Inspection
Pre-Trip Inspection Checklist
The seven-step CDL pre-trip, item by item, with the Class A coupling checks. Tick it on your phone or print it.
Trucker Tools
Trucker Tools for Truck Drivers
Trucker Tools are checklists and calculators for the jobs drivers do every day: the pre-trip inspection, the air brake check, the DVIR, axle weights, the bridge formula, sliding tandems, cost per mile, IFTA, per diem and hours of service. Every rule and rate is taken from the official source and cited on the page, so you can check it yourself.
Inspection
Air Brake Test
The CDL air brake check with the manual's pass numbers and a 1-minute leak timer.
Inspection
DVIR Form
A printable driver vehicle inspection report with all 11 items 49 CFR 396.11 lists.
Weights
Axle Weight Calculator
Check steer, drive and trailer tandem weights against 20,000 / 34,000 / 80,000 and the bridge formula.
Weights
Bridge Formula Calculator
The legal weight for any group of axles, using FHWA's formula and rounding, plus a bridge table.
Weights
Sliding Tandems
How to slide trailer tandems, which way, and a helper that learns pounds per hole from your tickets.
Money
Cost per Mile Calculator
Your cost per mile and break-even rate per loaded mile, from your own numbers. No averages.
Money
IFTA Calculator
Fleet MPG, taxable gallons and tax due per jurisdiction, with rates you copy from the IFTA matrix.
Money
Per Diem Calculator
The IRS 2026-27 transportation rate: $80 a day in the US, $86 outside the continental US, 3/4 on travel days, 80% under HOS.
Hours
Hours of Service
The 11, 14, 30-minute and 60/70 rules from 49 CFR 395, ELD exemptions and an hours checker.
Printables
- Pre-Trip & Air Brake Pack: coming soon.
- Axle Weight & Slide Cheat Sheet: coming soon.
- Lock screens for iPhone and Android are available now: see Trucker Lock Screens.
FAQ
Are these trucker tools free to use?
Yes. Every checklist and calculator on these pages is free to use in your browser, with no account and no app. Your ticks and entries are saved only on your own phone or computer. Some printables and lock screens are sold separately, and each page says clearly when something costs money.
Where do the numbers in these tools come from?
The weight limits and bridge formula come from 23 CFR 658.17 and FHWA's Bridge Formula Weights guide. Inspection items come from 49 CFR 396 and 383.113. Air brake pass numbers come from the state CDL manual. Hours of service come from 49 CFR 395, per diem rates from IRS Notice 2026-60, and the IFTA calculator uses rates you copy from the IFTA matrix.
Free every Sunday
Get the free Sunday Roundup
Get new Trucker Tools and printables in the free Sunday roundup.
Sources
- 23 CFR 658.17, Weight (eCFR)
- FHWA, Bridge Formula Weights (FHWA-HOP-19-028)
- 49 CFR 396.11, Driver vehicle inspection reports (eCFR)
- 49 CFR 383.113, Required skills (eCFR)
- PennDOT Pub 223 CDL Manual, Section 5 (air brakes)
- 49 CFR 395.3, Maximum driving time (eCFR)
- IRS Notice 2026-60, 2026-2027 Special Per Diem Rates (effective Oct 1, 2026)
- IFTA, Inc. fuel tax rate matrix (current quarter rates)
Disclaimer: For general information. Federal limits from 23 CFR 658 and 49 CFR; state limits, permits and enforcement vary. Check your state's CDL manual and DOT before you rely on a number. Not legal or tax advice.
Updated . See something wrong? Tell me.