Trucks quite literally keep the economy moving. About 3 million tractor-trailers in the US do most of the hauling of products and goods. And the drivers are responsible for safely steering them without any issues. Because of how important the job is, all drivers complete regular safety checks.
The Department of Transportation (DOT) ensures that trucking companies and their drivers properly maintain their fleets and that drivers abide by the rules. Nobody wants to be in their crosshairs when on the road.
Getting stopped by the DOT can lead to extensive downtime -- and potentially a ticket. Even the best trucking companies and the most diligent drivers will tell you that the DOT can often find something wrong. The best advice we can give is to be as prepared as possible to avoid needing to stop in the first place. Here are a few simple strategies to help you avoid DOT inspections and downtime on the road.
Complete all of your pre-trip inspections before every trip.
Truck drivers are required by law to perform pre-trip inspections of their vehicles. Here are some things every pre-trip inspection should include:
- Tires: Check for cuts, bulges, and abrasions, and ensure the tread depth is at least 4/32 inch. Also, check the tire pressure to make sure it's appropriate for the road conditions.
- Wheels and rims: Make sure they're attached properly and aren't bent or cracked. Also, check that all lug nuts are secure.
- Hub and axle seal: Check for leaks and make sure the seal isn't loose.
- Hub oil: Check that the oil level is correct and isn't leaking.
- Windshield wipers: Make sure the wipers are working, and refill the fluid if needed.
- Brakes: Check the brakes for rust and general wear.
- Mirrors: Make sure all mirrors are adjusted properly for maximum visibility.
- Lights: Inspect all lights on the cab and trailer, including the headlights, turn signals, brake lights, emergency flashers, and trailer lights. Replace any burnt-out lights.
- Coupling system: Inspect the coupling system if you're hauling a trailer.
- Seat belt: Inspect the front seat belts and anchorages on vehicles that have front seat belt anchorages.
Document everything
When preparing for a tractor-trailer inspection, you should ensure that all required documents are accessible and in place. These documents may include:
- State driver's license or commercial driver's license (CDL)
- Medical examiner's certificate or waiver, and Skill Performance Evaluation Certificate (SPE) if applicable
- Vehicle registrations for the truck or tractor and trailer, vehicle inspection reports, and hours-of-service (HoS) documents
- Record of duty status, shipping papers or bills of lading, receipts, and information about hazardous materials being transported
Keep your truck and trailer CLEAN.
In the inspection world — perception is everything. When an inspector sees a dirty truck or trailer they might assume that there’s a lack of maintenance done on the vehicle. A dirty truck and trailer is about 2–3 times more likely to get pulled over for a random inspection. The primary places that should be clean are:
- Windshield: Clean your windshield often, it’s obvious, but visibility is everything.
- Wheels: Dirty rims and tires can mean brake issues.
- Undercarriage: Many issues can be identified visually and if they are covered in dirt and grease they typically go unnoticed.
- Fuel Tank: The fuel tank can accumulate residual oil quickly and is a very noticeable red flag an inspector looks for.
- Bugs: The amount of bugs on a vehicle can tell an inspector how long it’s been since the truck was last maintained.
- Overall cleanliness: a light dusting of dirt is more likely to go unnoticed in comparison to a thick coat of road grime or salt.
Proactive Preparation Will Keep Your Road-Ready
DOT inspectors serve a valuable purpose and ensure that the trucking industry can do its job safely and efficiently. Avoiding the anxiety that comes from random inspections can be as easy as avoiding the random inspections. Doing a few easy things can limit the amount of random inspections and having your vehicle in order along with the proper documentation will alleviate the anxiety that happens when the DOT does inevitably ask you to pull to the side.
