DOT changing Inspection rules

[bigdaddyCCMJ]

In Feb. 2007 DOT has changed the rules for you pre-trip inspection. You are now allowed to take it either and the first part or the end of your shift. I know with most drivers this doesn't matter but there are some out there that might want to know. I am a trainer and I make sure my students know this info. Hope someone makes use of it.

[kc0iv]

In Feb. 2007 DOT has changed the rules for you pre-trip inspection. You are now allowed to take it either and the first part or the end of your shift. I know with most drivers this doesn't matter but there are some out there that might want to know. I am a trainer and I make sure my students know this info. Hope someone makes use of it.

Where did you get this information? I can't find anything on their website.

kc0iv

[ibamars]

This is a goofy rule.

The rule states a driver must check out his vehicle completely at the end of his shift ans sign the report.

However, Its ok to just make sure you feel comfortable before you drive the truck and read the post trip inspection from the previous driver.

I always logged 15 minutes pre-trip and never logged 15 mintues post-trip. NYS DOT said it was ok when they gave me their level 3 inspection.

what a dumb broad set of rules.

I think 15 mintues post and quick one over in the morning.

What do you all think?

My 2 cents again.....

[Rev.Vassago]

In Feb. 2007 DOT has changed the rules for you pre-trip inspection. You are now allowed to take it either and the first part or the end of your shift. I know with most drivers this doesn't matter but there are some out there that might want to know. I am a trainer and I make sure my students know this info. Hope someone makes use of it.

Cite the regulation to back this claim up.

Until then, I call BS.

[Jackrabbit379]

In Feb. 2007 DOT has changed the rules for you pre-trip inspection. You are now allowed to take it either and the first part or the end of your shift. I know with most drivers this doesn't matter but there are some out there that might want to know. I am a trainer and I make sure my students know this info. Hope someone makes use of it.

First time I ever heard that.

Cite the regulation to back this claim up.

Until then, I call BS.

Hey. I may want to call BS, too. What's the number? :P

[bigdaddyCCMJ]

I will get that number for you as soon as I get the terminal. This is just what i was told to tell my trainies

[Random_Facts]

Until then, I call BS.[/quote]
Hey. I may want to call BS, too. What's the number? :P[/quote]


Simple 1-800-BS (standard calling rates apply, only one phone call per family)

[Rev.Vassago]

The reason I'm calling BS is because of this:

You are now allowed to take it either and the first part or the end of your shift.

The FMCSA rules specifically state that a PRE TRIP inspection must be done before driving the vehicle, and a POST TRIP inspection must be done at the end of the day. Both are required.

[thebaldeagle655]

Don't know where the exact rule is but you must "document" both a pre-trip and post-trip inspection however you only have to show time, minimum of 15 minutes, for one or the other.

[Fredog]

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Part 396: Inspection, Repair, and Maintenance
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§396.11 Driver vehicle inspection report(s).

(a) Report required. Every motor carrier shall require its drivers to report, and every driver shall prepare a report in writing at the completion of each day's work on each vehicle operated and the report shall cover at least the following parts and accessories:

Service brakes including trailer brake connections

Parking (hand) brake

Steering mechanism

Lighting devices and reflectors

Tires

Horn

Windshield wipers

Rear vision mirrors

Coupling devices

Wheels and rims

Emergency equipment

(b) Report content. The report shall identify the vehicle and list any defect or deficiency discovered by or reported to the driver which would affect the safety of operation of the vehicle or result in its mechanical breakdown. If no defect or deficiency is discovered by or reported to the driver, the report shall so indicate. In all instances, the driver shall sign the report. On two-driver operations, only one driver needs to sign the driver vehicle inspection report, provided both drivers agree as to the defects or deficiencies identified. If a driver operates more than one vehicle during the day, a report shall be prepared for each vehicle operated.

(c) Corrective action. Prior to requiring or permitting a driver to operate a vehicle, every motor carrier or its agent shall repair any defect or deficiency listed on the driver vehicle inspection report which would be likely to affect the safety of operation of the vehicle.

(1) Every motor carrier or its agent shall certify on the original driver vehicle inspection report which lists any defect or deficiency that the defect or deficiency has been repaired or that repair is unnecessary before the vehicle is operated again.

(2) Every motor carrier shall maintain the original driver vehicle inspection report, the certification of repairs, and the certification of the driver's review for three months from the date the written report was prepared.

(d) Exceptions. The rules in this section shall not apply to a private motor carrier of passengers (nonbusiness), a driveaway-towaway operation, or any motor carrier operating only one commercial motor vehicle.

[44 FR 38526, July 2, 1979, as amended at 45 FR 46425, July 10, 1980; 53 FR 18058, May 19, 1988; 59 FR 8753, Feb. 23, 1994; 63 FR 33279, June 18, 1998].

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[Markk9]

Question 25: §396.11 requires the driver, at the completion of each day's work, to prepare a written report on each vehicle operated that day. Does this section require a "post trip inspection" of the kind described in §396.15?

Guidance: No. However, the written report must include all defects in the parts and accessories listed in §396.11(a) that were discovered by or reported to the driver during that day.

[rcso]

Ok, what I read is to do a post trip at the end of the day looking at all those points and to record it along with everything else on your log. If there are issues write them up etc etc. How is this to do with pre trips.

[Mtc_Is_Hell]

The reason I'm calling BS is because of this:

You are now allowed to take it either and the first part or the end of your shift.

The FMCSA rules specifically state that a PRE TRIP inspection must be done before driving the vehicle, and a POST TRIP inspection must be done at the end of the day. Both are required.

Really I've never in my life logged a Post Trip... Have been inspected in mississippi and passed with flying colors.. That would suck to have to log the post btw. I do it anyway but that 15 mins will cause some troubles.

[rcso]

You can log the post trip as the flag when you stop driving for the night, it doesn't have to be a seperate line 4 entry (unless something is DOT wrong with the rig and you're on the side of the road waiting to get fixed)


example start at 8am go down to line 4 for 30 minutes, flag that thirty minutes as Houston, Tx / PTI. Go up to line 3 (driving) for 11 hours until 1930 hrs, Then go up to off-duty or sleeper flag that as Atlanta, GA / Post trip.

[Uturn2001]

In a nutshell what the regs say about pre and post trip inspections:

Pre-trips: Drivers are required to ensure that their vehicle and load meet or exceed all safety guidelines before operating the equipment.

Post-trip: This really refers to completing the DVIR (Drivers vehicle Inspection Report.)

No where in the regs, since I started driving in 1999 anyway, has a time limit been given for how long any type of inspection should take, nor has it ever said when a daily vehicle inspection must be done during the day.

THe "DOT" knows however that it take a certain amount of time to check all the items you need to check during a vehicle inspection and to be "nice" about it they have stated over the years the min time for a VI is 15 minutes, partly because the log book is divided by 15 min increments.

While it may be in violation of company policy you can legally flag a Pretrip as taking less than 15 minutes, drive for "X" amount of hours, do a vehicle inspection, and then flag a post trip. You can also legally flag a pretrip and record 15 minutes on the post trip....or the other way around, since the regs do not state when you must do a full vehicle inspection.

Now with that said here is something to be careful of.

DO NOt start your day and then 2 hours later log a Pre-Trip inspection. You can be busted for log book falsification, because by definition a PRETRIP is done before you start your day. In a case like this you want to show doing a VI or vehicle Inspection.

[Mtc_Is_Hell]

I tend to fuel first thing in the mourning so I can save that 15 mins.. I log fuel/pretrip as 15 mins time. Also when I do a drop/hook/pretrip as 30 mins. I guess I will keep doing what I'm doing.

[Rev.Vassago]

however you only have to show time, minimum of 15 minutes, for one or the other.

There is no time requirement for either, but BOTH are required.

Really I've never in my life logged a Post Trip... Have been inspected in mississippi and passed with flying colors.. That would suck to have to log the post btw. I do it anyway but that 15 mins will cause some troubles.

Just because you haven't been nailed for it doesn't mean it isn't required. I used to never log it either, and was never written up for it. That doesn't change the fact that the FMCSA regs REQUIRE it.

[ben45750]

So, then how to you log it and what would be the proper way to log it if you cannot perform the required pre-trip and post-trip inspection? We are not allowed to open the hood or do any mechanical checks except for a visual inspection.

If we run out of windshield wiper fluid or need windshield wipers replaced while on the road we have to call a vendor to come do it for us.

[Uturn2001]

§396.13 Driver inspection.

Before driving a motor vehicle, the driver shall:

(a) Be satisfied that the motor vehicle is in safe operating condition;

(b) Review the last driver vehicle inspection report; and

(c) Sign the report, only if defects or deficiencies were noted by the driver who prepared the report, to acknowledge that the driver has reviewed it and that there is a certification that the required repairs have been performed. The signature requirement does not apply to listed defects on a towed unit which is no longer part of the vehicle combination.

§396.11 Driver vehicle inspection report(s).

(a) Report required. Every motor carrier shall require its drivers to report, and every driver shall prepare a report in writing at the completion of each day's work on each vehicle operated and the report shall cover at least the following parts and accessories:

Service brakes including trailer brake connections

Parking (hand) brake

Steering mechanism

Lighting devices and reflectors

Tires

Horn

Windshield wipers

Rear vision mirrors

Coupling devices

Wheels and rims

Emergency equipment

No where in there does it say anything about having to open up the hood.

[ben45750]

how do you check the steering box and linkage? I guess if you want to crawl on the ground? I would rather not.