Vehicle Inspection TrainingTraining for Drivers Operating Commercial Motor Vehicle Equipment for Premium Transportation Logistics

LLC

Prepared by John M. Mueller, CDS, COSS, POSHP© 2014 Premium Transportation Logistics LLC

Reasons to continually perform good vehicle inspections:

• We have an obligation to protect the general public, which includes my family and yours.

• Doing good, basic pre-trip inspections will greatly reduce vehicle maintenance CSA scores and violations and prevent crashes.• Over 70% of CSA violations are truck (maintenance) related. A simple

properly performed Pre-trip inspection could eliminate these violations! • Reducing violations improves your driver’s PSP report.• Reduces the possibility of a mechanical failure related crash.• Eliminates potential fines.• Reduces our ISS scores which reduce the time you will spend in roadside

inspections.• Once you are proficient it becomes easy to perform your pre-trip inspection.• It is the company policy of Premium Transportation Logistics LLC.• It is part of your job description and contract (Lease Agreement).• It is the LAW!

Top 15 Vehicle Violations1 - Required lights not working2 - Tire tread depth less than 2/32”3 – Missing or defective lights or reflectors4 – Brakes out of adjustment5 – General defect (396.3(a))6 – Oil or grease leak7 – Fire extinguisher not compliant8 – Damaged or chafing brake hose9 – No annual inspection10 – Brake violation (general)11 – Automatic brake adjuster violation12 – Broken turn signal13 – Defective windshield wipers14 – Defective stop lampAnd15 – Missing warning triangles or flares

Types of Vehicle Inspections

•Pre-trip Inspections• En-route Inspections•Cargo Inspections•Post-trip Inspections•Roadside Inspections•Periodic Inspections

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; andc). Sign the report, only if defects or deficiencies were noted by the driver that 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 the listed defects on a towed unit which is no longer part of the vehicle combination.

The Pre-trip InspectionFirst, check out the front of the Tractor (Truck)

Any visible Leaks?Lights working? Is license plate securely attached?

Is the truck leaning?

While at the front of the vehicle, check the windshield for cracks or excessive tinting. Ensure mirrors are securely mounted.

Now check items in the engine compartment on the passenger side

Coolant Reservoir

Check Oil Level

Water pump

Leaks and hoses

Any wear or chafing of parts?

Belts in good condition?

Alternator

Springs &/or Airbags

Spring/Air Mounts and U-Bolts

Shock Absorber

Drivers Side Engine Compartment

Leaks and hosesPower steering fluid

Master Cylinder

Automatic transmission fluid if applicable

Air compressor

Air conditioning compressor

Belt(s)

Steering Box

Steering Linkage

Springs &/or Airbags

Spring/Air Mounts and U-Bolts

Shock Absorber

Exploded view of steering linkage, hoses and springs

Front Brakes

Brake Hose or lines

Brake Chamber

Slack Adjuster & Push-rod

Drum & linings or Rotor and disk

Front wheels

Tires

Rims

Lug Nuts

Hub oil seals(Under center cap)

Driver/Fuel area – Driver’s side of truck/tractor

Door & Mirror

Fuel tank, caps and leaks

Side lights working? Reflectors attached?

Drive Axle, Rear Suspension and Drive Wheels

Check all tires, rims, lug nuts, hub oil seals and budd spacings

Springs, shocks & airbags

U-bolts

Spring/air mounts

Rear Wheels, Suspension, Drive Axle and Brakes

Springs, shocks and airbags

U-bolts

Spring/air mounts

Torque Arm/Radius Rod

Brake Hoses or Lines

Brake Chamber

Slack Adjustor and Push-rod

Drum & linings or Rotor and disk

 

Rear of Tractor or TruckCheck frame

Exhaust System

Reflectors and Lights

Mud flaps/Splash Guards

License plate and light if Straight Truck

Fifth Wheel skid plate and Locking Jaws

Drive Shaft

Differential

U-Joint

Drive shaft

Coupling System – Fifth Wheel Type

Platform5th Wheel Skid Plate

Mounting Bolts Release Arm

Kingpin

Apron

Sliding 5th Wheel Locking Pins

Coupling System (Fifth Wheel)

Rear of Tractor (Continued) and Behind the Cab

Air Connectors and Lines

Electric Connectors and Lines

Catwalk

Headerboard or bulkhead - trailer

Check lights/Reflectors – tractor and trailer

Side of Trailer

Frame and Tandem Release

Doors & Ties & Lifts

Lights and Reflectors

Trailer Wheels – check tires, rims, lug nuts, hub oil seals and spacers or budd spacing

Side of Trailer (Continued)

Landing Gear

Trailer Suspension and Trailer Brakes

Springs & Shocks & Airbags

U-Bolts

Spring/Air Mounts

Brake hoses and lines

Brake Chamber

Slack Adjustor and Push-rod

Drum & linings or Rotor & disk

Torque Arm/Radius Rod

Rear of Trailer

Doors and lift

Splash guardsLights and Reflectors

Fire Extinguisher – SECURELY MOUNTED

Emergency Equipment

Now enter the cab and check the following:

• Lighting Indicators• Oil Pressure

• Temperature Gauge• Air Pressure Gauge• Ammeter/Voltmeter

• Mirrors• Wipers and Washers

• Windshield • Horn(s)

• Heater/Defroster• Safety/Emergency Equipment

• Hydraulic Brake Check• Breakaway Module• Air Brake Checks• Parking Brake• Service Brakes

• Safety belt (Seat belt)

Now check your logbook – Is it current and updated?

En-route Inspections

Before leaving any shipper, contractors/drivers shall make a thorough visual observation (inspection) of their immediate surroundings and report any unusual or suspicious activity to their supervisor or operations personnel immediately.

Contractors/drivers are required to inspect their vehicle and trailer (if applicable) for evidence of tampering after each stop.

Cargo InspectionsCargo inspection when being loaded.

Check the identity, condition, and count of every load.

Secure every load using load lock bars, straps, nailing a 2x4, or whatever it takes to protect the cargo from damage. It is your job to secure each and every load you haul. NO LOAD SHOULD EVER BE TRANSPORTED WITHOUT BEING PROPERLY SECURED.

Complete load securement by applying approved padlock to cargo box.

Cargo Inspections – The Regulations392.9: Inspection of cargo, cargo securement devices and systems.

Drivers of a truck or truck tractor must—

(1) Assure himself/herself that the provisions of paragraph (a) of this section have been complied with before he/she drives that commercial motor vehicle;

(2) (2) Inspect the cargo and the devices used to secure the cargo within the first 50 miles after beginning a trip and cause any adjustments to be made to the cargo or load securement devices as necessary, including adding more securement devices, to ensure that cargo cannot shift on or within, or fall from the commercial motor vehicle; and

(3) Reexamine the commercial motor vehicle's cargo and its load securement devices during the course of transportation and make any necessary adjustment to the cargo or load securement devices, including adding more securement devices, to ensure that cargo cannot shift on or within, or fall from, the commercial motor vehicle. Reexamination and any necessary adjustments must be made whenever—

(i) The driver makes a change of his/her duty status; or(ii) The commercial motor vehicle has been driven for 3 hours; or(iii) The commercial motor vehicle has been driven for 150 miles,

whichever occurs first.

(4) The rules in this paragraph (b) do not apply to the driver of a sealed commercial motor vehicle who has been ordered not to open it to inspect its cargo or to the driver of a commercial motor vehicle that has been loaded in a manner that makes inspection of its cargo impracticable.

Don’t let this turn into…

this !

this !

Post-trip Inspections396.11 "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:“(Please see 396.11 for list of parts and accessories)

This report does not require a separate inspection - just a written report. So it would appear (and this is general practice) that the PreTrip inspection is required, but does not require a report before you operate the vehicle (or whatever method you use to satisfy yourself that the equipment is in safe operating condition). Then at the end of the day a Post Trip report is required - but that does not require another inspection.

The Post-trip inspection is documented on the reverse side of your paper log sheet. Be sure to fully complete the inspection each day and submit the report with your logs.

Remember to sign the inspection document. Remember to log your post-trip inspection as on-duty time.

Roadside Inspections

Tip’s to make roadside inspections less painful:

1. Make sure you keep your truck and equipment clean.

2. Carry yourself in a professional manner.

3. Ensure all the vehicle/trailer lighting operates correctly.

4. Use proper load securement methods for the type of commodity you are transporting.

5. Keep vehicle and driver paperwork neat and in organized manner. Ensure all documents are current – discard expired documents. This includes all permits, driver physical (medical card), insurance, registration and Annual Vehicle Inspection(s). 6. Inspect the vehicle(s) everyday prior to moving the vehicle. DO A GOOD PRE-TRIP INSPECTION!

7. KEEP YOUR LOGBOOK CURRENT! And the best tip to staying legal is – Read and understand your PTL Drivers Manual and mail you receive from the company. It can only help you if you open it and read it!

Send all Roadside Inspections to the company immediately!

Roadside Inspection Reporting Requirements

You are required to submit to PTL, LLC the original copy of all driver or vehicle inspections you are subjected to by any governmental agency while under dispatch from PTL, LLC within 24 hours. These reports must be reviewed by a PTL, LLC company official, signed, and returned to the issuing agency within 7 to 15 days. All noted defects must be repaired immediately. You must also be sure to log any roadside inspections as “On-Duty” time – exactly when the inspection began and exactly when the inspection ended.

You earn Gold Driver Rewards points redeemable for quality merchandise for every violation-free roadside inspection. Visit www.driveforgold.com to log in and more information.

Periodic Inspections 396.17

“Every commercial motor vehicle must be inspected as required by this section. The inspection must include, at a minimum, the parts and accessories set forth in appendix G of this subchapter. The term commercial motor vehicle includes each vehicle in a combination vehicle. “

This means that every CMV (including trailers in a combination vehicle) must have an Annual Vehicle inspection.

“…motor carriers must inspect, or cause to be inspected all motor vehicles subject to their control.”

Be sure to have your equipment inspected at minimum once very 12 months per these regulations. Carry a copy of the inspection for each piece of equipment with your vehicles and immediately submit a copy of the inspection(s) to Premium Transportation Logistics LLC.

Example of an Annual Vehicle Inspection Form

Think of DOT Regulated Annual Vehicle Inspections as being like your driver physical exam.

If your driver physical expires you are “medically unqualified to operate a Commercial Motor Vehicle”.

If any of your required DOT Regulated Annual Vehicle Inspections expire then that vehicle is “medically unqualified to be operated”.

PTL LLC QUARTERLY VEHICLE INSPECTION REPORT

Premium Transportation Logistics requires all drivers to submit quarterly vehicle inspections. At least once, every three months, you are required to perform a “written

inspection report” on your vehicle using the form below.

Still have questions or concerns regarding inspections? Looking for an answer?

Solutions:• Call the company at 1-800-661-3166 and ask for Safety. (Please dial 6)

• Read the Safety Regulations pocketbook you received from the company at orientation – it is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the FMCSR’s. You agreed and stated so on the receipt for the book.

• Log on to the company website WWW.PTLLLC.COM Visit the driver portal where you will find multiple training presentations to assist you learn.

• Attend Premium Transportation Logistics driver’s meetings

• Read the company newsletter

• Read the informational materials the company mails to you

• Read and review your Premium Transportation Logistics Driver’s Manual