1. Vehicle Inspection Training Training for Drivers Operating Commercial Motor Vehicle Equipment for Premium Transportation Logistics LLC
Prepared by John M. Mueller, CDS, COSS, POSHP
© 2014 Premium Transportation Logistics LLC

2. Reasons to continually perform good vehicle inspections:
We have an obligation to protect the general public, which includes my family and yours.
Doing good, basic pre-trip inspections will greatly reduce vehicle maintenance CSA scores and violations and prevent crashes.
Over 70% of CSA violations are truck (maintenance) related. A simple properly performed Pre-trip inspection could eliminate these violations!
Reducing violations improves your driver’s PSP report.
Reduces the possibility of a mechanical failure related crash.
Eliminates potential fines.
Reduces our ISS scores which reduce the time you will spend in roadside inspections.
Once you are proficient it becomes easy to perform your pre-trip inspection.
It is the company policy of Premium Transportation Logistics LLC.
It is part of your job description and contract (Lease Agreement).
It is the LAW!

3. Top 15 Vehicle Violations
1 - Required lights not working
2 - Tire tread depth less than 2/32”
3 – Missing or defective lights or reflectors
4 – Brakes out of adjustment
5 – General defect (396.3(a))
6 – Oil or grease leak
7 – Fire extinguisher not compliant
8 – Damaged or chafing brake hose
9 – No annual inspection
10 – Brake violation (general)
11 – Automatic brake adjuster violation
12 – Broken turn signal
13 – Defective windshield wipers
14 – Defective stop lamp
And
15 – Missing warning triangles or flares

4. Types of Vehicle Inspections
Pre-trip Inspections
En-route Inspections
Cargo Inspections
Post-trip Inspections
Roadside Inspections
Periodic Inspections

5. Driver Inspection
Before driving a motor vehicle, the driver shall:
a). Be satisfied that the motor vehicle is in safe operating condition;
b). Review the last driver vehicle inspection report; and
c). Sign the report, only if defects or deficiencies were noted by the driver that prepared the report, to acknowledge that the driver has reviewed it and that there is a certification that the required repairs have been performed. The signature requirement does not apply to the listed defects on a towed unit which is no longer part of the vehicle combination.

7. The Pre-trip Inspection
First, check out the front of the Tractor (Truck)
Any visible Leaks?
Is license plate securely attached?
Lights working?
Is the truck leaning?

8. While at the front of the vehicle, check the windshield for cracks or excessive tinting. Ensure mirrors are securely mounted.

9. Now check items in the engine compartment on the passenger side
Coolant Reservoir
Alternator
Water pump
Check Oil Level
Springs &/or Airbags
Spring/Air Mounts and U-Bolts
Shock Absorber
Leaks and hoses
Any wear or chafing of parts?
Belts in good condition?

10. Drivers Side Engine Compartment
Air compressor
Master Cylinder
Belt(s)
Automatic transmission fluid if applicable
Steering Box
Springs &/or Airbags
Spring/Air Mounts and U-Bolts
Steering Linkage
Leaks and hoses
Shock Absorber
Power steering fluid
Air conditioning compressor

11. Exploded view of steering linkage, hoses and springs

12. Front Brakes Brake Hose or lines Brake Chamber
Slack Adjuster & Push-rod
Drum & linings or Rotor and disk

13. Front wheels
Tires
Rims
Lug Nuts
Hub oil seals
(Under center cap)

14. Driver/Fuel area – Driver’s side of truck/tractor
Door & Mirror
Fuel tank, caps and leaks
Side lights working? Reflectors attached?

15. Drive Axle, Rear Suspension and Drive Wheels
Check all tires, rims, lug nuts, hub oil seals and budd spacings
U-bolts
Springs, shocks & airbags
Spring/air mounts

16. Rear Wheels, Suspension, Drive Axle and Brakes
Springs, shocks and airbags
Brake Hoses or Lines
Brake Chamber
U-bolts
Slack Adjustor and Push-rod
Spring/air mounts
Drum & linings or Rotor and disk
Torque Arm/Radius Rod

17. Rear of Tractor or Truck
Check frame
Fifth Wheel skid plate and Locking Jaws
Exhaust System
License plate and light if Straight Truck
Reflectors and Lights
Mud flaps/Splash Guards

18. Drive Shaft
Differential
Drive shaft
U-Joint

19. Coupling System – Fifth Wheel Type
Platform
5th Wheel Skid Plate

20. Coupling System (Fifth Wheel)
Mounting Bolts
Release Arm
Kingpin
Apron
Sliding 5th Wheel Locking Pins

21. Rear of Tractor (Continued) and Behind the Cab
Air Connectors and Lines
Catwalk
Electric Connectors and Lines
Headerboard or bulkhead - trailer
Check lights/Reflectors – tractor and trailer

22. Side of Trailer Frame and Tandem Release Lights and Reflectors
Doors & Ties & Lifts
Trailer Wheels – check tires, rims, lug nuts, hub oil seals and spacers or budd spacing

23. Side of Trailer (Continued)
Landing Gear

24. Trailer Suspension and Trailer Brakes
U-Bolts
Torque Arm/Radius Rod
Springs & Shocks & Airbags
Brake hoses and lines
Brake Chamber
Spring/Air Mounts
Slack Adjustor and Push-rod
Drum & linings or Rotor & disk

25. Rear of Trailer
Doors and lift
Lights and Reflectors
Splash guards

26. Fire Extinguisher – SECURELY MOUNTED

27. Emergency Equipment

28. Safety/Emergency Equipment Safety belt (Seat belt)
Now enter the cab and check the following:
Lighting Indicators
Oil Pressure
Temperature Gauge
Air Pressure Gauge
Ammeter/Voltmeter
Mirrors
Wipers and Washers
Windshield
Horn(s)
Heater/Defroster
Safety/Emergency Equipment
Hydraulic Brake Check
Breakaway Module
Air Brake Checks
Parking Brake
Service Brakes
Safety belt (Seat belt)

29. Now check your logbook – Is it current and updated?

30. En-route Inspections

31. Before leaving any shipper, contractors/drivers shall make a thorough visual observation (inspection) of their immediate surroundings and report any unusual or suspicious activity to their supervisor or operations personnel immediately.

32. Contractors/drivers are required to inspect their vehicle and trailer (if applicable) for evidence of tampering after each stop.

33. Cargo inspection when being loaded.
Cargo Inspections
Cargo inspection when being loaded.
Check the identity, condition, and count of every load.
Secure every load using load lock bars, straps, nailing a 2x4, or whatever it takes to protect the cargo from damage. It is your job to secure each and every load you haul. NO LOAD SHOULD EVER BE TRANSPORTED WITHOUT BEING PROPERLY SECURED.
Complete load securement by applying approved padlock to cargo box.

34. Drivers of a truck or truck tractor must—
Cargo Inspections – The Regulations 392.9: Inspection of cargo, cargo securement devices and systems.
Drivers of a truck or truck tractor must—
Assure himself/herself that the provisions of paragraph (a) of this section have been complied with before he/she drives that commercial motor vehicle;
(2) Inspect the cargo and the devices used to secure the cargo within the first 50 miles after beginning a trip and cause any adjustments to be made to the cargo or load securement devices as necessary, including adding more securement devices, to ensure that cargo cannot shift on or within, or fall from the commercial motor vehicle; and

35. (3) Reexamine the commercial motor vehicle's cargo and its load securement devices during the course of transportation and make any necessary adjustment to the cargo or load securement devices, including adding more securement devices, to ensure that cargo cannot shift on or within, or fall from, the commercial motor vehicle. Reexamination and any necessary adjustments must be made whenever— (i) The driver makes a change of his/her duty status; or (ii) The commercial motor vehicle has been driven for 3 hours; or (iii) The commercial motor vehicle has been driven for 150 miles, whichever occurs first.
(4) The rules in this paragraph (b) do not apply to the driver of a sealed commercial motor vehicle who has been ordered not to open it to inspect its cargo or to the driver of a commercial motor vehicle that has been loaded in a manner that makes inspection of its cargo impracticable.

36. Don’t let this turn into… this !

37. Post-trip Inspections
"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 and the report shall cover at least the following parts and accessories:“
(Please see for list of parts and accessories)
This report does not require a separate inspection - just a written report. So it would appear (and this is general practice) that the PreTrip inspection is required, but does not require a report before you operate the vehicle (or whatever method you use to satisfy yourself that the equipment is in safe operating condition). Then at the end of the day a Post Trip report is required - but that does not require another inspection.

38. The Post-trip inspection is documented on the reverse side of your paper log sheet. Be sure to fully complete the inspection each day and submit the report with your logs.
Remember to sign the inspection document. Remember to log your post-trip inspection as on-duty time.

39. Roadside Inspections

40. Tip’s to make roadside inspections less painful:
1. Make sure you keep your truck and equipment clean.
2. Carry yourself in a professional manner.
3. Ensure all the vehicle/trailer lighting operates correctly.
4. Use proper load securement methods for the type of commodity you are transporting.

41. 5. Keep vehicle and driver paperwork neat and in organized manner
5. Keep vehicle and driver paperwork neat and in organized manner. Ensure all documents are current – discard expired documents. This includes all permits, driver physical (medical card), insurance, registration and Annual Vehicle Inspection(s).
6. Inspect the vehicle(s) everyday prior to moving the vehicle. DO A GOOD PRE-TRIP INSPECTION!
7. KEEP YOUR LOGBOOK CURRENT!
And the best tip to staying legal is – Read and understand your PTL Drivers Manual and mail you receive from the company. It can only help you if you open it and read it!

42. Send all Roadside Inspections to the company immediately!
Roadside Inspection Reporting Requirements
You are required to submit to PTL, LLC the original copy of all driver or vehicle inspections you are subjected to by any governmental agency while under dispatch from PTL, LLC within 24 hours. These reports must be reviewed by a PTL, LLC company official, signed, and returned to the issuing agency within 7 to 15 days. All noted defects must be repaired immediately. You must also be sure to log any roadside inspections as “On-Duty” time – exactly when the inspection began and exactly when the inspection ended.
You earn Gold Driver Rewards points redeemable for quality merchandise for every violation-free roadside inspection. Visit to log in and more information.

44. Periodic Inspections
“Every commercial motor vehicle must be inspected as required by this section. The inspection must include, at a minimum, the parts and accessories set forth in appendix G of this subchapter. The term commercial motor vehicle includes each vehicle in a combination vehicle. “
This means that every CMV (including trailers in a combination vehicle) must have an Annual Vehicle inspection.
“…motor carriers must inspect, or cause to be inspected all motor vehicles subject to their control.”
Be sure to have your equipment inspected at minimum once very 12 months per these regulations. Carry a copy of the inspection for each piece of equipment with your vehicles and immediately submit a copy of the inspection(s) to Premium Transportation Logistics LLC.

45. Example of an Annual Vehicle Inspection Form

46. Think of DOT Regulated Annual Vehicle Inspections as being like your driver physical exam.
If your driver physical expires you are “medically unqualified to operate a Commercial Motor Vehicle”.
If any of your required DOT Regulated Annual Vehicle Inspections expire then that vehicle is “medically unqualified to be operated”.

47. PTL LLC QUARTERLY VEHICLE INSPECTION REPORT Premium Transportation Logistics requires all drivers to submit quarterly vehicle inspections. At least once, every three months, you are required to perform a “written inspection report” on your vehicle using the form below.

48. Still have questions or concerns regarding inspections
Still have questions or concerns regarding inspections? Looking for an answer?
Solutions:
Call the company at and ask for Safety. (Please dial 6)
Read the Safety Regulations pocketbook you received from the company at orientation – it is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the FMCSR’s. You agreed and stated so on the receipt for the book.
Log on to the company website Visit the driver portal where you will find multiple training presentations to assist you learn.
Attend Premium Transportation Logistics driver’s meetings
Read the company newsletter
Read the informational materials the company mails to you
Read and review your Premium Transportation Logistics Driver’s Manual