Pre-Trip Inspection Coaching

A proper pre-trip inspection per § 392.7 + § 396.13 takes 15-20 minutes done right. Driver compliance varies; coaching improves both safety and CSA scores.

What § 392.7 requires

Driver must inspect, examine, and verify:

• Service brakes (operation)
• Parking brake (operation)
• Steering mechanism (operation)
• Lighting devices + reflectors
• Tires (visible damage, inflation, tread)
• Horn
• Windshield wipers
• Rear-vision mirrors
• Coupling devices
• Wheels + rims
• Emergency equipment

What § 396.13 requires

Driver must be satisfied that:

• Service brakes can stop the vehicle within 60 ft from 20 mph
• Parking brake holds against the engine
• Steering wheel turns vehicle without binding
• All lighting works
• Tires are sound
• All required emergency equipment is on the vehicle

Driver training approach

• 15-minute physical inspection of vehicle systems
• Step-by-step checklist (use a printed or app-based card)
• Visual + manual inspection (look + touch + activate)
• Driver-completed sign-off

Common driver shortcuts (and how to coach)

• Skip wheel-end / hub inspection → coach to check oil + visible leaks
• Skip undercarriage check → coach to look under for hanging components
• Skip brake adjustment by hand → coach to check at next chance during the day
• Skip emergency equipment check → coach to verify each item present

Pre-trip + post-trip documentation

• Driver signs off the pre-trip on RODS or paper log
• Post-trip is the DVIR if defects exist (no-defect post-trip not required)
• Inspector at roadside may ask "did you do a pre-trip?" — driver must say yes
• Inspector may verify by reviewing vehicle condition

Compass support

Compass HOS + Vehicles modules:

• Pre-trip checklist available on driver app
• Pre-trip completion logged automatically
• Defect-found triggers DVIR
• Carrier review of common driver shortcuts (pattern detection)

CFR citations

• 49 CFR § 392.7
• 49 CFR § 396.13

How Compass surfaces this

Searchable in Compass Ask. Runs against carrier fleet data when invoked from the relevant tracker. Read-only; no actions without explicit user approval.

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