Tips & Tricks

Checklist For Truck Inspection

If you’ve ever seen a checklist for truck inspection that’s a mile long and groaned, we know how you feel. Truck inspection reports are essential for the rental industry, but that doesn’t mean they’re a joy to fill out or keep track of. It can seem like there are a hundred steps in filling out a truck inspection checklist – especially on paper. While there’s nothing wrong with paper forms per se, it can cost a business a lot of time and money in the long run if they’re losing out on efficiency and attention to detail due to record-keeping issues.

First, knowing what to include in a pre-trip truck inspection checklist can be difficult. While it is a given that certain things are always included, such as fuel level and mileage, what else must be included on the list? How detailed is too detailed, and is there such a thing?

Searching for a pre-trip inspection checklist PDF online might give you a good idea of what other rental companies search for before leasing out their equipment, but that doesn’t mean it’s right for you and your business. You can always create a custom report if the one you find is too detailed or not as detailed as you like. 

However, to protect against damage claims and ensure that you’re always aware of the state of your equipment, it might be better to go with a more thorough or detailed checklist over a basic one. Additionally, checklists might vary from machine to machine. A Department of Transportation (DOT) truck inspection checklist might look different from a simple rental car checklist. Here are a few starting suggestions for most inspection checklists:

Engine & Fuel System Checklist

• Check the oil in the engine to ensure it is clean and at an appropriate level.
• Record how much fuel is in the tank before leasing.
• Inspect exterior gas caps to ensure they are in proper working order.
• Run the vehicle and listen for strange or unusual noises indicating potential issues.
• Check the belts and hoses for signs of wear, such as leaks, cracks, or splits.

Vehicle Body

Inspecting the vehicle body and keeping accurate records of its condition is vitally important, especially when renting road vehicles. Having an accurate record of the body’s condition before it is leased gives your guys a reference to check against when the vehicle is returned to your lot. 

Any pre-existing damage to the vehicle must be marked, so keep an eye out for:

• Dents, dings, and scrapes in the doors
• Marks possibly made by key scratches or other vandalism
• Dents, scratches, or dings along the entire body of the vehicle
• Loose hubcaps, body stripping, or spreading rust

There should also be records of the condition of the lights, cab, windows, internal systems like horn, AC, heat, seatbelts, brake systems, tires, and vehicle documents like registration and proof of insurance. While that does sound like a lot to take care of, there is software that exists to automate your processes and streamline your inspection process. With Record360, you can create custom checklists that are digitally stored and possible to fill out on any smartphone or tablet. Photos and videos can be attached to reports and checklists, so there’s no question of the vehicle’s condition.

Daily Vehicle Inspection Reports 

DVIRs, or daily vehicle inspection reports, are crucial to every driver’s routine. They’re required before, during, and after every trip and serve to ensure the vehicle’s safety and reliability. While they technically don’t have to be documented, it’s best practice to do so, as it provides proof that the inspection was performed.

If there are defects found during the post-trip inspection, they must be documented on the DVIR. This serves as a record of the issue and helps ensure it is addressed promptly. Tracking and resolving maintenance issues can be difficult without proper documentation, leading to more severe problems.

One of the key benefits of electronic DVIRs is ensuring that inspections are being done. Tracking whether or not a particular inspection has been performed with paper records can be difficult. On the other hand, electronic records provide real-time data on when inspections are completed and can even send alerts to fleet managers if an inspection is missed.

In addition to ensuring that inspections are done, electronic DVIRs make assigning tasks to the service department easier. If an issue is identified during an inspection, the electronic record can automatically generate a task for the service department to address the issue. This helps streamline maintenance and ensures issues are addressed quickly and efficiently.

DVIRs are an essential tool for maintaining the safety and integrity of a vehicle. By performing regular inspections and documenting issues, drivers and fleet managers can stay on top of maintenance needs and prevent more significant problems from developing. With proper attention to detail and a commitment to best practices, DVIRs can help keep drivers and their vehicles safe.

DOT Inspection Checklist

Keeping careful and regular inspections and checklists of the conditions of your vehicle year-round can also take some of the pressure off when it comes time for the DOT annual roadside inspection.

Record360 provides a simple way to inspect your vehicles according to the DOT inspection 2022 standard. You could create your template directly in the app rather than search online for a printable DOT annual inspection form. It would be immediately available to all your guys, and you could see the results in real-time. The use of DOT daily vehicle inspection PDF forms and DOT inspection checklist PDFs don’t offer that kind of responsiveness and, more often than not, can still be a pain to fill out and organize.

There are DOT inspection checklists available online to recreate a fillable template from. While the inspection documents or process may vary slightly from year to year, the DOT inspection checklist 2022 most likely includes an inspection of the following:

• Brake system
• Electrical system
• Suspension
• Wheels and tires, including rim and hub
• Seat belts
• Fuel and exhaust systems
• Headlights, rear lights, turn signals, and other lights
• Windshield wipers

The above checklist would be similar or appropriate for a Level 1 DOT inspection checklist template. Drivers must also show all necessary documentation to the DOT inspector, including their CDL, driver logs, and medical/skills performance evaluation certificates. Using regular inspections and checklists with Record360 could be one way of preparing drivers or vehicles for annual DOT inspections and minimizing fines or other penalties. Record360 could also be utilized to create checklists and inspections that correspond with every level of the DOT inspection checklists if you so desire. The information recorded with Record360 is kept safe in a cloud-secure system that protects you, your business, and your customers while giving you 24/7 access to your data.

DOT Inspection Forms And Stickers

DOT Level 1 inspection checklist PDFs can be found online and show you everything you need to know if your vehicles or machinery will pass inspection or need additional work. DOT inspection checklist PDFs are available for nearly every level of the inspection, including level 2 inspection checklist PDFs. Knowing the content of these DOT inspection forms and stickers can help prepare your vehicles and drivers for DOT inspection ahead of time.

While it’s good to know the checklist content of these inspections, including DOT daily vehicle inspection form PDFs, depending on the type of vehicles and machinery you rent out, not all forms and fields will apply to your business. Additionally, PDF forms do not offer a lot of versatility or flexibility over paper forms. Most paper forms become PDFs and must be filed and organized in a way that takes nearly as much time and effort as paper forms. Record360 takes the effort out of record-keeping without sacrificing accuracy and detail.

Record360 can keep track of any annual vehicle inspection report. How to fill out these forms is simple and streamlined within the app and easy to pick up and learn without prior technological experience. Record360 can create templates for CVSA level 1 inspection checklists alongside the DOT annual vehicle inspections. The results of these reports and checklists can be accessed and approved in real time from anywhere in the world. Record360 can give you an accurate idea of the condition of your fleet, save money, streamline workflows, verify customers, and more. Transitioning from using annual vehicle inspection form PDFs to Record360 could take only days instead of weeks. The software can eliminate damage disputes and protect customers and leasing agents. When you use detailed inspection checklists that are simple to fill out and keep track of, no one is caught off guard by annual DOT or CVSA vehicle inspections.

Go Digital with Record360

Ready to streamline your truck rental and leasing business and simplify your inspection checklist process? Say goodbye to paper forms and switch to Record360’s digital platform.

Record360 can help you cut costs, streamline inspections, augment inventory management, and protect your assets from damage—all while keeping your customers happy.

Request a demo today and discover the future of truck inspection management with Record360.

Truck Inspection Checklist

Truck inspections can provide a wealth of relevant information for the driver and the organization responsible for shipping whatever freight might be present aboard the truck. In some cases, like for truckers and other vehicle operators with a commercial driver’s license (CDL), regulatory compliance requires a pre-trip inspection checklist to ensure both the driver’s safety and the security of the goods. It can be vitally important to ensure that the vehicle is functioning properly to avoid injury to the driver or other motorists and to preserve the integrity of the shipped goods.

A truck inspection checklist covers almost everything a driver needs to inspect before embarking on a lengthy journey. From the front of the truck and the engine compartment to the rear of the trailer – numerous items need to be inspected to ensure proper functionality. A daily truck inspection checklist PDF might have all the necessary items, but memorizing checklist items and making the checklist inspections an integral part of shipping routine preparations can be quite taxing.

Essential Elements of a Pre-Trip Inspection for Truck Drivers

At the front end of the truck, the driver must inspect the integrity of the engine compartment as well as the necessary fluids (oil, coolant, power steering, etc.), hose, and pump connections, and drivers must also ensure that belts are properly mounted and do not have any signs of extreme wear like cracks or frayed edges. Drivers must also inspect the front suspension, including the spring mounts/hangers, shock absorbers, and airbag(s) – there shouldn’t be any leaks, abrasions, or other visible signs of damage or wear.

Additionally, drivers are responsible for ensuring that mirrors and brackets are all secured and visible from the driver’s seat. The steps, door, and hinges must all be sturdily mounted and secure enough to seal properly. Similarly, the fuel tank should remain intact with the cap and seal still attached and functional.

Towards the rear of the vehicle and trailer, drivers must inspect the frame, drive shaft, exhaust, mudflaps, and catwalks. At the coupling area, drivers must ensure that the air connector is secure and that cables are not dragging or tangled. Mounting bolts are all present and tight, the skid plate must be sufficiently greased, and the locking jaw and kingpin must be mounted and secure. Additionally, drivers must inspect the brakes, wheels, tires, and wheel rims to reduce the possibility of a flat or blowout.

There are also inspection points for the trailer and inside the cab, so the inspector assesses a lot of information during a pre-trip inspection. But instead of attempting to memorize a truck inspection report, drivers can utilize a truck inspection checklist app to help ensure that everything is as it should be.

Drivers could also search for a post-trip inspection checklist PDF to double-check items once the trip has been completed to determine any damages or wear that might have occurred in transit. CDL manuals and company documents may also provide additional information about the thoroughness of inspections.

DOT Truck Inspection Checklist

Like a CDL checklist, a Department of Transportation (DOT) truck inspection checklist can help ensure that compliance regulations are satisfied and that the vehicle and its operator can legally operate on public roads. All commercial vehicles weighing over 10,001 pounds must undergo an annual DOT inspection to assess the parts and extent of vehicle wear. There are six different ‘levels’ of DOT inspections – levels 1 through 6 – each serving a unique purpose.

Level 1

The most commonly conducted of these inspections is level 1. Generally, inspectors assess various documents, the health, and well-being of the vehicle operator, in addition to the safety and functionality of the vehicle. These inspections are conducted in person and generally take under an hour to complete.

Level 2

Level 2 inspections are quite similar to level 1 inspections, with the primary difference being that a level 2 inspection does not require the inspector to climb under the vehicle. Because of this, level 2 inspections are generally completed in about 30 minutes.

Level 3

A level 3 inspection involves the assessor checking the driver for all the necessary certifications and proper licenses. Drivers must provide a skill performance evaluation certificate, relevant medical certifications, a valid driver’s license, a record of duty status, and any relevant driver or vehicle inspection reports. Because level 3 inspections are driver-centric, they typically only take about a quarter of an hour to conduct.

Level 4

Level 4 inspections are one-time assessments that help examine a specific item or claim about a vehicle. Because the claims may vary widely, the time to complete a level 4 inspection will also fluctuate depending on unique conditions and variables.

Level 5

These inspections look very similar to level 1 inspections on paper, except that for level 5 inspections, the driver does not need to be present.

Level 6

Finally, level 6 inspections are special examinations for specific radioactive substances. These inspections can take up to an hour or longer, and the driver, cargo, and vehicle must pass each pass inspection before the driver is allowed to depart. After passing a level 6 inspection, the vehicle is given a special nuclear symbol to indicate that the inspection has been passed. Once the driver arrives at the destination and the shipment has been fulfilled, the symbol is no longer valid and is removed.

DOT annual inspection requirements generally include a comprehensive assessment of the driver, relevant credentials, and licenses, as well as the functionality and safety of the vehicle. For more information about DOT inspection forms and stickers, consult a DOT inspection form PDF or a DOT level 1 inspection checklist PDF.

Commercial Vehicle Inspection Software

There are a variety of capabilities enabled by today’s commercial vehicle inspection software. Whether your company needs a vehicle condition report app, a vehicle damage inspection app, or a free fleet inspection app – innumerable software solutions can help modernize your business and potentially help streamline your daily operations.

Technology is one of the driving forces modernizing contemporary trucking and ground shipping enterprises; companies are continually searching for ways to improve their workflow while increasing revenue streams and minimizing safety hazards and potential threats to the company’s longevity. Even as little as a few years ago, vehicle operators were largely expected to use physical, paper maps to navigate a shipment from point A to point B successfully.

Nowadays, organizations have digital check-ins and checklists for drivers to sign off on before embarking on their journeys. Then drivers can utilize a GPS tracker or a specialized route navigation app to optimize their journey and help them arrive as quickly and safely as possible. Some apps can also provide features like crash detection and a mechanic portal to help expedite repairs and regular maintenance.

Organizations can help ensure that their drivers and shipments adhere to compliance and regulations by utilizing commercial vehicle inspection software. Additionally, vehicle inspection software can help a business immediately recognize when a vehicle might have a problem so that a maintenance team can quickly be dispatched to resolve the issue. Improving inspection efficiency also helps to improve efficiency throughout the rest of the process.

Daily Vehicle Inspection App

For convenience and transparency, fleet managers and/or business owners may use a daily vehicle inspection app to help streamline checklist inspections and immediately identify an issue so drivers can proceed to their delivery destinations quickly and efficiently. A vehicle inspection app for Android or iOS can be even more useful and user-friendly than a free daily truck inspection checklist.

With a daily vehicle inspection app, you can execute routine inspections quicker while helping improve efficiency throughout the rest of the process. You can also increase visibility using an app or other vehicle inspection software. The software helps companies respond to issues faster and more precisely than traditional analog record-keeping methods.

Vehicle inspection apps can also help improve safety initiatives by identifying real-time issues. This increases efficiency capabilities by helping keep all parties informed. And with improved asset management capabilities, your organization can divert resources more effectively and profitably. A daily vehicle inspection app can provide numerous features for your front line to help improve performance and management at scale.

While there are dozens of resources available online – from free vehicle inspection apps to a DOT daily vehicle inspection form PDF and much more – that can help your business optimize record keeping and inspection initiatives. Companies that can adapt in the digital era and develop ways for technology to help improve their efficiency are setting themselves up for success; there is a fair amount of truth in the adage about working smarter instead of harder. Regarding the menial, time-consuming aspects of running a business, doesn’t develop a centralized, easy-to-use system to help fulfill your organization’s vehicle inspection needs makes sense?

The #1 Inspection App

Used in over 23 million inspections at 2,000 locations nationwide, Record360’s InspectPro is the #1 inspection app in the heavy equipment and truck industry. Enhance customer satisfaction through accurate damage assessments, build trust, and demonstrate commitment to the customer experience.

Request a demo of Record360 and discover why the leading rental companies trust Record360 for their inspections.