What is the point of the post trip inspection if you have to inspect again before the next trip?

Us old timers at least looked in the mirrors to make sure that big box was still back there.....

 

Interesting fact, Pre trip and post trip are required, however, 1 Truck O/O’s are exempt from making a report or noting Pre trip and Post trips. Technically only Post trips are required to be noted for Company Drivers. The obvious reason is communication of problems to Mechanic’s and other Drivers. I know most will disagree. Most DOT Officers don’t understand the rule. I wondered after a Schneider Driver told me they were only required to show a post trip, and were allowed to combine it with fueling. Showing total of 15 minutes. I asked the questions during an in house audit. The auditor had to call headquarters for the answers. Her answer was yes post trip only need to be showed, and yes 1 Truck O/O’s were exempt. I had an Alabama DOT Officer, after an inspection ask why I only had post trip and no pre trip. I explained the audit, and how I knew this would be an issue someday. I then politely mentioned the exemption. He disagreed. He then made a call, got a copy of the exemption, gave it to me, said he learned something new. He said if you’re ever pressed on hours, you may need it. Never needed it. Since then I always show a pre and post trip. Mainly to avoid problems during an inspection. Ok get some popcorn. Lol.

 

And the right one went out mid trip.

What I thought was a bad gland hand seal at my pre trip turned out to be a cracked line - putzing with the glad hand wiggled things enough to get it to stop leaking. After bouncing down the road and the temperature dropping 15 degrees - hey, found the leak. That is not uncommon with air leaks at a fitting - when everything is warm it doesn't leak loud enough to hear, but when it's cold it does.

 

Here’s one example lol. No, their tire wasn’t flat when I got to the terminal last night around midnight, but it’s probably why he’s here. Imagine being out on the road and not noticing your steer is down to 70psi on a post trip, and then waking up with it off the bead on a pre trip. A simple 2 hour fix just doubled in price and cost you part of your day

 

The unoffical policy at Heartland is don't put anything on the electronic DVIR, but if you call into roadservice they will get your truck fixed. I kept a pad of paper inspections and would scan them into the system, which also seemed to work, and in my mind gives me a written copy of the write up. I will say they seem to get the trucks fixed right away, and shared (not mine) the opinion for a driver to never work on a truck. They would have wiper blades changed buy a shop rather than have a driver chenge them. Something they would authorize and I would go to the shop to buy the part I needed to get underway. Did the shop charge labor anyway, don't know not my problem.

 

I know drivers who tell you they are not required believe it, that does not make it so. pre-trip and post-trip inspections are required by the Department of Transportation (DOT) for drivers of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). Pre-trip inspections are mandated under 49 CFR 392.7, while post-trip inspections are required under 49 CFR 396.11
I have never found a DOT mandated time length, Personally I flag 15 minutes for each, my preference not a requirement. Your company may have a required amount of time they require but it is policy not law. You can say what you will about how fast your inspecting your truck and trailer, but no way you can do a through inspection of the entire tractor/trailer including brake adjustments and air & compressor test in less time. Any who does is frankly not inspecting to complete unit. WHich is fine I don't care what the other guy is doing, But if you ever have a major failure it will change your opinion of what needs to be checked. Anything from a lining braking loose from brake backing plate to braking the steerong shaft coming out of the steering gearbox. I had one of those shafts breark and it was no fun to loose your steering.

 

I am constantly inspecting my truck and especially my load and securement. I don't need to be forced to go do it. But I make sure I log both pre and post trips and load check/ tire checks. Now I just log the whole thing all the time. I also log the entire loading and unloading time. I used to think I was helping myself by conserving my clock. I'm not in a race anymore. I would rather not act like a maniac every day... which is what I was, true story.

 

I have been running mostly fontana/phoenix to Slat Lake/Reno, I diffinetly log re/post tire chks, load chks, however I show arrival at shippers/recievers then use yard move to spot trailers or drop n hooks and stay off duty till Im ready to leave. I do log the sign/bol time on duty. but I get home alot on these loads, and the time spent waiting on shippers/recievers can keep me from getting to the house either direction. For instance when i leave Cargil Salt Rowley Rd, Grantsville, UT I have just enough time to cut across NV (Ely, Tonopah, over Montgomery Pass and down to the house.) So I will not give away time Im not being paid for, when I can use that time to benefit me and my family. Heartland does not route me, I work my home time into the runs, they never seem to have a problem with it.

 

I agree, inspections are required. My point only applies to a single O/O, with their own authority that only has 1 unit or 1 T/T, and operates it themselves. The exemption only refers to making a note of inspections. If they used different trailers they would need to show an inspection for each one. Most likely when they D&H. The key here is making a notation on logs. If unit or combo unit only has 1 Operator, there’s no need to communicate to other future operators there’s a problem. One inspection per day is the requirement. That is a minimum of 15 minutes shown on a daily log. Add the required post trip communication requirement, and it becomes a very grey area. That’s why the OP question is such a good one.

 

Yea I don't fill out a DVIR, I thought it wasn't required for any driver, not just one truck operations. Anyways, why would I communicate to a DOT officer what is wrong with my truck. Seems like an easy way to get a ticket. As far as I know you don't get fined twice for a violation (one time for the violation and another time for not putting it down in the DVIR).

I was also under the impression that there is no minimum time to log for a pretrip. Am I wrong on this?


Edit: Inspection, Repair, and Maintenance; Driver-Vehicle Inspection Report (DVIR) | FMCSA
"SUMMARY: FMCSA rescinds the requirement that commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers operating in interstate commerce, except drivers of passenger-carrying CMVs, submit, and motor carriers retain, DVIRs when the driver has neither found nor been made aware of any vehicle defects or deficiencies. This rule also harmonizes the pre- and post-trip inspection lists. It responds in part to the President’s January 2011 Regulatory Review and Reform initiative, removing a significant information collection burden without adversely impacting safety. The Agency also makes a technical change to section 396.11 to eliminate redundant language. "

So it seems you only need a DVIR if you know of a defect. Completely unenforceable.