Suggested Three-person Procedure - Level 1

Inspection preparation - Gather preliminary information from the motorcoach for the inspection report, including the license plate number and state, company name as shown on the coach, company number, appropriate ICC, DOT, PUC/PSC identifiers, etc. and the time that the inspection began.

Greet and prepare the driver and passengers - Determine whether the driver and vehicle are subject to the regulations. If passengers are present, address them, explaining the purpose of the inspection and how it will be conducted. Distribute any printed material explaining the inspection process. Observe the driver's overall condition for illness, fatigue, or signs of impairment. Check for seat belt usage and condition. Check for illegal presence of alcohol, drugs, radar detector, weapons or other contraband.

Collect driver's documents - Collect the following documents: Driver's license, medical examiner's certificate and waiver if applicable, record of duty status, driver's daily vehicle inspection report, documentation of periodic inspection and trip information such as tour itinerary, trip envelope and charter order.

Interview the driver - Engage the driver in conversation about his trip. For example: where he started, where he's headed, how long he's been traveling, his last stop, if he's transporting any hazardous materials, if he's been inspected on this trip and any problems he's had along the way.

Identify the carrier - Proper identification of the carrier performing the transportation is essential and requires careful examination of the documents and questioning the driver. The name of the carrier displayed on the motorcoach may be different than the operating carrier. Most of the time, the driver is an employee of the operating carrier, so check his/her record of duty status and inquire about who he is driving for. If the coach is in scheduled service and there is a discrepancy in company names, you might also ask the driver about a possible interline agreement.

Examine commercial driver's license - Check the expiration date, birth date, proper class and/or endorsements and status, through usual channels. Check for multiple licenses.

Check medical examiner's certificate and waiver - All drivers for-hire motor carriers of passengers must possess a medical examiner's certificate. Effective 1-1-1995, all drivers for business private motor carriers of passengers must also have a medical certificate. Check dates to ensure documents are current and signed by a medical examiner. Certificate and waiver are valid for 24 months, unless otherwise specified. Check requirements for corrective lenses and/or hearing aids, and, if needed, that driver is wearing them. Check for an extra set of lenses if driver is wearing contacts and a spare power source if driver is wearing a hearing aid.

Check record of duty status - If driver claims to be a 100 air mile radius driver, check that he/she meets all criteria for this exemption. Check for violations of the 10 hour rule (13 hours in Canada). Is driver in violation at the time of inspection? Check for violations of the 15 hour rule. Is driver in violation at the time of inspection? Part-time drivers must account for "on-duty" time as any compensated work for non-motor carrier and motor carrier entities. Check for violation of the 60/70 hour rule and, in Canada only, the 120 hour rule. Is the driver in violation at the time of inspection? Examine fuel receipts and compare dates, times and locations with those in the log book. Examine any other documents that can be compared with log book. Check Distance traveled against driving time. Average miles per hour must be realistic. Check sample mileage between locations identified on the log. Determine if the log book is accurate.

Review vehicle inspection reports - Drivers daily vehicle inspection report. Check for vehicle/company identification, any vehicle defects and signatures. Periodic Inspection Report. Determine that the vehicle passed inspection within the last 12 months and possesses the required documentation.

Check Passenger Area
Windows - Each push-out window must be marked as an emergency exit and must be capable of being operated as such. These exits are especially applicable to school type buses, conversion buses and "homemade buses".
Emergency Doors - If so equipped, check that each door has a decal or lettering indicating that it is an emergency exit, and check that it can be operated as an emergency exit.
Emergency Exit Access - Check that there are no obstructions blocking aisles or access to emergency exits.

Check driver's compartment
Driver's Seat Belt - Driver's seat must be equipped with a seat belt to be used during vehicle operation.
Low Air Pressure Warning Device - The ignition or master switch must be in the "on" position for this test. Deplete the air supply by pumping the foot valve until the low air pressure warning device activates. Observe the gauges on the dash. The low air pressure warning must activate at a minimum of 1/2 the compressor governor cutout pressure.
Steering Wheel Lash and Column - Turn the steering wheel in one direction until the tires just begin to move. (Vehicles with power steering require the engine running to turn the wheel). Place a mark on the steering wheel, hold the marker at that point, and turn the wheel in the other direction until the tires again start to move. Measure the distance between the two points. The amount of allowable lash varies with the diameter of the steering wheel. Check steering column for secure attachment.

Inspect front of motorcoach
Head Lamps, Turn Signals, Emergency Flashers - check for proper color and operation.
Windshield Wipers - Check for adequate number and operation. Check for cracks or other damage.
Suspension and Brakes - Have driver turn wheels while you examine suspension components and brake housings.

Inspect rear of motorcoach
Exhaust System - Check location of exhaust. Gas powered motorcoaches must discharge at or within 6 inches of the rear of the motorcoach. Diesel powered motorcoaches must discharge either at or within 15 inches of the rear of the motorcoach or to the rear of all doors and window designed to be opened, except emergency window exits.
Tail, Stop and Turn Lamps and Emergency Flashers - Check for proper color and operation.

Inspect left side of motorcoach
Wheels and Rims - Check for cracks, unseated locking rings, broken or missing lugs, studs or clamps, bent rims, "bleeding" rust stains, loose or damaged lug nuts and elongated stud holes.
Tires - Check condition of tires. Motorcoaches cannot be operated with regrooved, recapped or retreaded tires on the steering axle. Check for improper inflation, serious cuts, bulges, tread wear and, if questionable, measure major tread groove depth.
Fuel Caps - Check for presence and tightness.

Inspect right side of motorcoach
Wheels and Rims - Inspect as described above.
Tires - Inspect as described above.

Place inspection ramps - As soon as the Front and Rear Inspectors have completed their walk around inspection, team members should position the inspection ramps and direct the motorcoach up onto them.

Inspect the undercarriage
Steering System - Check for loose, worn, bent, damaged or missing parts. Instruct the driver to rock the steering wheel and check key components: front axle beam, gear box, pitman arm, drag link and tie rod ends.
Front Suspension - Check for mis-aligned, shifted, or cracked springs or shackles, missing bolts, spring hangers insecure at frame, cracked or loose U-bolts, insecure axle positioning parts (radius, torque rods, bars, etc.) or signs of axle misalignment. Check for deflated or leading air bags.
Front Brakes - Check for missing, nonfunctioning, loose, contaminated, or cracked parts on the brake system: brake drums, shoes, rotors, pads, linings, brake chambers, chamber mounting, push rods and slack adjusters. Check for "S" cam flip-over. Be alert for audible air leaks around brake components and lines. With the brakes released, mark the brake chamber push rods at the point where the push rods exit the brake chambers. While the brakes are applied, measure the distance of push rod travel at each chamber. Write down each rod measurement, and compare them to the North American Uniform Out-of-Service Criteria for the appropriate size and type of brake chamber.
Frame - Check for cracks or fatigue caused by corrosion.
Rear Suspension - Inspect as described under Front Suspension above.
Rear Brakes - Inspect as described under Front Brakes above.
Frame - Inspect as described under Frame above.
Tag Axle - Inspect for insecure mounting, loose or missing bolts, missing locking pins and axle misalignment when in use.
Fuel Tank - Check for insecure mounting, leaks or other damage. Make sure the fuel lines and the tank cap are secure and not leaking. Check the ground below for signs of leaking fuel. If air leaks are heard at any point in the inspections, you should now check the vehicle's loss rate. Have the driver run the engine at idle. Observe the air reservoir pressure gauge on the dash. Have the driver pump the pressure down to 80 psi. (Compressors do not activate until system pressure drops below a certain level.) At about 80 lbs. Most compressors should be operating. With the engine idling and the air pressure between 80 and 90 psi, instruct the driver to make a full brake application. Check the air pressure gauge. Air pressure should be maintained or increased. A drop in pressure indicates a serious air leak in the brake system and the vehicle should be placed out-of-service.

Check for the presence of hazardous materials - Check any shipping papers, passenger area and baggage compartment for packages bearing hazardous materials. Motorcoaches transporting hazardous material are subject to the same regulations as a truck, plus additional restrictions below. Unless one of the team members is certified in hazardous materials inspection, do not attempt to enforce these rules.

Complete the inspection - Complete inspection forms and other paper work as required. Record the time that the inspection ended. Check the out-of-service criteria to determine if the driver or vehicle is out of service and note on inspection. If the driver is out-of-service, determine when he/she may driver again. Explain any violations found to the driver. Return documents to the driver. Instruct the driver on the disposition of the inspection report and in the correction of any defects. Direct the driver to drive carefully off the ramps and stop at the designated place.

Take appropriate enforcement action - Refer to the applicable standards contained within the North American Uniform Out-of-Service Criteria when placing a motorcoach or driver out of service. Inform the driver / carrier of the reasons for the out-of-service action. Provide a prepared list of known mobile repair facilities and/or replacement motorcoach carriers located in the area if driver/operator is unable to make/obtain the necessary repairs. If the motorcoach has passengers on board, inform them of the following: That the motorcoach is being placed out-of-service, the reason for the action, facilities available during the waiting period, safety instructions while out of the motorcoach, arrangements for passenger transportation (responsibility of bus carrier or driver). Monitor each motorcoach placed out-of-service to ensure that arrangements have been made by the bus carrier or driver for prompt repairs or replacement motorcoach. Re-inspect repaired motorcoaches before allowing them to load passengers and continue their trip.

Apply CVSA decal - If the vehicle passed the inspection, apply a CVSA decal on the glass portion (window) of the passenger door as close to the inspector's eye level as possible.