Logging Pretrip

Are you union and is your union bankrupting your company? There is no way it requires more than five minutes for a pretrip. What are you doing changing the oil and rotating the tires? Are your lights working and do your tires look properly inflated if so go drive.

OK I feel compelled to add an edit. I drive brand new equipment every two years. So if your driving crap your mileage may vary.

And for the sake of completeness I'll add that my state DOT auditor requires a pretrip be shown on line three and 15 minutes shown on line four for a post trip but this is not a FMCSA requirement. We do what the state says. Go along and get along for appearance of propriety.

BRI

 

Bzzt Bzzzt, sorry Kbar that's an incorrect response. Did I sound like Alex Trebec?

Pre-Trip:

Enroute:

I've always taken 392.7 to be a quick once over when you stop and get out of the truck.

Last but not least:

End of day report:

Many of the DVIRs I examine indicate; "No defects found." There are some days I know that to be an inaccurate statement and the carrier is cited for incomplete DVIRs:

When a roadside inspection lists violations I know things were not hunky dory. Drivers must either transcribe the violations from the roadside to the DVIR or at least reference the inspection number for more information.

Many folks are under the misconception that you are allowed 15 days to fix the defects reported on a roadside inspection... Bzzzt, that's an incorrect response. For non-OOS defects the vehicle may proceed to it's destination, once the vehicle is unloaded it must be repaired before it is dispatched again:

As demonstrated by paragraph (b) the defect from the roadside had to be reported on the DVIR. It must now be repaired:

Circular logic, working electronics for 11 years taught me to handle problems in a logical manner.

Be safe.

 

I was taught to do it a min of 15min each day on line 4. My logs have the pti checklist in the back so if the DOT does not believe me, I can prove it to him/her and they can read my notes.

KH

 

Lots of things can happen during a break, lights burn out, tires go flat, vibration loosens fuel lines and oil leaks can erupt.

Once had a driver cross the scales sans a set of duals on the trailer. Apprently he forgot the post trip and pre-trip as he just started his day 15 minutes earlier.

If the vehicle is broke the paper work doesn't prove anything.

Read the rules, you're free to walk around at the ned of the day; however, the rules are clear... BEFORE operating not AFTER.

Be safe.

 

I've read a lot of stuff here today and all I'm gonna add is this...

The amount of time a pretrip takes varies and I log whatever it takes. (Usually about 15 minutes) If there's a problem it can take a little longer and if there's not then it can be accomplished in about 15 minutes.
I own my truck and trailer, Consequently I drive the same truck and trailer every day although sometimes (rarely) I'll pull a different trailer.
I know my equipment like the back of my hand and yet I will occasionally find something unexpected when I inspect my truck...It happens!
If you just walk around it and glance at what you can see without looking underneath...Good luck!
I usually carry a low profile creeper with me so I don't have to roll around in a scummy truckstop parking lot...You'd be surprised what you'll find under there with a good flashlight and a sharp eye.

It doesn't matter what you put on your log if it's B.S., You could log an hour and a half for a pretrip but if you don't do it...You're only fooling you!

I run my logs 100% legal, I log it as I do it...I never "correct" them because to change it from what I've written down would constitute a falsified log...And I stopped falsifying logs quite a few years ago!

 

You can't be serious...how do you do a pre-trip while driving...Line 3, get a clue driver, just think about it!

 

Most companies require you to do the pretrip/ post trip according to the state DOT requirements. For me I have to flag a pre trip and log a post trip. I guess the state figures you'll take your time and look for something wrong if your already finished driving for the day.

 

I guess the FMCSA figures you'd better take your time and fill out a DVIR if you're already finished for the day .

 

GREAT ATTITUDE & I MEAN THIS in a serious manner . I love that attitude because you hit it on the money with the pre-trip/post-trip & logging legal! It can be done and financially happy, right?

 

Yes and no! I understand why some of these guys think they have to run illegal but in the long run it'll bite you on the ###!
The thing that keeps me in the black is that I don't haul cheap freight!
Some of these guys seem to think that they can make money by hauling a lot of miles with cheap freight...Never gonna happen!

On the company driver side of things...It gets a little more complicated but not much.
The idiot in the log department might tell you to falsify your logs and if he's really stupid he might even show you how to falsify them...

But I can promise you that he won't be sitting in the jail cell with you when you have an accident and kill someone!