UPT IME
Review your pre-trip
inspection process
Have guidelines in place for drivers to help mitigate vehicle issues.
While enrolled in Waukesha County
Technical College’s professional truck driving
program to obtain my Class A commercial
driver’s license (CDL), I’ve been impressed with
how thoroughly the instructors have educated
incoming professional drivers for the trucking
industry. Case in point, every student must learn
how to conduct a complete pre-trip inspection.
During the second week of the 10-week
program, we fi rst learned about the process of
how to inspect the tractor and trailer before
getting behind the wheel.
Our instructor covered every area of the
vehicle, beginning with the vehicle overview,
the engine compartment, all sides of the tractor
and trailer, the kingpin and fi ft h wheel and
the cab. Not to mention, completing the LABS
air brake test.
Th is introduction to the pre-trip inspection
process took the class nearly two hours, going
through every aspect of the vehicle. Th at fi rst
walkaround was like drinking from a fi rehose.
As a new student, it may be overwhelming
at the beginning. But, through formal training,
incoming drivers will have a comprehensive
» Schueller is studying to earn her technical
diploma for professional truck driving, and
test for a Class A commercial driver’s license.
E. Schueller
understanding of how to complete a pre-trip
inspection.
While a real-life pre-trip should take a driver
about 15 minutes, testing for the pre-trip
inspection portion of the CDL test requires
the driver to provide details on every aspect
of the vehicle he or she is checking. Th e test can
take about 45 minutes. Steps include pointing
to each component or system of the vehicle,
and stating out loud specifi cally what to look
for to ensure there are no issues.
By Erica
Schueller
Editor-in-chief
@FM_Editor
8 Fleet Maintenance | November/December 2018
Since drivers should come with this prerequisite
knowledge when they’re hired, that
means they’re conducting a thorough pre-trip
inspection every time they start their hours of
service for the day, right?
Th is may not always be the case. Plus, for
a driver who’s been behind the wheel for a
number of years, a refresher on pre-trip may
not hurt either.
A review of the vehicle
Pre-trip inspections are designed to catch
issues before they become a threat to the safety
of others on the road. Do you provide in-house
training, refresher information or updates for
drivers, or any other additional resources to
help ensure they’re reviewing the vehicle on
a regular basis?
Based on what I’ve studied for the formal
pre-trip inspection exam, here are some areas
you may consider for a pre-trip checklist:
Engine compartment and front of tractor.
A review of all components under the hood,
including the critical fl uids - power steering,
engine oil, coolant and windshield washer
fl uid, as well as components such as the water
pump, air compressor, alternator, the power
steering linkage, etc. Th e driver must also
review all aspects of the steer axle, including
the suspension (typically leaf springs), brakes
and tires.
Tractor side and rear. Th is covers a review
of the sides and back of the tractor, including
air hoses, exhaust and the catwalk. Th is also
comprises examining one drive axle, including
the suspension, brakes and tires.
Trailer side and rear. A review of the trailer
header board, the back trailer doors and
everything in between. Th is test also requires
the review of one of the axles on the trailer
tandems. Drivers must know how to inspect
the suspension, brakes and tires.
Coupling device. While technically part
of the tractor rear/trailer front inspection,
the fi ft h wheel and kingpin have a separate
checklist, which includes a review of the tractor
portion (the fi ft h wheel/skid plate, slide locking
pins and the pivot pin and release arm) as well
as the trailer portion (the apron, or bottom of
the trailer where the slide plate touches, and
the king pin).
Cab check and engine start. Th e cab check
should begin with a “safe start” - meaning
before the vehicle is turned on, the driver
must check to confi rm the seat belt is in proper
working order, and not frayed or damaged;
the vehicle is in neutral (here, you can also
check the throws to confi rm the distance
for shift ing); that there is about 1-1/2” to 2”
of free play on the clutch; and that the parking
brake is on (the red and yellow knobs are
pulled out). Once the vehicle is turned on, the
driver will check the windshield wipers, all
gauges are in proper working order, that the
heat and defrost work and vehicle lights are
all working. Th is includes headlights, high
beams, turn signals, hazards, brake lights and
clearance lights. Th is is also the time when the
truck builds air pressure for the air brakes, to
complete the brake check.
Brake check. Drivers must have an understanding
of the step-by-step process for
ensuring all aspects of the air brake system
are in proper working order. Th is is completed
through the LABS test. LABS is an acronym
which stands for leaks, alarms, buttons
and service brake. Th e test takes less than
fi ve minutes, and allows drivers to confi rm
the air brake system is working properly
before driving.
Safety equipment check. Drivers must
confi rm the cab includes a full fi re extinguisher,
three safety triangles and electrical fuses.
Th is list might provide your team with some
areas to consider when it comes to creating a
pre-trip checklist for incoming drivers, or
a refresher for long-time veterans behind
the wheel.
Follow up with refreshers
and training
A thorough pre-trip needs to be done at the
start of duty for the driver, before he or she
operates the vehicle. Th is is not to mention en
route and post-trip inspections.
Driver vehicle inspection reports (DVIR)
round out the pre-trip process by alerting the
maintenance staff to vehicle issues. A driver’s
ability to provide accurate details are key for
this report.
In class, it’s stressed that we don’t need to
know what each component does, or how to fi x
it. But, it is critical that drivers be able to assess
and report any issues as a preventive measure
before they become critical or catastrophic.
Communication between drivers and maintenance
is also important in order to ensure
repairs and service are completed quickly and
accurately. What type of process do you have
in place to educate drivers on both the pre-trip
process, and the completion of DVIRs?