Truck inspections are probably the most disliked part about trucking. After all, you signed up to be out hauling cargo on the road, not checking every nook and cranny on your truck.
If you just got your CDL, then don’t worry, you won’t have to check the hundreds of items you had to memorize for the test. Instead, pre-trip and post-trip inspections should take only around 10-15 minutes.
As much of a nuisance as they may seem, truck inspections are actually a positive thing. After all, the whole point of the inspection is to make sure that your trip goes as smoothly as possible.
To see why truck inspections are actually a good thing, then continue reading below.
Truck Inspections Save Money
While this applies more to owner-operators, it can still benefit company drivers. That’s because once you get your own tractor, you’re going to want to be in the habit of performing a good truck inspection.
That’s because pre- and post-trip inspections can help you catch a potentially costly problem. Not only that, but it can help you get your truck serviced in a shop rather than on the road.
That can help you avoid costly delays while you wait for your truck to get fixed.
Inspections Keep You Safe
The most critical aspect of inspections is that they keep you safe. Remember, it’s you who’s out on the road, so you want to make sure the truck you’re driving is in good shape.
The little time it takes to perform an inspection is much better than realizing you have no brakes or your tires are on thin tread. Just because nothing has gone wrong before doesn’t mean that inspections are useless.
You’ll be much happier that you caught something potentially catastrophic rather than actually going through the catastrophe.
Inspections Reduce Liability
Unfortunately, accidents happen despite preparation and precaution. However, even if you’re not at fault, you can be found liable if your pre-trip inspection wasn’t performed correctly.
In the event of an accident, you’ll have a clear conscience knowing that you performed and fixed any issues with your truck. That way, lawyers are less likely to find you liable for an accident.
Inspections Keep You Trucking
Besides pre- and post-trip inspections, there are also roadside inspections. If you aren’t doing your inspections and the DOT finds something wrong with your truck, you can get a violation.
With a violation, your truck is out of service until you can fix the issue. When that happens, you’ll be pouring out money until you can get back on the road.
Try to Change Your Attitude About Inspections
We know trucking is a stressful job with time constraints. The last thing you want to do is spend time walking around and checking things on your truck.
However, these inspections keep you safe, make sure money stays in your bank account, and make everything go smoother. When you look at it like that, then truck inspections don’t seem so bad after all.