1. Establishing an Effective Maintenance Program The Mechanics Need Your Help

2. Maintenance is Your Responsibility Too You may not turn the wrenches, but you are a big part of the maintenance program Your “part” is to make sure things get done as required by the Federal regulations Your organizational skills and attention to detail will help get this done

3. Federal Regulations Require Qualified annual inspectors – see form Qualified brake inspectors – see form Periodic (annual) inspections at least every 12 months Pre-trip, en-route, and post-trip inspections by drivers Systematic inspection and repair of equipment

4. Systematic inspection/Repair Different makes of trucks have different maintenance schedules – find out what yours is How does the shop track what service is due on a vehicle? e.g. oil changes, lube, brake inspection, annuals, etc… How are drivers notified that a service is due?

5. Reporting Problems What is the system for drivers to report vehicle problems to maintenance? –Is this working? –Are you having too many on-road breakdowns or vehicle out of services? The national average for vehicle out of service is 22.90% - what is yours? –Can the system be improved in any way?

6. Annual Inspections How are annual inspection due dates tracked? They can be tracked on an equipment list kept on a computer or on a board in the garage, or many other ways Mechanics should check a list of services due for each vehicle when it is brought into the shop

7. Driver Inspections Have your drivers been trained on how to inspect a vehicle? –Not just to take the CDL exam either! They should be trained on how to inspect and how to write up a defect for repair Sources of training: Motor carrier inspectors, mechanics, videos, written materials, etc.

8. Tracking Repairs Every repair that is made needs documented – even changing a light bulb needs a paper trail This is used to demonstrate that repairs were made for defects on roadside inspections, and to a jury if vehicle defects contribute to an accident This includes owner operator equipment

9. Record Keeping Each unit should have it’s own file Must contain the following: –Company number, if so marked –Make –Serial number –Year –Tire size –Name of owner, if not owned by the motor carrier

10. Record Retention Must retain records of all inspections, repairs, etc. for: –1 year –And for 6 months after the unit leaves the motor carrier’s control –Annual inspections must be retained for 14 months –Roadside inspection reports must be retained for 12 months –DVIR must be retained for 90 days

11. Track Roadside Data Should track all roadside inspection data so mechanics can be notified of trends This information can be used to improve the maintenance program