FMCSA - Inspection, Repair, and Maintenance

[Audio] Inspection, Repair, and Maintenance. A hexagon shaped logo with a letter p Description automatically generated.

[Audio] REGULATIONS sections 396.1- 396.13 Part 396 Inspection, Repair, and Maintenance 396.1 Scope. 396.3 Inspection, repair, and maintenance. 396.5 Lubrication. 396.7 Unsafe operations forbidden. 396.9 Inspection of motor vehicles and intermodal equipment in operation. 396.11 Driver vehicle inspection report(s). 396.13 Driver inspection. Omnitracs walk-through.

[Audio] 396.1 Scope. (a) Every motor carrier, its officers, drivers, agents, representatives, and employees directly concerned with the inspection or maintenance of commercial motor vehicles must be knowledgeable of and comply with the rules of this part..

[Audio] 396.3 Inspection, repair, and maintenance General. Every motor carrier and intermodal equipment provider must systematically inspect, repair, and maintain, all motor vehicles and intermodal equipment subject to its control. Parts and accessories shall be in safe and proper operating condition at all times. These include those specified in part 393 of this subchapter and any additional parts and accessories which may affect safety of operation, including but not limited to, frame and frame assemblies, suspension systems, axles and attaching parts, wheels and rims, and steering systems..

[Audio] 396.5 Lubrication. Every motor carrier shall ensure that each motor vehicle subject to its control is— Properly lubricated; and (b) Free of oil and grease leaks. 396.7 Unsafe operations forbidden. (a) General. A motor vehicle shall not be operated in such a condition as to likely cause an accident or a breakdown of the vehicle. (b) Exemption. Any motor vehicle discovered to be in an unsafe condition while being operated on the highway may be continued in operation only to the nearest place where repairs can safely be effected. Such operation shall be conducted only if it is less hazardous to the public than to permit the vehicle to remain on the highway 396.9 Inspection of motor vehicles in operation. (a) Personnel authorized to perform inspections. Every special agent of the FMCSA (as defined in appendix B to this subchapter) is authorized to enter upon and perform inspections of a motor carrier's vehicles in operation and intermodal equipment in operation. (b) Prescribed inspection report. The Driver Vehicle Examination Report shall be used to record results of motor vehicle inspections conducted by authorized FMCSA personnel..

[Audio] 396.9 CONTINUED c) Motor vehicles declared "out-of-service." Authorized personnel shall declare and mark "out-of-service" any motor vehicle which by reason of its mechanical condition or loading would likely cause an accident or a breakdown. DO NOT operate any motor vehicle declared and marked "out-of-service" until all repairs required by the "out-of-service notice" have been satisfactorily completed. (3) No person shall remove the "Out-of-Service Vehicle" sticker from any motor vehicle prior to completion of all repairs required by the "out-of-service notice." (1) The driver of any motor vehicle, who receives an inspection report shall deliver a copy to both the motor carrier operating the vehicle upon his/her arrival at the next terminal or facility. If the driver is not scheduled to arrive at a terminal or facility of the motor carrier operating the vehicle within 24 hours, the driver shall immediately mail, fax, or otherwise transmit the report to the motor carrier. (3) Within 15 days following the date of the Roadside inspection, the motor carrier provider shall— (i) Certify that all violations noted have been corrected by completing the "Signature of Carrier Official, Title, and Date Signed" portions of the form; and (ii) Return the completed roadside inspection form to the issuing agency at the address indicated on the form and retain a copy at the motor carrier's principal place of business..

[Audio] 396.11 Driver vehicle inspection report(s). (a) Equipment provided by motor carrier. Report required. Every motor carrier shall require its drivers to report, and every driver shall prepare a report in writing at the beginning of each shift or by completion of each day's work . The report shall cover at least the following parts and accessories: Service brakes including trailer brake connections; Parking brake; Steering mechanism; Lighting devices and reflectors; Tires; Horn; Windshield wipers; Rear vision mirrors; Coupling devices; Wheels and rims; Emergency equipment. (2) Report content. The report must identify the vehicle and list any defect or deficiency discovered by or reported to the driver which would affect the safety of operation of the vehicle or result in its mechanical breakdown. If a driver operates more than one vehicle during the day, a report must be prepared for each vehicle operated..

[Audio] 396.13 Driver inspection. Before driving a motor vehicle, the driver shall: (a) Confirm the motor vehicle is in safe operating condition; (b) Review the last driver vehicle inspection report if required by § 396.11(a)(2)(i); and (c) Sign the report to acknowledge that the driver has reviewed it and that there is a certification that the required repairs have been performed. The signature requirement does not apply to listed defects on a towed unit which is no longer part of the vehicle combination..