What is the point of the post trip inspection if you pretrip?

I haven't logged a post trip since someone in the office told me it wasn't legally required on log. Whether that was a change in policy or had always been the case I didn't/don't know. It was just fine by me. I DO a brief post trip more often than not, usually at the fuel pump. Kick my tires.
I do and log the required pretrip and then do and don't log other little inspections whenever might be convenient during a shift.

I don't do drop hooks or otherwise swap equipment but when I did it was very obvious why issues go unreported. What does reporting an issue with a trailer he's not going to be using anymore, or a borderline issue with a trailer he's still using, get a company driver ? It gets him chumped, that's all. Donate maybe five unpaid hours of your break to babysit a repair, get hassled for updates about the progress as you wait, and then go without adequate sleep the next day. Everyone involved no matter how slightly gets paid every step of the way except you, chump. Thanks ? Nope, there'll be none of that either.

 

When I pin up to a trailer missing mudflaps and taillights the post trip was obviously skipped.
Now the dock either has to swing the load while paying me to wait or pay me to drag trailer to shop for repairs.
Either way I’m compensated for the delay, as well my switch would be waiting on me for which he is also paid.
No pretrip cost LTL companies time and money

 

I get where you’re coming from — a lot of drivers have had that exact experience with reporting issues.

Just to clear up the logging side of it: the post-trip itself is still required, it just doesn’t have to be logged as a separate line like off-duty/sleeper/drive/on-duty. It’s typically covered as part of your on-duty time at the end of the day.

The bigger piece is the DVIR side — if a defect is found, that’s where it has to be documented and addressed.

The frustration you’re talking about is real though. The system doesn’t always reward drivers for catching and reporting issues, even though that’s exactly what keeps things from turning into bigger problems later (or getting flagged during an inspection).

A lot of violations I’ve seen come down to small things that could’ve been caught on a quick post-trip.

 

Personally I would rather have repair issues handles while Im taking my 10 off, If your a company / local driver where your drop and hook inspectionbecome even more important.


If your an OTR driver you should have a very good ides of the condition of your equipment. I did actually have Heartland get upset with me replacing headlights and markers vs waiting for the truckstop to do it.
I basicly inspect my equi[pment evertime I approach it.

 

You do know overnight cold temps can make your tire lose air , why even ask this ridiculous question??