Pre-Trip Inspection

What is behind a pre-trip inspection with list?

A pre-trip inspection is a state-mandated inspection of a vehicle that must be carried out daily at 24-hour intervals to ensure that the vehicle is roadworthy. The daily inspection, which is carried out by a driver using a pre-trip inspection form, is intended to detect vehicle problems proactively. This avoids unplanned disruptions to fleet operations and reduces the risk of traffic accidents.

If a pre-trip inspection with the corresponding checklist is not carried out before departure, this not only represents a danger for the driver and the public. Non-compliance can also result in fines, falsification of driver data, revocation of driver's license and damage to the driver's reputation.

This article covers the following topics:

1. The elements of a pre-trip inspection checklist for a truck

2. Reasons why pre-trip insepctions using a checklist are not carried out properly

3. A digital tool for the creation of a pre-trip inspection checklist

The elements of a pre-trip inspection checklist

In the Berufsgenossenschaft principle "Inspection of vehicles by driving personnel" (BGG) number 915, it is precisely listed which aspects must be inspected during a pre-trip check in al ist. The most important elements with their individual components, which must not be missing from any checklist, are the following:

1. Light and lighting system (including headlights, turn signals/warning lights, fog lights etc.)


2. Tyres, rims & suspension (including rims, tyre condition, valve caps etc.)


3. Driver's cab (including interior and exterior mirrors, windscreen wiper system, horn and indicator light etc.)


4. Frames (including handles, brackets, surfaces, entry/exit aids, official signs/ license plates etc.)


5. Brake system (including control devices (ABV/ABS), antifreeze, brake fluid etc.)


6. Engine (including V-belt, engine oil level, fuel reserves)


7. Driver Assistance Systems (including functional and operational capability, control devices and displays)


8. Steering system (including steering play, hydraulic or power steering (or its oil level); operator control)


9. Trailer (including coupling, coupling safety device, protective flaps, trailer connection)


10. Other accessories (including brake wedges/wheel chocks, warning triangle, vest and light, first-aid kit etc.)

Reasons why the checklist is neglected during a pre-trip check

Before driving, inspections are essential to ensure the safety of the vehicles on the road. Nevertheless, there are drivers who do not carry out the daily departure check with the checklist properly. Mostly it is due to the following reasons:

1. Departure controls are time consuming

There are truck drivers who rush through the inspections, if at all. To carry out a thorough approach check on a truck using a form takes 30-50 minutes. This is because the feeling prevails that time on the road is better spent.

2. Departure controls are impractical

Filling out a full pre-trip inspection form means that all major parts and equipment must be thoroughly inspected and all problems documented with supporting details before corrective action reports are submitted. All these steps in the documentation of the pre-trip inspectionl feel like additional tasks.

3. Departure controls are associated with a lot of paperwork

Before the journey, paper checklists and other documents must be completed and submitted daily. The time and effort required for documentation represent an additional burden for truck drivers. Added to this are the costs for the constant maintenance of paper documentation, which increases over time, especially for larger fleets.

Digital tool for the creation of a pre-trip inspection checklist

Fleet managers must ensure that all vehicles in operation are safe to avoid accidents on the road and minimise operational disruptions. Carrying out regular departure checks is one way of ensuring that all trucks are roadworthy.

Lumiform's mobile app makes it easy to perform any quality and safety inspection using a tablet or smartphone - online or offline. The desktop software is used to create checklists for the pre-trip inspection, and the collected data is later evaluated. This significantly reduces the risk of quality losses, industrial accidents, documentation errors and damage to reputation.

The digital solution from Lumiform makes it easier to comply with the ever-increasing legal requirements for process documentation by using a mobile app to document via smartphone or tablet and to be guided by the system through all documentation processes. Clean, transparent documentation helps to avoid high fines. The digital solution offers fleet managers and truck drivers many more advantages:

• The flexible form construction kit helps you to convert any individual paper list into digital checklists within minutes.
  
  
• Fast and secure digital take off with over 9,000 ready-made templates.


• Generate real-time data via internal processes. This makes quality and safety measurable and, based on data, continuously optimises processes.


• Get an overview of everything that's happening on the ground.


• Reports are created automatically - this saves the complete postprocessing.


• Increase the efficiency of internal processes: Through more efficient communication within the team and with management, as well as faster reporting of incidents, they are solved up to 4 times faster than before.


• The very simple operation offers no room for error on site. The app offers less complexity in documenting or filling out checklists than complicated paper or Excel lists.