Truck Topics

Roadside Inspection: A Survival Guide

It can happen at any time.

You're about to roll through another weigh station, just like the hundreds of others you've successfully transited in the past when, of course, the red light comes on and you're directed round to the back. 

And, it always happens when you're running close on time and you just don't have that hour to spare.

So, what do you do?  Well, it's time to put on your friendly, helpful professional driver "game face" and meet the inspector.  In other words, grit your teeth and bear it.

If you know your truck inside and out and you're sure it's ready for inspection, it will make the stop little more than an inconvenience.  With some two million inspections performed annually, you're not alone and most of those trucks survive the inspection, right?

The most important thing a driver can do to be ready for inspections is to have a clean truck.

The goal is to simply not get noticed and it's unlikely that a relatively clean vehicle with shiny chrome will attract the same kind of safety-related scrutiny that a filthy, grime-covered truck will.

But, in life there are no guarantees, and even if your truck is spotless and in total compliance for this cursory visual inspection, you may be asked to pull around back for a paperwork review or vehicle inspection.

How a driver conducts himself at a roadside inspection can make a difference in how constructive and positive the inspection experience turns out to be.  Generally, drivers should act in a professional, courteous manner when asked to participate in a roadside inspection.  Few things will arouse the interest or suspicion of an inspector more than a rude, disrespectful driver with a defensive or combative attitude operating a dirty vehicle. 

The idea of "looking good" applies to the driver's appearance as well.  A neat, well-groomed driver will exude a confident, professional demeanor that will go a long way in establishing a sense of respect from an inspector.

Roadside inspections are a fact of life for drivers.  The main purpose of roadside inspections is to give the commercial motor vehicle and its driver an on-the-spot safety check. 

There are some simple guidelines that will help get you through the inspection process and knowing how inspections work is an important one.
 
You need to know about your equipment and inspection procedures

There are five levels of inspection:
 
Level One is the most comprehensive and includes a thorough vehicle and paperwork review. It will take about an hour.

Level Two inspections do not require the inspector to get under the vehicle, but other requirements are the same.

Level Three is a paperwork inspection.

Level Four is the inspection of a particular item like brakes.

Level Five is an inspection that takes place at the carrier. Only the Level One will give you an inspection sticker.

During an inspection, drivers should not be afraid to ask questions or share basic information with an inspector.  However, watch what you say!  A seemingly innocent comment might be viewed as a red flag by inspectors that further investigation of the driver might be warranted.

Be aware of the Uniform Out-of-Service Criteria. It includes brake system, coupling devices, pintle hooks, frame, exhaust system, fuel system, lighting, load securement, steering mechanism, suspension, tires, wheels, rims and hubs, windshield wipers, placarding and logs. Cross check this list when you do your pre-trip.

Required documentation
*CDL
*Medical Certificate (including any waivers)
*Log Book
*Proof of periodic inspection documentation
*All load-related paperwork including Bill of Lading, Emergency Response Information (For Hazmat shipments)

The more you know about what the inspector is doing, the better off you will be. On the other hand, using your knowledge to question the inspector is probably not the best idea. A combative attitude is an invitation to the inspector to make the outcome of any level inspection worse for you.

Know your inspection rights and ask appropriate questions. It also helps to show inspectors the same respect you would like them to show you.

When the inevitable happens, however, and an inspector finds faults, drivers need to control their attitudes.   The level of inspection has a great deal to do with the inspector’s attitude and he responds appropriately.

"A lot of inspectors will do the low level inspections in a very relaxed mood,” says one driver. “You can joke around with them. But the more important inspections make inspectors serious and you have to just be quiet and follow directions."

What do inspectors find most when they find something wrong with your ride?

The five most common violation areas are:

*brakes out of adjustment

*other brake problems

*lights

*tires and wheels

*load securement
 
In his twenty-plus years of professional driving (general trucking and expediting), Gene Dunlap, a straight truck owner-operator, has been through the roadside inspection process more than a few times.  "Sometimes, four of them in a year," he says.  His tips for getting through the inspections include:

*"Make sure your log book is current and neat, they'll go through it with a fine-tooth comb.  During a Level I inspection, I had an FMCSA inspector spend a half-hour on my log book alone."

*"If your paperwork's in order, the next thing they're going to hit hard are your brakes and brake adjustment.  A note of caution:  Automatic brake adjusters don't always work.  I've been caught twice with brakes out of adjustment because I relied on the automatic adjusters.  Both times it was faulty adjusters."

*"Make sure all your lights are working (those are pretty obvious defects)"

*"I have Panther II award stickers on the side of the truck and those don't hurt."

*"They don't tell you what level of inspection it's going to be, so when they bring a creeper out or if there's a guy in overalls, I figure it's a Level I."

*"Bald tires and sidewall damage are an invitation for a thorough inspection."

As one veteran driver puts it, "The most important thing a driver can do is to put himself in the inspector’s shoes. Both parties have to respect the other’s job."