Post Trip Inspections

I think the fact that the trucks in ? are leaving the OP'S system. Why would a post trip even be a consideration. They are going to a new owner.

 

Let me also add I am old school when it comes to CMV safety and driver responsibility my father taught me this. In my 60 years I have seen the after effects of drivers being killed and killing the general public because of unsafe behavior. I just have little regard for drivers that refuse to be professional and take attitudes that well the goverment does not require it therefore I won't do it. This goes to my attitude about drug usage as well as keeping as safe as possible truck. If you stay in this industry for 20+ years like some of us have you see the results of this unprofessional behavior. And regardless of pre or post. Not inspecting your rig is unprofessional. I always did a walk around when I stopped to pee or get coffee just to make sure some jackleg did not pull a 5th wheel or tandem handle.

 

Glad you found your answer.

Just a word of advice; you could have gotten the right answer in your first thread if you had indicated the fact you were referring to driveaway-towaway operations. As you can see, there are some differences in the regulations for different segments of the industry. The vast majority of this forum is focused on over-the-road (OTR) trucking pulling regular trailers and freight. So, that's where most of the mind-set is. If you are looking for information on something a bit out of the norm (such as driveaway-towaway) then let that be known because in some cases you will get contradictory information. Of course I understand you're new to the industry, so there's some learning to do.

I'll bet you have learned something about your third-party auditor too.

Cheers and good luck ahead!

 

Correct.

§396.11 Driver vehicle inspection report(s).

(a)(5) Exceptions. The rules in this section shall not apply to a private motor carrier of passengers (nonbusiness), a driveaway-towaway operation, or any motor carrier operating only one commercial motor vehicle.

- eCFR — Code of Federal Regulations​

 

After reading your question I can now see from reading between the lines you are talking about a driveaway towaway operation. As has been said the rules can be different based on the type of operation you are operating. As to the part I made bold and underlined let me say this. A carrier can NOT go under a FMCSA minimum or over a FMCSA maximum. What this means under these circumstances is if a carrier does require an inspection you as an employee MUST comply. You were informed correctly in this narrow sense!

 

@deathB4decaf
Hence why I likened them to tax prep guys.
Glad you're a quick learn.

You'll do just fine.

The info us right in front of is to read. So many like to employ their own interpretation.

 

Sorry folks you are 100% wrong and have no historical understanding of the Post trip?


Part 396
Section § 396.11: Driver vehicle inspection report(s).
Below are the available interpretations for the given section. To return to the list of parts, use the Parts link above. The menu to the left provides a full list of sections that have interpretations. To view interpretations for a different section, click on the menu item.

The regulations text of the section can be found on the eCFR website. To view the regulations text, use the link below. For assistance, please send an email to FMCSA.Webmaster@dot.gov.
View regulations for Part 396

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.

No pre-trip inspection is not "federally mandated" it simply states, "No commercial motor vehicle shall be driven unless the driver is satisfied" and provides no guidance!

Way to many people get their information on these topics by listening to some safety guru that has no clue. Some people in the industry have motivations for saying their position on this subject and many of the answers here just repeat the bad information that is the result of these motivations.

The FMSCA in typical fashion is coy on the subject and nondescript in there guidance because they are motivated by outside lobbing groups.

The bottom line the post-trip inspection is required. Turning and retaining the documents are not. The pre-trip inspection has never been required as a driver only has to be "satisfied." With no inspection or documents required.

Driveaway-towaway most certainly has a post trip requirement:

§ 396.15 Driveaway-towaway operations and inspections.
(a)General. Effective December 7, 1989, every motor carrier, with respect to motor vehicles engaged in driveaway-towaway operations, shall comply with the requirements of this part. Exception: Maintenance records required by § 396.3, the vehicle inspection report required by § 396.11, and the periodic inspection required by § 396.17 of this part shall not be required for any vehicle which is part of the shipment being delivered.

(b)Pre-trip inspection. Before the beginning of any driveaway-towaway operation of motor vehicles in combination, the motor carrier shall make a careful inspection and test to ascertain that:

(1) The tow-bar or saddle-mount connections are properly secured to the towed and towing vehicle;

(2) They function adequately without cramping or binding of any of the parts; and

(3) The towed motor vehicle follows substantially in the path of the towing vehicle without whipping or swerving.

(c)Post-trip inspection. Motor carriers shall maintain practices to ensure that following completion of any trip in driveaway-towaway operation of motor vehicles in combination, and before they are used again, the tow-bars and saddle-mounts are disassembled and inspected for worn, bent, cracked, broken, or missing parts. Before reuse, suitable repair or replacement shall be made of any defective parts and the devices shall be properly reassembled.