Ultimate Truck Driver Safety & Preventive Maintenance Checklist

Tags: Trailer Maintenance

Transporting heavy cargo safely depends on more than what happens while a semi-truck is in motion. Most truck driver safety tips revolve around the preparation and planning that occurs before a haul ever begins.

Before you start your truck’s engine and head out on the road, learn what items should be checked off on your pre-trip checklist.

The Importance of Preventative Maintenance

Anyone who works in the trucking industry is aware of how expensive it can be to fix problems with your truck, equipment security, flat bedding, etc.

Most likely, you have a tight schedule, and if a truck maintenance issue arises, even if the solution doesn’t take too long, it will still cause you to fall behind. This may also alter the remainder of your route. Preventive maintenance is the only way to stop this from happening.

Before leaving on a trip, get a routine going so you can always look out for the manufacturer’s recommendations if anything happens while you’re on the road.

Safety on the road is always the number one rule. Preventive maintenance has an impact on the environment and as well as your driver’s safety. So, make sure to pinpoint any issue as soon as you notice something is not right. Implementing a detailed preventative maintenance schedule and report will help keep you aware of your fleet’s health.

How Often Should You Inspect Your Vehicle?

Depending on how many miles driven recently, semi-trailer trucks may need to go through a certain level of trucking maintenance. So, what truck repair signs should you look out for? The following are the main distinctions between a basic, thorough, and full inspection:

Basic Inspection (~ Every 15,000 Miles)

Usually, this kind of examination requires the truck’s brakes and lights to be tested for functionality, and fluids refilled.

Thorough Inspection (~ Every 30,000 Miles)

A truck should get a more comprehensive check after every 30,000 miles of driving. Lube and filters will be changed during this kind of inspection. Numerous trucks will also need preventative maintenance to stop future, more serious damage.

Full Inspection (Annual Check)

A truck needs to go through a complete examination at least once a year. The engine will be examined during this check and, if necessary, fixed or replaced.

While many people are aware of how frequently their daily vehicle needs to be serviced, not everyone is knowledgeable about how frequently trucks need to be maintained. So, let’s get you on a good routine for driving safely at all times.

A Typical Maintenance Schedule

Within your trucking essentials should be a truck maintenance schedule. A monthly check, a semi-annual check, and an annual check are ideal intervals for you to assess the condition of your trailer before you tow.

To stay aware of your commercial truck maintenance needs, use this preventative maintenance schedule as your guide:

Every time you tow a well-maintained trailer not only are your driving safe but adding to its lifespan. To ensure that your trailer is always ready when you need it, keep it on a preventative maintenance schedule. These kinds of precautions will keep you from experiencing time-consuming or expensive surprises.

Preventative Maintenance Checklist

Keeping up with trucking maintenance will save you a lot of hassle and make sure you and the items you are shipping stay safe on the road. Be safe over-the-road and use the following safe driving tips in your preventive maintenance checklist:

1. Inspect Your Tires

Tires are one of the most important components of a semi-trailer and play an equally prominent role in maintaining commercial truck driving safety. Before any semi-trailer is ready for travel, a basic tire inspection is necessary. During this inspection, you will check each tire for:

• Air pressure or leaks
• Tread wear and tear

If you notice any leaks, low or uneven tread, or tire wear, it’s important to take your semi-trailer in to get a full inspection. Uneven tread can indicate axle or alignment issues that need to be repaired immediately. By attending to tire needs promptly, you can prevent blown tires which are a leading cause of vehicle-related fatal accidents in commercial driving. Avoid delays and haul safely by only driving semi-trucks with uncompromised tires and staying within DOT tire regulations.

2. Check Fluid Levels

Various fluids enable a semi-truck’s engine to run smoothly and efficiently. Should any of these fluids be at an undesirable level, problems could easily arise. Before taking any trips, you’ll want to look under the hood and check fluid levels of the:

• Oil
• Fuel
• Coolant
• Antifreeze

While checking fluid levels, pay attention to any visible fluid buildup as this is something that signals the need for repair services. It’s also important to look under the truck for any possible leaks. Once fluid levels are correct and no leaks are detected, you’ll turn on the engine and confirm that the air pressure, oil pressure, and temperature gauges are all operational. Following this simple trucking safety tip will help immensely with safe commercial driving.  

3. Ensure Brake System Functions Properly

Semi-trucks haul tremendous weight and require a fully functioning brake system to ensure they stop safely. You’ll want to follow these brake maintenance tips to mitigate any risk of brake failure or malfunctioning. Before any trip, check:

• Air pressure system for leaks
• Cab dashboard for air pressure warnings
• Alarms
• Automatic parking brakes

If any brake issues are discovered when you check the brake system and its components, the semi-truck trailer must be pulled out of commission and repaired. Brakes are vital to safe commercial truck driving and it is never worth taking a risk if any semi-trailer parts aren’t functioning properly.

4. Test Electrical System and Wiring

Electrical systems are a key component to safe truck driving and as technology advances commercial truck driving will only become more dependent on these advanced systems. Before heading out on the road, check that all the following are operational:

• Headlights
• Brake lights
• Turn signals
• Clearance lights
• Flashers
• Warning lights

It is critical that all these lights and signals illuminate, and if there are issues with any of them it’s time to replace the bulbs.

You should also check electrical component wiring and evaluate the battery. If there is any question on battery life or age, test it to confirm it holds a charge.

5. Review Routine Service Records

Safe truck driving demands that all semi-trucks receive regular maintenance at routine intervals. One of the most straight-forward truck driver safety tips is to look at the truck’s service records to confirm all service needs are up to date and the truck is ready for its next trip. Review records of:

• Oil changes
• Tire rotations
• Transmission service
• Tune-ups
• Cooling system maintenance

If you find that any of these services have not been taken care of on schedule or are due for maintenance soon, schedule a service appointment and tend to service needs before starting your route.

Other Truck Driving Safety Tips to Keep in Mind

To help you stay safe if anything doesn’t go as planned, this driver safety checklist serves as additional advice to assist with keeping you driving safe:

• Situational Awareness: Simply put: “keep your head on a swivel,” meaning be overly aware of your surroundings. Operate in a predictable way like watching your blind spot, slow down on turns, and avoid changing lanes frequently.
• Invest in a Dash Cam: No matter how careful you are behind the wheel, the unexpected can and will happen. Invest in a high-quality dash cam to avoid false allegations, inflated insurance rates, and possibly termination by your employer. Because they had video evidence proving they weren’t at fault, thousands of truck drivers every year are cleared of any negligence on their part in an accident.
• Prepare for Dangerous Road Conditions: Road conditions can be unpredictable. Traffic and bad weather are the two factors that are most likely to affect the safety of drivers on the road. Using dispatch management software can give your dispatchers access to real-time weather and traffic map overlays that show areas where the roads might be hazardous for your drivers.

Your safety on the road is essential given all the possible risks. As our truck driver friends will attest, getting home to your family safe is the top priority.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Safety Equipment Needed for a Truck Driver?

These are the top 5 safety equipment items we believe every truck driver should have:

1. Hard hat
2. Protective Eyewear
3. Flashlight
4. Emergency first aid kit
5. Road flares or reflective triangles

How Much Does It Cost to Maintain a Commercial Truck?

Based on trucking industry averages, when you take into account all the components involved (brakes, alternators, cables, air hoses, etc) the expenditures connected with truck maintenance might easily reach $15,000 per year.

How Long Does It Take to Do Preventative Maintenance on A Semi?

Before you have a bad situation on your hands, a quick check pre and post-trip shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes. However, the length of time spent for your maintenance schedule can change based on the equipment. You can gather this information and create a preventive maintenance checklist that works best for you and the requirements of your particular equipment. Some components could need to be replaced yearly, while others might need to be changed after a certain number of miles.

Visit the Experts at Hale Trailer

At Hale Trailer Brake & Wheel, Inc., you’ll find fully maintained semi-trailers available for sale or rent. We also pride ourselves on having a trustworthy team of experienced maintenance professionals capable of helping you maintain your semi-trailer. We’ll make it easy for you to follow these truck driver safety tips so you can practice safe commercial truck driving. Whether you’re looking for service, repair, or a new or used semi-truck, Hale has it. Call for inquiries at 877-350-3004!