin
    4. Jaws left open so the trailer can pivot in turns

  8. In the trip air brake check, at what pressure should the trailer air supply valve pop out?

    1. Between 20 and 45 psi
    2. 40 to 60 psi or higher
    3. Between 90 and 100 psi
    4. Below 20 psi

  9. On a school bus post-trip inspection, what is a key thing to look for?

    1. Children still aboard, even asleep
    2. Whether the radio works
    3. The odometer reading for the trip log
    4. The fuel level for the next morning's run

  10. At a fast idle of about 1,200 rpm, how quickly should air pressure build from 50 to 90 psi?

    1. Within ten minutes
    2. Within one minute
    3. Within five minutes
    4. Within three minutes

  11. A yard worker inspected your truck and signed the report. Who is legally responsible for that report?

    1. The person who signed it
    2. The carrier's safety manager
    3. The driver who takes the truck
    4. Nobody until it is filed

  12. What is the minimum tread depth for a tire on the steering axle?

    1. 3.2 mm
    2. 4.8 mm
    3. 1.6 mm
    4. 2.4 mm

  13. How long is a completed trip inspection report valid?

    1. 12 hours
    2. Until the end of the trip
    3. 24 hours
    4. 48 hours

  14. By what pressure should the low air warning come on as pressure drops?

    1. 20 psi
    2. 40 psi
    3. 60 psi
    4. 90 psi

  15. What makes a good en route check stop?

    1. A wide gravel shoulder partway up a long hill
    2. One you can enter and leave without backing
    3. Any spot with a view of traffic
    4. The bottom of a long hill

  16. How is a converter dolly handled in trip inspections?

    1. Only at the annual inspection
    2. On its own separate report
    3. It never needs to be inspected
    4. As part of the trailer it carries

  17. Before starting a trip inspection, what should you do with the engine and the wheels?

    1. Shut off the engine and chock the wheels
    2. Leave it idling with the clutch pressed
    3. Shut off the engine and release the brakes
    4. Leave it idling and release the brakes

  18. With the engine off and a full brake application held for 2 minutes, what loss is allowed for a tractor pulling one trailer?

    1. 8 psi
    2. 2 psi
    3. 4 psi
    4. 6 psi

Trip inspections and the air brake check: key rules to remember

Our summary of what the official handbook says on this topic, in our own words. Read it before or after the practice questions above, then check the original chapter. Read the official chapter ↗

Purpose of daily vehicle inspections (p. 26)

  • A daily inspection is meant to find vehicle problems and defects early, before the vehicle is driven on the highway.
  • Trip inspections are part of the carrier's legal duty to have and carry out a written maintenance program.
  • Inspection reports are how drivers, the carrier and the maintenance department communicate about a vehicle's condition.
  • The report is filled in right after the inspection.
  • The inspection uses a schedule that lists the components and systems to check.
  • An inspection and its report are valid for 24 hours.
  • The driver carries the schedule and the report in the vehicle.
  • Defects are recorded after the inspection, when found en route, and at the end of the trip or day, and are reported to the carrier.

Vehicles that require inspections (p. 26)

  • Carriers operating only in Alberta must do trip inspection reports on trucks registered at 11,794 kg or more.
  • Carriers that operate outside Alberta must do trip inspection reports on trucks registered at 4,500 kg or more.
  • Both groups must inspect commercial passenger vehicles designed to seat 11 or more people, counting the driver.
  • A commercial vehicle is one driven on a highway to provide transportation for someone; a private passenger vehicle is not included.

Reporting and driving with defects (p. 27)

  • The carrier may name an employee to receive defect reports.
  • Minor and major defects must be reported to the carrier as soon as they are found.
  • Defects can be reported in person, by phone, in writing or electronically.
  • You may keep driving with a minor defect only if you entered it on the report right away and reported it to the carrier.
  • No one may drive a commercial vehicle on a highway with a major defect listed on the schedule.

Driver inspection required (p. 27)

  • The person who does the inspection completes and signs the report.
  • You may not drive a truck or tow a trailer unless it was inspected within the previous 24 hours, by you or someone else.
  • The driver must keep watching for defects while en route, even after the initial inspection.
  • Maintenance or yard staff may also do inspections and sign reports; the person who signs is legally responsible for it.
  • A driver may rely on someone else's report unless there is reason to think it is wrong or the driver knows or should know of a defect.
  • Several trailers can be added to one report if it has extra lines for them.
  • On a peace officer's demand, the driver must produce the inspection schedule and the trip inspection report.
  • Alberta's trip inspection rules are sections 9 to 16 of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Regulation.

Trip inspection schedule (p. 28)

  • Vehicles that fail roadside inspection can be put out of service until repaired, with fines and points on the carrier profile or driver abstract.
  • A truck, tractor and towed trailer are inspected using Schedule 1.
  • A converter dolly is inspected as part of the trailer it carries, and again when it carries a different trailer.
  • The carrier must give drivers a copy of the schedule; drivers must carry it and show it to an officer.
  • A schedule and report may be on the same document.
  • Schedules 1 to 4 of NSC Standard 13 are accepted in Alberta.
  • A driver may use any circle order that suits the vehicle and location, as long as every item is checked.
  • A trip inspection is part of the road test for Class 1, 2 and 3.

Before beginning the inspection (p. 28)

  • Park on ground as level as possible, away from traffic.
  • Set the parking/spring brake and put a manual transmission in low gear.
  • Shut off the engine.
  • Chock the wheels so the vehicle cannot move, especially air-brake vehicles when the brakes are released later.
  • Square wheel blocks should be at least 15 cm by 15 cm.

Circle check items (pp. 29–35)

  • Always make a full circle around the vehicle; the order can vary but nothing should be skipped.
  • Start at the front and go down the driver's side from front to back.
  • Under the hood: radiator, fan blades, belt tension and wear, fluid levels, air filter, battery mounting and terminals, steering parts and hoses.
  • Air-brake vehicles: compressor mounting, brake chambers, slack adjuster angle and push rod travel, and air lines for leaks or damage.
  • Return to the cab as needed to switch lights on and off to check them.
  • Steering axle tires need at least 3.2 mm of tread.
  • Drive axle and trailer axle tires need at least 1.6 mm of tread.
  • Dual tires must not touch, and nothing may be trapped between them.
  • Look for rust streaks around wheel fasteners and for cracked, bent or missing rim pieces.
  • Fifth wheel: plate flush with the apron with no daylight between them, locking jaws closed around the kingpin, slider locked.
  • Check slack adjusters by pulling by hand or using a pry bar to judge travel and wear.
  • When possible have a helper apply the brakes or backing lights while you watch them.
  • Trailer landing gear must be fully raised with the handle secured.
  • On a sliding tandem, the locking pin must be locked and secure.
  • School bus extras: alternating amber and red lights, crossing arm, crossover mirror, stop arm, white strobe light, rear emergency door buzzer.
  • Ambulance extras: emergency lights and properly stowed medical equipment in the patient compartment.
  • In the cab: seat and mirrors, seat belt, pedal feel, steering play, gauges and warning lights, wipers and washer, defroster, horn and backup alarm.
  • Some rules require a backing alarm when the vehicle works around people on foot.
  • Truck-tractor in-cab: air pressure build-up time and air loss when brakes are applied; test service brakes by moving forward slowly and stopping.
  • Extra equipment for all vehicles: charged, unexpired fire extinguisher; approved warning device; full first aid kit.
  • Documents to carry may include registration, insurance, inspection certificate, pre-trip form, safety fitness certificate, permits and logbook.

Trip air brake inspection (pp. 35–36)

  • Step 1: chock the wheels on level ground and look over the air brake parts.
  • Step 2, tractor protection: engine off with key on run; with both trailer lines disconnected the trailer air supply valve should pop out at 40 to 60 psi (276 to 414 kPa) or higher.
  • The low air warning should come on by 60 psi (414 kPa).
  • Step 3: the park control valve should pop out at 20 to 45 psi (138 to 311 kPa) as you pump the foot valve.
  • Step 4: at a fast idle around 1,200 rpm, pressure should build from 50 to 90 psi (345 to 621 kPa) within three minutes.
  • The low air warning light should go out by 60 psi.
  • Governor cut-out should be 120 to 135 psi (828 to 931 kPa); cut-in should be 20 to 25 psi below cut-out.
  • Step 5, leaks: engine off, hold a full brake application for 2 minutes; loss may not exceed 4 psi (28 kPa) for the power unit plus 2 psi (14 kPa) per trailer.
  • Step 6: remove chocks, release the spring brakes and test brake response with the foot valve and with the trailer hand valve.

En route check stops (p. 36)

  • Rest and check stops give a break that makes you more alert and a chance to check the vehicle.
  • Pull completely off the road.
  • Choose a stop you can enter and leave without backing.
  • Do not stop at the bottom of a hill or on an uphill slope.
  • The stop should have an acceleration lane long enough to merge at a suitable speed.
  • At the stop check lights, air leaks, wheel security, tire inflation and heat, loose items, load security, placards, trailer locks and brake adjustment.

Vehicle inspection stations (pp. 36–37)

  • All commercial vehicles or combinations over 4,500 kg must report to an inspection station when the highway lights are flashing, not only large trucks.
  • If loaded, drive slowly across the scale lane; if empty, drive slowly in the lane next to it.
  • Watch the light board: STOP means stop and wait; BACK UP means reverse slowly and carefully; PARK means park and bring all vehicle and driver documents into the scale building.

Post-trip inspection (p. 37)

  • A post-trip inspection at the end of a shift is recommended so repairs can be arranged before the next trip.
  • The post-trip report should include problems found during the trip.
  • School buses should be inspected inside and outside after every trip.
  • On a school bus post-trip, look for lost items and children who are asleep or still aboard, clean the floor near the steps, check emergency equipment, report damage and leaks, and check tires.

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