Trip Inspections: Enroute, Inspection Stations and Post-Trip +5Alberta · CDL · English

Rest and check stops provide a break to reduce fatigue and a chance to check the vehicle after time on the road. Choose a stop completely off the road, with entry/exit that avoids backing, not at the bottom of a hill or on an uphill slope, and with an adequate acceleration lane.

• ✓Ensure the vehicle is completely off the road at a check stop
• ✓Do not stop at the bottom of a hill or on an uphill slope
• ✓Check that all lights work, there are no air leaks, and wheels/tires are secure and not hot
• ✓Verify the load is secure and dangerous goods placards are clean and secure

All commercial vehicles or combinations weighing over 4,500 kg must report to inspection stations when the highway lights are flashing. Loaded vehicles cross the scale lane slowly; empty vehicles use the adjacent lane. Follow the light board: STOP, BACK UP, or PARK instructions.

• ✓All commercial vehicles/combinations over 4,500 kg must report when station lights flash
• ✓Loaded vehicles drive slowly across the scale lane; empty in the adjacent lane
• ✓Follow light board instructions: STOP, BACK UP or PARK
• ✓If PARK is activated, bring all vehicle and driver documents to the scale building

A post-trip inspection at the end of a shift allows service or repairs before the next trip, and the report should note any problems found during the trip. School buses require special end-of-trip inspection inside and out due to heavy wear and passenger safety.

• ✓Post-trip inspection helps obtain service/repairs before the next trip
• ✓For school buses, inspect for lost articles and sleeping children remaining on the bus
• ✓Check emergency equipment condition and clean the floors
• ✓Report minor damage, fluid leaks, and check tires for damage and air leaks

Keep people and vehicles out of the dumping radius, verify hoppers are empty, recognize tip-over hazards, and never enter a raised box. Lower the box and latch the tailgate after unloading.

• ✓Other vehicles and people must not be within the dumping radius of the raised box
• ✓Soft, uneven or poorly compacted surfaces can cause a tip-over; a load concentrated at the rear with a closed tailgate can tip the vehicle backwards
• ✓Do not get into the raised box if the load is stuck; lower the box first
• ✓Once unloading is complete, lower the box and ensure the tailgate is latched

Follow company loading policy and use three-point contact when exiting the vehicle. A loaded vehicle must not move until the load is evenly distributed, secured, and within legal dimensions and weights.

• ✓Use three-point contact (two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand) when leaving the vehicle; never jump
• ✓Do not move a loaded vehicle until material is evenly distributed and the load is secured so it will not blow or fall off
• ✓Secure tailgate, tailboards, doors, tarpaulins, spare tire and remove loose materials from the box and coupling devices
• ✓Ensure total dimensions and axle weights are within legal limits and tarp the load if required by municipal law

Back slowly and to the driver's side for better visibility, use a guide when possible, check backing alarms and overhead wires, and only raise the box on level ground.

• ✓Back the vehicle to the driver's (left) side for better visibility and use mirrors continually
• ✓Backing alarms must be automatic without a shutoff switch as specified in the Occupational Health and Safety Code 2009
• ✓Check for overhead wires and obstructions before dumping
• ✓Do not raise the box to dump unless the vehicle is on level ground

Concrete mixers are top heavy and unstable when loaded. Special care is needed on turns, corners and ramps due to the rotating drum and characteristics of concrete.

• ✓Concrete mixers are top heavy and unstable when loaded
• ✓Take special care carrying low slump concrete on turns, corners and ramps
• ✓The vehicle driver is responsible for the truck at all times

A siren may only be used when responding to an emergency, emergency call or alarm. With the siren operating, an emergency vehicle may exceed limits, proceed past stop signals/signs, and contravene certain provisions when reasonable and safe.

• ✓A siren shall only be operated when responding to an emergency, emergency call or alarm
• ✓With the siren operating, an emergency vehicle may exceed the speed limit and proceed past a stop signal or sign without stopping when reasonable and safe
• ✓An emergency vehicle with its siren operating has the right of way over all other vehicles
• ✓Use of red flashing lights alone does not exempt the driver from the Traffic Safety Act; failure to meet requirements can lead to civil and criminal penalties

Always use headlights with overhead lights, and use sirens plus lights during ambulance emergencies. Do not assume other drivers see you; the responsibility for safe driving rests on the emergency driver.

• ✓Always use headlights along with emergency overhead lights
• ✓Sirens are required by law when an ambulance operates during an emergency; red flashing lights alone are not sufficient
• ✓Do not assume other drivers have seen you or will move; slow or stop at intersections and make eye contact
• ✓On a four-lane highway with lights and siren, stay in the left lane if possible

Safety is the taxi driver's first concern. Drivers must provide safe transport to all customers but may refuse in specific circumstances.

• ✓A driver may refuse to transport customers if the vehicle already carries the maximum number of passengers
• ✓A driver may refuse a passenger who is offensive or dangerous to the driver or others
• ✓Provide reliable service by getting passengers to their destination safely by the most direct route

Taxi permit requirements vary by municipality. Taxi drivers are exempt from wearing a seat belt while carrying a passenger for hire. Reserved lanes are designated for specific vehicle types.

• ✓Check with your municipality for taxi or limousine permit requirements
• ✓A taxicab driver is exempt from wearing a seat belt while carrying a passenger for compensation or hire
• ✓Reserved lane signs show which vehicles may use the lane (bus, taxi, bicycle) and the hours/days if part-time
• ✓A white diamond on a black background indicates reserved lane vehicles travel in the same direction as traffic

A Class 4 licence is required to operate a vehicle for hire. A vehicle is not for hire in certain incidental transportation situations with limited compensation forms.

• ✓A Class 4 licence is required for a driver operating a vehicle for hire as defined in the Operator Licensing and Vehicle Control Regulation
• ✓A vehicle is not for hire for incidental transport when compensation is only per-kilometre at the tax-exempt allowance rate, straight reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses, or transporting family/household members

Drivers must discover each person's preferred communication method, communicate directly with the person before the attendant, and adapt to visual and hearing impairments. Never assume a person's needs without asking.

• ✓Communicate directly with the person with the disability before addressing an attendant
• ✓Offer assistance but wait until the offer is accepted before helping
• ✓When assisting a visually impaired person, identify yourself and let them take hold of your arm
• ✓When assisting a hearing-impaired passenger, gesture or lightly touch their arm to get attention

Ensure all passengers are properly secured, drive smoothly avoiding sudden movements, and maintain comfortable temperature and noise levels.

• ✓Make sure both seated and wheelchair passengers are properly secured in the vehicle
• ✓Drive smoothly, avoid sudden stops, starts and swerves, and ease around corners
• ✓Maintain comfortable temperature, air circulation and noise levels for clients

Ensure passenger feet do not slip from foot rests, push at a normal walking speed while watching ahead and to the sides, judge distances by the foot pedals, and apply brakes when stopped.

• ✓Ensure the passenger's feet do not slip from the wheelchair foot rests
• ✓Push at a normal walking speed and watch at least three metres ahead and along the sides
• ✓Judge distances by the front of the foot pedals rather than the front of the seat
• ✓Apply the wheelchair brakes when the wheelchair is stopped