How do you check for excessive steering lash?

Engine on, turn wheel with fingers to resistance

Drive in a tight circle and listen for clunks

Jack up the front axle and shake each tire

Engine off, jerk the steering wheel hard both ways

May you drive a tractor-trailer that has a major defect?

Yes, to the next town for repairs

Ontario Class A (AZ): Daily inspection and defects

Schedule 1 circle checks within 24 hours, major versus minor defects, reporting, tire tread and wheel checks, annual inspection decals and the defect limits for tractor-trailer air, coupler and suspension items.

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Daily inspection and defects · Question 1Score 0/0

What is the minimum tread depth on the steer tires of a tractor rated over 4,500 kg?

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Study reference: MTO Truck Handbook (online edition, 2026), Ch. 1 Getting your licence — Daily trip inspection, classes A and D

All 23 questions in this test

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

What is the minimum tread depth on the steer tires of a tractor rated over 4,500 kg?
1. 3 mm
2. 5 mm
3. 1.5 mm
4. 2 mm
How do you check for excessive steering lash?
1. Engine on, turn wheel with fingers to resistance
2. Drive in a tight circle and listen for clunks
3. Jack up the front axle and shake each tire
4. Engine off, jerk the steering wheel hard both ways
During your circle check you find a single broken leaf in a spring. What kind of defect is it?
1. Major
2. Not a defect
3. Critical impound
4. Minor
May you drive a tractor-trailer that has a major defect?
1. Yes, if the trailer is empty
2. No, not until it is repaired
3. Yes, if you report it by phone
4. Yes, to the next town for repairs
With the trailer supply valve closed, air escapes from the service gladhand when braking. What is defective?
1. The tractor protection valve
2. The trailer spring brakes
3. The air dryer purge valve
4. The front wheel-limiting valve
Where is the annual inspection decal placed on a semi-trailer?
1. On the rear doors at eye level
2. Inside the trailer on the bulkhead
3. On the front left outside surface
4. On the right side near the landing gear
With brakes fully applied, what air loss in one minute is a major defect on a Class A combination?
1. More than 6 psi
2. More than 4 psi
3. More than 10 psi
4. More than 2 psi
How much forward-and-back movement between the fifth wheel's upper and lower coupler is a major defect?
1. More than 1 in. (25 mm)
2. More than 1/2 in. (13 mm)
3. Any movement at all
4. More than 1/8 in. (3 mm)
As part of the daily inspection, what should you check on the annual inspection decal?
1. That it is signed by the shipper
2. That its date is still valid
3. That it shows the driver's name
4. That it matches the plate colour
What is the minimum tread depth on a rear tire of a commercial vehicle?
1. 1.5 mm
2. 0.5 mm
3. 3 mm
4. 4 mm
What is the movement limit between a pintle hook and drawbar eye?
1. 1 in. (25 mm)
2. 3/8 in. (10 mm)
3. 1/4 in. (6 mm)
4. 1/2 in. (13 mm)
Which two documents about the daily inspection must you carry?
1. The tire receipts and the fuel receipts
2. The current report and the schedule
3. The annual certificate and the logbook
4. The CVOR record and the bill of lading
Your pre-trip finds a minor defect. What must you do?
1. Refuse to drive until it is repaired
2. Fix it yourself before the next trip
3. Ignore it until the annual inspection
4. Record it and report it to the operator
Exhaust fumes are getting into the cab. How is this defect classed?
1. Not a defect
2. Minor
3. Minor if windows are open
4. Major
What is the most common reason a commercial vehicle is taken out of service?
1. A burnt-out clearance light
2. An expired driver's licence
3. Out-of-adjustment air brakes
4. A missing fuel receipt
Within how many hours before driving must a Schedule 1 inspection have been done?
1. 8 hours
2. 12 hours
3. 48 hours
4. 24 hours
You find a defect halfway through your trip. When must you report it to the operator?
1. Only at the next annual inspection
2. Only if a police officer asks
3. As soon as possible
4. At the end of the week
Who may adjust the air brakes on your tractor?
1. Any driver holding a Z endorsement
2. A certified mechanic or course graduate
3. The shipper's loading dock staff
4. Any driver with five years' experience
Who may inspect the dangerous goods items on the schedule?
1. Any person over 18
2. Any passenger in the cab
3. Only a qualified driver
4. Only a police officer
After new wheels are installed, when do wheel makers recommend re-checking the fasteners?
1. After 1,000 km
2. Only at the annual inspection
3. Between 80 and 160 km
4. At the next oil change
How must two safety chains on a pintle-hook trailer be connected?
1. Hooked and crossed, hooks secured
2. Twisted together into one chain
3. Parallel and slack, hooks open
4. Wrapped around the drawbar
A coupler mounting has one loose fastener. How is it classed?
1. A minor defect
2. A critical impound defect
3. A major defect
4. Not a defect
Which tire condition is a major defect?
1. A leak you can hear or feel
2. A tire touching only the mud flap
3. Light wear on the tread blocks
4. Dust or mud on the sidewall

Daily inspection and defects: 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 ↗

classes A and D

The daily inspection is also called a circle check or pre-trip inspection, and the Highway Traffic Act requires it.
You may not drive a truck unless you or someone else did a Schedule 1 inspection and completed an inspection report within the previous 24 hours.
The inspection follows an inspection schedule (O. Reg. 199/07) that lists the systems to check and splits defects into major and minor.
A minor defect must be written on the inspection report and reported to the operator; you may not drive with a major defect.
Defects found during the trip must also be reported to the operator as soon as possible; major defects must be repaired before the vehicle is driven again.
Carry both the current inspection report and the schedule; electronic versions are allowed.
The most common reason a commercial vehicle is put out of service is air brakes out of adjustment; insecure loads, defective lights or tires and broken springs are other common reasons.
Out-of-adjustment brakes can get the vehicle detained and the operator's CVOR certificate suspended or cancelled.
You may adjust your own air brakes only if you have passed an approved air brake adjustment course or are a certified mechanic.

Items to inspect

Schedule items include air brakes (if equipped), cab, cargo securement, coupling devices, driver controls and seat, electric and hydraulic brakes, emergency equipment, exhaust, frame and cargo body, fuel system, glass and mirrors, heater/defroster, horn, lamps and reflectors, steering, suspension, tires, wheels/hubs/fasteners and wipers/washers.
Dangerous goods items are checked only by a driver qualified to carry them.

Tires, wheels and steering

Rear tires need at least 1.5 mm of tread, measured in two adjacent grooves.
Front tires on a vehicle with a gross vehicle rating over 4,500 kg need at least 3 mm of tread.
After new wheels or tires are installed, wheel makers recommend re-checking the wheel fasteners between 80 and 160 km; installation must be done by a certified tire installer or mechanic.
Steering free play (lash) is checked with the engine on and wheels straight: turn the wheel each way with your fingers until you feel the tires resist; too much rotation means excessive lash.

Annual inspection

Operators must have each truck and trailer inspected every year by a licensed motor vehicle inspection mechanic to National Safety Code Standard 11, Part B.
A passed vehicle gets an annual inspection certificate, record and decal showing the vehicle type and the month and year of inspection.
On a truck the decal goes on the lower left corner of the windshield or the left side of the cab; on a trailer or converter dolly, on the front left outside surface.
As part of the daily inspection, check that the decal date is still valid.

Selected defect limits (combination vehicles)

Air pressure build-up is a minor defect when it takes longer than two minutes to rise from 85 to 100 psi at 600–900 rpm.
Any audible air leak is a minor defect.
Air loss with the brakes fully applied is a major defect above 4 psi (28 kPa) in one minute for a Class A combination.
The low-air warning is a major defect if it fails to activate or activates below 55 psi.
Fifth-wheel movement of more than 1/2 in. (13 mm) forward or back between upper and lower coupler is a major defect; for a pintle hook and drawbar eye the limit is 3/8 in. (10 mm).
A loose or missing coupler fastener is a minor defect; a damaged coupler or one that fails to lock is a major defect.
A missing, wrong-size or badly worn safety chain or cable is a major defect; two chains must be hooked and crossed with secured hooks.
Air escaping from the trailer service line when the trailer supply valve is closed and the service brakes are applied means the tractor protection valve is defective (major defect).

Other defect limits

A noticeable exhaust leak is minor; exhaust entering the cab is major.
A missing fuel cap is minor; an insecure fuel tank or dripping fuel is major.
A single broken leaf spring is minor; a broken main leaf, more than one broken leaf, or a loose U-bolt is major.
A tire leak you cannot hear or feel is minor; a flat tire or a leak you can hear or feel is major.
Tires touching another tire or a vehicle part other than a mud flap, or showing exposed cords, are major defects.
A cab or sleeper door that will not close securely is major; one that will not open is minor.
Wipers that cannot clear the driver's side when weather requires them are a major defect.

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