With the weather starting to get nicer all throughout the country, motor carriers will be experiencing an influx in roadside inspections. Here is what to expect, how to prepare and additional information you need to know to keep you off the radar!
This year's Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) International Roadcheck campaign will be between May 16th and 18th, with special emphasis on on anti-lock braking systems (ABS) and cargo securement. Brakes, lights, tires and cargo securement routinely make up the Top 5 Roadside Inspection Violations while hours of service/logs and problems with licensure are the top causes for driver violations.
Leading up to the CVSA International Roadcheck campaign, enforcement will be gearing up and conducting more roadside inspections.
During inspection of ABS and cargo securement, inspectors will be looking for the following:
Determination if ABS is required
Ensure ABS lamp cycles on and off for required vehicles
Check for ABS malfunction indicators
Ensure spare tires, loads, cargo, and dunnage are secured and prevented from rolling, shifting, falling, blowing, spilling or leaking from the vehicle
Confirm amount of tiedowns used for weight and length of cargo
Check for defective securement devices
Inspect anchor points
What to expect from a roadside inspection:
There are eight different levels of inspection that could be performed on a driver and/or their vehicle. CVSA has a helpful comprehensive explanation of each of the inspection levels. For this however, we are going to focus on the level one and level two inspections, as they are the most comprehensive. For the details of each level, visit the FMCSA or CVSA websites.
Level I: North American Standard Inspection
Level I is inspection of the vehicle and driver, and tends to be the most comprehensive. The driver inspection includes a review of their Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), alcohol and drug use, Medical Examiner’s and Skill Performance Evaluation (SKE) certificates, Hours of Service (HOS) compliance, record of duty status, seatbelt usage, and vehicle inspection report(s). The vehicle inspection includes:
Brake, electrical, exhaust, and fuel systems
Cargo securement
Coupling devices
Driveline/driveshaft mechanisms
Frames
Hazardous materials compliance
Lighting devices (headlamps, taillamps, turn signals, etc.)
Steering mechanisms
Suspensions
Tires (including hubs, rims, wheels)
Van and open-top trailer bodies
Windshield wipers
Level II: Walk-Around Driver/Vehicle Inspection
A Level II inspection includes only what can be examined without the inspector physically getting underneath the vehicle to inspect. Essentially it is a Level I inspection without getting under the vehicle. At a minimum, the driver inspection must include a review of their CDL, alcohol and drug use, Medical Examiner’s and SKE certificates, HOS compliance, record of duty status, seatbelt usage, and vehicle inspection report(s). The vehicle inspection includes:
Brake, electrical, exhaust, and fuel systems
Cargo securement
Coupling devices
Driveline/driveshaft mechanisms
Frames
Hazardous materials compliance
Lighting devices (headlamps, taillamps, turn signals, etc.)
Steering mechanisms
Suspensions
Tires (including hubs, rims, wheels)
Van and open-top trailer bodies
Windshield wipers
Preparing for Roadside Inspections:
In the transportation industry, the best thing you can do for yourself, your drivers and your company is to be prepared. A huge aspect in being prepared is making sure that you and your drivers are properly trained.
Training needs to be continued throughout the driver's time employed with your company not just as part of their initial onboarding or the process to get their CDL. Scheduling quarterly training with your drivers to refresh them on company policies, inspections, maintenance and general safety. Bringing someone in to conduct training for your drivers will also be very beneficial for your company.
At Front Range Compliance, we do both in-person and online training. Our online training platform, DOT University is currently offering Reasonable Suspicion for Supervisors, Cargo Securement, Defensive Driving, and Pre/Post Trip Inspection. In the coming months, we plan on releasing DOT Compliance Essentials and Appendix A. We would also be happy to schedule in person training with your company or even training over webinar. Click the link below to look at our Compliance Training Programs.
If you are looking for more information on training or services Front Range Compliance offers, contact us at info@frontrangecompliance.com and we will do everything that we can to help you.
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