Safety First: Dos and Don’ts of DOT Inspections

 

At Storey Trucking, we steer our drivers with a safety-first mentality. We complete our annual inspection on all equipment, regularly maintain our trucks in house, train our drivers to stay up to date on inspection guidelines and make ourselves available as a resource to our drivers. It’s important to us that our drivers are following the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) regulations, and our equipment is safe to use.

Our safety initiatives are led by Pedro Bloodworth, director of safety at Storey Trucking. It’s Pedro’s job to ensure Storey Trucking and all its drivers stay compliant to DOT regulations. He makes sure our drivers are vetted pre-hire and are continually trained to keep themselves and the motoring public safe.

With Pedro’s expertise, here’s what you should know about these inspections and what you can do to better prepare for them.

Cut to the Basics

DOT requires commercial motor vehicles to undergo an inspection every year to make sure all equipment is functioning safely. While trucks are on the road, DOT officers can conduct an inspection any time they deem it necessary. The inspections are typically done at a weigh station, but they can also occur due to a traffic violation stop.

There are 6 different levels of DOT inspections, but the 3 levels of inspections that apply to us are the Level I, Level II and Level III. Each level of inspection increases in thoroughness, with Level I being the most comprehensive and Level III being the least. The DOT inspector will typically observe the vehicle and driver to determine which level of inspection to give.

Level I: The North American Standard Inspection

The Level I inspection is the most comprehensive inspection in which the DOT officer investigates both the driver and vehicle. The inspector will check the driver's CDL, the medical certificate confirming the driver passed their annual DOT physical exam, logbook records and other paperwork. The evaluation will also cover items such as the vehicle’s seat belt, exhaust system, turn signals, tail lamps, headlamps, steering wheel, wheels and rims, brakes, suspension, tires and fuel system.

The DOT officer will also check for any signs of drug or alcohol use. A Level I inspection typically takes between 45-60 minutes to complete.

Level II: Walk-Around Driver/Vehicle Inspection

The Level II inspection is the same as the Level 1 inspection with a walk-around evaluation of the vehicle and a check of the driver's paperwork; however, it does not include an under the vehicle inspection or a brake check. Additionally, a DOT officer will check for any signs of drug or alcohol use. A Level II inspection takes roughly 30 minutes to complete.

Level III: Driver-Only Inspection

The Level III inspection is a driver-only inspection, which covers the driver's CDL, skill performance evaluation (SPC) certificate, the medical certificate confirming the driver passed their annual DOT physical exam, logbook records and other paperwork. The DOT officer will check for any signs of drug or alcohol use. A Level III does not include a vehicle inspection, and it takes about 15 minutes to complete.

Why are DOT Inspections important?

DOT inspections impact the driver’s ability to continue driving and the Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) score for both the driver and the company. The CSA score, governed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), is a safety measurement system which flags high-risk carriers and drivers. The goal of the CSA score is to ensure safety practices are followed to everyone’s best ability.

If violations are found during the DOT inspection, the driver and the company will receive points on their CSA score card. A high CSA score could make the driver unable to retain employment or obtain future work as a professional driver because the report card goes with them wherever they work.

Dos and Don’ts of DOT Inspections

Common DOT inspection violations include drivers speeding, following too closely, improperly changing lanes, driving recklessly, turning improperly, having a flat or low tire, having an issue with equipment, failure to yield to right of way, failure to obey a traffic control device, performing a railroad grade crossing violation or having an hours of service (HOS) violation.

For drivers to avoid these violations:

Do:

  • Obey all the traffic laws

  • Be courteous of other motorists

  • Pay attention to all the signs on the road and be aware of changing speed limits

  • Check tires before the start of the day and at any stops throughout the day

  • Make sure CDL, medical card and HOS logbook is up to date and accurate

  • Stay in contact with Storey’s dispatch team and safety team on any arising questions or issues

  • Pre-trip inspections

A proper pre trip inspection will allow the driver to find any defects on the truck or trailer and enable them to get the needed repairs before getting on the road. If the last vehicle inspection report notes any deficiencies, the driver must review and sign to acknowledge and certify that the required repairs were made.

  •  Complete Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports (DVIR)

Drivers must inspect vehicles on a day-to-day basis before and after driving the vehicle and then prepare and sign a written report at the completion of each day's work.

The report must list any defect or deficiency discovered by or reported to the driver, which would affect the safe operation of the vehicle or result in its mechanical breakdown.

If a driver operates more than one vehicle during the day, a report must be prepared for each vehicle operated.

  • Report a citation to employer immediately

If a vehicle is declared “out-of-service,” violations must be corrected before the vehicle can operate again. The carrier must sign and return the completed roadside inspection report within 15 days of the inspection, verifying all violations have been corrected. A copy of this report must be retained by the carrier for 12 months following the date of inspection.

  • Challenge the citation in court

If the citation is dismissed or reduced, the charge could be challenged and the point the driver received reduced or taken away completely for that stop.

Don’t:

  • Don’t be in the wrong lane if restricted

  • Don’t bypass weigh stations unless closed or prepass gives you a green light

  • Don’t argue with the inspecting DOT officer

If something is noted or cited that the driver does not agree with, it can be contested in court or through the DATAQ process.

 

The Storey Difference

At Storey Trucking, we pride ourselves on maintaining a positive work culture within our teams that feels more like a family. Not only do we ensure our drivers are trained to follow DOT regulations, but we also continuously offer support through our healthy relationships with the dispatch and safety teams. We take care of our drivers so we can watch them succeed and have a long, happy career at Storey Trucking!

 

If you or someone you know is ready to drive for a team that’s like family, we welcome you to apply to drive with us.

 
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