WHAT ARE THE QUALIFICATIONS A MECHANIC MUST HAVE TO PERFORM WORK ON A COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLE?

For the most part, the FMCSRs do not specify any particular qualifications a mechanic must have to perform maintenance and repairs. All that matters is that the employer considers the mechanic competent. With that said, the regulations do specify two types of work that require certain qualifications. These include: performing annual inspections and performing brake work.

Individuals performing annual inspections must meet the following requirements: (1) understand the inspection criteria as written in the FMSCRs; (2) be able to identify defective components; (3) be knowledgeable of and have mastered the methods, procedures, tools, and equipment used when performing an inspection; and (4) be capable of performing the assigned inspection by reason of experience, training, or both as follows: have a state or Canadian certificate qualifying the individual to perform CMV safety inspections or have at least 1 year of training and/or experience, which can include participation in a commercial training program or experience as a CMV mechanic or inspector. Additionally, the motor carrier employer must have evidence that the inspector was qualified and must keep that evidence for the entire time the individual is performing inspections plus one additional year.

Individuals performing brake inspections must meet the following requirements: (1) understand the brake service or inspection task to be accomplished and perform that task; (2) be knowledgeable of and mastered the methods, procedures, tools, and equipment used when performing an assigned brake service or inspection task; (3) be capable of performing the assigned brake service or inspection by reason of experience, training, or both as follows: have a state or Canadian certificate qualifying the individual to perform CMV brake inspections or have at least 1 year of training and/or experience, which can include participation in a commercial training program or experience as a CMV mechanic or inspector. Similar to an annual inspection, the motor carrier employer must keep documentation on file showing that their brake inspectors are qualified and it must be kept until 1 year after the person is no longer employed as a brake inspector.

If you have a question about an accident or injury involving a semi-truck and how these regulations may be important as applied to the accident call Roth Davies, LLC Trial Lawyers for a free consultation.