Summary
In short
- A trailer inspection is an inspection used in KnowFleet that checks trailer coupling, brakes, lights, tyres, doors and structure. It is built against FMCSA 396.11 and forms part of the Fleet and Driver Compliance programme.
- Run before use and to the periodic schedule. Carried out by the driver or technician.
- The template holds 52 fields across 5 sections.
- Scoring is pass or fail with knockout items, where high is good.
- FMCSA 396 is vehicle inspection, repair and maintenance. Systematic inspection, driver vehicle inspection reports and record retention.
- It connects to the rest of the library: links Asset.
What it is
What it is
What is a trailer inspection?
A trailer inspection is an inspection used in KnowFleet that checks trailer coupling, brakes, lights, tyres, doors and structure. It is built against FMCSA 396.11 and forms part of the Fleet and Driver Compliance programme.
When is a trailer inspection completed?
A trailer inspection is completed on the inspection frequency set in your programme, and again after any change to the asset or area. Run before use and to the periodic schedule.
When to use it
When to use it, and when not to
This inspection is one step in a larger programme. Using it for work that belongs to a neighbouring template produces records that are hard to report on later.
Use it for
- The event or activity this inspection covers has occurred, or is about to
- A new record is needed; each one gets its own ID in the form INSP-2026-000
- You are running the Fleet and Driver Compliance programme and this is one of its steps
- A linked record needs this one to exist: links asset
Not for
- Driver Vehicle Inspection Report, which the pre-trip and post-trip inspection a driver completes on a commercial vehicle.
- Annual Vehicle Inspection, which the yearly statutory inspection of a commercial vehicle.
- Reefer Unit Check, which checks refrigeration unit operation, fuel, temperature setpoint and alarm history.
- Anything outside KnowFleet, which belongs in the workspace that owns that process
Standards
What it is built against
FMCSA 396Vehicle inspection, repair and maintenance
Systematic inspection, driver vehicle inspection reports and record retention.
FMCSAFederal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
The United States commercial road transport regulator.
CSACanadian Standards Association
Canadian consensus standards. Frequently referenced into provincial regulation, which makes them enforceable.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is the trailer inspection template based on?+
It is built against FMCSA 396.11. FMCSA 396 is vehicle inspection, repair and maintenance. Systematic inspection, driver vehicle inspection reports and record retention. FMCSA is federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. The United States commercial road transport regulator.
What sections does the trailer inspection contain?+
There are 5 sections: header, structure and running gear, body and load area, load restraint, result. Together they hold 52 fields, 42 of which are required.
How often is a trailer inspection raised?+
A new record is raised on the inspection frequency set in your programme, and again after any change to the asset or area. Each one is given an ID in the form INSP-2026-000, so it can be traced and referenced from other records.
Which programme does the trailer inspection belong to?+
It is part of Fleet and Driver Compliance. An operator licence position you could defend at an audit tomorrow.
How is a trailer inspection scored?+
Scoring is pass or fail with knockout items. High is good. Scores exist to make the form tell you something, not to produce a percentage for its own sake.
Can the trailer inspection template be changed?+
Yes. Every field, option, score and conditional rule is editable, and the links to other templates come with it. Most teams install it as it is, run it for a cycle, then adjust.
The agents
What the agents do with it
The form is the easy part. Keeping it current, routing it to the right owner and holding the evidence together is the work that actually slips.
Holds the trailer inspection library against your registers, routes each record to its owner, and keeps the evidence trail together.
Coordinates the crew, rolls completion and exceptions into one view, and holds every write for your approval before it touches a record.
This template lives in KnowFleet — fleet and transport. Drivers, vehicles, hours, cargo securement and operator licence compliance.
Sources
Sources
- FMCSA 396 — Vehicle inspection, repair and maintenance
- FMCSA — Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
- CSA — Canadian Standards Association