Have you ever been stopped at a highway checkpoint and had your vehicle and driver documents inspected? Or heard from your corporate driver training expert about ways to maintain your vehicle and avoid these checks? If yes, you must have a good idea of what these roadside inspections are and why they’re so important. Roadside inspections are conducted by authorized officers to ensure drivers follow transport regulations and comply with road safety and vehicle maintenance standards. As commercial drivers, you may find it a bit frustrating and time-consuming, but roadside inspections are essential to maintain safety on Australian roads. This post will discuss the different parameters checked during roadside inspections and what you can expect in such inspections as a corporate driver.
Types of Roadside Inspections
A roadside inspection is carried out to check whether drivers and businesses comply with transport regulations and meet the safety standards set by the government. Here are the main types of roadside inspections that you should know and follow as corporate drivers:
Vehicle Inspections:
Vehicle inspections are mainly done to check if all the mechanical and safety components of the vehicle function properly and meet the required safety standards. These checks may include inspecting the car’s engine or electrical systems, heating and cooling, lights, brakes, steering system, wheel alignment, etc. To ensure your vehicle passes this check, follow all the vehicle maintenance regulations properly. Check if all your vehicle features function properly and do regular checks on tyres, brakes, etc. to ensure they meet the standards.
Driver Inspections:
Driver inspections include verification of the driver’s documents like driving license, logbook, insurance documents, etc. It also involves checking for driver fatigue which is done by inspecting the driver logbook for the number of driving hours and rest breaks. Drivers should make sure to follow the regulations for working hours and take the advised number of rest stops to avoid legal consequences.
Load Inspections:
Corporate drivers often transport cargo and travel highways and high-traffic zones. Load inspection checks whether these drivers follow the transport regulations related to load weight and security when driving. Drivers should the cargo they carry is properly secured and does not exceed the recommended weight limits. Also, drivers should drive calmly and steadily to ensure the load is not harmed and does not create issues for other drivers on the road.
Corporate driver training can teach drivers how to do regular vehicle checks and drive safely while carrying heavy loads. It can also teach drivers proper defensive and safe driving techniques through low-risk driving courses and other programs.
What to Expect During an Inspection
If you’re a new driver, you may not know what goes down in a roadside vehicle inspection. While a corporate driver training service can teach you how to comply with laws and maintain security, they won’t teach you about following the right procedure during roadside inspections. Here’s what you can expect from a roadside vehicle check:
Initial Contact:
The first thing that can happen after you’re flagged down on the highway for inspection is the first contact. The vehicle inspector will come over to introduce themselves and ask to see your documents. Drivers should always keep their documents ready and easily accessible so that they can be handed over quickly. Driver’s readiness to give the documents puts forth a good first impression.
Visual Inspection:
After asking for your documents, the inspector will do a quick visual check to spot any issues with the vehicle. If there are any obvious visible issues with the vehicle like missing or broken lights, low tyre pressure, etc., you will be given a notice and warning to resolve the issue immediately. Drivers should do regular vehicle maintenance checks to avoid failing such visual checks.
Detailed Checks:
After the quick visual check comes the detailed inspection. At this point, the inspector will start a detailed examination of your vehicle and cargo. They will check the weight of your cargo to ensure it does not exceed the limits. They will also check driver logs and check the vehicle interior like car seat, seatbelt, steering, etc.
Documentation Review:
Other than driver logs and load checks, inspectors also check the driver’s documents for legal compliance. Driver should have all the necessary documents like driver’s license, logbook, insurance documents, etc. Drivers should ensure all the documents are easily accessible and meet the regulations.
Inspection Results:
Once all the checks are done, you will get a detailed report of the inspection. If you’ve violated any laws or failed any compliance checks, you will be notified of the consequences. If there are any serious violations, inspectors can also take immediate action against the offenders.
Conclusion
Roadside inspections are often sudden and thorough. Drivers may find them unnecessary or irritating, especially when you have to wait a long time. However, these roadside inspections play a big role in ensuring the safety and security of the road and all its users. These checks make sure that all commercial vehicles meet the safety standards and legal compliance which helps improve driver as well as road safety. Whether you’re a novice in commercial driving or a seasoned corporate driver, knowing these inspections is a must. You can learn more about vehicle maintenance by joining a good corporate driver training program that covers all the necessary topics related to safety and legal compliance in commercial driving. Businesses should also focus on offering professional training to their employees from reputed experts like Corporate Driver Training Australia to make sure they know all about driving commercially. Emphasizing safety and legal compliance for drivers can bring monetary, ethical, as well as performance benefits to both business and corporate drivers.
