1.2 Vehicle Inspections: Why and When

Commercial drivers inspect their vehicles for two reasons: safety — finding a problem before it causes a breakdown or crash — and legal compliance with federal and state inspection rules.

There are three inspection moments:

1. Pre-trip inspection before driving, to find problems early.
2. En-route checks of instruments, gauges and (when you stop) tires, brakes, lights and cargo securement.
3. Post-trip inspection at the end of the day, which may include a written vehicle condition report for your carrier.