Effectively Documenting a Violation on a Roadside Inspection Report

Occasionally I receive Driver Vehicle Compliance Reports that contain little or no description of violations discovered (i.e., “Log not Current”, “Audible Air Leak”, “Other driver violation”). This makes it extremely difficult to ensure repairs are made and, if necessary, submit a dataq challenge for questionable violations. One significant violation in particular is an audible air leak. There are times when it is difficult to pinpoint a small air leak however, inspectors should be careful not to confuse the discharge from an air suspension equalizer valve with a system breach. A few of our drivers have been told, “I don’t have to find it as long as I can hear it there is a leak.” I am requesting guidance in the instance where an alleged audible air leak is discovered that cannot be located by the inspector and has no effect on the air loss test that no violation be documented on the inspection report.

The compressed air system on a commercial vehicle equipped with air brakes is one of the most critical components on the combination. Consequently the relation to crash risk is high and CSA points assessed for these violations are significant. Because of this it is paramount that inspectors properly inspect, pinpoint and document leaks that would indicate a failure of the system integrity.

I would like to see proper documentation of suspected air leaks so that repair technicians are able to concentrate their efforts on the violations discovered and to eliminate the erroneous “audible air leaks” from affecting motor carriers CSA scores.