Pre-trip & Post-trip reports

Discussion in 'Trucking Industry Regulations' started by LogsRus, Oct 12, 2007.

Do you do the pre-trip or post-trip in writting?

  1. *

    Does your company require you to fill out the pre-trip inspection form (DDVIR) in writting or see 2

    51.2%
  2. *

    Does your company require you to do the post-trip inspection form(DDVIR) in writting

    63.4%
  1. LogsRus

    LogsRus Log it Legal

    2,589
    358
    Nov 23, 2006
    Indianapolis, Indiana
    0
    I am wanting to know simply how many of your companys require that you drive for are asking you to fill out a vehicle inspection report (ddvir) on your pre-trip (beginning of the day)

    So before you start driving every day you have to fill out a report that says you inspected your truck and you either say everything is ok or you say something is wrong with your truck.



    Did you know that you should be doing that report at the end of the day?
    Many companies are having drivers do it on their pre-trip (which is NOT a DOT requirement) and not having you do it for your post-trip. Therfore giving you incorrect information right there.

    I have a long discussion about pre-trip & post-trip and my opinion/knowledge about the difference on these. DOT requirement is you inspect everything on your post-trip and should make sure everything is fine on your pre-trip. Pre-trip being a walk around to make sure no one tampered with anything or what could go wrong while the truck is parked.

    I wonder if

    The cop that got killed in Indiana (look at trucker accidents forum) if he would have inspected his truck @ the end of his driving time would he have known there was a problem(the truck "shouldn't" have went anywhere for 10 hours after that). Did he get in a hurry to start his day and get the load there and NOT do a pre-trip? Many drivers do this as I hear that complaint on this board. It's because you want to make money and go. If you do it at the end of the day you will still be inspecting the truck (should be doing a pre-trip/walk around before you leave though).

    Could he have found there was a problem on his pre-trip and said man that will cut into my miles and I have my house payment so I will take the chance getting my load delivered? If he found it on his post-trip the truck could of been repaired while he was taking a 10 hour break and he may not have lost so much money and been comfortable with that.

    Just my common sense and I am willing to hear any feed back (no attacks) on different situations. But keep in mind the pre-trip eats into your 14 hour day, the post-trip does not as long as you take your proper break after that post-trip (being a proper split or 10).

    Ok answer me please I am wanting to hear you opinions: Think about my logic first however. DOt just looks to make sure you inspect that vehichle and log one of them on line 4. Ask the next officer you come to and say if I logged my post-trip on line 4 and not my pre-trip what would you do (this is more for solo drivers) I want to hear what they have to say. Please do this and get back with me on this thread!

    Teams: DOT only requires the truck to have one pre-trip & one post-trip. However many companies require both drivers to do it. Another good topic of why both should do it.

    Thanks for your time and energy :biggrin_25525:

    Just a topic to discuss!
     
    kickin chicken Thanks this.
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. 2xR

    2xR Medium Load Member

    365
    94
    Dec 12, 2006
    Ol' North State
    0
    My employer has no policy concerning this issue, so I did not meet the criteria of your poll.

    It is my opinion that the documentation of the inspection is meant to posture a legal position in case some claim might be made to the contrary.

    Now, dealing with the actual inspection, the pre-trip is equally important as the post-trip. They both serve an important function. The pre-trip insures that I am about to operate a safe vehicle (or not). The post-trip provides information to the person(s) in charge of maintenance concerning the repair needs of the equipment, and, helps to inform the next potential driver of said vehicle's condition.

    I inspect my equipment constantly. From the moment I approach it at the beginning of my work day I am looking at everything, and continue to do this all day long, until I walk away. The actual inspection form just keeps the legal beagles happy. I normally show 15 minutes of line 4, at the beginning of work, dedicated to "CMV INSPECTION".
     
  4. LogsRus

    LogsRus Log it Legal

    2,589
    358
    Nov 23, 2006
    Indianapolis, Indiana
    0

    Sounds great of what you do every day! You should always check your equipment beyond the pre & post. However the form that you fill out is more for your protection. If you write down something is wrong with the tires and the company does not get it fixed and DOT see's that, the company gets a big ding for that & must explain why THEY did not get it fixed for you.
    That inspection form is for your safety and to make sure the company is taking care of their equipment/your safety.
    Many DOT audits can consist of them coming in just to make sure we are taking care of our equipment (which means we are listening to what you say is wrong with your truck/trailer).

    I require my drivers to log 15 minutes @ least (however long it takes them) on their post-trip because you are doing the FULL inspection and filling out the form.

    Please ask the next officer (if you are comfortable doing so) what they are looking for on the pre-trip & post-trip. You should not have any to worry about since you often check your equipment and sound like you run legal (I hope?).
     
  5. 2xR

    2xR Medium Load Member

    365
    94
    Dec 12, 2006
    Ol' North State
    0
    Yes. That's the legal posturing thingy I mentioned. Some call it CYOA.

    I don't think it matters what you call it. "Pre" or "Post" as long as it gets inspected and any problems get fixed.

    I work for a small chemical manufacturing company. We have two trucks, and three usable trailers. If something is not safe, or, requires some maintenance, we just take the ol' VISA down to Mr. Fixit's place and gitrdun... The documentation of the problem, and the completed repair is the work order and invoice itself. If I walked in and told my boss there was a problem with the equipment he would tell me the only problem was me for not being on my way to make it whole again. No middle man.
     
  6. Markk9

    Markk9 "On your mark"

    1,052
    229
    Nov 26, 2006
    Lehigh Valley, PA
    0
    My company requires drivers to do and log 15mins for one pre-trip inspection per day, per DOT rules. DOT doesn't currently require a post-trip be logged.

    I drive the same truck everyday, I'm the only one that drives it, TAH it sits in my driveway. I do a by the book pre-trip inspection once every day, I do a simple walk around check at the end of the day for a post-trip. On the days I plan to stop and fuel I log it with the fuel stop, legal by DOT. On the days I don't fuel, its logged first thing before driving.

    I think that having the same truck only driven by me makes finding things easer. I know how the truck feels and sounds. Trailer can be a pain in the but, some days I will have pulled 3 plus, other times I can have the same trailer for a week.



    Mark
     
  7. FunnyFarm04

    FunnyFarm04 Light Load Member

    114
    16
    Mar 16, 2007
    Oak Hills, California
    0
    Nice topic, interesting what different companies require.
    We are required to do pre and post trip inspections. On our DVIR there is a place to put the times that each inspection is done, as well as the normal boxes to check if things are wrong and a place to write things that are not covered by the little boxes. Then there is also a box to check if the repair need not me made for safe operation.

    My husband and I are the only ones who drive the truck, however we do have to switch trailers sometimes. We each do both pre and post trip inspections even when the truck only sits 30 minutes or so in between drivers. It is allways possible for one of us to miss something, and the other may find it. Better safe then sorry. We log both inspections as on duty not driving. I am not sure how to answer your poll since we are required to do both.
     
  8. Gazoo

    Gazoo Resident Mental Patient

    626
    56
    Apr 14, 2007
    Bedrock
    0
    It varies from company to company. First Fleet had a separate MVIR book, Barnes had it on the back of the log book pages and my current carrier, EPES, has a small block on the bottom of the log book page. Funny too how each varied on what information was needed, ie: Time/Mileage etc.
    When I get my own authority in the coming weeks, I will find a logbook that incorporates a MVIR on the same page with minimal info required to keep it simple....hopefully something of the "Looseleaf" variety. :biggrin_25525:
     
  9. LogsRus

    LogsRus Log it Legal

    2,589
    358
    Nov 23, 2006
    Indianapolis, Indiana
    0
    Post-trip inspection: Please note it states the DDVIR should be filled out at this time.
    Also note it gives you a list of items to check, which should be located on your DDVIR form.

    http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/administration/fmcsr/396.11.htm


    Pre-trip inspection: Note it does not say anything about filling out a DDVIR form. It does note to Sign the report,
    only if defects or deficiencies

    So on your post-trip if you noted something needed repaired and it was a safety hazzard you would sign the pre-trip
    report that it was fixed. If found you drive the vehicle you would be in violation.


    http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/administration/fmcsr/396.13.htm


    On those you can click on guidance and there is questions and answers regarding the rules

    Many companies are having the drivers do their DDVIR report at the beginning of the day.

    You should do the pre-trip RIGHT before you get behind the wheel not 2 hours after you start your day. The reason for the pre-trip is to make sure the vehicle is safe before you drive it.
     
  10. LogsRus

    LogsRus Log it Legal

    2,589
    358
    Nov 23, 2006
    Indianapolis, Indiana
    0
    Many companies may add more information if they go into Canada. I did, but found out later that Canada will recognize the USA doing the post-trip in writting as Canada is doing their pre-trip in writting. They may also add the mileage for fuel tax reason. It's what makes it easier for the company to keep the documentation for DOT.
    My inspection is attatched to the log and on the front. So no turning the log over :).

    It is funny how the log forms are so different. I try to keep mine simple:yes2557:

    I can refer you to a very easy form and you can add or change anything you would like! We can only do that via e-mail.
     
  11. jlkklj777

    jlkklj777 20 Year Truckload Veteran

    1,871
    1,089
    Oct 1, 2007
    Duncannon, Pa
    0
    My company also has a PRE-Trip book that is required to be filled out BEFORE driving. Our vehicles are assigned and we are the only ones driving them so we log 15 minutes at the beginning of our work day certifying the vehicle is safe to drive. If it isnt then we are responsible for the ticket. If a driver doesnt get the truck fixed despite listing the defect he shouldnt be driving it period. A "post trip" is a walk around inspection performed at the end of your driving tour which can be "flagged" off the drive line as long as a time is attached to the flag. This is how truckload carriers operate.
    What the ltl's do with their equipment is different due to the fact they are constantly slip seating and the truck is being utilized all day. For ltl slip seat operations a post trip may in fact be more important with the way they operate.
    I dont know anyone that does a post trip as a thorough inspection and here is why; ITS Dark out, the driver has completed his work day and is ready to rest, shower, eat, etc.
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.