US does away with most vehicle inspection reports

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WASHINGTON – Washington is eliminating the need to file the majority of inspection reports.

Under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) No-Defect Driver-Vehicle Inspection Report rule, as of December 18, when a driver completes a pre- or post-trip inspection and finds no defects or safety problems, no paperwork will be required. According to US government figures, 95% of inspections typically fall under this category.

“We are committed to improving efficiency so that drivers can stay focused on their safety and the safety of everyone they share the road with,” said FMCSA acting administrator Scott Darling.

The FMCSA estimates that professional drivers spend approximately 46.7 million hours each year doing inspection paperwork. US transportation secretary Anthony Foxx offered some perspective about how much time report filing was costing truckers.

“Until now, truck driver vehicle inspection reports were the 19th highest paperwork burden across all federal agencies. By scrapping the no-defect inspection reports, the burden is reduced to 79th, marking the most significant paperwork reduction achievement thus far in the Obama Administration,” he said.

“We delivered big on President Obama’s call to cut red tape and waste,” he said

“America’s truckers should be able to focus more on getting their goods safely to store shelves, constructions sites or wherever they need to be instead of spending countless hours on unnecessary paperwork that costs the industry nearly US$2 billion each year. This is a far better way to do business.”

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Truck News is Canada's leading trucking newspaper - news and information for trucking companies, owner/operators, truck drivers and logistics professionals working in the Canadian trucking industry.


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  • Personally I’m inclined to think that this gives drivers an easy way out of doing a proper pre-trip. At least when you have to sign your name to it you are more inclined to do some sort of inspection.
    Also I assume that as Canadian drivers this doesn’t change much as you still have to present a pre-trip not over 24 hrs. old at all times here. I think when articles like this are presented by Truck News (or any Canadian publication) you should point out that this only applies in America. (just a suggestion. I really do like Truck News and all you do)