When Vehicle Problems Aren't Found Before the Truck Leaves.
A vehicle can leave the yard with a problem because the problem wasn't found, the inspection wasn't performed properly, the problem was found but ignored, or nobody followed up.
What begins as a manageable maintenance issue can become something much more expensive once the vehicle is on the road.
The Cost Isn't Just the Repair.
When a vehicle problem isn't identified before the truck leaves, the cost can extend far beyond the repair itself.
Emergency Repair
A problem that could have been addressed at the yard may require an unplanned repair on the road.
Roadside Service
A disabled vehicle can require roadside assistance, towing, or other emergency services.
Vehicle Downtime
Every day a truck is unavailable can affect productivity, schedules, and revenue.
DOT Consequences
A vehicle problem discovered during a roadside inspection can result in an out-of-service violation.
The cost isn't just the repair.
It's everything that happens because the vehicle isn't where it needs to be, doing what it needs to do.
When the Truck Stops, Your Business Doesn't.
A truck that cannot operate can affect the driver, dispatch, maintenance, customers, and the loads that truck was scheduled to carry.
FMCSA has used an estimated economic impact of $800 per vehicle per day in its analysis of vehicle downtime.
These are potential downtime costs based on an estimated $800 per vehicle per day. Actual costs vary by vehicle, operation, repair, and circumstances.
When the Problem Is Found on the Road, It's Already More Expensive.
A roadside inspection happens after the vehicle is already operating on the road. If a serious safety problem is found, the vehicle can be placed out of service until the problem is corrected.
of vehicle roadside inspections in FMCSA's 2024 national data resulted in a vehicle out-of-service violation.
Nearly one out of every four vehicle inspections.The goal isn't to wait for a roadside inspection to discover a problem. The goal is to give your fleet an opportunity to find it first.
When Inspections Aren't Done, Problems Don't Disappear.
FMCSA enforcement cases demonstrate what can happen when inspection, maintenance, and documentation processes break down.
No Annual Inspection Records
FMCSA shut down JDJD Transportation after finding that the carrier had no annual inspection records and did not require drivers to conduct pre-trip or post-trip inspections.
During the preceding nine months, the carrier had nine roadside inspections, with serious safety violations found on seven of them.
When Inspection Records Cannot Be Produced
During an FMCSA investigation, investigators requested inspection, maintenance, and repair records for the company's motor coaches.
For several vehicles, the company could not produce the requested records. Investigators subsequently found numerous serious safety defects and out-of-service violations.
Don't Wait for the Roadside Inspection to Find the Problem.
A roadside inspection happens after the truck is already on the road. Your fleet needs an opportunity to identify and document problems before the vehicle leaves the yard.
Vehicle Inspections Are More Than a Good Business Practice.
Federal regulations require motor carriers to systematically inspect, repair, and maintain vehicles under their control.
Inspection, Repair, and Maintenance
Every motor carrier shall systematically inspect, repair, and maintain, or cause to be systematically inspected, repaired, and maintained, all motor vehicles subject to its control.
What this means for a fleet: You need a systematic process for inspecting the vehicles your company operates—and you need to address problems that are found.
Give Your Fleet an Opportunity to Find the Problem First.
Open Path helps move vehicle inspections upstream—before the truck is on the road.
Drivers have a straightforward process for completing inspections and documenting problems. Management has visibility into what was inspected and what was found.
Inspect
Give drivers a consistent process for identifying vehicle problems.
Document
Create a record of the inspection, including photos, comments, and location information.
Review
Know what inspections were completed and have visibility into what was reported.
Act
Give management an opportunity to address problems before they become roadside problems.