During a mandatory post-trip vehicle inspection, a commercial driver records the following… — Commercial Driver's License (CDL) General Knowledge Exam

During a mandatory post-trip vehicle inspection, a commercial driver records the following specific observations on the Driver Vehicle Inspection Report (DVIR):

1. The $20$ -inch diameter steering wheel has exactly $1.5$ inches of free play.
2. The front steer tires measure $3/32$ inch of tread depth, while the drive tires measure $2/32$ inch.
3. There are no spare electrical fuses in the cab, although the vehicle's electrical system is equipped entirely with circuit breakers.

Based on Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) regarding vehicle defects and DVIR procedures, which of the following statements correctly identifies the required repair and certification actions before the vehicle can be dispatched to the next driver?

Only the front steer tires must be repaired and certified on the DVIR, as they fall below the $4/32$ -inch minimum. The steering play is within safe limits, and spare fuses are unnecessary with circuit breakers. The next driver must sign the report acknowledging the repair certification.Answer
B
Both the front steer tires and the steering play must be repaired and certified, because $1.5$ inches of play exceeds the safety tolerance. The next driver must then sign the DVIR acknowledging these repairs.
C
The front steer tires, the drive tires, and the missing spare electrical fuses are all safety defects that must be repaired and certified by the carrier before the next driver reviews and signs the DVIR.
D
None of the noted items require mandatory repair certification before dispatch. The front steer tires meet the standard $2/32$ -inch minimum requirement, and the steering play is within the acceptable tolerance limit.

Answer

Only the front steer tires must be repaired and certified on the DVIR, as they fall below the

4/32

-inch minimum. The steering play is within safe limits, and spare fuses are unnecessary with circuit breakers. The next driver must sign the report acknowledging the repair certification.

The correct answer accurately synthesizes multiple CDL inspection regulations. Steer tires must have a

4/32

-inch minimum tread depth, making

3/32

inch an out-of-service defect that requires immediate repair. However,

1.5

inches of steering play on a

20

-inch wheel is well under the

2

-inch limit, and spare fuses are not legally required for vehicles utilizing circuit breakers. Procedurally, the DVIR process demands that the motor carrier certify the tire repair, and the next driver must sign the report to acknowledge this certification prior to dispatch.

Step-by-Step Solution

Evaluate the steering wheel play observation.

The

1.5

inches of play on a

20

-inch wheel is not a safety defect.

Federal regulations allow up to

10^\circ

of free play, which equates to

2

inches on a standard

20

-inch steering wheel.

Evaluate the tire tread depth measurements.

The front steer tires (

3/32

) are defective, but the drive tires (

2/32

) are legally compliant.

Steer tires require a minimum of

4/32

-inch tread depth in every major groove, while all other tires require only

2/32

-inch.

Evaluate the emergency equipment observation.

The absence of spare electrical fuses is not a defect in this specific vehicle.

Vehicles whose electrical systems are equipped entirely with circuit breakers are legally exempt from the requirement to carry spare fuses.

Determine the required DVIR procedure for the identified defect.

The motor carrier must certify the tire repair on the DVIR, and the next dispatching driver must sign it.

Safety regulations mandate that any defects affecting safety of operation must be repaired and certified by the carrier, and the next driver must review and sign the DVIR acknowledging that certification.

Key Concept

Post-Trip Inspection Defect Identification and DVIR Certification Procedures

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