📚 Guide by Safety Mom · Allstar Enviro Safety — The Pre Trip Inspection online course trains commercial drivers, oilfield trucking operators, and heavy vehicle operators on Alberta and Canadian regulatory requirements. Delivered by Safety Mom · Allstar Enviro Safety Calgary. Same-day certificate.
🔗 Related Safety Mom courses & guides: H2S Alive Calgary · Standard First Aid Calgary · Oil Sands Safety Certs · Instructor: Arliss Levine, CRSP, CHSC
PRE TRIP INSPECTION ONLINE TRAINING COURSE OVERVIEW
This online driver training course provides instruction on how to perform vehicle inspections. While most vehicle inspection courses list the items that need to be inspected, This course goes further by using professional videos to show truck drivers how to perform required truck inspections. Additionally, this course explains how to react to potential vehicle defects that are found during a vehicle inspection.
Understanding and effectively applying the vehicle inspection concepts explained in this online course will help truck drivers keep their vehicle road safe.
TRIP INSPECTION ONLINE COURSE TOPICS:
In this online Trip Inspection Training course, the following topics are covered:
Module 1: Preparing for the Pre-Trip Inspection
This module covers how a truck driver should perform a pre-trip inspection and includes the necessary safety precautions that should be taken while all vehicle inspections are performed. This module also discusses the National Safety Code (Standard 13) and how it relates to the C.V.S.A. inspection that an enforcement agency may perform.
Module 2: Inspecting the Air Brake System
The focus of this module is how air brakes work and how to properly perform an air brake test. Examples of possible air brake defects, as well as steps to take when a brake problem is identified, are also covered.
Module 3: Defects and Major Defects
This module thoroughly covers the inspection items listed on a vehicle inspection form and includes information on potential vehicle defects as well as solutions if those defects are discovered.
Module 4: Performing the Inspection
Building on the concepts learned in the first three modules, the steps for performing a complete vehicle inspection are demonstrated.
TRIP INSPECTION ONLINE TRAINING COURSE DURATION: Approximately 45 minutes
TRIP INSPECTION ONLINE TRAINING EXAM: Testing conducted throughout this online course is designed to reinforce the information presented. A mark of 80% must be achieved in order to receive a certificate of completion. Participants are able to repeat the course twice if the pass mark is not achieved. Supplemental materials necessary to complete this course can be accessed online.
TRIP INSPECTION ONLINE CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION: Upon successful completion of this online course, a certificate of completion will be available for download and printing.
To purchase courses for multiple users, please contact us directly.
DAILY TRIP INSPECTION ONLINE COURSE PREVIEW
Additional Safety Knowledge
Commercial Driver Requirements in Alberta
Alberta commercial drivers require a Class 1, 2, or 3 licence depending on the vehicle. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations and Alberta’s Traffic Safety Act govern hours-of-service, vehicle inspection, and cargo securement. Drivers of vehicles over 4,500 kg gross combined weight rating are subject to National Safety Code (NSC) standards including electronic logging device (ELD) requirements as of January 2023.
Hours of Service Rules
Federal HOS regulations for interprovincial trucking allow a maximum of:
- 13 hours driving in a 14-hour work shift
- 70 hours on-duty in any 7 consecutive days (or 120 hours in 14 days with a 24-hour reset)
- Mandatory 8 consecutive hours off-duty after each shift
- Minimum 10 hours off-duty in a 24-hour period, at least 8 of which must be consecutive
Alberta intraprovincial drivers follow provincial HOS rules with similar structure. Log falsification is a serious violation that can result in licence suspension and carrier CVOR downgrades.
Pre-Trip Inspection Requirements
Under Schedule 1 of the National Safety Code, drivers must perform and record a pre-trip inspection at the start of each shift. Critical inspection items include air brake system (drivers of air-brake vehicles need a Q endorsement), tires, wheels and fasteners, coupling devices, cargo securement, lights, and emergency equipment. Defects are classified as major (out-of-service) or minor (repair required within a set timeframe).
Pre Trip Inspection — Defensive Driving Fundamentals
Safe commercial driving is built on the Smith System 5 keys: aim high in steering (look 15 seconds ahead), get the big picture (scan all mirrors every 5–8 seconds), keep your eyes moving, leave yourself an out (maintain 4–6 second following distance for heavy vehicles), and make sure they see you (signals, headlights, horn where appropriate). Oil & gas drivers add H2S awareness, rough-terrain skills, and load-specific hazard knowledge to the base defensive framework.
Content reviewed by Arliss Levine, CRSP, CHSC — lead safety instructor at Safety Mom · Allstar Enviro Safety Calgary, an Energy Safety Canada Authorized Training Provider.
