Post Trips? Running Teams

While team driving is a logged post trip required for the driver going from driving to off duty? It kind of doesn't make sense since the driver coming on duty will be doing a pre trip. I'm running e-logs if that makes any difference.

Honestly, I'm not 100% sure but I don't believe so. Usually the DOT likes to see a 15 minute "on duty not driving" at the start of the day flagged as "pre-trip inspection" and that usually settles it. And you're right, it wouldn't make sense for one person to log a post trip and one to log a pre-trip on the same truck at shift change. Not that it's a bad idea for each driver to do the inspection, but I wouldn't have both drivers log it that way if ya know what I mean.

Actually, I don't think a logged post trip is ever required unless it's company policy to do so.

I would make sure at least one pre-trip inspection is logged by one team member or the other every 24 hours. I would also check with your company to see if they have a policy on this. Just because something isn't required by law doesn't mean it can't be required by a company.

Most companies require at least 15 minutes at the front of the drive shift and a simple flag for post trip. Mostly its company policy because drivers are the first line of defense when it comes to making sure the trucks are in shape to be driven safely. The more checks they get drivers to do the more likely they will catch something before it goes wrong.

Besides after driving 10 to 11 hours you or your co driver is tired and do you really want to depend on their tired eyes catching something that would might be better seen with fresh eyes? When I ran teams with my brother we did our Post trip and pre trips together at the front and end of each shift that way not only did we follow company policy but also if one were to miss something then the other person might catch it before it becomes a problem.

Most companies require at least 15 minutes at the front of the drive shift and a simple flag for post trip. Mostly its company policy because drivers are the first line of defense when it comes to making sure the trucks are in shape to be driven safely. The more checks they get drivers to do the more likely they will catch something before it goes wrong.

Besides after driving 10 to 11 hours you or your co driver is tired and do you really want to depend on their tired eyes catching something that would might be better seen with fresh eyes? When I ran teams with my brother we did our Post trip and pre trips together at the front and end of each shift that way not only did we follow company policy but also if one were to miss something then the other person might catch it before it becomes a problem.

Yeah my company doesn't have a policy on this. I just want to make sure it's not illegal to not have a logged post trip. Only policy company has is a VCR when we return to the yard.

Most companies require at least 15 minutes at the front of the drive shift and a simple flag for post trip. Mostly its company policy because drivers are the first line of defense when it comes to making sure the trucks are in shape to be driven safely. The more checks they get drivers to do the more likely they will catch something before it goes wrong.

Besides after driving 10 to 11 hours you or your co driver is tired and do you really want to depend on their tired eyes catching something that would might be better seen with fresh eyes? When I ran teams with my brother we did our Post trip and pre trips together at the front and end of each shift that way not only did we follow company policy but also if one were to miss something then the other person might catch it before it becomes a problem.

Yeah my company doesn't have a policy on this. I just want to make sure it's not illegal to not have a logged post trip. Only policy company has is a VCR when we return to the yard.

Now alot depends on the states. Some states have you mandatory that you log at least a pre trip OR a post trip at least once a day. Most do not. In the copy and paste I did below from the FMCSA's website you can see it clearly states BEFORE that this inspection must be done. While some rules like this one does NOT clearly state weather its before the drive shift or before you start the trip only but I can guarantee you that if you are going through an inspection the DOT officer will say you need to do one BEFORE each driving shift for that day.....

Inspection, repair, and maintenance § 396.13Driver inspection. Before driving a motor vehicle, the driver shall: (a) Be satisfied that the motor vehicle is in safe operating condition; (b) Review the last driver vehicle inspection report; and (c) Sign the report, only if defects or deficiencies were noted by the driver who prepared the report, to acknowledge that the driver has reviewed it and that there is a certification that the required repairs have been performed. The signature requirement does not apply to listed defects on a towed unit which is no longer part of the vehicle combination. [44 FR 76526, Dec. 27, 1979, as amended at 48 FR 55868, Dec. 16, 1983; 63 FR 33280, June 18, 1998]

Now it can be argued that what your company wants you are supposed to do BUT if you get a log book violation for not doing a pre trip before each drive shift then YOU wil be the one paying the fine and have points on your CSA report. Best to do a 15 minute inspection before each drive shift and call it all good. Remember no matter what the officer writing you the ticket on the side of the road or in a weight station is the boss and until it goes to court what he says is law. No since in arguing about it cause it will do ya no good.