The head of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) recently performed a Level I commercial vehicle inspection while in Puerto Rico.
According to an October 20 statement from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), FMCSA Administrator Derek Barrs took a hands-on approach to improving commercial vehicle safety during a recent appearance in Puerto Rico.
Barrs was in Puerto Rico to meet with local transportation officials to discuss Puerto Rico’s transition to the federal Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) program.
“FMCSA Chief Derek Barrs is getting under a truck and getting his hands dirty…” USDOT said.
USDOT said Barrs administered “a tough Level I commercial vehicle inspection as part of our work making TRUCKING GREAT AGAIN.”
“This 37-step exam is the TOUGHEST safety standard in the business, and is CRITICAL in keeping bad actors off our roads,” USDOT said.
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) Level I – North American Standard Inspection performed by Barrs includes the following steps:
“Examination of driver’s license; Medical Examiner’s Certificate and Skill Performance Evaluation (SPE) Certificate (if applicable); alcohol and drugs; driver’s record of duty status, as required; hours of service; seat belt; vehicle inspection report(s) (if applicable); brake systems; cargo securement; coupling devices; driveline/driveshaft; exhaust systems; frames; fuel systems; lighting devices (headlamps, tail lamps, stop lamps, turn signals and lamps/flags on projecting loads); steering mechanisms; suspensions; tires; van and open-top trailer bodies; wheels, rims and hubs; windshield wipers; buses, motorcoaches, passenger vans or other passenger-carrying vehicles – emergency exits, electrical cables and systems in engine and battery compartments, seating, HM/DG and specification cargo tank requirements, as applicable. HM/DG required inspection items will only be inspected by certified HM/DG and cargo tank inspectors, as applicable.“
Prior to his work as FMCSA Administrator, Barrs worked in the private sector and in law enforcement, serving as Deputy Sheriff in Madison County, Florida, and as a Florida State Trooper before retiring as Chief of the Florida Highway Patrol.
