International Roadcheck Program

Inspection Initiative Runs From Sept. 9-11

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance‘s International Roadcheck program runs Sept. 9-11 and is reportedly the largest targeted enforcement program on commercial vehicles in the world. As a member service, the PSI Chapter is relaying the following information on the inspection program from USI Insurance Services:

The special area of focus for 2020 is on the driver requirements component of a roadside inspection. This means drivers need to be ready to hand over documents, show driver’s license and medical certificates, and be prepared for inspection of their record of duty status and hours of service.

While driver requirements are the key emphasis for this year’s CVSA International Roadcheck, your drivers will still need to be prepared for a full 37-step, North American Standard Level 1 Inspection.

A level 1 inspection, or the North American Standard Inspection, is the most thorough DOT inspection. It’s a detailed inspection of both the truck and the truck driver. The inspector will examine your seat belt, tail lamps, steering wheel, exhaust system, and everything required for driving safely. He or she will also look at documents like your driver’s license, medical certificate, waiver, and hours-of-service documentation.

 A DOT INSPECTOR WILL CHECK A DRIVER’S:

• Medical examiner’s certificate or medical self-certification
• Alcohol and drug use
• Daily logs
• Hours of Service (HOS) documentation
• Seat belt use

THE INSPECTOR WILL ALSO CHECK:

• Driver and vehicle inspection reports
• Brake system
• Coupling devices
• Exhaust system
• Truck frame
• Fuel system
• ELD/ Driver Logs
• Turn signals
• Brake lamps
• Tail lamps
• Head lamps
• Lamps on projecting loads
• Safe loading
• Steering mechanism
• Suspension
• Tires
• Van and open-top trailer bodies
• Wheels and rims
• Windshield wipers
• Hazardous materials (HM) requirements: If you’re a hazmat hauler, have your shipping papers ready.

DO A PRE-TRIP INSPECTION

Now that you know what an inspector is looking for during a Level 1 DOT Inspection, you can check your truck before you hit the road to make sure everything is working properly. One of the most effective ways to stay compliant and protect yourself from violations is to do a pre-trip inspection.

• Do a walk-around inspection:See if anything on the truck looks damaged or out of place. Check your mirror brackets, doors, windows, steps, and weather stripping to make sure everything is working.
• Check your lights:Check all lights, lenses, and headlights to make sure there isn’t any fogging or cracking.
• Check the engine compartment:Look at your water pump, radiator, air compressor pump, and power steering pump to make sure they aren’t cracked, damaged or loose.
• Check your tires: Check the air pressure to make sure it’s at the recommended psi and make sure tires are free from bumps, cuts or abrasions, don’t have nails in them, and have plenty of tread.
• Check the brake system:Look at your truck’s brake pads and drums to make sure they aren’t cracked, damaged, or loose. Be sure to test your brakes, making sure you push your brake knobs in before testing. Then do a static brake check, applied pressure test, low pressure warning signal test, and check your emergency valves.
• Inspect the inside of the cab:Look at your truck’s windshield, mirrors, defroster, windshield wipers, hazard signals, turn signals, and gauges to make sure everything is working properly.
• Test the engine and horns:Check that the engine is working properly by revving the engine and testing your horns.