DOT violation warning questions

It will go on your record. It's a very minor thing to have on your record. It will not be on your MVR and it certainly wont hurt your employment unless you really start racking up equipment violations. Wheel seals are very important though and NEED to be checked by every driver. A small leak can turn into brakes catching fire or a hub destroying itself when you least expect it. It's not common, but it's certainly not unheard of. If you've ever seen smoke coming off a drivers tandems for seemingly no reason, it's probably a hub that's been ran dry.

Anyways, the easiest way is to carry a piece of cardboard if you don't want to lay on bare ground and just scoot yourself underneath the trailer. I wouldn't say it's something that really needs checked daily, but I'd say for every new trailer you pick up and every few days following. If it's completely blown, you'll see oil on your brakes (very flammable under that much friction/heat) and you'll see it on the inside of your wheels. Oil bath hubs are known to spring leaks from both sides over time. The seals like to start leaking -- especially at drop and hook carriers where trailers sit around for a while.

 

Did you get a cvsa inspection form with a violation on it?

The reason I ask is a lot of LEO's call that a warning. It's not. It's a violation.

But like said, it's a very minor one that will get forgotten about and ignored in interviews

 

Pretty sad when your afraid to get underneath and check your brakes.

My trailer has a bearing seal leak.
It's getting fixed tomorrow.

 

2) nothing in the FMCSA pre-trip standards requires you be comfortable, clean, etc when doing a pre-trip. You can carry a piece of cardboard and lay it on the ground and then lay on that cardboard and slide yourself around, or use something like a mechanic's creeper which is useless on gravel. You can also use a remote camera or inspection camera on your phone.

 

Like @ZVar said If the violation warning is on an Inspection Form then it's a violation. It will be on your PSP report for 3 years. The severity will be cut by 1/3 every 365 days from the date of the violation. It's a small violation. You can get a copy of your official PSP report for $10 from the FMCSA
Pre-Employment Screening Program

 

Thats why you carry a set of insulated waterproof coveralls.

 

That is one for tankers, you can see everything without getting on the ground.

Most useful when in the plant where you get warned to NOT step in the puddles...........

 

I always got on my knees with my tanker.