On the Road
Scale & Inspection Playbook: What to Expect at Levels I-III
The Department of Transportation has multiple rules and regulations in place to ensure commercial trucking is as safe as possible. Weigh stations and inspections ensure that trucking companies are following the rules, and the consequences for lack of compliance can be severe. Fines range from $100 to $15,000, and you could be given an "out of service" order that prohibits you from driving your truck until it passes another inspection. Furthermore, continued failure to pass inspections can lead to a high Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) score, leading to an increase in inspections and additional delays in getting cargo to its destination. You may also see your insurance premiums rise or even lose your policy, as insurance agencies are often hesitant to cover drivers and companies with a poor safety record.
Scale and Inspection: What to Expect
Weigh stations are typically found between state borders. If you see one, you're required by law to pull in and get weighed unless the station is clearly closed. If you're not overweight, you'll be allowed to keep traveling. If the truck weighs more than it should, you will be fined, and you'll have to pull over and call another truck to offload some of your weight.
The driver is usually the one who gets the blame for an overweight truck. You could have points added to your license or even have your license suspended. If you are regularly cited for driving a truck that weighs too much, or the weight is far, far over the legal limit, you could face misdemeanor charges and/or lose your truck. To avoid this, always check the load before leaving the shipping area to ensure you can legally transport it to its destination.
Inspection Levels I, II, and III
Weight inspection isn't the only form of inspection to expect when you're on the road. There are three inspection levels you'll need to deal with at various points on your travels, and you'll need to have your paperwork in order if you want to pass inspection without delays.
Inspection level I is the most comprehensive. The inspector will check every part of your truck, including the suspension, brake system, coupling devices, and lighting devices. You'll also need to show maintenance records for your vehicle even if everything looks like it's in good working order. Furthermore, the inspector will also ask to see your commercial driver's license, duty, status record, and Medical Examiner's Certificate.
Level II is almost the same, but the inspector only walks around the vehicle instead of examining the undercarriage. Level III is a driver inspection. The inspector will ask to see your license, Medical Examiner's Certificate, and logbook.
Preparing to Pass Inspection: What do You Need?
Truckers need a medical examination every twenty-four months, and some may need more frequent exams if they have a medical condition. If you pass your exam, you'll be given a certificate showing that you're healthy enough to be driving a commercial vehicle. Keep this with you at all times,
Your log book is another essential item that should remain in the truck at all times. Fill it out every single day and make sure all information is accurate. Use the time zone for your home base if you're traveling across various time zones. Your log book not only shows that you're compliant with state and federal law, but also helps you keep track of your work hours. If you realize you're putting in too many work hours, it's time to pull over and take a rest. It may seem like it will delay your pick-up or delivery of goods, but the truth is you'll get there faster if you're well-rested and able to drive safely than if you get in an accident because you're not getting enough sleep.
Your truck's records should also be updated regularly. The records should list the truck's make, serial number, year, and tire size as well as records of all inspections, repairs, and maintenance work done on the truck. They should also list the results of tests done on emergency doors and pushout windows as well as the due date for future inspections.
Having your truck weighed and inspected doesn't have to be stressful. Inspect your loads, have your truck maintained and repaired as needed, keep track of your work and rest hours, and make sure your license and medical certificate are up-to-date. Then you should have no problems passing inspections. If, for some reason, you or your truck fail to make the grade, make needed changes and learn from the experience so you can do better next time. Remember, weigh stations and inspections aren't there to slow you down but rather protect you and others around you as you transport goods across the nation.
