Truck Inspection Checklist for Quebec: Pre Trip and Circle Check

Performing a complete circle check and vehicle safety inspection on a semi truck and trailer[/caption]

A good truck inspection checklist covers ten areas: tires and wheels, brakes, lights and visibility, steering and suspension, the engine compartment, driver controls, fuel and exhaust, coupling devices, the trailer and cargo, and your inspection paperwork. Work through them in a set order every time, so you catch a problem before it turns into a breakdown, a roadside inspection issue or a collision.

In Quebec, the official name for this inspection is the circle check. If your vehicle is covered, the SAAQ requires that a circle check was completed within the 24 hours before you drive, and that the results go into a written report. Many drivers still call it a pre trip inspection, and the two overlap heavily. The Quebec rules are covered later in this guide.

This guide gives you a daily truck inspection checklist you can use on a phone, then explains what to look for in each area and what to do when something is wrong.

Quick truck inspection checklist

Conducting a pre-trip daily truck inspection checklist before departure in Quebec.[/caption]

1. Tires and wheels

☐ Inflation looks correct and matches your gauge reading
☐ No cuts, bulges, exposed cords or embedded objects
☐ Tread wear is even and within the limits in your defect list
☐ Wheel fasteners present, no rust trails, cracks or loose looking nuts
☐ Valve stems and caps intact

2. Brakes

☐ Parking brake and service brakes work as expected
☐ No audible air leaks, damaged hoses or dragging brakes
☐ Air pressure builds and holds normally, and the low air warning works (if trained to test it)

3. Lights, glass and visibility

☐ Headlights, taillights, brake lights, turn signals, hazards, clearance and marker lights work
☐ Reflectors and lenses clean and undamaged
☐ Windshield and windows free of damaging cracks, wipers and washers working
☐ Mirrors secure, clean and adjusted

4. Steering, suspension and frame

☐ No excessive play in the steering wheel
☐ Springs, air bags and shock absorbers show no leaks, cracks or sagging
☐ Frame shows no visible cracks or damage

5. Engine compartment

☐ No fresh leaks under or around the engine
☐ Oil, coolant and washer fluid at proper levels where applicable
☐ Belts and hoses not frayed, cracked or loose

6. Driver controls and cab

☐ Gauges and warning lights behave normally after start up
☐ Horn works, heater and defroster work
☐ Seat and seat belt secure and functional

7. Fuel and exhaust

☐ Tanks and caps secure, no fuel leaks
☐ Exhaust system secure, no leaks or contact with other parts

8. Coupling and connections

☐ Fifth wheel or other coupling fully locked and secure
☐ Air lines and electrical cable connected, undamaged and properly supported
☐ Landing gear raised and secured

9. Trailer, doors and cargo

☐ Trailer body, doors and latches sound
☐ Cargo secured and weight balanced
☐ Emergency equipment present and in good condition

10. Documents and reporting

☐ Circle check report completed, signed and kept on board

☐ Defects recorded, or “no defects” recorded
☐ Required vehicle documents on board

What to check before starting the truck

Start with safety. Park on level ground, set the parking brake and make sure the vehicle cannot roll. Turn the engine off before looking under the hood, and let the engine cool before touching anything hot. Do not open a hot radiator cap. Keep clear of traffic when walking around the unit, especially in a busy yard or truck stop. The SAAQ states that drivers must carry out these inspections safely.

Then review the last circle check report. If a defect was recorded, confirm that it was repaired or is still within the time allowed for it. In Quebec winters, also clear snow and ice from lights, mirrors, glass, steps and the area around brake components so you can see damage that might otherwise stay hidden.

Check the fluids you can reach safely: engine oil, coolant, windshield washer fluid and power steering fluid where your vehicle has it. Look for wet spots on the ground that were not there yesterday. A small drip can point to a hose, seal or fitting that is starting to fail.

Exterior truck inspection checklist

Walk around the unit in the same direction every time. A routine order makes you less likely to skip something when you are tired or in a hurry.

Lights, glass and mirrors

Turn on headlights, hazards and turn signals, then check the brake lights with help or a reflection. Look at clearance and marker lights too. A bulb that is out can be a bulb problem, but it can also signal corroded sockets, a damaged harness or a ground fault. Check lenses for cracks that let moisture in. Check the windshield for cracks in your line of sight, test the wipers and washers, and make sure the mirrors are tight, clean and adjusted before you move.

Steering, suspension and frame

With the vehicle parked, look for loose or missing fasteners and any leaking or damaged components. Inspect springs, air bags and shock absorbers for cracks, leaks, sagging or uneven ride height. Check the frame and crossmembers for visible cracks, bends or rust through. A suspension that sits unevenly can wear tires quickly and affect handling under load. Excess play in the steering wheel after start up is a reason to stop and have the system checked.

Engine compartment

Inspect belts for fraying and glazing, and hoses for cracks, bulges and soft spots. Look for fluid leaks, loose connections and anything hanging or rubbing. A visual check can reveal a problem, but it cannot always show how serious it is. If you find a leak or damaged component and are unsure, treat it as a defect and have it assessed.

Fuel and exhaust systems

Check that fuel tanks, caps and lines are secure and that there is no leaking fuel. Look at the exhaust system for loose brackets, leaks, soot marks that suggest a leak, and contact with hoses, wires or tires. A fuel leak is a serious safety risk, so do not drive until it is fixed.

Driver controls and cab

Once the engine is running, watch the gauges and warning lights. Test the horn, heater, defroster, wipers and washers. Check that the seat adjusts and locks and that your seat belt latches and retracts properly. Confirm that the emergency equipment required for your vehicle is on board and in good condition. Which items apply depends on the vehicle, so check your list of defects.

Tires, wheels, brakes and safety systems

Tires, wheels and brakes are the areas where a missed problem can become a serious one fastest, so give them extra time.

Tires and wheels

Measuring tire pressure and inspecting tread condition on a Michelin commercial truck tire[/caption]

Look at every tire, including the ones on the trailer. You are checking inflation, cuts, bulges, exposed cord, embedded objects, uneven wear and damage to the sidewall. Use a reliable gauge to measure pressure when the tires are cold, and keep in mind that load and temperature affect what is correct for your equipment. Uneven wear often points to an alignment, suspension or inflation problem, so it is worth chasing the cause instead of just replacing the tire.

Check the wheels, hubs and fasteners too. Look for missing or loose wheel nuts, rust streaks around fasteners, cracked wheels, oil or grease leaking from a hub, and damaged valve stems or caps. Wheel loss is a serious hazard, and the SAAQ lists wheels, hubs and fasteners among the principal circle check components.

Brakes

The circle check covers air brake, hydraulic brake and electric brake systems, depending on the vehicle. For an air brake system, look and listen for leaks, check for cracked or chafed air hoses, and confirm that the gauges build and hold pressure normally. Make sure the parking brake holds and that the trailer brakes respond. Watch for a spongy pedal, pulling to one side, dragging brakes, unusual noises or brake components that look frozen or damaged after cold weather.

Some brake checks need training, and sometimes tools. Air brake leakage tests, low air warning tests and checking brake adjustment are examples. If you have not been trained to do one safely, do not improvise. Record what you saw and have a qualified technician check it. Never crawl under a vehicle that is running or could move.

Truck and trailer inspection checklist

A tractor can pass its checks and still pull an unsafe trailer, so inspect them as a combination. This truck and trailer inspection checklist is where many roadside problems show up.

Coupling devices and connections

Verifying fifth wheel lock engagement, electrical cables, and air lines during a truck and trailer inspection[/caption]

Check the fifth wheel for cracks, damaged or missing parts, a worn or dry plate, and a locking mechanism that is fully engaged around the kingpin. The SAAQ lists coupling devices among the principal components of the circle check. Look at the gap between the trailer and the fifth wheel to confirm it is seated properly, and make sure the release handle is secured. If your equipment uses another type of hitch, such as a gooseneck, check its locking device, safety chains or cables, and attachment points. Safety chains should be secure with enough slack to turn, but not so much that they drag.

Check the air lines and electrical cable between the units. Look for cracked, worn or rubbing hoses, damaged connectors and loose or missing seals. Listen for leaks. Make sure lines are supported so they do not snag or stretch during turns.

Trailer body, doors and landing gear

Look over the trailer body, frame, floor where visible, doors, hinges and latches for damage. Check that the landing gear is fully raised, the crank handle is secured and no parts are bent or leaking. Inspect trailer tires, wheels, brakes, lights and reflectors the same way you did on the truck.

Cargo securement

Make sure the load is secured and balanced, and that straps, chains, binders and tie downs are in good condition and correctly tensioned. Look for fraying, cuts, cracked hardware and anything that could shift while driving. Securement rules differ by load type, so check the SAAQ and applicable requirements for your cargo.

Emergency equipment

Confirm that required emergency equipment is on board and usable. As a driver or fleet manager, use the defect list for your vehicle type to confirm what applies.

How to record inspection results and defects

An inspection only counts if it is recorded. In Quebec, the SAAQ says a circle check report must be completed after each circle check, even when no defects were found. In that case, the report must say so.

Make notes as you go instead of relying on memory. Be specific: “left rear outer tire sidewall bulge” is far more useful than “tire issue.” Record defects you find during the check and defects you notice during the trip. Write them in plain, legible language so the operator, a mechanic or an inspector can understand them without calling you.

Quebec circle check requirements

The circle check is Quebec’s official term for the inspection. According to the SAAQ, it is a sight and sound inspection of the accessible components of a vehicle. Its purpose is to find defects early, notify the owner and operator, and keep a vehicle from being operated when its condition poses a risk of an accident or breakdown. The rule has been in effect since November 20, 2016.

If a truck inspection reveals a mechanical issue that needs professional attention, our diesel truck and trailer repair service can help.

Which vehicles are covered

The SAAQ says the circle check applies to:

• Road vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 4,500 kg or more, including straight body trucks, road tractors and semi trailers
• Combinations that include at least one vehicle with a GVWR of 4,500 kg or more
• Buses, minibuses and tow trucks, whatever their GVWR
• Vehicles under 4,500 kg GVWR that carry dangerous substances requiring safety marks
•  
• There are exemptions, including tool vehicles, farm tractors, farm machinery, some farm trailers, certain heavy vehicles required by emergency services or during a disaster, heavy vehicles used for personal purposes, and some straight body trucks used for specific farm, forest or fishery transport. Do not assume you are exempt. Check the SAAQ’s Circle Check Guide for your situation.

The 24 hour rule and who does the check

Before driving, the driver must make sure a circle check of the vehicle was completed within the previous 24 hours. The driver can do it personally, or the operator can designate another person. If someone else did it, the driver can accept the report by confirming it is valid and signing it, or refuse it and carry out a new circle check. Buses, minibuses, tow trucks and emergency vehicles have an additional rule on co signing a report from the previous driver, so check the SAAQ page if that applies to you.

What the circle check covers

The SAAQ lists 20 principal components, including coupling devices, frame and cargo body, heater and defroster, driver controls, steering, windshield wiper and washer, emergency equipment, headlights and lights, tires, doors and exits, glass and mirrors, wheels, hubs and fasteners, seats, suspension, the fuel system, the exhaust system, and the electric, hydraulic and air brake systems. Passenger transportation items are also listed for relevant vehicles.

The SAAQ also publishes three lists of defects: List 1 for heavy vehicles other than those in lists 2 and 3, List 2 for buses other than motor coaches, minibuses and trailers hauled by them, and List 3 for motor coaches. These lists show whether a defect is minor or major. A valid circle check report and the list of defects for the vehicle must be on board.

Circle check report contents

The report must include the licence plate number or unit number on the registration certificate, the operator’s name, the date and time of the check, the municipality or road location where it was done, defects found during the trip, defects found during the check (or a note that none were found), the printed name of the person who did the check, a signed declaration that the vehicle was inspected as required, the driver’s signature if someone else did the check, and the odometer reading. The SAAQ allows electronic reports if they meet the requirements of Quebec’s legal framework for information technology.

Minor and major defects

A minor defect does not pose an immediate threat but can get worse quickly. The vehicle cannot be operated if the repair is not made within 48 hours. A major defect poses an immediate threat to the safety of the driver and other road users, and the vehicle cannot be operated until it is repaired.

Maintenance and mechanical inspection are separate

A circle check does not replace maintenance. For vehicles with a GVWR of 4,500 kg or more, the SAAQ requires owners to have mandatory mechanical maintenance done at least every 6 months. The SAAQ also says this maintenance does not replace the mandatory periodic mechanical inspection. These are separate obligations from the circle check, and which ones apply depends on the vehicle.

What to do when a defect is found

First, decide how serious it is. Use the defect list that applies to your vehicle. If you are unsure, or the problem affects braking, steering, tires, wheels, coupling or fuel, treat it as serious and do not drive until you know it is safe.

Do not operate a vehicle with a major defect. The SAAQ says it is prohibited until repaired. For a minor defect, the vehicle can only continue to be operated if it is repaired within 48 hours.

Then report it. Record the defect on the circle check report. Notify the operator immediately about a major defect. For a minor defect, notify the operator before the next circle check or within 24 hours, whichever comes first. Owners must correct reported defects, and the SAAQ says to keep proof of repairs.

After that, arrange the repair. If the truck or trailer is stuck at the roadside, in a yard or at a customer site, a mobile service can often come to you instead of you risking a drive.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should be included in a truck inspection checklist?

A solid truck inspection checklist covers tires and wheels, brakes, lights, reflectors, mirrors and glass, steering, suspension and frame, the engine compartment, driver controls, fuel and exhaust, coupling devices and connections, the trailer body and cargo, emergency equipment, and the paperwork. In Quebec, check it against the SAAQ’s circle check components and the defect list for your vehicle.

How often does a truck need an inspection in Quebec?

For covered vehicles, a circle check must have been completed within the 24 hours before you drive. Separately, owners of vehicles with a GVWR of 4,500 kg or more must have mandatory mechanical maintenance done at least every 6 months. The mandatory periodic mechanical inspection is a different obligation. See the SAAQ for what applies to your vehicle.

What is a truck circle check?

It is the SAAQ’s term for the sight and sound inspection of a vehicle’s accessible components before it is driven. It aims to find defects early so unsafe vehicles are not operated.

Is a pre trip inspection the same as a circle check in Quebec?

Not exactly. Pre trip inspection is the common phrase for the check a driver does before driving. In Quebec, the legal term is circle check, which has a 24 hour rule, a required report and defined minor and major defects. A good pre trip inspection should be done in a way that meets the circle check requirements.

Which vehicles require a circle check in Quebec?

Vehicles with a GVWR of 4,500 kg or more, combinations that include one, buses, minibuses and tow trucks regardless of GVWR, and smaller vehicles carrying dangerous substances that require safety marks. Some vehicles are exempt, so confirm with the SAAQ’s Circle Check Guide.

What should a truck driver do if a defect is found?

Record it, classify it using the correct defect list, and notify the operator. Do not operate a vehicle with a major defect. A minor defect must be repaired within 48 hours or the vehicle cannot be operated.

What information belongs on a Quebec circle check report?

The plate or unit number, operator name, date and time, location of the check, defects found during the trip and the check (or a note that none were found), the printed name of the person who did it, a signed declaration, the driver’s signature if someone else did the check, and the odometer reading.

Does a truck inspection checklist replace a mechanical inspection?

No. A checklist or circle check is a driver level visual and sound check. Mandatory mechanical maintenance and the periodic mechanical inspection are separate obligations for the owner.

What should drivers check on a semi trailer?

Check the coupling and kingpin connection, air lines and electrical cable, landing gear, tires and wheels, brakes, lights and reflectors, doors and latches, the trailer body and frame, and cargo securement.

Can a DOT pre trip inspection checklist be used in Quebec?

It can be a helpful memory aid, but US DOT and FMCSA rules are not Quebec law. In Quebec, use the SAAQ circle check requirements and the defect list for your vehicle. If you also operate in the United States, check those rules separately.

Found a problem during your inspection?

If your truck inspection checklist turns up a tire failure, an air leak, a lighting or electrical fault, or a suspension problem, you do not have to risk driving it. MTL Roadside Truck and Trailers Repair provides 24 hour mobile heavy duty truck and trailer roadside repair in Montreal, Saint Laurent, Laval and Dorval. Call 514 999 9158 to describe the problem and arrange service.