What Defects Are Ok To Ignore?

There always has to be one coo-coo-head on the forum it seems.

I'm naturally coo-coo for coa-coa puffs. In CA right now. :)

To answer the original question just for knowledge.....

Yes it needs to be fixed. Is it an out of service? No it is not. The limit is 20% of your brakes not working or out of adjustment. It has nothing to do with being a super trucker. With one brake that will not pass inspection you are at 10% and will not pass an inspection and get a sticker, but you will not be put out of service for that one thing. Now if you have 2 sets of brakes out of adjustment or defective in any way that will put you out of service because you are now at 20%.

Is it safe to drive, sure it is. Even according to DOT regulations.

There is a difference between overlooking and being legal. If you are not putting that defect on the DVIR then you are the one that needs to be out of the truck. In the end, it is your choice.

My boss does not like to or forgets to fix things I tell him during the week so if it is still safe, I will pull it but if it is an out of service issue then I will back it up to the shop to get fixed. Now I do put it all on the DVIR so the office sees that and generates a work order.

In the end, it is your choice and no one can make it for you.

You could overlook minor things, but they will go on your company and your CSA score even if you aren't put OOS... I've seen DOT right ups for High beam burnt out, and out of windshield washer fluid on Sunny Days,,,,

Of course you want to get down the road,,, But here's the Deal,, the DVIR is a legal Document, so if something needs to be fixed, write it down on post trip, so it gets fixed.... The truck/trailer is not supposed to go back on the road until the problem is addressed.

If and Airplane crashes, the NTSB goes back in the maintenance records to see who they could blame. It's the same thing if a truck hits a school bus. Even though a truck mechanic isn't licensed like an FAA A&P, he is still responsible to Sign off (Legally) on any work he says he performed... I never signed off on something I didn't repair or wasn't safe. The records are maintained for a certain length of time, so if they sent the truck back on the road with something that wasn't addressed, then it's on the company, If you accept a truck in the morning that doesn't pass Pre Trip, then it's on you..

And, as a mechanic we have the legal right, to NOT let any customers UNsafe car or truck leave our shops, unless on a tow truck! Period! I did that only once, guy's front brakes on his car? uh WHAT brakes? the rotors were barely anything left from metal-to-metal so long! And initially, he's "Oh I been hearing a squeek in the front for a couple weeks"

He didn't want to pay us to repair them so, I told em call a tow truck! Put on the repair order, in big bold letters, "NOT to be driven ! NO Brakes ! " lol and he was a "little" miffed