An enroute inspection should include checking for

Our January 18 th blog will cover defect protocols and best practices around inspection documentation. The regulations provide a short list of 11 items that must be checked. The regulations do not require that the pre-trip be documented or reported to the carrier.

If the driver finds something wrong with the vehicle, he or she is to get it fixed before operating it. If something is repaired, a document would be created to capture the type of maintenance for record retention. The regulations require certain drivers to do en-route inspections to check cargo securement and their tires. Cargo securement inspections are required within the first 50 miles after loading, and then every 3 hours, miles or at a duty change, whichever comes first.

However, if the driver is transporting cargo that is sealed in the cargo area or loaded in such a way that checking securement is not possible, the driver is not required to check the cargo securement.

Drivers transporting hazardous materials must check their tires before beginning the trip, any time the vehicle is parked, and then at the end of the trip.

If the driver discovers a low or flat tire, the driver can proceed to the nearest place to have it repaired. However, if the tire has overheated, the driver may not operate the vehicle again until the tire has been repaired. All drivers should be trained — and expected — to do a quick walkaround inspection of the vehicle every time it is parked. This is done at a walking pace and involves:. Begin emergency braking.

Which of these is a good thing to do when steering to avoid a crash? Avoid countersteering. Don't turn any more than needed to clear what is in your way. Steer with one hand so that you can turn the wheel more quickly.

Apply the brakes while turning. To avoid a crash, you had to drive onto the right shoulder. You are now driving at 45 mph on the shoulder. How should you move back onto the pavement? Steer sharply onto the pavement, then brake hard as you countersteer. Brake hard to slow the vehicle, then steer sharply on the pavement.

If the shoulder is clear, stay on it until your vehicle has come to a stop. Then move back onto the pavement when it is safe. Keep moving at the present speed and steer very gently back onto the pavement. If you need to leave the road in a traffic emergency, you should: a. Try to get all wheels off the pavement. Brake hard as you leave the road. Avoid braking until your speed has dropped to about 20 mph.

Avoid the shoulder because most shoulders will not support a large vehicle. Your vehicle is in a traffic emergency and may collide with another vehicle if you do not take action.

Which of these is a good rule to remember at such a time? You can almost always turn to miss an obstacle more quickly than you can stop. Stopping is always the safest action in a traffic emergency. Leaving the road is always more risky than hitting another vehicle. Unbuckle your safety belt before impact so you will not be trapped inside your vehicle. Controlled braking: a. Can be used while you are turning sharply. Is used to keep a vehicle in a straight line when braking. Involves locking the wheels for short periods of time.

To correct a drive-wheel braking skid, you should: a. Stop braking. Stop braking, turn quickly, and countersteer. Increase braking. Increase braking, turn quickly, and countersteer. How do you correct a rear-wheel acceleration skid? Apply more power to the wheels. Stop accelerating. Apply the brakes. Which of these can cause a vehicle to skid? Not enough weight on the front axle. Turning too sharply. If a straight vehicle no trailer or articulation goes into a front-wheel skid, it will: a.

Slide-sideways somewhat, but not spin out. Go straight ahead but will turn if you turn the steering wheel. Go straight ahead even if the steering wheel is turned.

Slide sideways and spin out. What is countersteering? Turning the wheel back in the other direction after steering to avoid a traffic emergency. Turning the steering wheel counterclockwise. Using the steering axle brakes to prevent oversteering. Steering in the opposite direction from what other drivers expect you to do.

Which of these is not a good rule to follow when caring for the injured at an accident scene? If a qualified person is helping them, stay out of the way unless asked to assist. Stop heavy bleeding by applying direct pressure to the wound. Keep injured persons cool.

Move severely injured persons if there is a danger due to fire or passing traffic. Which of these can cause a fire? Electrical short circuits. Under-inflated tires. Loose fuel connections. On which fires can you use the "A-B-C" fire extinguisher? Burning liquids b. Electrical fires d. Which fires can you use water to put out? Tire fires b. Gasoline fires c. Which of these statements about vehicle fires is true? A burning tire should be cooled with water.

If your engine is on fire, you should open the hood as soon as you can. If a trailer is on fire, you should drive fast to put the flames out. If cargo in a van or box trailer catches on fire, you should open the cargo doors.

To help you stay alert while driving, you should: a. Schedule trips for hours that you are normally asleep. Take short breaks before you are drowsy. Take cold medicine if you have a cold. Do all of the above. You should stop driving: a. Which of these statements about staying alert to drive is true? Sleep is the only thing that can overcome fatigue.

If you must stop to take a nap, it should be at a truck stop or other rest area-never on the side of the road. There are drugs that can overcome being tired. A half-hour break for coffee will do more to keep you alert than a half-hour nap. Which of these statements about drugs is true? A driver can use any prescription drug while driving. Amphetamines "pep pills" or "bennies" can be used to help the driver stay alert.

Which of these is a good thing to remember about drinking alcohol? The chance of a crash is much greater for drivers who have been drinking than for drivers who were not.

Alcohol first affects judgement and self-control which are necessary for safe driving. The effects of alcohol decrease. Judgement and self-control are affected. The drinker can sober up in less time. You can drive a vehicle hauling hazardous materials when: a. The shipment will not cross state lines. The GVWR is 26, pounds or less.

The vehicle does not require placards. A person who has the Haz-Mat Endorsement rides with you. Which of these would tell you that a shipment contains hazardous materials? A four-inch diamond-shaped hazardous materials label on the container.

A hazardous materials placard on the vehicle. The name of a hazard class on the shipping paper. You are asked to deliver hazardous materials in a placarded vehicle. Refuse to haul the load. Haul the load, but file a report with the Department of Transportation after the trip. Haul the load, but only to the nearest place where a driver with a Hazardous Materials Endorsement can take over.

Take the placards off the vehicle. Which of these statements about cargo loading is true? The legal maximum weight allowed by a state can be considered safe for all driving conditions. Slight overloading of a vehicle can make its brakes work better. State laws dictate legal weight limits. If cargo is loaded by the shipper, the driver is not responsible for overloading.

The center of gravity of a load: a. Should be kept as high as possible. Can make a vehicle more likely to tip over on curves if it is high. Is only a problem if the vehicle is overloaded. A key principle to remember about loading cargo is to keep the load: a. To the front. To the rear. As high as possible. Balanced in the cargo area. Cargo that is not loaded or secured properly can cause: a. Injury to the driver during a quick stop or crash.

Other highway users to hit or be hit by loose cargo. Vehicle damage by overloading. Which of these statements about certain types of cargo is true? Loads that consist of liquids in bulk do not cause handling problems because they are usually very heavy. When liquids are hauled, the tank should always be loaded totally full. Oversize loads can be hauled without special permits during times when the roads are not busy.

Unstable loads such as hanging meat or livestock can require extra caution on curves. Height b. Weight c. Age d. Tolerance level. For example, a lbs. However, as a professional truck driver, its best to avoid the consumption of alcohol at all costs while "on the clock. Header Boards b. Livestock c. Sealed and Containerized Loads d. Blocks and Braces. One Year b. Six Months c. Two Years. In the State of Pennsylvania, Implied consent means: a.

You have agreed to take a chemical test of breath, blood, or urine, just by being licensed to drive in Pennsylvania. You have agreed to take a chemical test of breath, blood, or urine, whether or not you are licensed to drive in Pennsylvania. Your consent is implied. All of the above d. All of the above 2. Worn electrical wiring insulation b. Valve Clearance 6. Figure A C. Figure B Use left turn lane "B" d. Use left turn lane "B" All of the above All of the above a.

Tire fires All of the above b. Tolerance level b. Blocks and Braces b. Livestock Two Years a. One Year Also, federal and state laws require that drivers inspect their vehicles. There are three types of vehicle inspection. First is a pre-trip inspection. Its intention is to find problems that could cause a crash or breakdown. During a trip, you should watch gauges for signs of trouble and use your senses to check for problems.

Next, when you stop, check tires, wheels and rims, brake, lights and reflectors, brake and electrical connections, trailer coupling devices, and cargo steering devices. At the end of the day or when switching equipment, you should inspect your vehicle. You need to fill out a vehicle condition report, listing any problems you find. Check for bad wear such as tread separation, cuts or bruises, and make sure radial or bias-ply tires are not used together.

Check your wheels for wheel and rim problems. Check for damaged rims and bad wheels. Check for rust around the lug nuts, which may indicate they are loose. Check them for tightness. Check for missing clamps, spacers, or lugs. Check for mismatched, bent, or cracked lock rings and check that wheels or rims do not have welding repairs. You also need to check your brake, drums and linings.

Check for cracked drums, shoes or pads of oil, grease, or brake fluid and make sure shoes are not worn dangerously thin, missing, or broken. Your steering system is critical to the safety of your vehicle.

You want to check for missing nuts, bolts, cotter keys or other parts from steering arms or linkage. If power steering equipped, check hoses, pumps, and fluid level. Also check for leaks. You also want to check your steering system for bit, loose, or broken parts such as the steering column, steering gear box, or tire rod ends.

The suspension system holds up the vehicle and keeps the axles in place. Check for spring hangers that allow movement of the axle from proper position. Also, check for cracked or broken spring hangers. Look for missing or broken leaves.

A quarter or more, and the vehicle is out of service. Check for broken leaves that may have shifted and hit a tire. And also check for any loose, cracked, broken or missing frame members. You also want to check your suspension system for leaking shock absorbers which may indicate they are going bad. Check torque rods or arms, u-bolts, spring hangers or other axles' positioning parts that are cracked, damaged or missing.

Exhaust system defects can be very dangerous. Check for loose, broken or missing exhaust pipes, mufflers, tail pipes or vertical stacks. Also, look for loose, broken, or missing mounting brackets, clamps, bolts or nuts. Exhaust system parts rubbing against fuel system parts, tires, or other moving parts of the vehicle are very dangerous.

Also look for exhaust system parts that are leaking. Commercial vehicles are required to have three pieces of emergency equipment.

You are required to have a fire extinguisher, spare electrical fuses, and some kind of warning device for parked vehicles such as three red reflective triangles. Make sure the truck is not overloaded and the cargo is balanced and secured before each trip. If the cargo contains hazardous materials, you must inspect for proper papers and placards.

A seven step inspection method is recommended. You should inspect the vehicle the same way each time so you are less likely to forget something. First, an overview of the truck. Next, check the engine then go inside. Check the lights. Do a walk around inspection. Check signal lights. Start the engine and check the brake system.

The first step is the vehicle overview. When you are approaching the vehicle, notice the general condition. Check around the vehicle for hazards, people's other vehicles, low hanging wires, or tree limbs. Look for damage on the vehicle leaning from side to side.

Look underneath for fresh oil coolant, grease, or fuel leaks. Check the condition of the windshield. Check the wiper blades for damage, good rubber, and that they are secure. Step two is to check the engine department. First, check that the parking brakes are on and the wheels are chocked. Take the keys with you to prevent someone from starting the engine and moving the truck.

Next, check the following: engine oil level, coolant level and radiator, and the condition of the hoses. In a pressurized system, never remove the radiator cap to check the coolant level. Next, check power steering fluid level, hose condition, battery fluid level, connections and tie-downs. Check the automatic transmission fluid level, the condition of the belt, check for tightness and excessive wear, leaks in the engine department and make sure there is no cracked worn electrical wiring insulation.

My horns and heater and frost are working. Now, I test my parking brakes. I apply the parking brakes, put the vehicle into a low gear and gently pull forward. If the parking brake holds the vehicle back, then it works properly. I check that my safety belt is securely mounted, adjusted, and latches.

If the vehicle is equipped with hydraulic instead of air brakes, I want to check the system for leaks. I pump the brake pedal three times. If the brake pedal decreases all the way to the floor, then I have a hydraulic leak. If the vehicle is equipped with a hydraulic brake reserve or backup system, when the key is off, depress the brake pedal and listen for the sound of the reserve system electric motor.

Check that the warning buzzer or light is off. If your vehicle is equipped with air brakes and you fail to perform an air brake check, this will result in automatic failure of the vehicle inspection test. Air brake safety devices vary. However, this procedure is designed to see that any safety device operates correctly as air pressure drops from normal to an air condition.