Pre-Trip Inspection.......How Often

From what I have found out, the Pre-Trip inspection is required at the minimum once a day.

However the name is pre-trip, not daily inspection. So a driver could feasibly have more than one "trip" in a day.

So, for that driver who has one than one trip a day, does he/she have to do more than one inspection, or only one for the day?

To provide clarity, in the morning I have a load from Seattle to Ellensburg. This is an approximate 100 mile, 2 hour trip. I get the load unloaded, and go to Yakima, about 40 miles, 1 hour drive. I get loaded, and go back to Seattle. Feasible to comply with the 11 and 14 hour rules.

So according to the law, not what a driver MAY do, would 2 inspections be required or only one. I am talking about a full Pre-Trip, not just a Casual walk around before leaving Yakima. Lawrence

Hey there Lawrence. Here is what I was taught: If you are pulling the same trailer the whole time and it is not hazmat , that is one trip. Of course, you still do the walk around at each stop. I can hook to multiple trailers in a day and have to do a full pre-trip each time because I am hooking to a new piece of equipment. I Hope this helps.

Lawrence, have you already got a job now?

I agree with Rolling Thunder, when you hook to a new trailer you need to pre-trip that trailer. But if you are just starting a new trip with the same trailer you don't need to do a pre-trip. Always do a post trip inspection, and send in the post trip inspection report at the end of your work day. There is no report required for the pre-trip, but there is a report required at the end of your day, and you should always approve your day's logs at the end of the day also.

A quick walk around inspection could save you time and money. whenever you stop.. whats 5 minutes walking around the rig .. checking tires, locking pins,arms and latches.. making sure the back door is still secured (lock or seal not broken). nothing leaking.. under the truck.. Im not saying do a complete inspection.. besides.. a 5-10 minute walk is exercise (driver fitness!)

I was with a friend when he drove.. everyday he would walk around the rig check things.. I didnt know much about trucks at this time and he explained to me about inspection and what could happen if you dont do them..

one morning as we were leave a loud noise happened and he stopped to look to see what it was. A truck a couple of spots down from where we had been parked. Someone pulled a release arm for king pin and when the driver pulled away the trailer hit the ground..

I am a firm believer, regardless of what the law says, that if you can take the time to stop the Truck for 5 minutes you can do a quick walk around. Officially we do two pre_trips and two post trips a day. 2 drivers in a team drive. Personally I do my pre-trial and post trip and depending on what I maybe doing I may do as many has 5 to 6 walk arounds (doing visual checks instead of hands on like pre-trip) per drive shift. My safety and the health of my equipment are paramount to my success. If the Truck stops I am walking for a quick visual.