Driver Daily Vehicle Inspection (DVIR) - Idealease Safety Bulletin
The latest Idealease Safety Bulletin titled "Driver Daily Vehicle Inspection (DVIR)" is now available to read, share and download!
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You can view all past Idealease safety bulletins online at: https://www.idealease.com/safety-compliance/safety-bulletins
In this issue:
- What are the Driver's Daily Inspection Processes?
- Does the pre-trip inspection need to be documented?
- How to Properly Mark a Commercial Motor Vehicle
- New FMCSA Regulation Starts February 7th
The Driver Daily Vehicle Inspection (DVIR) is part of a driver's daily responsibility to protect themselves, the motoring public, and the equipment they operate. But does your driver know the difference between a "defect" and a "safety sensitive defect"?
FMCSA CFR399 Appendix G defines "safety sensitive defects" that would render a unit out of service.
Guidance for FMCSA CFR 396.11
Question: Does 396.11(c) require a motor carrier to effect repairs of all items listed on a DVIR prepared by a driver before the vehicle is subsequently driven?
Guidance: The motor carrier must affect repairs of defective or missing parts and accessories listed in Appendix G to the FMCSRs before allowing the vehicle to be driven.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations require the Drivers Daily Inspection Processes to ensure the vehicle is in safe operating condition.
Pre-Trip Inspection
FMCSA CFR 396.13 STATES THAT BEFORE DRIVING A MOTOR VEHICLE, A DRIVER SHALL:
- Be satisfied that the vehicle is in safe operating condition;
- Review the last driver vehicle inspection report;
- Sign the report (if self-prepared) to acknowledge that s/he reviewed it and that there is a certification that the required repairs have been performed, noted defects or deficiencies. The signature requirement does not apply to listed defects on a towed unit, which is no longer part of the vehicle combination.
While not required to be documented, it is always a good idea to document the inspection.
Post-Trip Inspection
FMCSA CFR 396.11 REQUIRES THAT EVERY DRIVER REPORT, AND PREPARE A REPORT IN WRITING AT THE COMPLETION OF EACH DAY'S WORK ON EACH VEHICLE OPERATED, AND THAT REPORT (DVIR) SHALL COVER THE FOLLOWING PARTS AND ACCESSORIES:
- Service brakes including trailer brake connections
- Parking (hand) brake
- Steering Mechanism
- Lighting devices and reflectors
- Tires
- Horn
- Windshield Wipers
- Rear vision mirrors
- Coupling devices
- Wheels and rims
- Emergency equipment
The report shall identify the vehicle and list any defect or deficiency in the vehicle that would affect the safe operation of the vehicle or cause a mechanical breakdown. 95% of all driver inspections do not have defects.
IF THERE ARE DEFECTS OR DEFICIENCIES NOTED BY THE DRIVER, the motor carrier is required to correct or cause to have corrected the defects or deficiencies of the CMV prior to allowing or permitting the operation of the vehicle.
Does this mean ALL defects or deficiencies must be corrected? NO, only those outlined in Appendix G
Ensure technicians, drivers and service managers are all familiar with Appendix G.
Driver training videos are available for both straight trucks and tractor trailers: https://www.mctrux.com/--Pre-Post-Trip-Inspection-Training-Videos
NEW FMCSA REGULATION STARTS FEBRUARY 7th - ENTRY-LEVEL DRIVER TRAINING RULE
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has published FAQs and other compliance materials for training providers, motor carriers, and drivers on the new Entry-Level Driver Training rule. The new rule goes into effect on February 7, 2022.
The Entry-Level Driver Training regulations establish new federal minimum training standards for entry-level drivers applying for:
- A Class A or Class B commercial driver’s license (CDL) for the first time
- An upgrade of an existing Class B CDL to a Class A CDL
- A school bus (S), passenger (P), or hazardous materials (H) endorsement for the first time
Beginning February 7, 2022, drivers must have completed the required entry-level driver training from a provider registered with FMCSA before taking CDL skills or knowledge test to obtain one of the licenses or endorsements listed above. Only drivers who obtain a commercial learner’s permit (CLP) on or after the February 7, 2022 compliance date are subject to ELDT regulations for obtaining a CDL. Drivers who currently hold a CLP may obtain a CDL without completing entry-level training, as long as they obtain their CDL before their CLP, or renewed CLP expires. Current CDL holders who apply for a new S, P, or H endorsement on or after February 7, 2022, are subject to ELDT requirements for those endorsements. The ELDT requirements for obtaining the S, P, or H endorsements also apply to drivers who obtain their CLP or CDL after February 7, 2022. Drivers seeking to obtain a Class A or Class B CDL or an S, P, or H endorsement must select a training provider from the public list on the TRAINING PROVIDER REGISTRY WEBSITE.
How to Properly Mark A Commercial Motor Vehicle
Is there a size designation for letters and numbers marking the sides of commercial vehicles? Ironically, no.
Every self-propelled CMV greater than 10,000lbs MGVWR must be marked and display the following information (as defined in CFR 390.5):
- The legal name or single trade name of the motor carrier operating the self-propelled CMV, as listed on the motor carrier identification report (Form MCS-150) and submitted in accordance with CFR 390.19.
- The motor carrier identification number issued by the FMCSA, preceded by the letters "USDOT"
The city and state of the motor carrier are no longer required to be displayed
THE MARKING MUST:
- Appear on both sides of the self-propelled CMV.
- Be in letters that contrast sharply in color with the background on which the letters are placed.
- Be readily legible during daylight hours, from a distance of 50 feet (15.24 meters) while the CMV is stationary.
- Be kept and maintained in a manner that retains the legibility of the above requirements.
- The Idealease CMV is marked in accordance with the provisions of the marking requirements as stated above.
- The legal name or a single trade name of the Idealease location is displayed.
- The Idealease location identification number preceded by the letters “USDOT” is displayed.
The Idealease rental agreement entered by the Idealease location and the customer renting motor carrier conspicuously contains the following information:
1. The name and complete physical address of the principal place of business of the Idealease customer renting the CMV.
2. The identification number issued to the Idealease customer by the FMCSA, preceded by the letters “USDOT,” if the Idealease customer has been issued such a number. In lieu of the identification number required in this paragraph, the following may be shown in the rental agreement:
- Information that indicates whether the Idealease customer is engaged in “interstate” or “intrastate” commerce; and
- Information that indicates whether the Idealease customer is transporting hazardous materials in the Idealease rented CMV.
3. The sentence: “That Idealease cooperates with all Federal, State, and local law enforcement officials nationwide to provide the identity of Idealease customers who operate the Idealease rental CMV”. The rental agreement entered by Idealease and the Idealease customer is carried on the Idealease rental CMV during the full term of the rental agreement.
*The Idealease Safety Bulletin is provided for Idealease locations and their customers and is not to be construed as a complete or exhaustive source of compliance or safety information. The Idealease Safety Bulletin is advisory in nature and does not warrant, guarantee, or otherwise certify compliance with laws, regulations, requirements, or guidelines of any local, state, or Federal agency and/or governing body, or industry standards.