I agree with others that the yard truck must have plates & insurance & DOT requirements like USDOT numbers etc if it gets on the hwy. It needs to be to the standards & adhere to all the same regs as any other truck “that works local“. Driver is required to have a class A cdl if he is pulling a trailer across the hwy etc. Driver is also required to have a current medical card.
I think one thing the OP asked about that others didn’t comment on (if I understood the OPs question) is that, since the truck isnt being used, is filling out a DVIR on a form that is required by FMCSA, legal for a truck that isn’t being used.
I would say its legal, but I’ve never run across this before.
The last job I had, I was the only driver. We had one truck, but 7 or 8 trailers. When my supervisor asked me to check all the trailers, I used to just write it on a notebook/tablet & give her the sheet of paper with all the info… either no defects or listed defects. I didnt do it on a book of DVIR sheets or use the DVIR portion in my log book.
I’m not sure if its “specifically” legal or not but, if its in a book of DVIRs that you normally use….. or, if its on the bottom portions of your log sheets, the company could have a lot of convincing to do if a DOT audit comes up.
I could understand why he might want trucks not being used to be checked. But, Its probably a little far fetched. I mean if a driver parks a truck today (Monday) & isnt going to use it tomorrow (Tuesday), a check of the truck might catch a flat that went down Monday night, in which he can have fixed before the driver comes back on Wednesday. I can understand that but if its not being used, I wouldnt have someone do a pre or post DVIR on a federal form taht might become an issue down the road.
And maybe I am wrong. Maybe doing it on a DVIR would be the best way to show an issue & repair during an audit. I dont know.
I’m not sure if its technically a pre or post trip inspection since the truck aint being used. Its just a “daily inspection report”.
