DOT Defense (2)
Part 2
The previous article, “DOT Defense Part 1”, started with the premise of having a good hiring policy to help lessen the impacts of Roadside inspections.
In Part 2, we will continue to play defense, but from a different angle: The driver’s actions before getting on the road.
As all truck drivers know, a full 10 hours Off-duty is required before starting the next On-Duty Shift. In this digital age, even 1 second makes a difference, so it’s a good idea to verify the time you last logged off before logging back in. It’s frustrating to get hassled for such an avoidable issue!
A very important part of the pre-trip is to check the DVIR from the previous trip, making sure to check the status of any noted safety defects, then sign it, which is essentially stating that you agree the repairs were made, or were not needed.
After that, do a full pre-trip, including making sure you have the required docs such as a spare logbook and the ELD instructions. Many violations could be avoided if the driver had checked for these items before getting on the road.
After conducting the Pre-trip inspection, it’s a good idea to take a walk around the truck in the opposite direction, just to make sure something wasn’t overlooked.
The next item is to do a good load check inspection after being on the road for a bit. The regs state that load check must be done within the first 50 miles and every 150 miles or 3 hours thereafter, but it’s wise to get that first one done after a short shakedown, say in the first ½ hour of the trip. Very often the driver is really focused on getting down the road right away, so this first load check is good for the driver’s mindset too.
If you have questions or concerns, please contact us and we’ll be glad to help!
Crown Compliance Advisors LLC
