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What is a Post-Trip Inspection? Exploring the Basics and Benefits of this Essential Fleet Management Tool

By Happy Sharer

Introduction

Post-trip inspections are an important part of any fleet management program. These inspections ensure that vehicles are in good working order before they leave the depot, during their journey, and after they have completed their route. Post-trip inspections help to identify potential problems with a vehicle before they become more costly issues, as well as ensuring that drivers and other personnel are following all necessary safety protocols.

Exploring the Basics of Post-Trip Inspections

Before diving into the specifics of post-trip inspections, let’s first define what post-trip inspections are and why they are important.

What is a Post-Trip Inspection?

A post-trip inspection is a visual examination of a vehicle after it has been used. During a post-trip inspection, a technician or driver will check the condition of the vehicle, look for any signs of damage or wear, and make sure that all safety features are functioning properly. The purpose of a post-trip inspection is to detect any problems with the vehicle and address them before they become bigger issues.

Why Are Post-Trip Inspections Important?

Post-trip inspections are an essential part of any successful fleet management program. They help to identify any potential safety issues with a vehicle before they become more severe problems. Additionally, these inspections help to ensure that drivers and other personnel are following all necessary safety protocols. Finally, post-trip inspections can help to reduce maintenance costs by identifying potential issues early on.

What Are the Benefits of Post-Trip Inspections?

The benefits of post-trip inspections are numerous. First, they help to improve vehicle safety by detecting any potential issues before they become bigger problems. Second, they can help to reduce maintenance costs by identifying any issues early on. Finally, post-trip inspections can help to increase driver efficiency by ensuring that all safety protocols are being followed.

The Essential Checklist for a Successful Post-Trip Inspection

In order to ensure that a post-trip inspection is conducted properly, there are certain steps that must be taken. Here is an essential checklist for conducting a successful post-trip inspection:

Pre-Inspection Checklist

• Check that all required paperwork is filled out correctly.
• Verify that all safety equipment is in working order.
• Check that all fluids and tires are at the correct levels.
• Inspect the exterior of the vehicle for any damage.

During the Inspection Checklist

• Test all lights and signals.
• Check the brakes and steering for any issues.
• Listen for any unusual sounds coming from the engine.
• Make sure that all safety features are functioning properly.

After the Inspection Checklist

• Fill out any required documentation.
• Make sure that all fluids and tires are at the correct levels.
• Check for any signs of damage or wear.

How to Complete a Proper Post-Trip Inspection

Now that we understand the basics of post-trip inspections and the checklist for a successful post-trip inspection, let’s look at how to actually complete a proper post-trip inspection.

Step-by-Step Guide to Conducting an Effective Post-Trip Inspection

• Start by completing the pre-inspection checklist. Verify that all required paperwork is filled out correctly, check that all safety equipment is in working order, and inspect the exterior of the vehicle for any damage.
• Next, test all lights and signals, check the brakes and steering for any issues, and listen for any unusual sounds coming from the engine.
• Once the inspection is complete, fill out any required documentation, make sure that all fluids and tires are at the correct levels, and check for any signs of damage or wear.
• Finally, test all lights and signals again to ensure that they are functioning properly.

Navigating the Different Types of Post-Trip Inspections

When it comes to post-trip inspections, there are three main types: pre-trip inspections, mid-trip inspections, and post-trip inspections. Let’s take a closer look at each type:

Pre-Trip Inspections

Pre-trip inspections are conducted before a vehicle leaves the depot. During a pre-trip inspection, a technician or driver will check the condition of the vehicle, look for any signs of damage or wear, and make sure that all safety features are functioning properly. The purpose of a pre-trip inspection is to detect any potential problems with the vehicle before it leaves the depot.

Mid-Trip Inspections

Mid-trip inspections are conducted during a vehicle’s journey. During a mid-trip inspection, a technician or driver will check the condition of the vehicle, look for any signs of damage or wear, and make sure that all safety features are functioning properly. The purpose of a mid-trip inspection is to detect any potential problems with the vehicle before they become bigger issues.

Post-Trip Inspections

Post-trip inspections are conducted after a vehicle has completed its journey. During a post-trip inspection, a technician or driver will check the condition of the vehicle, look for any signs of damage or wear, and make sure that all safety features are functioning properly. The purpose of a post-trip inspection is to detect any potential problems with the vehicle before they become more costly issues.

Understanding the Regulations and Requirements of Post-Trip Inspections

In addition to understanding the basics of post-trip inspections and the different types of inspections, it is also important to understand the regulations and requirements for post-trip inspections.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Regulations

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets regulations for post-trip inspections. These regulations include requiring drivers to conduct pre-trip and post-trip inspections, as well as documenting any defects found during the inspections. Additionally, the FMCSA requires that all drivers receive training in vehicle inspection and safety procedures.

State Regulations

In addition to the FMCSA regulations, each state may have their own regulations and requirements for post-trip inspections. It is important to familiarize yourself with the regulations in your state so that you can ensure that you are meeting all requirements.

The Benefits of Including Post-Trip Inspections in Your Fleet Management Program

Post-trip inspections can provide numerous benefits to your fleet management program. Here are some of the key benefits of including post-trip inspections in your fleet management program:

Improved Vehicle Safety

Post-trip inspections help to improve vehicle safety by detecting any potential issues before they become bigger problems. By regularly conducting post-trip inspections, you can help to ensure that your vehicles remain safe and reliable.

Reduced Maintenance Costs

Post-trip inspections can help to reduce maintenance costs by identifying any issues early on. By addressing any issues quickly, you can help to avoid more costly repairs down the line.

Enhanced Driver Efficiency

Post-trip inspections also help to increase driver efficiency by ensuring that all safety protocols are being followed. By regularly conducting post-trip inspections, you can help to ensure that your drivers are following all necessary safety protocols.

Post-trip inspections are an essential part of any successful fleet management program. These inspections help to improve vehicle safety, reduce maintenance costs, and enhance driver efficiency. By understanding what post-trip inspections are and why they are important, as well as how to conduct a proper post-trip inspection and the different types of inspections, you can ensure that your fleet management program is as effective and efficient as possible.

It is also important to be aware of the regulations and requirements for post-trip inspections, as well as the benefits of including them in your fleet management program. By implementing post-trip inspections into your fleet management program, you can help to ensure that your vehicles remain safe and reliable, and that your drivers are following all necessary safety protocols.

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Hi, I'm Happy Sharer and I love sharing interesting and useful knowledge with others. I have a passion for learning and enjoy explaining complex concepts in a simple way.

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What is a Post-Trip Inspection Checklist?

The post-trip inspection is critical to the safety of both your drivers and everyone else on the road. Whether a vehicle has visible defects or not, the post-trip inspection has historically been a cumbersome process, with drivers having to struggle through confusing paper forms at the end of a long drive. But there’s a better way to handle all the required safety documentation: a clear, concise checklist. 

Let’s dive into the specific parts of the post-trip inspection and how you can use checklists to ensure both safety and ongoing efficiency.

What is a post-trip inspection?

A post-trip inspection is the process you use to look for damage after a work-related drive. The goal of mandatory inspections  is to prevent accidents by catching small problems before they can become dangerous and costly. Drivers are required to submit a post-trip inspection form called the Driver Vehicle Inspection Report (DVIR) if they find any problems with the vehicle at the end of a trip. 

Signatures are a big part of the process. If the driver doesn’t find anything, they sign the report. But if they find a problem, then the driver, their supervisor, the mechanic, and the next driver must also sign. 

From there, it’s about submitting work orders to ensure fixes are in place before the vehicle is allowed back on the road. 

With modern software solutions, your drivers can finally put away the pen-and-paper forms. The inspection module from ManagerPlus© connects your company with fast digital inspection data you can access from anywhere via a mobile device. The software also has an operator companion app, which makes data collection much easier, regardless of how comfortable someone is with new technology. It’s now possible to easily keep all your safety inspection data safe and secure.

You can view the status of each asset and see if something on the vehicle has historically been a problem. If an asset fails an inspection, your operators can immediately start a root cause analysis and create a work order to fix whatever’s gone wrong. Drivers and other operators can access the DVIR or any other necessary forms from any Internet-connected device.

You can dramatically improve your team’s efficiency and gain valuable insights on post-trip inspections. 

Why are post-trip inspections important?

 Post-trip inspections are important for several reasons:

• They provide a level of accountability to the organization. It’s up to the fleet manager to put repairs in motion if anything is defective. But the driver, mechanic, and others also have a responsibility to report anything that went wrong. It’s the proverbial “if you see something, say something” mantra within the context of safe driving. Taking the time to do a post-trip inspection can prevent accidents, bodily harm, and reputational loss.
• They provide a historical record of the vehicle. What’s gone wrong in a vehicle’s past may provide insights into current issues, and you can use a track record to make better decisions and help your organization fine-tune preventive maintenance schedules.
• They limit unnecessary company expenditures and delays. Post-trip inspections serve as the first step toward limiting costs. If, for example, a vehicle blows a gasket and no one schedules corrective action, that initial issue can lead to complete engine failure, which can run to $20,000 or more. Finding and fixing the problem early on prevents significant financial loss and allows you to get vehicles back in operation more quickly.
• The post-trip inspection ensures that audits from outside regulatory authorities are positive. Staying in compliance requires ongoing attention and action to your fleet’s mechanical and even electronic health.

What do you check in a post-trip inspection?

There’s a lot that goes into keeping a vehicle on the road. On your post-trip checklist , be sure to check the: 

• Brake system (pads, shoes, etc.)
• Air compressor and lines
• Tires, wheels, and rims
• Headlights, stop lights, clearance lights
• Oil pressure
• Suspension systems
• Windows and windshield
• Belts and hoses
• Emergency equipment
• Steering system
• Coupling devices

If any of these components become damaged, it could lead to an accident, injury, or worse. Having your checklist and your inspection module at the ready helps to keep potential catastrophes at bay.

What is the 10-hour rule?

In order to prevent accidents caused by driver fatigue, U.S. Department of Transportation has implemented the 10-hour rule, which requires drivers to take 10 consecutive hours off before beginning a shift. Once a driver is back on duty, they cannot exceed 11 hours of consecutive driving time (, which is the 11-hour rule).

The basic premise of the 10-hour rule is that a driver must rest in between shifts. The downtime also encourages efficiency; rested drivers are more alert and drive more safely, helping them when they’re back on the clock.

Set up a call with one of our experts to discuss the specific needs of your organization.

Post-trip inspections are a critical step in ensuring your vehicles are safe to be on the road. They’re also mandatory, and when things fall through the cracks, you can face significant consequences. In the past, drivers had to struggle with confusing paperwork at the end of long driving shifts, creating a perfect opportunity for mistakes. Modern software solutions make it much easier for your drivers and you. They get an easier process, and you get more reliable data that you can leverage into real cost savings.  A post-trip inspection checklist plus powerful, easy-to-use software like ManagerPlus helps ensure the safety of your fleet and for the people who take to the road every day. 

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The Importance of the Post-Trip Inspection

Table of contents.

Before you head out on a run, you know that you need to inspect your vehicle carefully. What you may not realize, however, is that post-trip inspections are every bit as important as your  pre-trip efforts . Have you been skipping your post-trip inspection? Consider these important benefits.

Legalities and Compliance

According to 49 CFR §396.11, if your vehicle carries passengers, you must provide a post-trip inspection at the end of each day’s work. You need to provide a report for every vehicle that you operate during each business day, so if you operate several vehicles, you’ll need to provide as many reports as the vehicles you drove. While this measure can appear time-consuming, it also ensures that each vehicle is evaluated carefully at the end of the day, including important details like:

The functionality of all of your brakes

The functionality and effectiveness of headlights, tail lights, and signal lights

The vehicle’s working windshield wipers

A full inspection of emergency equipment

Tire condition

Effectiveness of the steering

Any potential problems with coupling devices

In short, a post-trip inspection should examine all the necessary components of the truck. As long as no problems are found with the vehicle, only the driver need sign the report. If the driver does find defects, on the other hand, a company mechanic or supervisor must also sign off on the form. When defects are found, the driver will also need to collect a signature from the next driver of the vehicle, indicating that they are aware of the problem and prepared for potential challenges on the road.

Why is the Inspection So Important?

This post-trip inspection isn’t just important for maintaining compliance and ensuring that you have covered all the important details. It also offers a number of benefits to carefully consider after each trip.

A Post-Trip Inspection Ensures That Your Mechanics Have Time to Repair Damaged Vehicles

A pre-trip inspection prevents you from rolling out with a vehicle that suffered damage that no one noticed. A post-trip inspection, on the other hand, can prevent costly delays and make it easier to move your trucks out on time.

A Post-Trip Inspection Ensures That Any Problems Are Noted and Reported

After a trip, you can’t wait to get home–or at least to get away from the truck for a while. Unfortunately, this can mean poor communication between drivers or even drivers and mechanics. Even a problem that you noted while you were on the road may go unreported, and if the next driver doesn’t notice it during the pre-drive check, he could end up out on the road with significant vehicle problems. When you conduct a post-trip inspection, on the other hand, you must make note of those potential problems and bring them to the attention of the mechanic ahead of time.

The Post-Trip Inspection Means More Eyes on the Vehicle

By conducting both pre- and post-trip inspections, you ensure that two drivers check over the vehicle before it goes out again. This means twice as many opportunities to discover potential problems, which can substantially increase the odds that those problems will be fixed before the truck goes back out on the road.

Post-Trip Inspections Can Catch Potential Violations

cSA violations are costly. Repeated violations can eventually cost you your business. A post-trip inspection, on the other hand, allows you to catch more potential hazards on each vehicle in the fleet–and that means fewer violations.

Improving the Post-Trip Inspection Process

As a fleet manager, you want to ensure that the post-trip inspection process is as smooth as possible–and that your drivers don’t miss any important details. Try some of these strategies to help ensure effective inspections.

Create an Inspection Form That Is Easy to Fill Out

If possible, create a systematic form that allows drivers to move smoothly around the vehicle, rather than a disjointed one that is hard to read or navigate.

Make Sure That All Drivers Receive Proper Training

Let drivers know exactly what is expected of them during a post-trip inspection–and, for that matter, a pre-trip inspection. Do not assume that drivers will automatically know what they need to do during this inspection; instead, take the time to carefully walk them through it during the onboarding process. Periodically, offer refresher training in this as well as any other important areas.

Watch Your Drivers

Periodically, take the time to watch drivers as they move through inspections. Make sure they know what they’re looking for, how to report it, and that they take a systematic approach to examining the truck so that they don’t miss any potential details or important problems with the truck. If you spot potential problems with an inspection, point them out.

Create Clear Processes Throughout Your Fleet

Do drivers know what to do with a vehicle that has a mechanical problem? Do drivers know how to quickly differentiate between a vehicle in the fleet with a mechanical problem and one that’s ready to go? Consider some of these elements:

Where are vehicles with problems parked? Is this a different area from the normal parking?

How are problems reported? Who is responsible for signing off on any problems with vehicles in your fleet?

What should drivers do if a vehicle they are expected to drive has a mechanical problem? How are they notified once those problems with the vehicle have been fixed?

Where is post-trip inspection paperwork filed? Is there a specific location within your business where it is turned in?

Learn More About Post-Trip Inspection

The post-trip inspection is every bit as important as the pre-trip inspection–in some cases, even more so. A post-trip driver has already been in the vehicle in question and may already have an idea of potential problems. Through that inspection, he can identify ongoing challenges and ensure that the vehicles in your fleet remain in repair and ready to go.

Do you need more help with your fleet inspections, maintenance, or paperwork?  Contact us  today to learn more about how we can keep your fleet moving more smoothly.

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The Importance of Post-Trip Inspections

March 10th, 2023

Kelli Bloom

Kelli has been in the trucking industry since 2003. She got her start working in compliance for a trucking carrier that specialized in government freight. She has been the compliance manager with ATS since 2017.

Is there anything worse than waking up to a flat tire on your tractor or trailer? It puts a wrench in your entire plan for the day. By now you should understand a pre-trip is essential, but do you know why a post-trip inspection is also important?

Post-trip inspections are often overlooked. They work hand-in-hand with pre-trips to ensure your tractor and trailer are in good working order every time you get on the road. When you catch something in a post-trip inspection, you have extra time to get it fixed.

Failing to do a pre-trip and post-trip inspection every day you’re out on the road can result in dire consequences or a violation on your driving record. 

Here at ATS, we’re safety driven. We have several safety programs in place to keep our drivers and the motoring public safe. That’s why, in this article, we'll explore the reasons why post-trip inspections are so important and we'll provide some tips for how you can conduct a thorough and effective inspection. 

You'll have a better understanding of why post-trip inspections matter and how they can help keep you and others on the road safe.

Why is a Post-Trip Inspection Important?

This safety check is essential to ensure your truck is safe to drive when you start it up again for your next trip. Your truck and trailer undergo some wear and tear when you drive. Issues that weren’t there when you did your pre-trip may arise.

While a pre-trip helps you ensure your truck is roadworthy and nothing was stolen or damaged overnight, a post-trip helps you identify issues after you drive. This allows you to have them addressed before you drive again.

During a post-trip inspection, you should examine various parts of the vehicle, including the tires, brakes, steering and suspension, lights, mirrors and other safety features.

In addition to safety, post-trip inspections are important for maintenance and repair purposes. By identifying issues early on and reporting them to the appropriate department, you can take care of repairs quickly. 

Call your driver manager or the maintenance team. Don’t let the issue go unfixed for you or another driver to deal with later. Taking care of issues right away, rather than letting them lie, can help reduce the likelihood of more extensive repairs being required down the line. 

Post-trip inspections are also often required by your trucking company, as they’re considered a best practice. You’ll stay in compliance with your company’s rules and regulations by doing a daily post-trip.

Related: How to Prevent Costly Breakdowns

When Should I Do a Post-Trip Inspection?

It’s best practice to do a post-trip inspection once you’re done driving for the day. Really, you should be taking a good look at your truck every time you stop — when you fuel, when you take a break, when you stop at a customer’s site, etc. 

If you notice something is wrong, catching it during a post-trip is ideal. Many drivers would rather not catch anything wrong with their truck at all, sure, but when you catch an issue during your post-trip, you have more time to get it fixed.

If you catch it during a pre-trip, you’re ready to start your day. Now, you have to make an entirely new plan. You might be waiting hours for someone to come and assist you or hours for a shop appointment. It can lead to a domino effect where you then miss a delivery or pickup window. You’ll also probably be using up a lot of your valuable drive-time hours. 

But if you catch it during a post-trip, you can call your company to help you get a shop appointment immediately in the morning. You can grab the part to fix it after you’ve taken your legal 10-hour break (if you’re allowed to fix the truck). 

Related: Can Drivers Do Their Own Truck Repairs?

Or, while you’re on your 10-hour break, you can wait for someone to arrive with the part and tools to fix it for you. You’re utilizing your rest time, rather than the time you’d be using to drive if you catch it during a pre-trip. 

Remember: If you’re helping to fix the truck in any way, you should be tracking your Hours of Service.

Let’s put it this way: If I notice I have a flat tire when I get to work, do you think I’m going to get it fixed during the day? Or do you think I’m going to wait until I have to leave for the night to get someone out to fix it? I’m going to make sure it’s taken care of during the day so I can drive home right away after my shift. 

Post-Trip Inspection Checklist

During a post-trip inspection, be thorough. It may take you around 10 to 15 minutes to do a complete post-trip inspection. Essentially, you want to make sure nothing is leaking, everything is bolted on properly and securely and everything is in good working order.

Here’s a list of the parts and components you should be looking at on each section of the tractor and trailer:

Front of Vehicle

• Lights 
• Potential leaks
• Vehicle levelness 
• Engine 

Engine Compartment

• Fluid levels
• Air and water hoses
• Alternator belt/wires
• Steering linkage/components
• Wheel assembly

Driver Side/Fuel Area

• Door and mirror
• Catwalk/steps
• Drive axles

Rear of Vehicle

Coupling System 

• Air/electrical lines
• Fifth wheel
• Front lights/reflectors
• Landing gear
• Cross members
• Side lights/reflectors
• Tandem slide/release arm
• Trailer axle
• Back of trailer. 
• Safety equipment
• Heater/defroster
• Turn signal indicators 
• Glass (windshield, mirrors, windows)

For a thorough list of what you should look for when examining each of these parts, and to learn how to do a three-step air brake test, visit our pre-trip inspection checklist . 

Extend the Life of Your Truck and Prevent Violations

Post-trip inspections are a crucial component of safe and effective vehicle operation. By taking the time to conduct a thorough inspection after every trip, you can help ensure the safety of everyone on the road and help keep your tractor and trailer in good working order. 

If you notice something, say something. Drivers often let things go when they catch them in their pre- or post-trip inspections. You can get caught for the simplest issues, like having an in-cab light out or a burned-out trailer light. When you get a violation, there are consequences.

Learn more about CSA scores and ISS scores and how they negatively impact you.  

Remember: If you have a breakdown as an ATS driver, call Road Service and then your driver manager. 

How To Prepare for a Post-Trip Inspection

Before the conclusion of each business day, truck drivers must ensure their vehicles are carefully inspected. You may not realize it, but post-trip inspections are equally as important as pre-trip inspections. The purpose of a post-trip inspection is to increase safety, limit company costs, prevent accidents and prepare drivers for their next destination.

What Is a Post-Trip Inspection?

Also referred to as a Driver Vehicle Inspection Report (DVIR), a post-trip inspection documents vehicle fault conditions known to the driver at the conclusion of each trip. It occurs at least once every 24 hours if a trip extends beyond a day. Post-trip inspection forms are available for drivers at most truck stops or from online vendors.

A post-trip inspection is meant to examine all of the important components of one’s truck. Only the truck driver is required to sign the report if there are no faults found. If a driver discovers defects, then his or her supervisor or company mechanic is also expected to sign the form. Afterward, the driver must get a signature from the next driver who is taking over the vehicle the following shift. This new driver must record that he or she is aware of the condition of the vehicle and prepared for the outcomes.

The post-trip inspection report is stored in the vehicle file and maintained 90 days minimum. Fleet managers should have separate forms for each truck.

Post-Trip Inspection Legalities and Compliance

For passenger vehicles, a post-trip inspection must be provided at the end of each shift. A report per vehicle operating each business day must be completed. Some may view this step as a time-consuming measure, but it is essential to evaluate the status of one’s vehicle.

During the evaluation , one must review the defects of the following items:

• Windshield and wipers
• Headlights, signal lights and tail lights
• Tires, wheels and rims
• Emergency equipment
• Steering system
• Coupling devices

Importance of Post-Trip Inspections

There is more to a post-trip inspection than merely maintaining compliance and evaluating crucial vehicle details. This routine assessment also offers benefits for your next trip.

1. Post-trip inspections give mechanics ample time to repair faulty vehicles.

A pre-trip inspection is meant to prevent drivers from operating damaged vehicles. A post-trip inspection prevents unnecessary delays that could prove costly to one’s company.

2. Post-trip inspections enable drivers to report timely problems.

These daily assessments limit company liability by ensuring the driver is aware of all vehicle issues. This helps company mechanics quickly address any immediate problems.

3. Post-trip inspections prevent potential violations.

Compliance, Safety, and Accountability (CSA) violations can be costly and repeated violations can injure one’s business. Implementing a post-trip inspection process mitigates the potential for vehicle dangers or issues.

4. Post-trip inspections provide a comprehensive review.

Pre- and post-trip inspections provide the opportunity for two independent drivers to review a vehicle's health before its next journey. The chance of both drivers to miss a crucial defect is low, and any potential defects can be addressed before it returns to the road.

How to Prepare for a Post-Trip Inspection

Fleet managers want to make the post-trip inspection process smooth and simple. For effective inspections, follow these preparation tips:

• Create an easy inspection form that allows your drivers to review every aspect of the vehicle with ease.
• Facilitate proper training for all drivers to clearly understand the company’s expectations. Take adequate time to walk them through every step of the process, reviewing the details they would need to pay attention to the most. Offer training courses periodically to educate drivers on new technologies.
• Perform random inspections to prepare your drivers. Ensure that they know what aspects of the vehicles to inspect and how to complete a report.
• Establish clear processes for your fleet when defects do arise.

Electronic DVIR

When considering how to best complete your post-trip inspections, you may want to go digital. Telematic systems such as Azuga are tailored for fleet management, which includes DVIR reporting. These offerings make the inspection and reporting processes easy, save time and create efficiencies. Reports are readily accessible on smartphones and tablets. With real-time alerts, documenting on hand-held devices makes it easier in a remote setting.

Key Takeaways

Post-trip inspections are still essential processes in fleet management. Early preparation for this end-of-day step provides good time management, efficiency in delivering services, a sense of responsibility among drivers and compliance with the regulations required by the Department of Transportation.

Jeremy Collins

Executive vice president (marketing), azuga product updates, why live maps, week of october 24: creativity is thinking up new things. innovation is doing new things., recent posts, driving into the future: integrating hydrogen fuel cells in fleet operations, how to negotiate the best vehicle lease terms, top challenges in implementing a vehicle sharing program, the best new ways to use field service data, the benefits of dual-facing dash cams for fleets, telematics and fleet dashcams: a host of savings, taxed by the mile: the future of driver taxes, streamlining field service management, techniques & strategies for fleet route optimization, stop on red, do you really think your fleet drivers stop on red, ready to get started.

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What is a Post-trip Inspection Checklist, and How to Make One?

• Ossian Muscad
• July 14, 2022

Last Updated on February 29, 2024 by Ossian Muscad

If you’re a truck driver, then you’re well aware of the crucial role that post-trip inspections play in ensuring not only your safety but also the safety of other road users. These inspections are indispensable in identifying potential issues that could pose risks during future journeys. However, the reality is that conducting these inspections can sometimes be a daunting task, especially after a long drive.

Drivers often find themselves wrestling with complicated paperwork and confusing guidelines, which can be both time-consuming and frustrating. Fortunately, there’s a solution that can streamline this process and make life easier for drivers: the post-trip inspection checklist. This blog post will take a closer look at what post-trip inspection checklists are and provide you with some guidance on how to create one for your business, ensuring that your vehicles are always in the best condition for the road ahead.

What is a Post-trip Inspection?

A post-trip inspection is a thorough examination conducted by truck drivers at the end of their driving shift to identify any mechanical issues or safety hazards with their vehicle. This routine inspection is mandated by various transportation authorities to ensure that all commercial vehicles operate safely and efficiently on the road.

The process typically involves checking the vehicle’s brakes, tires, lights, and other critical systems for any signs of wear or damage. By detecting and addressing these potential problems early, drivers can prevent breakdowns, avoid costly repairs, and adhere to regulatory compliance, ultimately contributing to safer road conditions for everyone.

Why are Post-trip Inspections Important?

Post-trip inspections are a critical component of a comprehensive vehicle maintenance strategy, ensuring that trucks are safe and ready for the road after each trip. They not only help identify minor issues before they escalate into major problems but also contribute to the overall safety of the driving environment.

By meticulously following a post-trip inspection checklist, drivers and companies can significantly reduce the risk of accidents and costly repairs, thus maintaining the efficiency and reliability of their fleet. The following are other notable reasons why post-trip inspections are important:

Provides Accountability to the Organization

It’s the fleet manager’s duty to deal with repairs if anything is defective. However, the driver, mechanic, and other team members also have their respective responsibilities to make sure the vehicle is in its best condition. For this reason, a post-trip inspection must be conducted to serve as a level of accountability for the entire organization.

Helps Maintain the Vehicle’s Longevity

A post-trip inspection can help identify small problems before they become big ones. By regularly conducting inspections and making repairs as needed, businesses can extend the lifespan of their vehicles. This will save the business money in the long run, as they won’t have to replace vehicles as often.

Provides Vehicles with a Historical Record

A vehicle’s past can tell you a lot about its current condition. By conducting post-trip inspections and documenting any defects or damage, businesses can create a historical record of their vehicles. This data can be used to make informed decisions about vehicle maintenance and repairs.

Ensures Compliance with Audits from Outside Regulatory Authorities

Staying in compliance with DOT regulations is critical for any trucking business. Part of compliance includes regular vehicle audits from outside regulatory authorities. These audits can be very positive if the business can show that they are regularly conducting post-trip inspections and making repairs as needed.

What is a Post-trip Inspection Checklist?

A post-trip inspection checklist is a structured tool used by truck drivers at the end of a trip to thoroughly examine their vehicle for any signs of damage or wear and tear that may have occurred during the journey. This checklist covers various components of the truck, including brakes, tires, lights, and fluids, to ensure that everything is operating correctly and safely.

The purpose of the checklist is to identify any maintenance needs or safety concerns that need to be addressed before the vehicle is used again. By systematically working through the checklist, drivers can ensure they do not overlook any essential elements of the vehicle’s condition, thereby reducing the risk of breakdowns or accidents on future trips.

What to Include in a Post-trip Inspection Checklist?

Creating a comprehensive post-trip inspection checklist is essential for maintaining the safety and efficiency of your fleet. The checklist should cover all critical aspects of the vehicle to ensure nothing is overlooked and potential issues are promptly addressed. There’s a lot that goes into keeping a vehicle in good condition and ready for the road. That’s why your post-trip inspection should cover the following items:

• Brake system (shoes, pads, etc.)
• Air compressor and lines
• Tires, rims, and wheels
• Headlights, clearance lights, stop lights
• Windows and windshield
• Suspension systems
• Oil pressure
• Belts and hoses
• Coupling devices
• Steering system
• Emergency equipment

Defective or damaged items should be documented in the checklist, along with any notes on repairs or replacements that need to be made. It’s essential to share this information with mechanics and other team members for prompt action. That way, everyone is on the same page, and vehicles are kept in top condition for their next trip.

How to Create a Post-Trip Inspection Checklist

Creating a post-trip inspection checklist is a vital step in ensuring the longevity and safety of your fleet vehicles. This document serves as a guideline for drivers to follow, ensuring that every critical component of the vehicle is checked and accounted for after each trip. By systematically following a well-structured checklist, companies can significantly reduce the risk of accidents and unforeseen repair costs.

• Define the Scope of Inspection: Begin by determining which vehicle components are crucial for safe operation and should, therefore, be included in the checklist. This includes the braking system, tires, lighting, engine, and emergency equipment, among others.
• Consult with Experienced Drivers and Mechanics: Gather insights from those who know the vehicles best. Drivers can provide firsthand experience on common issues they encounter, while mechanics can offer technical advice on what to check for each component.
• Make It User-Friendly: Design the checklist to be easy to use and understand. Use checkboxes for simple yes/no conditions, and provide space for notes where drivers can detail any problems they find.
• Incorporate Regulatory Requirements: Ensure that the checklist meets all relevant safety and regulatory standards set by transportation authorities like the Department of Transportation (DOT). This helps maintain compliance and avoid penalties during audits.
• Implement a Reporting System: Establish a straightforward procedure for drivers to report the findings of their inspections. This could involve submitting the checklist digitally or physically to a designated supervisor or maintenance team.
• Review and Revise Regularly: Regularly review the effectiveness of the checklist and make adjustments as needed. Vehicle needs and regulatory requirements can change, so it’s essential to keep the checklist up to date.
• Train Your Team: Ensure that all drivers are thoroughly trained on how to conduct post-trip inspections using the checklist. They should understand not only how to check each item but also the importance of each check to overall vehicle safety and compliance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: what is the 10-hour rule for drivers.

The 10-hour rule, also known as the hours of service (HOS) regulation, is a federal safety requirement by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). It mandates that truck drivers must have at least ten consecutive hours off-duty before starting their next shift. By adhering to this rule, drivers can get sufficient rest to avoid fatigue and reduce the risk of accidents on the road.

Q2: What should I do if I find an issue during the post-trip inspection?

If you identify any problems during the post-trip inspection, document the issue in detail on the checklist and report it to your supervisor or the maintenance team. Immediate reporting helps in scheduling repairs or maintenance before the vehicle is used again.

Q3: Who is responsible for conducting post-trip inspections?

The primary responsibility for conducting post-trip inspections falls on the driver of the vehicle. However, it’s also essential for supervisors and maintenance teams to review and act on the findings. Once the post-trip inspection is completed, it’s the responsibility of all team members to ensure that any issues are promptly addressed.

Q4: Can I customize the post-trip inspection checklist for different types of vehicles?

Yes, it’s recommended to customize the checklist based on the specific type of vehicle being inspected. Different vehicles may have unique components that require attention, and a tailored checklist ensures a thorough inspection. So, it’s essential to review and revise the checklist regularly to ensure it meets the needs of different vehicles in your fleet. By customizing the checklist, you can also improve efficiency and save time by focusing on critical components specific to each vehicle type.

Q5: What’s the best way to train drivers to perform post-trip inspections effectively?

Training should include both theoretical and practical components. Start with explaining the importance of each item on the checklist and how to inspect it properly. Then, conduct hands-on training with experienced drivers or mechanics guiding the process. Regular refresher courses can help maintain high standards.

Q6: How should digital post-trip inspection checklists be managed?

Digital checklists can be managed through dedicated fleet management software that allows for real-time reporting and tracking of inspections. Ensure that drivers are trained on how to use the software and that there’s a process in place for reviewing and acting on the digital reports promptly. At the same time, maintaining backups of the checklists is essential in case of technical issues or data loss.

Streamline Post-trip Inspections with DATAMYTE

DATAMYTE is a quality management platform with low-code capabilities. Our Digital Clipboard , in particular, is a low-code workflow automation software that features a workflow, checklist, and smart form builder. This tool lets you create customized post-trip inspection checklists that are easy to use and manage, all while ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.

DATAMYTE also lets you conduct layered process audits, a high-frequency evaluation of critical process steps, focusing on areas with the highest failure risk or non-compliance. Conducting LPA with DATAMYTE lets you effectively identify and correct potential defects before they become major quality issues.

With DATAMYTE , you have an all-in-one solution for improving quality and compliance in your transportation business. Contact us today to learn more about how DATAMYTE can streamline your post-trip inspection process and enhance overall vehicle safety. 

Effectively implementing and managing a post-trip inspection process is essential for maintaining vehicle safety and compliance. By creating a comprehensive checklist, ensuring it meets regulatory requirements, and training your team on its importance and use, you can significantly reduce the risk of accidents and vehicle breakdowns.

Incorporating digital tools can further streamline the process, making it easier to track inspections and address issues promptly. Regular reviews and updates to the inspection process will help your transportation business continue to meet the highest safety standards, safeguarding your drivers and the public on the road.

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Complete post-trip inspection checklist for CDL drivers

By The Schneider Guy

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes  

Performing a post-trip inspection is one of the most important daily tasks a professional truck driver does . Post-trips allow drivers to ensure their tractor and trailer are in good , safe condition after completing a trip .   

Keep reading to learn more about post-trip inspections and see what needs to be on your post-trip inspection checklist.   

What is a post-trip inspection?  

A post-trip inspection is a mandatory inspection performed after driving to ensure nothing went wrong with the equipment while operating it. These inspections must be performed on every piece of equipment a driver operates throughout the day.  

A thorough inspection could take anywhere from 30 minutes to one hour and should be logged as on-duty, not driving (line 4).  

Post-trip inspection requirements  

A driver is required to complete a post-trip inspection :  

• Whenever a trailer is dropped.
• At the end of each day.

Post-trip inspections are required by Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association (FMCSA) regulation 396.11 . If any faults or defects are found during the inspection , drivers are required to submit a Driver Vehicle Inspection Report (DVIR) .

Complete p ost-trip inspection checklist  

1. passenger - side engine :  .

• Air filter housing: Secure mounting, cover in place.
• Windshield washer fluid reservoir: No leaks, proper fluid level.
• Turbo charger: No oil or exhaust leaks.
• Engine air duct work: No cuts, clamps secured.
• Alternator: Mounting secured, no broken or loose wire.
• Accessory drive belt: Not cracked or frayed.
• Air conditioner compressor: Mounting secure.

2. Front brakes (covers all five brake components) :  

• Brake drum: No cracks.
• Brake lining: No cracks or damage.
• Inner oil seal (not visible): Check for leaks (look for oil running down brake drum or tire).
• Slack adjuster: Proper angle to the brake chamber, clevis and cotter pin intact.
• Brake air line: No bulges or cuts, fitting tight.
• Brake chamber: Mounting bolts secured, band clamp secured.

3. Front wheel :  

• Tire: ABCs (abrasions, bulges, cuts), pressure = 120 PSI, tread depth = 5/32 mins, 4/32 DOT.
• Wheel: Not cracked or bent.
• Hub oil: Not leaking, at proper level – if sealed unit, can’t check level.
• Oil seal (outer): Not leaking.
• Valve cap: Not missing.
• Lug nuts: None missing, no streaks or shiny areas, none loose.

4. Driver side of engine :  

• Radiator brace: No cracks, no missing bolts.
• Radiator: Not leaking, secure mounting.
• Water pump: No cracks, not loose or leaking.
• Fuel water separator/filter: Not leaking, secure mounting.
• Pitman arm/drag link: Not cracked, castle nut secured with cotter pin.
• Steering gear box: Secure to frame, not leaking.
• Power steering reservoir: Secured mounting, no leaks, proper level.
• Dipstick: Right level, secured after check.
• Steering shaft: Secure, not loose or damaged.
• Fuel pump: No cracks, not loose or damaged.
• Brake master cylinder: Correct fluid level, no leaks.
• Oil filler cap: Secure, no cracks.
• Engine coolant reservoir: No leaks, proper fluid level.

5. Steer axle suspension :  

• U-bolts: No cracks, no loose or missing nuts.
• Leak spring: No cracks, not loose or shifting.
• Tie rod: Secured with castle nuts and cotter pins.
• Shock absorber: Secure mounting, not leaking oil.
• Axle: Not cracked

6. Rear suspension :  

• Spring mount: No cracks, secure mounting.
• Tire: ABCs (abrasions, bulges, cuts), pressure = 110 PSI, tread depth = 3/32 min, 2/32 DOT.
• Air bag (bellows): Fully inflated, secure mounting, not ruptured.

7. Side of cab :  

• Mirrors: Mounting secure, no broken glass.
• Doors: No damage, glass not broken, hinges secured, opens and closes well.
• Lights and turn signals: Working, not cracked.
• Steps: Mounted, secured to skirting.
• Battery box: Mounting secured, cover latched.
• DEF cap: Cap secured.
• Fuel cap/tank: Gasket in place, vent in place, chain secures cap to the tank secure.
• Side skirting: No damage, panels secure.
• Side box: Secured, safety triangles present.
• Side of sleeper berth: No body damage.
• Sleeper berth window: No cracks.

8. Rear of cab :  

• Electrical cord: No bare wire, no corrosion, check plug at end of cord.
• Air line: Not tangled or worn, rubber grommets not worn, fittings tight.
• Cab shock absorber: Secure mounting, not leaking oil.
• Cab air bag (bellows): Not ruptured, securely mounted.

9. Drive shaft/rear frame :  

• Drive shaft: Not cracked.
• Universal joint: Not cracked, not missing bolts, no shiny areas.
• Differential: Not leaking oil.
• Frame: Straight, no non-factory welds.

10. Fifth wheel area :  

• Pivot pin: Keeper pin and cotter key intact.
• Slider lock pins: Fully engaged.
• Release arm: Not bent.
• Slider rail: No broken welds, no missing bolts.
• Slider stop blocks: Welds not broken, not missing bolts.
• 5th wheel platform: Well-greased, tilted down.

11. Front of trailer :  

• Top rail: No cracks or collision damage.
• Clearance lights: Not broken, working properly.
• Registration: Not missing, readable.
• Document box: Not missing or loose.
• Air line /glad hands: No bulges or cuts in air lines, rubber grommets not damaged on glad hands.
• Electric hook up: No broken pins, cover intact.
• PM sticker: Current, legible.
• Height sticker: Legible, legal for route.
• Placard holder: Not broken or missing rivets.
• Tracking device: No cracks or collision damage.

12. Side of trailer :  

• Top rail: Not cracked, no collision damage.
• Clearance light: Not broken, operational.
• Bottom light: Not cracked, no collision damage, no missing bolts.
• Landing gear: Legs straight, no broken welds in bracing, sand pads secured and clean handle in cradle.
• Reflector tape: Clean.
• Placard holder: Not broken, all rivets intact.
• Side panels: No holes or cuts, no missing rivets.

13. Rear of trailer :  

• Latches: Secured, not damaged.
• Placard holders: Not broken, no missing rivets.
• Lights: Not broken or missing, operational.
• Splash guard: Brackets and guard secured.
• License plate: Secure and clean, light working.
• Bumper: Not damaged, no broken welds.
• Door hooks: Not loose, no missing bolts.
• Hinges: Not cracked, no missing bolts on both sides.
• Door seals: No separation, no rubber tubing sticking out.

14. Trailer suspension :  

• Air line: No bulges or cuts, fittings are tight and not rubbing.
• Axle: Not bent or broken.
• Clevis pin/cotter key: Not missing.
• Slack adjuster: Proper angle, clevis pin and cotter pin intact.
• Brake linings: Minimum of ¼ thick, not cracked.
• Brake drum: Not cracked.
• Tire: (ABCs), tread depth = 3/32, air pressure = 110 PSI.
• Spring: Not broken, not shifted.
• Spring mount: No broken welds.
• U bolts: Not loose, not cracked.
• Torque rod: Secure mounting, bushings intact.
• Spring brake chamber: Mounting secure, band clamp secure.

15. Gauges/inside the truck :  

• Tachometer: 1000-1500.
• Water temp : 180-205 degrees.
• Fuel: Matches visual when looking in tank.
• Def level: Maintain a minimum of one light bar.
• Oil pressure: 25-50 PSI.
• Speedometer: 0-60 MPH.
• Air pressure: 90-120 PSI.

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Post-trip inspection

A post-trip inspection is an important process in any fleet that involves checking the condition of a commercial vehicle after a trip. The aim of this inspection is to identify any mechanical or safety issues that may have developed during the journey. This is a mandatory procedure that every truck driver must carry out to ensure the safety of fellow road users and the general public. The post-trip inspection is usually performed immediately after the vehicle has been parked, and the engine has been turned off. The inspection entails visually inspecting the vehicle for any defects, such as damaged tires, broken lights, worn-out brake pads, and other mechanical issues. The driver also checks the fluid levels, including coolant, oil, and transmission fluid, to ensure they are at the recommended levels. Furthermore, the post-trip inspection also involves checking the load to ensure that it is adequately secured and that there are no signs of damage or shifting. This is crucial because unsecured loads can create a safety hazard on the road if they shift or fall off the vehicle. Discover best practices for fleet vehicle inspections .

Frequently Asked Questions

How often is a post-trip inspection required to be performed according to fmcsa regulations.

According to FMCSA regulations, a post-trip inspection is required to be performed at the completion of each day’s work or driving shift. This ensures that drivers inspect their commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) for any defects or safety issues before leaving the vehicle unattended. The post-trip inspection helps identify and address any problems that may have occurred during the trip, promoting safety and compliance with regulations .

What is the difference between a pre-trip and post-trip inspection and why are they important?

A pre-trip inspection is performed before starting a journey to check the vehicle’s condition and ensure it is safe for operation. A post-trip inspection is conducted after completing a trip to assess any damages or issues that may have occurred during the journey. Both inspections are crucial for identifying potential problems, ensuring driver and public safety, and maintaining regulatory compliance. They help prevent accidents, reduce breakdowns, and promote overall vehicle maintenance and reliability.

What is the meaning of post-trip?

Post-trip refers to the activities that occur after a journey is completed. This can include tasks such as unpacking, cleaning, and restocking supplies. In the context of transportation, post-trip also involves conducting inspections and maintenance on the vehicle. The purpose of post-trip activities is to ensure that everything is properly taken care of and ready for the next journey.

Is a post-trip inspection required in the U.S.?

Yes, a post-trip inspection is required in the USA for commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) under the regulations set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). It is a necessary safety measure to assess the vehicle’s condition after completing a trip, ensuring that any defects or issues are identified and addressed promptly. This helps maintain the safety and reliability of CMVs on the road and promotes compliance with regulatory standards .

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Your Post Trip Inspection Checklist: 4 Steps

Whether you’re delivering products directly to customers in your city or transporting larger shipments nationwide, your company's success rests largely on the condition of the vehicles that get your drivers—and the packages they’re carrying—where they need to go. 

The best way to ensure that all the vehicles in your fleet are always in tip-top shape and ready to hit the road? In addition to pre trip inspections , having your drivers perform a thorough post trip inspection at the end of each day will set you up for safe operation. 

But what is a post trip inspection checklist, and what should be on it? Keep reading for the answers to those questions, plus five steps to successfully tackle post trip inspections.

What Items Should a Post Trip Inspection Include?

In part, the items on your checklist depend on the type of fleet you’re managing. For example, a checklist for a fleet of vehicles that pull trailers will likely include special items, like checking trailer latches and coupling mechanisms, that aren’t necessary for fleets of vehicles traveling without trailers. 

That said, many items remain standard across fleet types, while certain checklist items are required by law.

In other words, a post trip inspection checklist that works for your company might not look exactly like a checklist that works for another company. That’s why it’s important to combine items that are required by law with items that make sense for your specific fleet. 

Begin by assessing the needs of your fleet. Are your drivers traveling long distances or making shorter, regional trips? What type of vehicles are they operating? 

Then, follow these four steps to get on the road to a failsafe post trip inspection checklist. 

#1 Know What’s Required By Law 

The Department of Transportation mandates that CMV operators perform post trip inspections at the end of each day, on each vehicle that they operate 1 . 

Fortunately, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) provides a clear and comprehensive checklist of its own, so the best place to start devising yours is by making sure that you satisfy the legal requirements.

The FMCSA requires that you check the following 2 : 

• Brakes – A post trip inspection checklist that’s compliant with FMCSA regulations includes checks for all of the braking systems on a vehicle. This includes standard service brakes as well as hand brakes or parking brakes. If your vehicles tow trailers, you’ll want to check the connections there as well.
• Lights – The FMCSA requires that the lighting systems on each vehicle are checked following operation, so be sure that your post trip inspection checklist includes instructions for checking headlights, tail lights, turn signals, and any reflectors on the vehicles. 
• Steering – Operators should perform a visual inspection of the vehicle's steering mechanism. That means checking fluid levels and filter conditions as well as components such as bolts, kingpins, and drag links 2 . 
• Tires – Be sure to have your drivers check in on the tires. That could include checking inflation pressures, visually inspecting tires for punctures or debris like nails or glass, and even measuring tread depth 4 .
• Windshield wipers – According to FMCSA regulations, every vehicle in your fleet must feature operable windshield wipers on the front windshield. Wipers should be able to clear away condensation like rain and snow and ensure driver visibility. Your drivers should also check wiper fluid levels and the condition of the defrosting mechanism, which is a requirement for fleets that operate in colder climates 5 .
• Horn – A fully compliant post trip inspection checklist includes checking the vehicle’s horn, which may include checking the horn fuse or ensuring that the horn button works properly 6 . 
• Mirrors – Drivers should check the condition of the vehicle’s exterior rearview mirrors. The FMCSA requires that most vehicles have a mirror on each side of the truck so that the driver can see the “blind spots” located along the sides of the vehicles 7 .
• Emergency equipment – In its list of emergency equipment, the FMCSA includes a fire extinguisher, spare fuses, and warning signals like flares or reflective triangles—so it’s important to verify after each trip that these are present and in working order 8 . But to be thorough, have your drivers check the condition of tools like lug wrenches, flashlights, and tire jacks, a first aid kit and other protective equipment for drivers, and other items like jumper cables, engine oil, and coolant.  
• Coupling devices – If your drivers are pulling trailers, it’s imperative to check that the coupling mechanisms are in good working order at the end of each trip. 

#2 Don’t Overlook the Odometer

It isn’t required by the FMCSA, but you’ll want to have your drivers check and record the odometer reading at the end of each day. Doing so allows you to track important metrics related to your fleet, such as: 

• Unauthorized use 

Keeping tabs on factors like mileage and fueling after each trip ends is even easier when you unlock the power of fuel cards . Powered by Visa and available from AtoB, fuel cards enable your drivers to fuel up and make vehicle-related purchases wherever Visa is accepted. 

But the best part? They enable you to track and control fuel spending, keep costs down, and streamline the process of managing the finances associated with fleet management. 

#3 Have a Standard Post Trip Inspection Form

In addition to requiring a post trip inspection on every fleet vehicle in operation, the FMCSA requires drivers to fill out and sign an inspection form 9 . For that reason alone, you should have a standard form that every driver uses to perform inspections.

But beyond meeting the DOT compliance checklist, having a standard form is a good way to ensure your drivers are individually prepared to conduct proper inspections. This is especially true considering your checklist will likely include items specific to your fleet. 

A satisfactory post trip inspection form should be easy for every driver on your team to: 

#4 Take Advantage of Technology

If the phrase “standard form” conjures images of a truck driver clutching clipboards and marking off boxes using Bic pens, it’s time to update your thinking. Harnessing the power of technology can simplify the post trip inspection process and help guarantee accurate inspections every time.

Fleet fuel cards are one example, as they digitize the way your drivers pay for expenses on the road. But why stop there? 

You may consider solutions such as upgrading to a fleet management system that includes functions for completing a Driver Vehicle Inspection Report (DVIR). Or, you could have your drivers ditch pen and paper in favor of high-tech gadgets for inputting thorough inspection results, like: 

• Smartphones
• Other handheld devices 

Why Is a Post Trip Inspection Important?

It’s difficult to overstate the importance of an adequate post-trip inspection when it comes to guaranteeing that your fleet is always road-ready. 

Trips to the mechanic for regular vehicle maintenance and special repairs are standard operating procedures for most companies operating commercial vehicles. The success of a trip depends on every part—from the brakes to the taillights—to operate as it should. And when they don’t, you don’t hesitate to take the vehicle in for repairs. 

But by implementing a post trip inspection system, you gain up-to-the-minute insight into the condition of your fleet vehicles. In turn, you’re better able to: 

• Keep tabs on the vehicles in your fleet – The old adage that prevention is better than any treatment holds true when it comes to the vehicles that your drivers operate. When every vehicle is checked after every trip, you’re more likely to spot small problems before they become big ones and keep your vehicles in good condition. 
• Keep your drivers safe – A post trip inspection can go a long way toward ensuring that your drivers are safe on the open road by helping to spot mechanical problems. Otherwise, those issues could put safety at risk and interrupt operations. 
• Remain compliant – A post trip inspection of all vehicles is required of most companies by law. As we mentioned earlier, the United States Department of Transportation requires all drivers of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) to inspect their vehicles at the end of each day 10 . They must also fill out and sign a Driver Vehicle Inspection Report (DVIR), which must be kept on file with the motor carrier for at least three months 11 . 

How to Ensure Proper Post Trip Inspections for Your Fleet

You go the extra mile to ensure that your drivers are well-trained in every aspect of their job, from being properly licensed to knowing how best to handle the materials that your company ships. But it’s important that their training includes instruction on how to perform a post trip inspection.

So, how can you ensure all of your drivers are adequately equipped to assess the condition of the vehicles in your fleet? It may be as simple as implementing procedures for training drivers on post trip inspections along with the other training they receive. This training may occur at the following times:

• During onboarding
• At regular intervals during employment
• On an “as-needed” basis 

In addition, make sure any thorough inspection training includes a comprehensive procedure for managing issues that may arise. Your drivers should know how to act when headlights fail or brakes get squeaky. 

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If you’re looking for ways to optimize how you manage your fleet, you’ve come to the right place. At AtoB, our fuel cards are making fleet expenses management easier than ever—and offering you a chance to save on fuel. 

Backed by Visa and accepted nationwide, our fuel cards offer a simple solution for fuel tracking, spending, and managing your transportation expenses. Whether your drivers are traveling across the country or just across town, turn to AtoB for competitive discounts, transparent pricing, and top savings on vehicle-related expenses. Contact us to get enjoy all the potential fleet card benefits today!

1 Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. The Motor Carrier Safety Planner. https://csa.fmcsa.dot.gov/safetyplanner/MyFiles/SubSections.aspx?ch=22&sec=65&sub=148

2 Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. The Motor Carrier Safety Planner. https://csa.fmcsa.dot.gov/safetyplanner/MyFiles/SubSections.aspx?ch=22&sec=65&sub=148  

3 Trucking Info. What to Know About Steering System Maintenance. https://www.truckinginfo.com/10157876/what-to-know-about-steering-system-maintenance  

4 Trucking Info. How to Test Truck Tires in Your Fleet. ​​ https://www.truckinginfo.com/329037/tire-testing-heres-help  

5 GovInfo.gov. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR-2001-title49-vol4-sec393-82). https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2001-title49-vol4/pdf/CFR-2001-title49-vol4-sec393-82.pdf

6 Your Mechanic. Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Horn Switch. https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-horn-switch_2  

7 GovInfo.gov. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR-2001-title49-vol4-sec393-82). https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2001-title49-vol4/pdf/CFR-2001-title49-vol4-sec393-82.pdf  

8 Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Emergency Equipment. https://csa.fmcsa.dot.gov/safetyplanner/MyFiles/SubSections.aspx?ch=22&sec=64&sub=133  

9 Code of Federal Regulations. Driver vehicle inspection reports. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-396/section-396.11

10 Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. The Motor Carrier Safety Planner. https://csa.fmcsa.dot.gov/safetyplanner/MyFiles/SubSections.aspx?ch=22&sec=65&sub=148  

11 Code of Federal Regulations. Driver vehicle inspection reports. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-396/section-396.11  

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How To Prepare for a Post Trip Inspection

Completing a post trip inspection is as important as the pre-trip inspection and should be the last thing you do for the business day. When completing this end-of-day roadside truck inspection , your goal is to ensure safety, prevent accidents and help your company control its expenses while hauling a load.

Learn more about what’s involved in the 5-step post trip inspection, as well as how and why you should complete each of the steps. 

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What Is a Post Trip Inspection? 

You may have heard it referred to as a Driver Vehicle Inspection Report. That’s because, during the inspection, you’re looking for vehicle weaknesses or signs that something could be wrong.

Drivers complete the report at least every 24 hours on hauls that require more than a day of service. If you’re stopping at a truck stop for the night, you can likely get a paper version of the form, or you can plan for a trip by downloading the necessary forms online.

During the inspection, you’ll examine all components of your truck. The driver of the truck then signs the report stating if they found any faults or concerns. In the case of finding something concerning the truck, the driver should contact their mechanic or supervisor to discuss options for the condition. 

Then, the mechanic or supervisor will sign off on the form. In addition to completing the post-trip inspection each day, you should complete an inspection before ending your shift and transitioning the truck to another driver. 

Fleet managers should maintain the record for no less than 90 days. But if you’re an owner-operator, you’ll be expected to maintain these records.

How Do Post Trip Inspections Work? 

During these exams, you’ll review a post trip inspection checklist that ensures you examine the crucial aspects of your truck’s mechanics. The post trip inspection should include reviewing the status of the following areas of the truck.

• Coupling devices
• Emergency equipment
• Steering system
• Tires, wheels, and rims
• Turn signal lights 
• Windshield and wipers

5 Steps for How To Prepare for a Post Trip Inspection

Preparing for a post-trip inspection is fairly simple and involves 5 steps. Here’s a look at how to improve your trucking company’s compliance, safety, and cost-control.

Step 1: Create an Inspection Form

When creating your company’s inspection form, think through how to make it as smooth as possible by organizing it in the same order that a driver would pass by the truck’s mechanisms while completing a full walk around the truck’s exterior. 

You want the form to be cohesive, simple, and clear. A checklist format is something that most people recognize and provides a simple checkbox or location for notes about concerning conditions the driver observes.

Step 2: Give Drivers Proper Training

You must include pre and post trip inspection training in your truck driver onboarding process. Because each company handles it a bit differently, you cannot assume that your new drivers know how to complete your inspections. 

Walk each new driver through the process slowly, taking time for questions and showing the driver what to look for as they walk around the vehicle. Do regular workshops and refresher courses for existing drivers to ensure everyone is giving the post-trip inspection the time and attention it deserves.

Step 3: Oversee Inspections

Post-trip inspections will happen inside your facility as the driver prepares to hand over the truck to the next driver. This offers an opportunity for you to observe a driver’s inspection process. 

Plus, you can also get the chance to intervene if you’re seeing anything missing or concerned about how the driver completes the inspection. Coach the driver through those missing processes.

Also, ensure that the driver knows what they are looking for when inspecting the various aspects of the vehicle. Finally, you want to make sure the driver knows how to report an issue or vehicle concern if they were to find one.

Step 4: Create Clear Processes

Even once you have a solid post-trip inspection form, your work isn’t done yet. You need to put processes in place so that drivers know what to do when they encounter a mechanical problem. 

Drivers need a clear understanding of mechanical problems that should make them stop and talk to a mechanic versus one that just needs to be monitored throughout a trip.

You should have clear processes for the following aspects of vehicle inspections.

• Park trucks awaiting maintenance in a separate area from those ready for their next trip. 
• Have clear processes for what a driver should do if the truck they expected to drive for a shipment today is now out of service due to a maintenance issue the previous driver found during the inspection.
• Put notification processes in place to help guide drivers about whether their upcoming truck is ready for its next shipment or if they should be talking to dispatch about a different truck.
• File post-inspection paperwork in a specific location where you can easily reference it and where drivers know to turn it in at the end of each trip.

Step 5: Implement Electronic DVIR

Use an electronic driver vehicle inspection report (DVIR) to make the process simple for your drivers and for your administrative team who has to house and maintain these reports. 

Your software for your digital telematics system likely has an option for a digital vehicle inspection report. And your drivers will already be logging into this app for routes, information, and hour of service compliance. 

Implementing a digital process helps you save time, report issues to the relevant party quickly, build efficiencies, and foster communication to ensure smooth processes.

Importance of Post Trip Inspections

Completing a daily vehicle inspection isn’t just about meeting compliance regulations . It helps ensure that you and other drivers remain safe on the roadways. Here are the top reasons to be fully focused and tuned in during a post inspection. 

Time To Repair Damages

Completing an inspection can help you complete transporting goods without an issue, which means more on-time deliveries for your customers and more repeat business. When you catch damage early, it allows time for your mechanic to fix the issue before it becomes a roadside problem that strands you for several hours, causing delays.

Problems are Noted and Reported

Mechanics can only help drivers when they know there is a problem. Having important details about what a driver sees on the vehicle can help inform the mechanic to decide whether the maintenance needs to be done right away or if it can wait until the truck reaches the next terminal. The inspection keeps everyone informed and ensures open, timely communication among parties.

More Eyes on the Vehicle

Because a driver must complete the inspection before handing over the truck to the next driver and then that driver must complete a pre-trip inspection, it helps put more eyes on the vehicle to ensure no one misses anything. Two drivers checking all crucial truck mechanisms are better than one.

Catching Potential Violations

Completing thorough pre-and post-trip inspections can prevent your business from facing costly violation fees. From there, you’ll also have the cost-benefit of avoiding breakdowns and costly roadside repairs. So, overall, the exercise is an excellent cost-containment practice and ensures driver safety and compliance with all regulations.

Detecting Issues Before They Become Roadside Breakdowns

Driver vehicle inspection reports help ensure safety and efficiency in the trucking process. You’ll be able to prevent most roadside breakdown scenarios and meet all compliance regulations for trucking. Put the five-step process in place to ensure you have clear procedures to follow and documentation methods in case of an audit.

 Pre- and post-trip inspections help detect mechanical issues before they fail and cause an accident or roadside breakdown. They are also required to comply with federal regulations.

A DVIR helps drivers and mechanics collaborate on the safety and drivability of a vehicle. It helps protect all motorists and the truck driver from a mechanical failure that could cause an accident.

A post-trip inspection could include reviewing the following aspects of the vehicle: brakes, coupling devices, emergency equipment, headlights, steering system, tail lights, tires, wheels, and rims, turn signal lights, windshield, and wipers.

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The Importance of Doing a Thorough Pre and Post Trip Inspection

by Geoff Craig, MBA

Keeping your drivers, customers and the public safe is one of the most important parts of a transport business. This is especially the case when the business involves putting drivers in one of your vehicles on the public roads.

Modern vehicles have so many mechanical parts that require maintenance and care. They also have many electronic components that can potentially go wrong. As a result, the role of keeping a vehicle safe for everyone is a vital commitment. It should not in any way be undermined or underestimated.

Just because a vehicle is safe to drive one day, does not mean that it is safe to drive another day. And just because a vehicle has been returned safely with no obvious mechanical or structural issues, does not mean that the vehicle is safe to drive the next day.

This means that the role of pre-trip and post-trip inspections is absolutely vital. Vehicles accrue not only miles but potential issues that can make them dangerous for drivers and put your business in a precarious situation. This is true both from the point of view of the safety of the vehicles that are going out. It is also true in terms of protecting the business from potential lawsuits or financial losses through negligence or loss of trade.

Taking Inspections Seriously

A vital part of fleet management, therefore, is taking pre-trip and post-trip inspections seriously. Many fleet managers will know a driver or drivers in their fleet who don’t tend to take these inspections seriously, as they take up time and rarely flag up a serious problem. However, they are a vital part of the successful running of a fleet and the safety of all involved. There is also a wide range of factors that should be considered.

Staying Legal

For any successful business, legal compliance is a key issue that should always be at the forefront of planning and execution. Fleet managers should make sure that they are aware of any national or local legislation or regulations that exist with regards to pre-trip or post-trip inspections.

Legislation may be general, or it may be specific to different industries. For example, a vehicle that carries passengers is required to do a post-trip inspection at the end of the working day. This follows a particular format and with a fresh report generated for each vehicle. 

Although this could be considered by some to be an onerous task, it effectively generates a paper trail that can tell the story of a particular vehicle. It also enables the business to keep on top of both any individual problems the vehicle occasionally has but also any persistent issues that occur.

These end of day inspections will typically include:

• A test of the braking system
• A test of all vehicle lights
• A test of the windshield wipers
• An inspection of emergency equipment
• A test of tire condition
• A test of the steering
• A test of any coupling equipment

A quick glance at this list and it is obvious that these are daily tests of the most important equipment on the vehicle in terms of safety.

Failure to do these daily tests and log them in the appropriate manner could be detrimental for the business. This is in terms of legal issues and compliance as well as opening up the business to potentially damaging lawsuits in cases of an accident. More importantly, failure to conduct these checks could lead to an unsafe vehicle being on the road and injury or loss of life as a result of such negligence.

Driver Education

A major part of fleet management is not just about managing the vehicles but about managing the personnel. It’s about managing one of the most important resources in the business, that is, the drivers.

Many drivers will be confident in the safety of their vehicles. However, they may not immediately understand the importance of pre-trip and post-trip inspections on a daily basis. This is certainly the case if the inspections can seem time-consuming either at the beginning or the end of the day.

It is important, then, to educate drivers on the importance of these inspections, although not just for legal compliance. It is also important for reassuring them of the safety of the vehicles and the safety of the business for passengers and the drivers.

Safety checks are something that can easily lapse over time as people get lazy or forget to do them. Therefore, it is important that regular education of drivers takes place regularly. Whether through training sessions, mock inspections, and check-ups of drivers’ inspections. This ensures that everyone is on the same page in terms of the importance of regular pre-trip and post-trip inspections.

Educating Staff

As well as educating drivers, it is also vital to educate workers who work in-house about these inspections. They need to understand:

• How important the inspections are, and
• How important the results of the inspections are, and that those results need to be taken seriously.

In the aviation industry, if an inspection indicated that a problem existed on an aircraft, however small, that inspection would be taken seriously, examined, and fixed. Exactly the same should be the case within the automotive industry. 

Staff should take all inspection reports seriously. They should also act on the results of any inspections seriously and without prejudice. If not carefully managed, small issues can easily become large issues if they are not taken care of.

Good channels of communication between drivers, fleet managers, and the shop workers will help to keep these processes running smoothly. It will also help the fleet run more smoothly.

What is a Pre-Trip Inspection?

Although both kinds of inspection are important, both serve a slightly different purpose. Arguably the pre-trip inspection is the more important of the two. This is for the reason that it decides whether the vehicle is in a fit or safe enough condition to be driven that day.

As a result of this, the inspection should be considered very seriously and should not be taken lightly. The impact of a careless or cursory pre-trip inspection could be to send a vehicle on the roads that are not safe for use. This could result in loss of life, injury, or damage to the reputation of the business.

What Will A Pre-Trip Inspection Cover? 

It will cover a number of important items that will involve determining whether a vehicle is safe to take out onto the roads that day. This is broadly the same as the list produced earlier, but also considering any damage to the vehicle.

A business will need to consider a number of factors:

• How is the pre-trip inspection conducted?
• Who conducts the pre-trip inspection?
• In what format is the pre-trip inspection report produced – for example, on paper, using a tablet, or an app?
• How are the reports to be accessed – for example by those in the shop who may need to work on the vehicle should there be any problems?

A pre-trip inspection will neither be effective nor efficient if the information is not readily available to those who will need to examine it. That is, drivers, fleet managers, in-house staff, etc. 

Any problems that may be spotted during the inspection, for example, problems with seat belts, tires, windshield wipers, brakes, etc., should be reported in a standard way.

Many businesses that use pre-trip inspections will have standard forms. These can be particularly valuable for marking external issues, perhaps on a 2D top-down model of the car. Additionally, a similar system will need to be in use also for internal issues.

Mutual Understanding

Whatever terminology is used, or whatever reporting method is used, it is important that all members of the team are on the same page. In that, there is a common understanding of how problems are defined and described. This will help those who are working on the vehicle for repairs to have as clear an understanding as possible as to what problems need fixing. This may require regular training or refreshers on what is required. 

Reducing Liability

There also needs to be an understanding of what may be considered a minor problem. A minor problem that needs reporting but the vehicle can go out that day and be repaired at a convenient point, and a major problem that requires immediate repairs.

For example, a minor problem such as a small dent on the side of the, as long as it is noted and scheduled to be repaired, need not stop that vehicle being used that day. However, a noted failure in the operation of the brakes, the windshield wipers, or the tires would be considered more major problems. These problems will require immediate repair before the vehicle can be used safely to transport goods or passengers.

The pre-trip inspection is therefore seeking to answer the question, ‘Is this vehicle safe to take out today, right now?

What is a Post-Trip Inspection?

By contrast, the post-trip inspection is seeking to answer a different condition:

‘Does this vehicle have any damage or failures to its operation that means it needs repairs before the vehicle is taken out again’?

This may be damage caused as a result of it being out for operation that day. For example, a crash or if there has been a problem during the day in operating the vehicle. Examples could also be a broken windshield wiper or punctured tire. Or, general wear and tear on the vehicle over time that has now become noticeable.

As post-trip inspections are undertaken at the end, rather than the beginning of the day, they raise the issue of any vehicles that need remedial work done on them before they are taken out again. 

Post-trip inspections and reporting procedures are also important as the vehicle may not be driven by the same drivers on two consecutive days. Efficient reporting methods in relation to these post-trip inspections mean that all drivers and relevant staff can be aware of any issues relating to particular vehicles. Drivers then taking up a vehicle for the day can be assured of good and constant checking procedures on that vehicle over time.

As with the pre-trip inspections, post-trip inspections may flag up issues that need resolving before that vehicle can be used again. This allows fleet managers to manage the vehicles available to their drivers over time. At the same time, they will then be aware of which vehicles are currently off the road for maintenance or repair.

Other Considerations

The question is sometimes asked as to whether it would be adequate to have only pre-trip inspections. However, the answer from a safety and fleet management perspective is a resounding no.

Pre-trip inspections will only flag up a potential issue with a vehicle at the last possible moment and may not give enough time for a repair to take place. There also may not be an available vehicle at such short notice. This can result in a loss of trade, profit, and reputation for the business.

Having both pre-and post-trip inspections doubles the number of eyes on the vehicle and allows for potential problems to be flagged up ahead of time. This makes it easier to arrange alternative transport and minimize loss of trade, profit, or reputation for the business.

Businesses may also consider where they park their vehicles. Vehicles awaiting maintenance or repair could be parked in a different area from those that are waiting to go out. This will help the fleet to run more efficiently and minimize the possibility of a vehicle awaiting repair accidentally being taken out on a job.

Successful pre-and post-trip inspection processes ensure that the appropriate vehicles are on the road. With clear reporting methods used consistently by all, regular training for those who need to inspect and report can increase the efficiency of the vehicle fleet. Vehicles requiring maintenance and repair are well documented and returned to the fleet in good time. This maximizes the efficiency of the business whilst keeping customers and the general public as safe as possible.

Geoff Craig, MBA

Geoff is a freelance writer at TruckersTraining.com with 20+ years of experience driving trucks and buses, dispatching, supervising, and training commercial driving teams. His expertise is writing topics on the transportation and trucking industry, and information technology trends.

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PGT Trucking’s Guide to Pre- and Post-Trip Inspections

A proper pre- and post-trip inspection is what separates the average truck driver from a true professional! Federal law requires that a driver of a commercial motor vehicle completes an inspection every day on each vehicle operated (truck and/or trailer). More importantly, a thorough truck and trailer inspection helps truck drivers keep their equipment in safe working order, protecting everyone out on the road. Don’t skip your pre-trip! Follow PGT Trucking’s guide to pre- and post-trip inspections.

What is a pre-trip inspection?

A pre-trip inspection is a thorough check of the vehicle to ensure everything is in working order before you take off down the road. Flatbed truck drivers should check their tires, brakes, lights, engine fluid levels, securement (if loaded) and more. By completing a general observation of all equipment before leaving, flatbed truck drivers know their truck and trailer are safely ready for the day ahead.

When should I do a vehicle inspection?

Flatbed truck drivers at PGT are required to complete an inspection on their truck and trailer at the start of their day, at the end of their day, and any time they drop or hook to a different trailer. Walk around inspections and load checks should also be completed at every change of duty status (fueling, 30-minute break, loading, unloading, etc.).

Why should I do post-trip inspection?

A post-trip inspection will help a flatbed truck driver identify any defects that may have occurred since the pre-trip inspection. Any repairs that are needed can be addressed immediately instead of delaying the start of a driver’s next trip. For flatbed truck drivers who drop and hook, a post-trip inspection is common courtesy – don’t leave issues for the next driver to find. It’s not safe!

How long should a pre/post-trip inspection take?

A thorough pre/post-trip inspection should take about 15 minutes to complete. It doesn’t take long, but it will save a flatbed truck driver valuable time in the long run. Don’t be stuck on the side of the road with a blown-out tire. Get any problems quickly addressed during the pre/post-trip inspection.

What is the goal of a pre/post-trip inspection?

The purpose of a pre/post-trip inspection is safety ! When equipment fails over the road, it places the truck driver and other motorists at risk. By examining the vehicle at the start and end of a trip, flatbed truck drivers can catch any defects before they cause a bigger problem over the road.

If I find something wrong during my pre/post-trip inspection, what should I do?

Any defects in the truck or trailer must be noted on the Driver Vehicle Inspection Report (DVIR), and flatbed truck drivers should call the PGT maintenance hotline and their Fleet Manager . Any item considered out-of-service by the Department of Transportation (DOT) must be repaired immediately before the vehicle can move. Any defect that is not considered an out-of-service DOT violation must be repaired before that truck or trailer can be dispatched on another load. Drivers should not operate the vehicle if they feel it is in an unsafe condition or has any out-of-service defects!

What are the most common defects found during a pre/post-trip inspection?

At PGT, the most noted defects during a pre/post-trip inspection are related to the tires, brakes or lights. While all equipment should be reviewed for possible safety concerns, flatbed truck drivers should pay extra attention to these problem areas.

Do I need to wear any personal protective equipment (PPE) while doing a pre/post-trip inspection?

Yes! You should have your safety vest, gloves, appropriate footwear, goggles, and hard hat on while performing safety functions. Other tools for the inspection include a flashlight, tire depth gauge and tire pressure gauge.

Should I do a pre-trip inspection on my personal vehicle?

Yes! While it’s not legally required to do a pre-trip inspection, all non-commercial vehicles should still be routinely checked to confirm they are in good operating condition. It’s a great habit to get into, and for flatbed truck drivers, practice makes perfect. Do a pre-trip on every vehicle, every time!

How to Complete a Truck and Trailer Inspection

Step 1: Front of the Tractor

• Complete a visual inspection. Are all numbers and stickers present and clearly visible? Is there any damage or visible leaks?
• Open the hood and check all fluid levels and belt tension.

Step 2: Cab

• Enter the cab and start the engine. Test the horns, inspect the windshield (is it dirty? – clean it!), check the seatbelt and fire extinguisher.
• Is your ELD tablet securely mounted on the dash? Do you have all required documentation in the cab and readily accessible?

Step 3: Air and Lights

• Turn the engine off. Press and hold the brakes, listening for any air leaks or drop in pressure.
• Start the light check and observe all lights during your truck and trailer walk around.

Step 4: Left Front and Right Front Tractor

• Check the tires, brakes, and hub oil levels and look for exhaust leaks.
• When checking tires, check the air pressure, tread depth, sidewall, rims and lug nuts.
• When checking brakes, look for any extreme wear, cracks, soaked/contaminated oil, broken springs or anything out of adjustment.

Step 5: Front of Trailer and Mid Tractor

• Check the fuel cap.
• Look at the catwalk, headache rack, and bulkhead. Is everything clear of debris? Is all equipment properly secured? Remember, bungee cords have no working load limit and should never be used to secure tarps, chains, binders, lumber or pipe stakes.

Step 6: Right Forward and Rear Drive Wheel Ends

• Check both the inside and outside tires. Inspect the brakes, shocks and air lines.

Step 7: Rear of Tractor

• Check the rear light panel.
• Inspect the mud flaps.
• Confirm the fifth wheel jaws are fully closed.

Step 8: Trailer Right Mid Inspection

• Check the dolly legs, winches and straps.
• Check the lights down the trailer.
• Check your load securement!

Step 9: Trailer Right Forward and Rear Wheel Ends

• Check hub oil and grease levels.
• Look at the inside and outside rims and tires.
• Check the brakes, shocks and air lines.
• Drain trailer air tanks.

Step 10: Rear of Trailer

• Check the lights and mud flaps.
• Confirm the DOT tape is visible.
• Look for any damages to the ICC bumper.

Step 11: Trailer Left Forward and Rear Wheel Ends

Step 12: Trailer Left Mid Inspection

• Confirm the inspection, registration and insurance.

Step 13: Tractor Left Forward and Rear Driver Wheel

Step 14: Tractor Left Mid and Trailer Front

• Check the driver stairs.
• Inspect the bulkhead and headache rack.
• Drain the tractor air tanks.

Note: This list is meant to be a guideline only and is not fully comprehensive. Contact your Safety Manager, Fleet Manager or Training Department if you have any questions or need clarification.  

Safety is Everyone’s Job – All the Time

PGT Trucking is committed to being a safe and reliable carrier , driven by the best flatbed truck drivers in the industry. We want our Proud Professionals to get home safely after every trip, and that starts with thorough trip inspections. PGT understands that details matter, and we provide multiple resources to equip our flatbed truck drivers with the tools they need to do the job well.

Want to join the company that values your safety above all else? Apply to PGT today !

We have Company Flatbed Truck Driver positions available, averaging $84,000 in gross pay a year. Other benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) retirement plan, company-paid life insurance, vacation time, and paid holidays. Find out what makes PGT Trucking a 2023 Best Fleets to Drive For® Top 20 Company .

Do you want to haul freight at competitive rates while maintaining your independence? PGT is partnering with experienced Owner-Operators and has one of the best Lease Purchase Programs in the industry. Apply now !

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Benefits of Conducting a Pre-Trip and Post-Trip Inspection

As a driver, it’s critical to understand the benefits of conducting a pre-trip and post-trip inspection. When you check your commercial truck before and after trips, you ensure awareness around potential issues, prevent delays, and more.

Let’s expand on the importance of inspecting your vehicle before you travel and when you return from your trip.

It would be best to inspect many areas on your commercial vehicle to ensure a successful trip ahead of you. Some areas include:

• Service Brakes : By following this safety procedure, you set yourself up for a safer trip, as many braking systems can cause a potential accident if left unchecked.
• Tire Tread Depth : As a driver, you might drive between 200-500 miles per day, which is more miles than the average driver. Driving frequently can cause faster wear on the tires, so be sure to check the tread depth before each trip.
• Emergency Equipment : Being a driver is more than a career—it’s a lifestyle. This is why it’s critical to have everything you might need on the trip with you at all times. Before each trip, check your emergency equipment to ensure you have the necessary tools.
• Trailer : Inspect your trailer before you go to make sure it’s fastened correctly to avoid a potentially dangerous situation on the road.

Let’s look at a few benefits of performing a pre-trip inspection to ensure you’re ready for your next commercial trip.

Increases Awareness of Potential Issues

When you inspect your vehicle before a long trip, make sure you check every part of your truck. You might catch a potential problem that may immediately need to be fixed.

Inspecting your vehicle thoroughly provides you with the details you need to know about each area of the truck, giving you a better idea of what needs to be repaired or replaced.

Furthermore, a pre-trip inspection might help you save money on repairs because you’ll have caught it before it got worse, allowing you to get back on the road quicker.

Ensures a Safe Trip

One of the most significant benefits of performing a pre-trip inspection is ensuring a safer trip for you and your passengers.

Get into the habit of inspecting your vehicle before you go on any trip. It might be a time-consuming task, but taking the necessary time to go over your vehicle ensures you don’t hurt yourself or another driver. It’s common amongst many drivers to skip pre-trip inspections because they’re in a hurry or they don’t deem it essential. However, just because the last trip went well without a review doesn’t mean this trip is safe, too.

Fulfills the Legal Requirement

In many states, it is the law to perform the required truck inspections before and after every trip the driver makes to ensure the safety of all drivers on the road.

A US Department of Transportation (DOT) officer may pull you over at weight stations, stops, or even on the side of the road to inspect your vehicle if they notice something wrong with the truck. Some common violations include:

• Inaccurate lights
• Oil, grease, or fuel leaks
• Poorly loaded cargo

If serious violations are found, you will need to halt your trip to take your truck in for repair, and you will not be allowed to operate it again until it’s fixed and documented.

Helps Meet Delivery Deadlines

As a driver, it’s essential to understand that in this field, time is money. If you need to pull over for an emergency repair because you didn’t conduct a proper pre-trip inspection, you fail to meet the project’s schedule, which could land you in trouble.

Performing the correct pre-trip inspection ensures a successful and on-time delivery of the cargo, enabling you to stay on your employer’s schedule.

Just like clocking out of a 9-5 job and making sure your job is complete, a post-trip inspection is also required to ensure the safety of the next driver. A post-trip assessment is used for examining each component of the vehicle once a trip is complete. Some components include:

• Windshield and Wipers : This includes noting any cracks on the windshield or weather-related damage to the wipers.
• Engine Fluid Amount : Be sure to check how much engine fluid you have in your vehicle to ensure you know how much needs to be topped off.
• Emergency Equipment : Like pre-trip inspections, checking your emergency equipment to determine how many items you used will help ensure the following driver is aware of what they need to replace.
• Tires Tread Depth : Be sure to check and document the tread depth on your tires so a mechanic can rotate or replace them as needed.

Checking these areas can help you complete an adequate inspection, setting the next driver up for success. Let’s examine some of the benefits of performing a post-trip inspection.

Prevents Costly Delays

For example, a mechanic might thoroughly examine specific areas of the engine and inform you about Cat C15 engine parts to ensure you understand the details of your engine.

Conducting a post-trip inspection ensures any repairs are taken care of before the truck is needed again for the next driver. Failure to do so can cause costly delays, which might affect your next trip.

Provides an Accurate Report

A post-trip inspection is an opportunity to report anything wrong with the vehicle or any damage that occurred during the trip.

This is a crucial step, as companies must have proper documentation of each vehicle. Thus, conducting a thorough inspection will help avoid liability issues.

More Eyes on the Truck

Many companies require two drivers to complete pre- and post-trip inspections to ensure the truck is safe to go out on the next trip. This means the vehicle has more eyes on it to catch any potential issues with the truck before it undergoes another long journey.

Follows Consistent Process

Like many other businesses, the pre-and post-inspection process is required for each job and needs to be taken seriously. Sticking to the required processes helps make sure you and your fellow drivers are safe on the road.

By understanding these benefits of conducting a pre-trip and post-trip inspection, you help to protect yourself and other motorists on the road.

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Pre- and Post-Trip Inspection Dos and Don’ts

Minimizing over-the-road breakdowns and preventing out-of-service violations are two of the many benefits of pre- and post-trip inspections. Use this list of dos and don'ts to complete your inspections the right way.

Don't: Think they're optional.

They're the law. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulation 392.7 requires pre-trip inspections, while regulation 396.11 mandates post-trip inspections.

Do: Know what to check.

For a pre-trip inspection, check:

• parking brakes
• service brakes
• tires and rims
• steering system
• fluid levels
• belts and hoses
• electrical and air lines
• coupling devices
• air brake warning system
• emergency kit
• lights, reflectors and signals
• all applicable paperwork

Check the same items for post-trip inspections minus the fluid checks — don't touch anything that might be hot!

Don't: Kick-check the tires.

Thump checks don't work, because a tire sounds empty only if it's nearly 100% out of air. Use a calibrated tire gauge instead. Also, make sure all tires have the proper tread depth and that all lug nuts are tight.

Do: Double-check the brakes.

More than 1 out of every 4 vehicle out-of-service violations in the U.S. during the 2023 Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance's (CVSA's) International Roadcheck were due to brake system violations.

Don't: Do an inspection differently each time.

Instead, develop a routine, and go in the same order with each pre- and post-trip check. Consider starting at the cab, then inside the cab, the front of the vehicle, then around the truck starting at the driver's side.

Do: Take your time.

There's no rush. Budget 10-15 minutes for a proper pre-trip inspection.

Don't: Forget the interior.

A clean cab tells an inspector that the rest of the vehicle is in good shape. A dirty cab says the opposite.

Do: Check your wheels.

It's the best way to make sure your truck doesn't accidentally move when you're doing a pre- or post-trip check. Forgetting to do so could cause a serious injury — or worse.

Do: Keep accurate logs.

Whether you use electronic or paper logs, keep them updated regularly, and make sure all other paperwork (driver's license, inspection, insurance) is current.

Don't: Ignore potential problems.

If you spot something out of the ordinary during your post-trip inspection, report it to dispatch immediately.

Download and share a PDF of this Safety Bulletin with your drivers.

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Understanding the Trip and Post-Trip Phases of Business Travel

• May 1, 2023

Business trips can be a stressful experience for both the executive and their assistant. There is a lot of planning that goes into ensuring the success of any business trip. In fact, I believe there are three distinct phases of trip planning, including the pre-trip, trip, and post-trip. From pre-trip preparations to post-trip follow-up, every single phase is absolutely vital to the success of that trip and of future trips. For administrative or executive assistants who are responsible for managing work travel for their executives or managers, it’s important to understand all three phases of business travel in order to ensure everything runs smoothly and each trip is as productive as possible. In an earlier blog, we focused heavily on the pre-trip phase of work travel . In this blog, we will move onto the trip and post-trip phases, focusing in on how to finish strong and ensure every work trip is well-planned, productive, and beneficial.

The Trip Phase

Your leader is out of the office and well on their way to their trip destination. The work is all done, right? WRONG! The trip phase is arguably the most important and stressful part of a business trip. During the pre-trip phase, you planned out as far in advance as possible, including flights, accommodations, critical documents, transportation to and from airports, restaurants/activities (if applicable), and any other items that may need to be taken care of while they are away. That phase hopefully laid the foundation for a seamless and productive trip. However, things can go wrong. During the trip phase, it will be imperative to rely upon your preparation and calmness in times of chaos.

First and foremost, you’ve already established a game plan with your leader regarding how you will communicate while they’re away. International travel can present communication challenges, but the pre-trip phase allows you to research and identify the best mode for staying in touch. Now, make sure you’re available and checking whatever platform you’re using on a regular basis. Haven’t heard from your executive in a while? Reach out to them to ensure everything is okay and going smoothly. Let them know you’re ready to help if they need it. Sometimes that reach out from back home can be very comforting and reassuring to a leader who’s on the road.

Next, be sure you’re paying attention to the geographic area your leader has traveled to. That means watching the weather forecasts and even checking local news in an attempt to anticipate potential issues and stay a few steps ahead. Bad weather can cause major travel headaches, particularly big storms like hurricanes. While you may feel powerless when mother nature unleashes her power, you can at least give your leader a crucial heads-up. Sometimes just being aware of potential problems can minimize frustration. It’s not just the weather that can upend a business trip. Political unrest, major worker strikes, or natural disasters can cause business travel plans to be upset. Again, try to stay ahead of any issues by keeping tabs on the local news and alerting your leader to any potential problems.

Finally, be sure to check in with them at the end of every day. Provide a brief update about the day’s events at the office and any “need to know” information. This connection with the business while a leader is on the road can really serve to minimize their stress levels and make them feel confident that everything is being taken care of.  It allows them to focus on the meeting or event to which they’ve traveled. It also really helps to solidify your connection with them and reinforce the idea of being in a true partnership.

The Post-Trip Phase

Your leader has returned home after a successful business trip. You nailed the pre-trip and trip phases, and it’s time to sit back and celebrate, right? WRONG! Your work isn’t done quite yet. Once your leader returns from their trip, it’s time for the post-trip phase. This includes debriefing with your leader about the trip, reconciling expenses and submitting all receipts, organizing business cards collected during the trip, updating contact information in the appropriate programs, distributing materials and resources acquired during the trip, and, if needed, preparing a final report summarizing the entire trip. It’s also important to make sure all documents related to the trip have been properly filed and stored in their appropriate place. Make sure travel confirmations, receipts, boarding passes, passport stamps, etc., are all secure and not easily misplaced.

During the debrief meeting, focus on what went right and what went wrong. Ask specific questions of your leader and push for more details if needed. They’re likely exhausted, and it’s important to acknowledge that. It’s also important, however, to get as much information as you can while it’s still fresh in their mind. So, be considerate and accommodating but understand that time is of the essence.

Too, make sure you thank everybody involved in making the business trip a success. If you worked as part of a team, take time to send out an email thanking everyone for their hard work organizing the trip. Ask your executive if there’s anyone they met on the trip that they want to follow up with, schedule an appointment with, or send a thank you. Make that list and help them check off needed follow-ups. This is an important step that can help show your appreciation and keep relationships strong in the future.

Take Flight

Planning a business trip can be a deceptively tricky task. Too many assistants overlook critical elements and fail to prepare their executive leaders to embark on successful trips. If you’re ready to master every element of business travel planning, Office Dynamics can help. We developed a huge library of resources called the Success Store that focuses on helping executive assistants master all the key functions required in their role, become strategic partners with their leaders, and reach incredible levels of professional success. The Success Store includes a massive library consisting of books, certification courses, eBooks, live virtual training, and on-demand training.

We focus on topics administrative assistants are hungry for. One of our most popular eBooks is Mastering Business Travel Planning: A Vital Resource for Assistants . This insightful and innovative eBook will make you both a better travel planner and a better traveler. By developing a deep understanding of the three phases of business travel—pre-trip planning, taking care of the trip itself, and post-trip follow up—you should be better prepared for managing your leader’s trips in the future. Taking the time to think ahead and plan accordingly can make all the difference when it comes to ensuring everything runs smoothly from start to finish. This eBook will help to alleviate travel and planning pains and represents the culmination of Joan Burge’s years of experience in both planning business trips and traveling extensively herself. Her unique perspective offers assistants the chance to become keenly aware of what life on the road is like, even if you’ve never actually been on a business trip! Learn how to plan awesome business trips that any executive would envy.

But we don’t stop there. The Office Dynamics menu of services covers every single element an administrative assistant needs to continue their journey towards becoming a star. You’ll find a vast array of training options, both in-person and virtual, that will help you grow in your career. We’re proud to be the lions of the administrative training industry and feel our deep experience and expertise are vital pieces to our own success. We love helping assistants grow. Click here to learn more!

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Doctors try a controversial technique to reduce the transplant organ shortage.

Organ Harvesting Part 1

Dr. Marty Sellers, wearing a red scrub cap, and his team from Tennessee Donor Services perform a normothermic regional perfusion organ recovery at a hospital in eastern Tennessee. Jessica Tezak for NPR hide caption

It’s late on a Friday afternoon at the Nashville International Airport when Dr. Marty Sellers hops out of a van and strides towards a small private jet idling on the runway.

Sellers and his organ retrieval team from Tennessee Donor Services are flying to Chattanooga to try to recover a liver and two kidneys from an organ donor.

"We’re doing an NRP recovery," says Sellers , referring to normothermic regional perfusion , a new kind of organ retrieval procedure Sellers calls "revolutionary."

Transplant team finally succeeds in using controversial new organ recovery strategy

"It replenishes the oxygen deprivation that the organs incur during the dying process," says Sellers. "If we recover the organ and put it on ice in an oxygen-deprived state, it’s not as healthy when it gets into the recipient. And this way, it’s actually recovered in a healthier state so that when it does get to the recipient it’s more likely to work."

NRP is generating excitement as an important innovation that produces more, high-quality livers, kidneys, and hearts that could help alleviate the chronic shortage of organs . More than 100,000 people are on waiting lists for organs, most for kidneys, and 17 are estimated to die every day because the number of available organs hasn’t been able to keep pace with the demand.

About half of the nation’s 56 organ procurement organizations have already started using NRP and more are planning to start soon, according to the Association of Organ Procurement Organizations .

But NRP has sparked an intense ethical debate. The American Journal of Bioethics dedicated a recent issue to the controversy over whether the technique blurs the definition of death. "I think the procedure raises very major ethical and legal issues," says Alexander Capron , a bioethicist and lawyer at the University of Southern California. "I find it disturbing."

But Sellers and others defend the approach. "It's a very powerful strategy for reducing the organ shortage and helping to improve outcomes," says Brendan Parent , a bioethicist at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine.

The organ recovery team from Tennessee Donor Services boards a plane from Nashville to Chattanooga, where a potential donor is hospitalized. Elizabeth Gillis/NPR hide caption

Sellers and his team recently agreed to let an NPR reporter and photographers shadow them while they attempted NRP organ recoveries. This is believed to be the first time a journalist has done that in the U.S., according to the AOPO.

"Hope you know how special this is," says Jill Grandas , Tennessee Donor Services’ executive director. "Because of NRP, we're able to save more lives. It's a game changer."

After death, a pump restores circulation

There are two ways someone can be declared dead and become an organ donor. One is when someone is brain dead because they’ve suffered some kind of total, irreversible brain injury, such as from a stroke or motorcycle accident. The second is when someone is declared dead because their heartbeat and circulation have ceased permanently, such as when a family decides to withdraw life support.

That’s where NRP comes in. After a patient has been declared dead because their heart and circulation have stopped, a surgeon quickly attaches a special external pump to their heart or elsewhere in the body. That restores blood flow and sometimes the heartbeat to keep organs supplied with oxygen-rich blood.

"So when we put them on ice to be transported to the recipient center, the organs are in a healthier state and therefore when they get into the recipient they perform better immediately and long term," Sellers says.

"It not only increases the number of organs available for transplant, but it also improves outcomes for those organ recipients," says Dr. Colleen McCarthy, who heads the AOPO.

But critics say restarting circulation reverses the very condition upon which the person has just been declared dead.

"The bottom line is that NRP violates foundational ethical norms around the determination of death and should not be pursued," says Dr. Matthew DeCamp, a bioethicist at the University of Colorado who helped write a policy statement opposing NRP for the American College of Physicians , the nation's second largest doctor group.

Debate simmers over when doctors should declare brain death

The surgeon also clamps off blood flow to the brain to prevent resumption of brain activity. But that step raises questions too, including whether some blood might still be getting through to restore some neurons.

"The worry is if there were some brain blood flow that certain parts of the brain could potentially continue functioning and then the person wouldn't be dead," says Dr. James Bernat , a professor emeritus of neurology at Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine. "I don't think it would be conceivable that they would be awake. But from a point of view of 'Is the donor dead or not?' it would require zero blood flow to the brain to prove that."

Sellers and others dismiss those concerns as overstating the risks and understating the benefits of NRP.

"It’s irrefutable that we are not causing any increased deaths with NRP. And we are saving more lives with NRP," Sellers says. "And if you can argue with that, I don’t have much to say to you. I don’t want to oversimplify it, but it’s life or death. And while people are discussing the pros and cons of it, people are dying."

An urgent trip foiled by delays

When Sellers and his team arrive at the Erlanger Baroness Hospital in Chattanooga, there’s a snag. The operating rooms are full with emergency cases. Organ retrievals are a lower priority.

The organ retrieval scheduled for 7 p.m. has been delayed by at least four hours. It’s already been a very long week for Sellers. This would be his seventh NRP attempt in five days.

The team retreats to a nearby office to wait and orders a takeout dinner. Finally, several hours later, it looks like one of the operating rooms will open up. So the team heads back to the hospital to change into scrubs and camp out in a surgeons lounge, where a panel of video screens on the wall show what's happening in each operating room.

Once an OR becomes available, the team heads there to get ready for the organ retrieval procedure.

Karen "Susie" Phillips, right, suffered a head injury in a car accident that made her a candidate for organ donation. She is seen here with her sister Brenda Phillips. Family of Karen Phillips hide caption

Meanwhile, hospital staff silently line the hallway for an “honor walk.” The donor is slowly wheeled past them on the way to a room adjacent to the OR where doctors will remove her breathing tube. Her family quietly walks behind her bed.

The donor is Karen "Susie" Phillips, 66, a great-grandmother from Murphy, N.C., who suffered a head injury in a car accident a week and half ago. Her family decided to withdraw life support after doctors concluded there was no chance she would regain consciousness. They also wanted to honor her decision years ago to donate her organs in case of death.

"This means a lot to this family. They are very supportive of this patient’s wishes to be a donor," Karen Howell, a coordinator with Tennessee Donor Services, tells the team in the operating room. "We will keep you informed with what’s happening over there, should she pass within the time frame to allow her to share her life with others, which will be 90 minutes."

It’s a tense wait for the team. If the donor doesn’t stop breathing on her own within 90 minutes, her organs won’t be usable. If her breathing ceases in time, everyone will wait another five minutes just to be sure.

"The two nurses will say: 'She has passed,' " Howell says. "We’ll utilize the five minutes of observation time to roll in here. The nurses will make sure at that five-minute mark that there’s been no autoresuscitation. And then will move forward with the recovery."

Autoresuscitation is when a patient spontaneously starts breathing again on their own, which would also cancel the procedure.

Another member of the transplant team, Preston Lambert, reads what’s called an “I want you to know” message from the family.

"Susie was a very spirited, spitfire lady that always spoke her mind no matter what. A lady that loved her children, grandchildren and great grandson with all her heart. A lady that lived her life the way she wanted without caring what anyone else thought," Lambert reads. "Her granddaughter Eleanor loves her very much."

Next, Sellers briefs everyone on the plan.

"When we restore blood flow to the liver and the kidneys, the heartbeat will resume. Doesn’t mean that the heart is coming back alive. It just means that what we have done is actually working. So it doesn’t mean that you guys were wrong when you made your declaration," Sellers says. "But I don’t want anybody to be alarmed when you see the heartbeat resume."

It’s well past midnight when the team gets word that the donor’s breathing tube has been removed, starting the 90-minute clock ticking.

"The patient has officially been extubated at midnight-40," Lambert announces. He then begins regular updates detailing her vital signs.

"First set of vitals at time of extubation,” he says. “Heart rate: 115. Blood pressure: 150 over 65. [Mean arterial pressure]: 93. Respirations: 29. Saturating at 96%."

Everything seems to be going as expected.

"Blood pressure is steadily going down. It’s noticeably lower than it was when we started," Sellers tells me. "Death will be when it’s zero. Yeah. And if it’s going to get to zero the sooner the better. Because that’s less total amount of time the organs are deprived of oxygen."

The team mills around, checking equipment, chatting.

"Thirty-minute mark: Heart rate 106. Blood pressure 84 over 40. MAP: 33. Saturating at 76%," Lambert says.

But then, the donor's vitals start to plateau. The mood gets tense. Another hour goes by. The donor is still breathing on her own.

The 90-minute mark quietly passes. The organ retrieval is canceled. The patient is wheeled back into her hospital room.

"She had enough cardiac function to be able to withstand the withdrawal of the life support," Sellers explains. "So she was able to breathe some on her own and blood pressure was good enough for long enough to where we exhausted the time limit that she could be a donor."

This happens about a third of the time, Sellers says.

Two plastic bowls for donated organs sit empty after a recovery procedure had to be canceled at Erlanger Baroness Hospital in Chattanooga, Tenn. Elizabeth Gillis/NPR hide caption

"For us, it’s disappointing,” he says. “But for the donor family, and particularly the recipients who were expecting to get a life-saving organ, it’s more devastating."

Beth McDonald, the donor's daughter, said that the experience was an emotional roller coaster for the whole family.

"It was a pretty big disappointment. It was very heartbreaking," McDonald, 44, of Murphy, N.C., said afterward. "I don't want it to appear that I was disappointed that my mom didn't pass away. I just wanted her journey to be peaceful. And to be able to carry on her legacy through that wonderful gift that she wanted to give. I kind of felt like her legacy just went with her, and she didn't get to leave a piece of herself behind in such a special gift for someone else."

McDonald's mother did eventually die, but she lived another week.

"I felt like she was hanging in limbo," McDonald says.

This case illustrates the many ways it’s so hard to get enough organs for transplantation, despite everyone’s best efforts. It also shows why some doctors like Sellers are trying everything they can to improve the odds.

"We don’t do anything until the donor has been declared dead by all acceptable medical and legal standards,” Sellers says. “We certainly would not be doing anything if we thought it was unethical. NRP does not cause any additional death. And not doing NRP causes many, many unnecessary and avoidable deaths. We are saving lives. NRP can eliminate deaths on the waiting list. That would have been science fiction just a few years ago."

The transplant team tries again

Less than a week later, NPR is invited back to shadow Sellers and his team as they try again.

Sellers is walking a nurse through his checklist of surgical tools in an operating room in another hospital, this time in eastern Tennessee. The hospital did not want to be named to protect the donor’s identity.

Dr. Marty Sellers, center, waits with an organ recovery team from Tennessee Donor Services before they being a procedure at a hospital in eastern Tennessee. Jessica Tezac for NPR hide caption

"So as I’m cranking open the sternal retractor, you get ready to hand me the curved mayos," Sellers tells the nurse.

Sellers and his organ recovery team flew in from Nashville this morning to try again to retrieve a liver and two kidneys from another donor.

"As I’m cranking it open, I should tell you,” Sellers says. “But in the chaos of it, I might not be very verbal."

He soon discovers that this hospital doesn’t have the saw he needs to open the donor’s chest. So everything’s suddenly on hold. It’s nerve-wracking.

"The family’s on hold. And it’s obviously an emotional time for them,” Sellers says. “The recipients are on hold. They were expecting to take the liver recipient to the OR at a certain time today, and now it’s going to be significantly later."

Finally, about a half-hour later the right saw arrives. The donor’s bed is wheeled from intensive care to a room near the operating room. That’s where her life support will be withdrawn and the family can say goodbye.

This donor is in her early 40s. She suffered a stroke three days ago.

"The family has the desire for her to be an organ donor, and really couldn’t think of a better way to end the chapter in her life than to extend her legacy and save the lives of others," says Randall Statzer, an organ recovery coordinator with the Tennessee Donor Services. He tells the team assembled in the operating room: "So to honor her gift of life and her family’s decision to share her gift of life through donation, can we take a moment of silence please. Thank you."

Everyone then waits for Lambert to give the word that life support has been withdrawn.

"The patient has been extubated at 11:50," Lambert finally says, as he starts announcing her vital signs every few minutes.

The team waits again to see if this donor will stop breathing on her own within 90 minutes.

Preston Lambert, a member of the Tennessee Donor Services team, monitors a donor's vital signs in preparation for a normothermic regional perfusion organ recovery. Jessica Tezac for NPR hide caption

A team member steps to the side to talk about the waiting.

"It's a flood of emotions when this happens," says Deana Clapper , the associate executive director of Tennessee Donor Services. "You never want somebody to die. Yet, when situations occur that someone is not going to be able to survive, we definitely want them to be able to help somebody else."

Finally, there’s news from the team in the donor’s room.

"I have a text message. We are rolling," Lambert says.

The donor has stopped breathing. The nurses are rolling her bed down the hall toward the operating room.

The operating room doors suddenly swing open and the donor’s bed is rushed in. She’s obese so it’s harder than usual to move her to the operating table. Once she's been moved into place, the organ retrieval team gathers around the donor. That includes a surgeon from another state learning how to do NRP.

But everyone has to wait a little longer to make sure her breathing doesn’t spontaneously resume within five minutes.

"We good? We good?" Sellers asks.

"Yeah, so, declared dead at 12:58," a nurse replies.

Sellers saws open the donor’s chest and quickly takes the first key step. He clamps closed the major blood vessels from the heart to the brain.

"Head vessels clamped," he announces.

Then Sellers gets to work attaching the pump to the heart.

"Get ready to bump," he says.

That’s trickier too because of the donor’s size. So Sellers eventually ends up converting to a version of NRP that attaches the pump to an artery in the abdomen instead. Some bioethicists consider that version of NRP to be somewhat less controversial, but others still question this strategy, too.

The pump is finally on, restoring circulation to the abdominal organs. Sellers starts working to remove the liver and kidneys. But he quickly discovers bad news.

"The liver’s no good," he says. It is full of fat and looks diseased, which is a huge disappointment.

"It's disappointing when the liver’s not usable, but that’s not anything related to us," says Dr. Marty Sellers. "It’s just disappointing when you have a home for the liver, and it winds up not being transplanted." Jessica Tezac for NPR hide caption

Sellers begins working on the kidneys.

"Scissors, please. Scissors," Sellers says.

From outside in the hall, a pounding sound starts as someone breaks up ice to chill the kidneys once they’re out.

Sellers suddenly steps away from the operating table. He nicked his left index finger with a scalpel. After stopping the bleeding and changing into a new gown and gloves, Sellers gets back to it.

Once the kidneys are out, Sellers cleans them up and assesses their condition before they are placed in special boxes that monitor and preserve them.

Sellers takes stock.

"It's disappointing when the liver’s not usable, but that’s not anything related to us," Sellers says "It’s just disappointing when you have a home for the liver, and it winds up not being transplanted. But we got two kidneys out of a donor that only had two kidneys to transplant. So by that standard you’d call it success, especially considering the difficulty that we had having in having to adapt in the middle of the case. So it turned out to be as good as it could have been, I guess."

Sellers turns to a colleague and asks about his next case, even as the debate continues over the ethics of using this controversial new way to retrieve organs for transplants.

"It’s not hyperbolic to say it’s a big deal," Sellers says. "We’re saving a lot of lives that otherwise wouldn’t have a chance. And the data indicate that if NRP was used nationally to the same extent we’re able to do it here in Tennessee we could essentially eliminate liver waiting-list deaths. So anytime you can say that, that’s a big deal."

As for the recovered kidneys, more than 650 attempts were made to locate a recipient for one kidney, which wasn't accepted for reasons ranging from biopsy results to anatomical issues, Tennessee Donor Services says, but the second kidney was successfully transplanted and saved a life. 

• organ procurement organization
• organ transplants
• kidney transplants

Hungarian leader Viktor Orban visits Moscow, angering E.U. allies

With Hungary holding the European Union’s rotating presidency, the trip by Prime Minister Viktor Orban to see Vladimir Putin drew sharp disavowals in Brussels.

BRUSSELS — Fresh off his first visit to Ukraine since Russia invaded, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban arrived in Moscow on Friday to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin — a striking break with the European Union’s collective foreign policy just days after Hungary took over the bloc’s rotating presidency.

Even before Orban’s plane touched down Friday, the trip drew sharp disavowals from Brussels.

Josep Borrell, the E.U.’s top diplomat, preemptively noted that the Hungarian leader’s travel is not official E.U. business and “takes place exclusively in the framework of bilateral relations between Hungary and Russia.”

But with Hungary now holding the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union, the trip represented a diplomatic triumph for Putin, who has repeatedly accused NATO nations, particularly the United States, of prolonging the war he started. Putin has also blamed them for not forcing Ukraine to negotiate a surrender of territory that Russia has seized by force.

Greeting Orban at the Kremlin, Putin immediately stressed his guest’s leadership role in the E.U.

“‘Welcome to Moscow, to Russia,” Putin said. “I understand that you have come this time not only as our long-standing partner, but also as the president of the European Council. I hope we will have the opportunity to exchange ideas on building bilateral relations in this difficult situation and, of course, to talk about the prospects for the development of the biggest European crisis, I mean, on the Ukrainian track.”

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In a three-hour-long meeting behind closed doors, the two leaders discussed “the shortest path to peace,” Orban said after the talks, according to Russian state media. From Moscow’s perspective, that path typically means Ukraine should capitulate to Russia’s demands to annex about one-fifth of Ukraine’s sovereign territory.

Putin on Friday rehashed his demands for ceasing hostilities, including Ukraine’s surrender of that territory, something that Ukrainian officials repeatedly deemed a non-starter. The Russian leader also took up a new line of attack, claiming that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is “reluctant” to stop fighting because it would force the country to end martial law and hold presidential elections.

“For the authorities who have lost their ratings and legitimacy, the chances of winning them are close to zero,” Putin said. He offered no evidence to support his analysis of Ukrainian domestic politics. Recent polling has suggested that Ukrainians broadly support the war effort and oppose giving in to Russia’s demands — with nearly 75 percent believing that Ukraine will eventually succeed in liberating its territories.

Orban said his meeting with Putin took place “at a time when Europe really needs peace,” which “will not come by itself.”

Speaking Thursday at a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, Putin suggested resuming negotiations that took place in Istanbul in 2022 shortly after Russia’s invasion when Ukraine was in a perilously weak position.

Those talks broke down after Russian forces retreated from their attempt to capture Kyiv, leaving behind evidence of atrocities against Ukrainian soldiers and civilians in Bucha, Irpin and other suburbs of the Ukrainian capital. Putin on Thursday accused Britain and the United States of directing Ukraine to end the negotiations — a charge that U.S. and British officials deny.

The six-month rotating presidency of the Council of the E.U. typically involves convening meetings and overseeing legislative minutiae in Brussels, not shuttling between foreign capitals at war. But Orban, a right-wing leader who prides himself as a proponent of “illiberal democracy” and has long clashed with other European leaders, is clearly intent on using the role as a platform.

Orban has repeatedly broken with other E.U. and NATO leaders by calling on Ukraine to consider making concessions to Russia, and he has refused to allow donated weapons to be transferred to Ukraine through Hungary, which shares a long border with Ukraine. Orban also has repeatedly slow-rolled the E.U.’s efforts to aid Kyiv and advance Ukraine’s application to join the bloc.

A spokesperson for Orban described Friday’s trip as a “peace mission” but did not offer other details on his purpose or plans.

Earlier Friday, Orban sought to justify his travel, writing on X that you “cannot make peace from a comfortable armchair in Brussels.”

“Even if the rotating EU-Presidency has no mandate to negotiate on behalf of the E.U., we cannot sit back and wait for the war to miraculously end,” he wrote. “We will serve as an important tool in making the first steps toward peace.”

Borrell, in his statement, stressed that Orban could not speak for the E.U.’s 26 other member countries. “The E.U. position on Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine is reflected in many European Council conclusions,” he said. “That position excludes official contacts between the E.U. and President Putin. The Hungarian Prime Minister is thus not representing the E.U. in any form.”

When Orban visited Zelensky in Kyiv on Tuesday, there were no such clarifications. Instead, the E.U. flag was positioned prominently behind him along with the Hungarian and Ukrainian flags.

During the visit in Kyiv, Orban suggested that Ukraine should agree to a cease-fire with Russia as part of an effort to begin negotiations to end the fighting.

Zelensky has put forward a 10-point peace plan that does not include agreeing to a cessation of hostilities while Russian troops are still occupying Ukraine.

The cease-fire proposal that Orban pitched would leave Moscow in control of roughly one-fifth of Ukraine, potentially giving Moscow a chance to rearm and renew its efforts to seize more territory. Russia first invaded and illegally annexed Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula in 2014. Eight years later, in February 2022, Putin launched a full-scale invasion seeking to capture Kyiv.

A number of European officials and leaders have dismissed the notion that Orban can play peacemaker, particularly on behalf of the E.U.

“The European Council is clear,” Charles Michel, president of the European Council, posted Thursday. “Russia is the aggressor, Ukraine is the victim. No discussions about Ukraine can take place without Ukraine.”

Orban, after meeting with Putin, acknowledged the difficult of reaching a peace deal. “We need to work for it,” he said. “The positions are far apart.”

Ilyushina reported from Berlin. Serhii Korolchuk in Kyiv and Kate Brady in Berlin contributed to this report.