is a pretrip inspection required ...

Try going to the FMCSR site and look under 392.7. In the interpretation section the first question asked does a driver need to fill out a report that a pre-trip inspection is done. The FMCSA answer is no.

The way I look at it a pre-trip is very important and more than just a walk around. I have parked after doing a post-trip and have had things go bad that need attention before driving. A seal can leak while sitting, someone can mess with your set, and mother nature can do things that may surprise you. The point here is to make sure your truck is safe. If you do not check your brakes out to the fullest, check all your lugs and wheels seals, and all other safety items then you're a fool and you deserve to lose money while sitting to get fix. While you're looking at the steering under the hood how hard is it to look over the turbo to make sure there's no seals leaking there and all the other items that make you go? It takes me a good 30 minutes for a pre-trip but I slip seat but I check everything as the same as a post inspection. In fact out company booklet for inspections list the same items on both inspections. I've saved 3 turbos, 2 driveshafts, more than 4 wheels seals, and oil leaking onto the brakes before any part failure caused any problems. It's just good common sense.

 

396.13 doesn't state that at all. It states that "Before driving a motor vehicle, the driver shall:Be satisfied that the motor vehicle is in safe operating condition." This can be acceptably accomplished in some cases where the driver not only does not do a pre-trip inspection, but may not even look at the vehicle.

Best regards

 

dibstr-

In my previous post the book I was quoting referenced 2 parts of the FMCSA regs 396.11 & 396.13 you can't read one line from the part 396 and use that to justify not doing pre-trips.

Question 2: Does §396.11 require that the power unit and the trailer be inspected?

Guidance: Yes. A driver must be satisfied that both the power unit and the trailer are in safe operating condition before operating the combination.

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regu...mcsr/fmcsrruletext.aspx?reg=396.11&guidence=Y

How else would you know that your truck is in safe operating condition without inspecting it? You will find that most inspection violations could have been avoided by doing a thorough pre-trip inspection.

KTE Safety-
Annie

 

Nor can you read the two parts you referenced and conclude that a pre-trip is required as you stated, and I did not state anything that indicated that I was justifying not doing a pre-trip.

Yes, the driver must be satisfied that the power unit and trailer must be safe to operate, but no the driver doing a pre-trip is not the only way to accomplish this.

Didn't state that vehicles should not be inspected. I stated that the driver could be satisfied the vehicle was safe to operate and there were ways toacceptably accomplish this in some cases where the driver not only does not do a pre-trip inspection, but may not even look at the vehicle Guidance: §392.7 states that a driver must be satisfied that the vehicle is in good working order before operating the vehicle. If a driver is satisfied with a co-driver's inspection, or a safety lane inspection, then the requirement of this section will have been met.

Certainly, but this is a red herring concerning any "requirement", which is what we were discussing.

Best regards

 

As a substitute school bus driver I have learned that a driver doesn't have to do a pretrip inspection, however a pretrip inspection does have to be done and has often been done by a mechanic or supervisor while an on call driver is on their way. If you think you receivers get upset when you show up late for a load just imagine 30-80 parents when you show up late with their kids.

A pretrip needs to be done before you take your vehicle on the road, more lives than yours depend on it.