New driver needs resources to learn about Dot checks

Everything you went over for a pre trip inspection when you did your cdl test is what they will look at.

 

Remember when you got your CDL? You had to go over a 120 or so point inspection and get 80% of them right? Well now that you have a CDL, you have to get 100% of them right. The good thing though is you can cheat. Take the list out of your CDL manual and check everything on the list noting what is wrong and write it up.

 

Maybe this will work: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/sites/fmcsa.dot.gov/files/docs/part-396form6.pdf
I can ask my brother-in-law later, he usually helps me with this

 

This is a long video, a tad over 41 minutes. It's a presentation from a DOT officer what they are looking for and how they conduct a DOT inspection.

 

A good reference is to have in the truck is the little green pocketbook. Or the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. You can get a copy at most truck stops but if not you can contact J.J. Keller & Associates. You also need The Code of Federal Regulations "Transportation" 49 parts 100 to 177 and parts 178 to 199.

 

Another good tool for you to have is the word "NO". After you have checked everything in that 120 point pretrip, its gotta be fixed. There is no way to just "cover your rear" with the DOT. If its wrong at the weight station or roadside inspection, you will be the one the officer is reaming. And if it is wrong anywhere else on the highway, innocent people could be hurt or worse. You, as the driver, are responsible to make sure the truck is up to par. If it isnt, you cant drive it.

 

No. Grab a pen, and a trip inspection report. Or buy a trip inspection report from the nearest truckstop.

Start writing down defects as you do your carefully pre-tripping.

Present Pre-trip defect report to shop manager for repairs. If repairs will take awhile go home (Tip, before presenting the pretrip receipt, make yourself a copy of it. and KEEP IT, log this time as pretrip in case you really need it after getting fired and sit in the unemployment office.

You cannot be coerced to driving a truck with flaws. It's one thing to take off without a back window, but quite another when the power steering system fails to respond to you.

 

Playing dumb here, isn't that little book required in each truck?

 

Anything that is broke or about to break, leaking or worn down to "if it continues, failure will occur"