Free Pre Trip Inspection Practice Test Online

Official exam: DOT Vehicle Inspection

Take a free Pre Trip Inspection practice test online: a full 30-question paper with every answer explained, no sign-up, scored by topic. The full 70-question bank and the timed simulator are $14.99 for 30 days.

First published: September 2, 2026Bank updated: September 2, 2026Published by CertQuestUSA · review process

TL;DR

DOT Vehicle Inspection: a 70-question practice bank for the real DOT / FMCSA Carrier Compliance standard, 2 full papers of 30 questions each with no repeats, every question written to the regulation it comes from.

Where these questions come from

Every question in this bank cites a source -- primarily 49 CFR (100%) of this exam's citations.

Take a full practice test free. 30 real questions built to the exam's domain weights, every answer explained, no sign-up required, with a domain-by-domain score at the end.

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Ways to pay for the full bank

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2

full papers, no repeats

30

questions per paper

70

questions in the bank

What this exam covers

Driver Pre-Trip Inspection & DVIR Review (396.13)10%
Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports (396.11)55%
Out-of-Service Criteria & Process (396.9)15%
Periodic (Annual) Inspection (396.17)20%

5 real sample questions

A driver spots a cracked rim with several loose lug nuts during a walk-around. Which required 396.11(a)(1) DVIR item does this fall under?

A. Wheels and rims

B. Driver’s cell phone plan

C. Cargo release code

D. Terminal loading dock number

Show answer and reasoning

Correct answer: A. Wheels and rims

B: A driver’s cell phone plan is not among the eleven named items.
C: A cargo release code is not among the eleven named items.
D: A terminal loading dock number is not among the eleven named items.

Source: 49 CFR 396.11(a)(1)

Fire extinguisher, spare fuses, and warning devices fall under which required 396.11(a)(1) DVIR item?

A. Emergency equipment

B. Driver’s payroll direct-deposit account

C. Trailer paint color

D. Carrier’s marketing contact

Show answer and reasoning

Correct answer: A. Emergency equipment

B: A payroll direct-deposit account is not among the eleven named items.
C: Trailer paint color is not among the eleven named items.
D: A marketing contact is not among the eleven named items.

Source: 49 CFR 396.11(a)(1)

Which of the following is NOT one of the eleven minimum items 396.11(a)(1) requires a DVIR to cover?

A. Odometer reading

B. Steering mechanism

C. Coupling devices

D. Windshield wipers

Show answer and reasoning

Correct answer: A. Odometer reading

B: Steering mechanism is one of the eleven named items in 396.11(a)(1).
C: Coupling devices are one of the eleven named items in 396.11(a)(1).
D: Windshield wipers are one of the eleven named items in 396.11(a)(1).

Source: 49 CFR 396.11(a)(1)

How many minimum vehicle-component items does 396.11(a)(1) name for DVIR coverage?

A. Eleven

B. Five

C. Fifteen

D. Twenty

Show answer and reasoning

Correct answer: A. Eleven

B: Five understates the number of items named in 396.11(a)(1).
C: Fifteen overstates the number of items named in 396.11(a)(1).
D: Twenty overstates the number of items named in 396.11(a)(1).

Source: 49 CFR 396.11(a)(1)

Before driving a motor vehicle, what must a driver first be satisfied of under 396.13(a)?

A. That the motor vehicle is in safe operating condition

B. That the fuel tank is completely full

C. That the cargo has been weighed at a certified scale

D. That the dispatcher has approved the route

Show answer and reasoning

Correct answer: A. That the motor vehicle is in safe operating condition

B: A full fuel tank is not a requirement stated in 396.13(a).
C: Certified-scale weighing is not a driver pre-trip duty under 396.13.
D: Dispatcher route approval is not a requirement stated in 396.13.

Source: 49 CFR 396.13(a)

Real-world data for this exam

Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers: real median wageMay 2025$58,640/yr Vehicle Maintenancesince 2023-01-011,914,895 violations Part of the real CDL Driver career pathExplore ›

Frequently asked questions

Where can I take a free Pre Trip Inspection practice test online?

Right here. CertQuestUSA's free Pre Trip Inspection practice test online is a full 30-question practice paper built to the real exam's domain weights, with every answer explained, with no sign-up and no credit card, and shows your score by topic at the end. The full 70-question bank, with every answer explained and cited to the regulation it comes from, is $14.99 for a 30-day pass that never renews.

How many questions are on the CertQuestUSA DOT Vehicle Inspection practice test?

70 questions total, split into 2 full papers of 30 each with no repeats across papers.

What topics does the DOT Vehicle Inspection test cover?

4 domains, with the heaviest weight on Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports (396.11) (55%), Periodic (Annual) Inspection (396.17) (20%), and Out-of-Service Criteria & Process (396.9) (15%).

Where do CertQuestUSA's DOT Vehicle Inspection questions come from?

Primarily 49 CFR (100%) of this bank's citations -- computed directly from this exam's own question sources, not a generic description.

Is there a free DOT Vehicle Inspection practice test?

Yes -- one full 30-question practice paper built to the exam's domain weights, free with no sign-up, with every answer explained and a domain-by-domain score at the end.

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