The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) recently announced that their annual International Roadcheck program will be taking place from June 7 – 9, 2016. It is expected that over 70,000 inspections will be conducted over the 72-hour blitz period. Meaning – the odds of your truck or a truck within your fleet getting inspected are pretty high.
5 Tips to Help You Pass an Inspection
In our blog last week we discussed what the Roadcheck program is and what you can expect. This week, we’ve pulled together some quick tips, that will require small changes on your end, to help you pass an inspection. These are easy things that you can start doing today to help prepare you for any inspection (including the blitz).
1. Know What Happens During an Inspection
Education is key to passing a roadside inspection. Many people are involved in ensuring that the driver and vehicle are setup for success so it’s important that everyone in your fleet, from drivers to fleet owners, are educated on what happens during an inspection. The CVSA provides a breakdown of each of the 7 North American Standard (NAS) Inspection levels on their website.
2. Keep Your Cab Clean
A clean cab i
s an indication of a professional driver. If your cab is extremely messy (not just a few take-out bags on the floor), the inspector may make the connection that you’re negligent in other areas of your job. For example, if you can’t keep your cab clean, how likely are you to perform preventative maintenance on your truck or ensure your logs are kept up to date? A messy cab gives the inspector a reason to dig a little deeper!
3. Have Your Paperwork in Order
Don’t make the inspector wait while you fumble around looking for your paperwork. If you do, chances are you’ll be pulled in for a more in-depth inspection. You should always have your license, medical examiner certificate, and Skill Performance Evaluation (SPE) Certificate (if needed) available. Make the inspection as easy as possible by keeping your important documentation in a folder or binder. It looks more professional, is easier for the inspector to view, and won’t blow away/get wet.
4. Have a Positive Attitude
Sergeant William Collier of the Tennessee Highway Patrol mentioned in his webinar earlier this month that a positive attitude goes a long way. The inspector decides who gets pulled in. Don’t do or say anything that would flag you for an inspection. Be curious and ask questions during the inspection to show that safety is a priority for you and something you take seriously. Be friendly, courteous, and respectful towards the inspector – remember they’re just doing their job as well!
5. Complete Your Vehicle Inspections
At the start of your shift, you must complete a 
pre-trip inspection by reviewing the last Driver Vehicle Inspection Report (DVIR) to ensure that repairs noted (if any) have been made. At the end of your day, you must complete a DVIR on your vehicle by inspecting brakes, steering, lighting, tires, horn, wipers, mirrors, coupling devices, wheels/rims, and emergency equipment at minimum. Remember that your DVIRs need to be kept for 3 months. With the BigRoad Mobile App, you can complete your DVIR in just a few clicks – eliminating paperwork entirely!
How BigRoad Can Help You
Helping improve operations by streamlining logging, reporting, and inspections are just a few of the ways BigRoad makes life easier for drivers and fleets. Sign up for your free 30-day trial of the BigRoad Mobile App or request a demo of DashLink – our ELD-ready AOBRD – and experience how we can help you!
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