Adding Your Post-Trip Inspection Information to Your Inspection Form
You may use the same report form to report your post-trip inspection. Here's how you do it.
The Log Sheet Inspection Form: Look at Figure 8-3 in the Trucking Handbook. Notice that all boxes, except the one marked "Body," are checked off. Notice too that the daily mileage record has been filled out. Norman Crow drove 185 miles on January 15th, the day on which he filled out the report. Since the mileage record has been filled out, you know this is Norman's post-trip report. Either he didn't fill out a pre-trip inspection report, or he filled out a different form pre-trip. Now look at the same report, filled out differently, below.
Notice the marks following each item to check. Do they look like exes? Look again. They are actually check marks with lines or slash marks drawn through them. Notice the tails on the check marks. The only real ex is the one after "Body." Just as it appeared in Figure 8-3 in the Handbook. It shouldn't be too hard to figure out what the driver did. Answer the following questions:
- What type of marks did the driver make when he filled out his log sheet inspection report before beginning his run?
- How did the driver record his post-trip inspection?
- When do you think the mechanic repaired the door handle?
- What if the defect had been faulty steering instead of a broken door handle? Would the mechanic have repaired it at a different time?
Using the multi-copy inspection report in this way does not provide any clear record that the driver performed a pre-trip inspection. That's the drawback. However, when the driver really needed the report of the pre-trip inspection, it was available. When was that? During the day's run. Had the driver gotten into an accident during the day's run, the driver would have had a record of the pre-trip inspection. That report would have shown that the vehicle condition at the start of the run was safe. That at least is something.
Remember, you must satisfy yourself before you begin your run that your rig is in safe operating condition. The best way to do this is always to perform a thorough by-the-numbers inspection of your rig before you begin your run. That is what we always recommend. However, you are not required by the MCSR to report your pre-trip inspection. You are required by the MCSR to report your post-trip inspection. We recommend recording both inspections.
Now let's go through how to complete the two forms: the log sheet inspection form and the multi-copy form. First, let's assume that you are completing each form as a record of your pre-trip inspection. When we've done that, we'll talk a little about how to add post-trip inspection information to the form at the end of your running day.
Completing The Log Sheet Inspection Form
Snap out one copy of the log sheet inspection form (the Driver's Daily Vehicle Condition Report) from Part IV of this workbook. Compare the blank form with Figure 8-3 of the Trucking Workbook as you read through the following instructions for completing the form.
To complete this form, you place check marks in the blocks as you inspect each item. If you find a defect, you place an ex (an X mark) in the block next to the item instead of a check mark. This shows that something about the item was defective. If you need to explain what was wrong with the item so that the dispatcher, mechanic or next driver can find the defect, write a short explanation on the lines marked, "Remarks." When you've checked or exed all the boxes, sign the bottom of the sheet where the driver's signature is required.
In most cases, the driver must repair the defective item or have the mechanic make the repair before heading off on a run. If the defect is very minor and would not affect the safe operation of the vehicle, the driver may head off without making the repair. But the driver should be very sure that the defect will not result in a breakdown, damage to the rig or an accident. If he or she has any question about the advisability of driving without repairing the vehicle, the driver should report it immediately to the supervisor or mechanic and let him or her make the decision. When a repair is made, the person making the repair (driver or mechanic) signs on the line marked, "Mechanic's Signature."
Completing the Multi-Copy Inspection Form
To complete this form, you check or ex only items that are defective. If there is nothing wrong with an item, you don't make a mark in the box beside the item. If nothing is wrong anywhere in the rig, you check only the boxes for "No Defects." There is one "No defects" box for the tractor or truck and one for the trailer(s).
The "Remarks" section is for any explanations that should be made. For example, if you find a defect and place an ex in a box, but that defect will not interfere with the safe operation of the vehicle, you should explain that under "Remarks." Or, if the defect you found would not be readily apparent to the shop mechanic, explain the problem under "Remarks."
When you return to your terminal at the end of a run, you hand one copy of the post-trip inspection report to your supervisor or dispatcher. The report form tells your supervisor whether repairs are needed before the vehicle's next run. You leave at least one copy of the post-trip inspection in the power unit so that the next driver can review it before starting a run.
