Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/322764
24 www.studentdriverplacement.com June '14 Ready Road by Tom Kelley Know Your Rig Check What The Inspectors Check B y the time you're far enough through your training to be look- ing for a driving job, you should have a pretty thorough command of what's required for a pre-trip walk-around inspection, but that is just the bare mini- mum standard, not necessarily the best you can do. There are certain systems that should be subjected to expanded scrutiny when you inspect your truck, be- cause if you don't fi nd the problem, you can bet there's a roadside inspection of- fi cer somewhere out there who will fi nd the problem. The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) is an association of law enforcement offi cials responsible for motor carrier safety laws. The CVSA North American Standard Inspection program includes the following items for a vehicle compliance inspection: • Seatbelt System • Vehicle Inspection Report • Brake Systems • Coupling Devices • Exhaust Systems • Frame • Fuel Systems • Lighting Devices • Safe Loading • Steering Mechanism • Suspension • Tires • Truck and/or Trailer Bodies • Wheels, Rims, and Hubs • Windshield Wipers • Hazardous Materials Requirements (if applicable) Defects in many of these areas may cause the vehicle to be placed out-of-service, re- quiring adjustment, maintenance, or repair on the spot, before the vehicle can be re- turned to operation on public roads. While this list represents the standard, some state motor vehicle codes specify ad- ditional criteria that can result in a truck being placed out-of-service. With the exception of instantaneous fail- ures caused by abuse or abnormally high shock loading, most problems that will ren- der a truck out-of-service will show visible symptoms well before the breakdown actu- ally occurs. Spotting a potential component failure before a trip is far less expensive than waiting and having the breakdown occur on the road. Not only is the cost of a fi eld ser- vice call and/or a towing bill eliminated, but the potential for lost revenue can also be avoided. ◆ Road Ready 0614.indd 1 5/20/14 10:32 AM