Chapter 1-4b: Daily trip inspection — classes A and D

The “Daily Trip Inspection — Classes A and D” section of the Ontario truck driver license test focuses on the mandatory pre-trip inspections required for commercial vehicles.

Ontario Truck Driver Test - Chapter 1-4b: Daily trip inspection — classes A and D

1 / 30

How should safety chains or cables be connected on a non-fifth wheel combination?

Connect them straight

Do not use safety chains if air brakes are present

Connect only one chain

Connect them crossed

2 / 30

At what speed should you reverse the truck/tractor to couple with the trailer?

As fast as possible to ensure engagement

At highway speed then brake hard

At idle in neutral gear

At a walking pace

3 / 30

What is the industry standard colour for the service air line?

Red

Blue

Yellow

Green

4 / 30

For non-fifth wheel couplings, what must be done before the hook-up is considered complete?

Adjust landing gear or trailer position/height as necessary and connect the safety chains or cables crossed

Tighten wheel nuts on the trailer

Turn on headlights and leave cables on the ground

Raise the landing gear halfway and leave chains loose

5 / 30

What should be confirmed about the alignment for a fifth wheel coupling?

The trailer door is open

The trailer wheels are turned fully right

The kingpin is aligned with the fifth wheel lower coupler

The landing gear is tilted towards the tractor

6 / 30

What is the industry standard colour for the supply or emergency air line?

Blue

Red

Black

Green

7 / 30

For a non-fifth wheel coupling, how close should the truck coupling device be to the trailer connection point before you stop and secure the truck?

Three feet behind the trailer connection point

Directly locked into the trailer connection point

In direct contact with the trailer connection point and moving chocks

About one foot ahead of the trailer connection point

8 / 30

After backing the tractor to engage the fifth wheel, what must be done to confirm the trailer is locked onto the tractor?

Immediately drive onto the highway

Lower the landing gear fully again

Perform a tug test by stretching the tractor and trailer

Disconnect and reconnect air lines

9 / 30

For a fifth wheel vehicle, what should be inspected specifically before coupling?

Ball hitch locking nut

Fifth wheel, air/electrical lines and connections

Pintle hook and safety pin

Tow bar attachment bolts

10 / 30

What might happen if the trailer is too low when backing under it?

The tractor may strike and damage the trailer nose

The air lines will connect improperly

The kingpin will not latch and the trailer will detach

The landing gear will automatically retract

11 / 30

Before reversing to couple, what should you do if required?

Turn off all external lights

Release the trailer parking brake

Remove wheel chocks from the trailer

Exit the vehicle, check vehicle path, and observe the environment around the vehicle

12 / 30

During a visual inspection of a fifth wheel coupling, what indicates that the coupling is not secure?

The kingpin is greased

The tractor is parked straight

Any space appearing between the upper plate of the trailer and the fifth wheel

The landing gear is fully raised

13 / 30

Before pulling the tractor ahead to separate from a fifth wheel trailer, what must you confirm about the trailer?

The landing gear handle is removed

The trailer is stable and secure

The trailer wheels are turned left

The safety chains are unhooked

14 / 30

How do you test the hook-up by “hitting the pin”?

Accelerate forward at high speed and brake hard

Place the transmission in reverse, partially release the clutch to move backward in a short, sharp motion, then try to pull forward against the pin with trailer brakes applied

Shift into neutral and rock the unit by hand

Turn the steering wheel fully left and right while stationary

15 / 30

For a non-fifth wheel vehicle, which items must be inspected before coupling?

Only the trailer lights and reflectors

Truck coupling device, truck air/electrical connections, and chain connection points as applicable

Only the truck’s rear bumper and tail lights

Only the trailer tires and hubs

16 / 30

During coupling, what should you inspect first before positioning the truck/tractor and trailer units?

Fifth wheel, coupling device, air/electrical lines, chain hook points and connections

Interior gauges and dashboard lights

Fuel tank levels and caps

Tire pressures on both tractor and trailer

17 / 30

During a fifth wheel coupling, what must be done immediately after the tug test?

Disconnect the electrical line

Lower and raise the landing gear again

Apply tractor parking brakes and place the transmission in neutral

Release all brakes and coast backward

18 / 30

What must be confirmed for non-fifth wheel couplings during the visual inspection?

Only that the truck tires are inflated

Coupling device is locked, secondary locks are secured, and connection points, chains and hooks are properly connected

Only that the trailer lights are working

Only that the landing gear handle is stowed

19 / 30

How must the fifth wheel jaws or locking mechanism appear when properly coupled?

Not touching the kingpin

Completely closed around the kingpin (checked from under the trailer)

Partially open with a visible gap

Resting beside the kingpin

20 / 30

What might happen if the trailer is too high when attempting to couple?

It may not couple correctly

The tractor will not move

The landing gear will collapse

The electrical system will fail

21 / 30

When uncoupling a fifth wheel tractor trailer, what must you do before pulling the tractor clear of the trailer?

Apply tractor parking brakes and place the transmission in neutral

Turn on four-way flashers and sound the horn

Disconnect air and electrical lines

Lower the landing gear completely

22 / 30

When positioning a fifth wheel under a trailer, how far should you reverse before stopping to inspect?

Stop two metres away from the trailer

Reverse until the kingpin has fully locked without stopping

Reverse until the tractor drives completely under the trailer

Reverse until the fifth wheel is just ahead of the trailer, touching or slightly under, but not against the kingpin

23 / 30

What condition should the trailer height be in before backing the tractor under it?

The trailer height does not matter for coupling

The trailer should be higher than the fifth wheel so it drops onto it

The trailer should be resting firmly on the ground

The trailer should be low enough that it is raised slightly by the tractor when backed under

24 / 30

When pulling the tractor clear of a fifth wheel trailer, how should you move the tractor?

Turn sharply while pulling forward

Accelerate quickly to avoid dragging

Pull ahead slowly until the two units are separated

Reverse slightly, then pull ahead quickly

25 / 30

For a non-fifth wheel vehicle, what should be done after reversing until the coupling device is properly in line with the trailer connection point?

Turn off four-way flashers and lights

Apply only trailer brakes and leave in drive

Place the transmission in park/neutral and apply the truck parking brake

Immediately pull away from the trailer

26 / 30

After coupling and before driving, what must be done with the trailer landing gear?

Raise it halfway and leave the handle hanging

Remove the landing gear from the trailer

Raise the trailer landing gear fully and stow the handle in its retainer

Leave the landing gear down while driving slowly

27 / 30

What additional safety signal must be used before reversing to couple?

Sound the air horn continuously

Turn on high beam headlights

Activate four-way flashers and sound the horn (unless equipped with an automatic audible backing device)

Turn on the interior dome light

28 / 30

After initially positioning for coupling, what must you do with the transmission and parking brake?

Place the transmission in park/neutral and apply truck/tractor parking brakes

Apply only the trailer brake, leaving the transmission in drive

Place the transmission in reverse and release all brakes

Leave the transmission in gear and apply no brakes

29 / 30

In a proper fifth wheel coupling, what must be true of the release lever?

The release lever is half engaged

The release lever is tied with a rope

The release lever is in the locked position

The release lever is fully extended

30 / 30

Before backing fully under a fifth wheel trailer, what must be inspected on the trailer?

Trailer upper coupler plate, kingpin, and trailer air and electrical lines and connections

Trailer floor and internal cargo

Trailer license plate and registration sticker

Trailer reflectors and mud flaps

Your score is

Drivers must demonstrate their ability to check critical components, including brakes, tires, lights, steering, suspension, and emergency equipment, before starting each trip. For both Class A (tractor-trailers) and Class D (straight trucks) licenses, understanding inspection routines, recognizing potential defects, and accurately recording findings are essential. This section ensures drivers can identify safety issues early, comply with legal requirements, and maintain safe road conditions for themselves and others. Proper inspections prevent breakdowns and promote responsible driving.