Trucking and regulatory
pre-trip inspection
A pre-trip inspection is the check a driver makes of a truck and trailer before driving. Federal rule 49 CFR 396.13 requires the driver to be satisfied that the vehicle is in safe operating condition. The driver must also review the last driver vehicle inspection report, if one is required.
Why it matters
For a container delivery driver, a pre-trip check covers tires, brakes, lights, the tilt bed or hoist, straps and the load. Doing it every day catches small faults before they become roadside violations or jobsite accidents. A common mistake is to treat the check as paperwork. A driver who signs without looking can miss a worn tire or a loose lock. Companies often use a printed or electronic checklist so each driver follows the same steps. The pre-trip check is different from the annual inspection. The annual one is a formal yearly review. The pre-trip check happens every time.
Read: Safety and compliance for container delivery: DOT, FMCSA, CDL and OSHA
Definition source: ecfr.gov
Related terms
annual vehicle inspection
An annual vehicle inspection is a periodic inspection of a commercial motor vehicle. Under 49 CFR 396.17, each such vehicle must be inspected at least once in the preceding 12 months. The inspection covers, at a minimum, the parts and accessories listed in appendix A to Part 396.
FMCSA
FMCSA is the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, an agency within the U.S. Department of Transportation. It writes and enforces safety rules for commercial motor vehicles and carriers, and it handles registration for interstate carriers. Its rules are in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.
tilt-bed truck
A tilt-bed truck has a bed that tilts down toward the ground. A winch pulls a container onto or off the bed. It places a 20 ft or 40 ft container on the ground without a crane or forklift. It is the most common delivery truck in portable storage.
electronic logging device (ELD)
An electronic logging device, or ELD, is a device that connects to a vehicle engine. It records driving time automatically, so drivers can keep hours-of-service records more easily and more accurately. It stems from an FMCSA rule. Exceptions exist for some drivers and vehicles.
hours of service (HOS)
Hours of service are FMCSA rules on how long commercial drivers may be on duty and how much rest they need. They set limits on driving time and rest periods to help keep drivers awake and alert. The rules are in 49 CFR part 395.
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