Post and Pre Trips

You'll hear all different ways from different companies. These are company rules and not necessarily DOT rules. Drivers hear what their safety director says and they think that they are DOT regulations and it's not necessarily true.

The only requirement is the vehicle inspection report be completed at the end of your 14. Whether you do a post trip or pretrip is irrelevant. Whether you cross midnight is irrelevant.

Many drivers will do a thorough pretrip and a walk around post trip and then sign it. Which is perfectly fine.

If you done just a pretrip or a post trip is also fine as long as the report is completed by the end of the 14.

The only catcher is if you find deficiencies they must be corrected immediately unless they don't interfere with the safe operation of the vehicle.

But always do it the way your company says to do it. If you change jobs be prepared to do it another way.

This breaks down the form isn't complete until signed at the end of your shift.

This breaks down to the vehicle must be inspected once a day either pre or post trip. A post trip is before the beginning of the next shift.

 

Condo Cruiser is right, of course.

 

Never hurts to do a walk around whenever you are stopped. Things do happen when you are driving.

 

FMCSA 396.11 says only need to do a post trip in writing. Pre trip is to review the last drivers report and be satisfied with the condition of the equipment. Based on how the rule reads, it looks like a written pre trip is not needed and not recognized as acceptable unless it it done at the end of a shift. It does not state time on the calendar or clock, only the drivers shift.

 

A pertrip is much better and safer than a post trip.

 

I was taught to do a thorough pretrip and a walkaround post trip. The company I work for now is just the opposite. Every company has their own way of doing the PTI's as long as the company's policies fullfill the DOT's requirements it really doesn't matter how it is done. I much rather have any work done on the truck at the beginning of the day than the end when I'm tired and ready for bed.

 

Do what your company asks, it'll save you headaches. If they aren't asking enough do more.

 

As mentioned i start each shift with a pre trip and end it with a post Just have to figure out how tractor and trailer repairs get signed off on elogs now