This document summarizes a webinar about passing a Level 1 maintenance inspection. It describes the three levels of inspections - Level I being the most comprehensive roadside inspection. It explains what is checked during a Level I inspection, including driver documents, vehicle systems, and cargo securement. It then discusses choosing a vehicle for inspection, the inspection process, common violations like lights and tires, and the outcomes if violations are found. The takeaway tips emphasize how driver behavior can impact the outcome and some of the easiest things for drivers to check during pre-trip inspections.

1. WEBINAR SERIES

2. Tony Hugo, Director of Safety
Glostone Trucking Solutions
www.glostone.com
Know Before You Go – Passing a
Level 1 Maintenance Inspection

3. Levels of Inspections
– Level I: North American Standard Inspection
• An inspection that includes examination of driver’s license; Medical
Examiner’s Certificate and Skill Performance Evaluation (SPE) Certificate (if
applicable); alcohol and drugs; driver’s record of duty status, as required;
hours of service; seat belt; vehicle inspection report(s) (if applicable); brake
systems; cargo securement; coupling devices; driveline/driveshaft; exhaust
systems; frames; fuel systems; lighting devices (headlamps, tail lamps, stop
lamps, turn signals and lamps/flags on projecting loads); steering
mechanisms; suspensions; tires; van and open-top trailer bodies; wheels, rims
and hubs; windshield wipers; buses, motor coaches, passenger vans or other
passenger-carrying vehicles – emergency exits, electrical cables and systems
in engine and battery compartments, seating, HM/DG and specification cargo
tank requirements, as applicable.
– Level II: Walk-Around Driver/Vehicle Inspection
• Level II inspections involve examining everything in the level I inspection with
exception of the parts that involve the inspector getting under the CMV.
– Level III: Driver-Only Inspection
• As a minimum, Level III Inspections must include, where required and/or
applicable: examination of the driver’s license; Medical Examiner’s Certificate
and Skill Performance Evaluation (SPE) Certificate; driver’s record of duty
status; hours of service; seat belt; and vehicle inspection report(s).

4. Do you know your definitions?
• Steer axle, drive axles, tandem axles, pitman arm

5. Violations and the Inspection Report
• If there are violations found and notated on the inspection report, and
they are severe enough they will be out of service violations.
• Out of service = regulatory violation poses an imminent hazard to public
safety
• Sections 383.51 and 391.15 of the regulations outline the penalty
structure for drivers and carriers who violate out-of-service orders
• All Non-out-of-service violations will need to be corrected before the next
dispatch of the vehicle

6. Choosing the Vehicle for Inspection
– FMCSA Out of service score
• Driver National Average 5%
• Vehicle National Average 20%
– Vehicle condition
• Visible violations as you cross the scale
• Dirty, damaged, or poorly maintained truck
• Random Selection

7. Officer Interview of the Driver
– Officer Prepares the vehicle for inspection
• Chock Tires
• Release ALL the brakes
» Brakes are just like they would be if the truck were traveling down
the highway
• Inform driver of the inspection process
– Collect driver documents
• CDL
• Vehicle Registration
• RODs
• Bill of Lading/Supporting documents
• Periodic inspection

8. Front of the Vehicle
– Looking at windshield – Looking for intersecting cracks or
large rock chips in driver’s line of sight
– City horn - honk horn once
– All required lamps
• Headlights – Hi/Lo Beam
• Turn signals
• 4-way flashers
– Have driver open hood once front of vehicle inspection is
complete

9. Inspecting Steering Components
• Pitman Arm and Steering linkage
• Any movement in the Pitman arm is an OOS

10. Inspecting Brakes
• Brake
• Mark pushrod on the brake
• Check the brake can and hoses
• Brake pad thickness and rotor
surface

11. Front Left or Driver side of Vehicle
– Engine compartment
• Fluid or air leaks
• Steering components
• Brake
• Suspension components
• Wheels

12. Left Saddle Tank area
• Check fuel tank
– Secure
– Fuel Cap
– Leaks
• Exhaust (image)
– Leaks
– Secure

13. Gap Between Truck and Trailer
• Trailer Front
– Inspect Air and Electric lines
» Lines should not be laying
on the deck

14. Wheels and Tires
• Cracks – hole to hole or intersecting
cracks – OOS
• Hub – looking for leaking hub grease
• Wheel Fasteners – missing or loose
– OOS when
– 10 lug – 3 are missing anywhere or
2 adjacent
– 8 lug or less – 2 missing anywhere
• Low or Flat Tires
– 50% or less of the sidewall rating
– Noticeable leak – heard or felt
• Other tire damage
– Exposed belt or cord material
– Sidewall cut, worn or damaged
– Visual bump bulge or knot on any
part of the tire

15. 5th Wheel Assembly
• Lower fifth wheel
• Upper fifth wheel
• Sliding fifth wheel
• Bolts or fasteners for fifth wheel
components

16. Side of Trailer
• Side of trailer image
• Cargo securement image
• Reflective Tape

17. Sliding Tandem Axels
• Sliding tandem axles will have 4 locking pins, 2 on each side
• Not have the locking pins engaged will allow the axles to slide freely
– The entire axle assembly could be completely ripped out from under the trailer!

18. Rear of Trailer
• Lights
– Tail
– Stop Lamps
– Turn signals
– ID and Clearance
– ABS Malfunction Lamp (little yellow light
bottom left - image)
• Conspicuity Tape – The length of the
width of the trailer
– Across the rear of the trailer deck and
the lower bumper
– Upper corners with the upside down L’s
in each corner

19. Right Side of Truck/Trailer
• Repeat left side process in reverse
order
• Spare Tire and Chains

20. Under the Truck
• Driver: Don’t do anything!
• Engine Area
– Check steering and suspension
components
– Pre-trips: check exhaust system
and the oil or other fluid leaks
from the engine

21. Under the Truck – Brakes
• Friction surface of the brakes should
be smooth and not be contaminated
by any fluids
• Verify the size and type of the brake
chamber that is on your vehicles.

22. Driver Inspection
• Triangles and Fire Extinguisher
• Low air warning test
• Air loss rate test
• Tractor protection valve system test

23. Easiest things to check during pre-trip
Inspection
• 3 areas of most violations: Lights, Tires, and Brakes
• 63% of roadside inspections are triggered by a commercial motor
vehicle being driven with an observable defect
– Lights
– Tires
– Cargo Securement
– Fluid leaks
• 22% of roadside inspections are triggered by a suspected moving
violation

24. After the Inspection
• If no violations, good to go!
– Receive a Level 1 CVSA decal good for 3 months
– Inspection report must still be given to employer
• If violations, but not placed Out-of-Service, you will be
allowed to continue.
– Violations must be corrected within 15 days prior to re-dispatch of
the affected vehicle.
• If serious violations or defects, placed Out-of-Service

25. Takeaway Tips
• How you conduct yourself can make a difference
• You should respond in a professional, courteous manner
• Doing so will eliminate possibility of you negatively effecting
the outcome of the inspection

26. Questions?

27. DOT Corrective Action Plan (CAP)
and Correspondence Assistance
As the DOT intervenes to correct a safety problem,
they usually will require a detailed response, in
writing, as to the corrective actions you plan to take.
Our service can help you build that plan and provide
the timely correspondence necessary to comply with
their requirements.
Visit us at:
https://www.glostone.com/solutions/safety-
services/audit-services/

28. Want to learn more?
Glostone has done the research for you.
Visit us at: https://www.glostone.com/geotab/

29. Upcoming Webinars
July 18, 2017 | SPECIAL WEBINAR: Navigating The ELD
Technology Minefield
1. Selecting the right solution means planning ahead
2. System set-up for success
3. Compliance means changing daily workflow
4. The Roadside ELD Inspection, it’s new for everyone!
5. The Personal Conveyance Pitfall
6. ELD Out of Service Criteria
http://resources.glostone.com/monthly-webinar