I Got Fired For Discussing My Hours Of Service

This is all true. However, the discussion is about the regs, not what may happen if you do or do not do a post-trip inspection. A "Pre-trip" inspection is required by the regs, while a "Post-trip" inspection is not, only a post-trip report.

 

Companies can require many things, stricter than the regs. But, that does not change the regs.

 

I talked to a VP of a company in IA awhile back and asked how they get their drivers to be so compliant. We had a nice discussion and I asked him about them logging inspections. Dude told me that he didn't care if his drivers logged it correctly or not. I was baffled by this and asked for clarification and he told me that during his audit the FMCSA dude explained those were only form and manner violations. I'm not sure he's right but here are his CSA scores.

Unsafe 39.2
HOS Compliance 11.4
Driver Fitness <5 insp. w/violations
Controlled Substance 0
Vehicle Maintenance 47.6

So clearly the lack of logging PTI's isn't hurting their compliance, however it may be hurting their Maintenance.

 

And how exactly are you accurately completing that post trip inspection report if you do not actually inspect the truck?

§ 396.11 Driver vehicle inspection report(s).
(a) Equipment provided by motor carrier. (1) Report required.Every motor carrier shall require its drivers to report, and every driver shall prepare a report in writing at the completion of each day's work on each vehicle operated, except for intermodal equipment tendered by an intermodal equipment provider. The report shall cover at least the following parts and accessories:
(i) Service brakes including trailer brake connections;
(ii) Parking brake;
(iii) Steering mechanism;
(iv) Lighting devices and reflectors;
(v) Tires;
(vi) Horn;
(vii) Windshield wipers;
(viii) Rear vision mirrors;
(ix) Coupling devices;
(x) Wheels and rims;
(xi) Emergency equipment;

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

 

If your on paper just make sure time stamps are covered and it all looks legit. You can tweak it a little but don't get carried away.

 

BTW, y'all do know that a one trick pony (Motor Carrier with only one truck and trailer combination) does not need to do a post trip report.

 

...but as soon as they get that second trailer, they do.

 

Well DUUUUUUHHHH!

 

NEWBIES! DUMMIES! JERKS THAT DON'T WANT TO WORK! OLD FARTS THAT KNOW IT ALL AND OLD FARTS THAT THINK THEY KNOW IT ALL! I JUST WANT YOU ALL TO KNOW...........................


I LOVE BEING RETIRED!

 

So does my husband.