Explore the sections in this guide
The short answer
Section 392.7(b) requires a driver preparing to transport intermodal equipment to inspect specified components and be satisfied they are in good working order before road operation.
The list covers visible service-brake components and connections; lights and markings; wheels, rims, lugs and tires; air connections; the upper coupling; rails and support frames; bolsters; locking hardware; and slider locks. Read the full rule for the exact scope.
A practical example
A gate receipt identifies the chassis but does not establish that its condition was checked. Give the driver time and a clear route to report concerns before dispatch.
Next steps
- Match the equipment identifier to the handoff.
- Complete the applicable inspection before road operation.
- Route concerns to the responsible provider and follow through.
Read about reporting defects when equipment is returned.
Separate inspection, reporting, and movement decisions
| Record or decision | What it addresses | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Driver check | The applicable equipment components | Complete before road operation. |
| Concern report | The unit and observed condition | Reach the designated responsible party. |
| Dispatch update | The movement status and delay | Avoid treating silence as clearance. |
| Disposition | The responsible person’s determination | Keep it connected to the reported concern. |
Terminal pressure does not answer an equipment question
A late appointment, queue at the gate, or customer waiting for a container can create pressure to leave. The office should know whom the driver calls and how a concern changes the movement plan. A driver who reports “the chassis is bad” leaves several unanswered questions: which chassis, what was observed, who received the report, and what happens next. Training should practice those specific communications.
Example: the driver changes chassis after reporting a defect
The original report belongs to the first chassis. If the driver receives a replacement, the replacement needs its own applicable check. Dispatch and the records should show which unit ultimately moved. Closing the load assignment does not establish that the original concern was resolved or that the replacement was checked.
Reviewing the operation’s instructions
Compare the written instruction with what a driver actually does at a terminal. Are the reporting contacts current? Can the driver identify the provider or agent? Does dispatch know when movement is delayed? Use real equipment identifiers in authorized company records and fictional ones in public training examples.
A chassis handoff needs more than a signed interchange receipt
Before operating, the driver must satisfy the applicable equipment-condition duties, including §392.7. Check the unit identifier and inspect the components relevant to the chassis and combination. An interchange receipt establishes a handoff event. It does not by itself establish that the driver checked the equipment or that an existing defect is safe to take over the road.
Explain the concern before requesting another chassis
Give the provider the equipment number, location and a specific defect description. A clear photograph can help identify the component, but it should not replace an adequate description or the required reporting process. Follow the terminal’s safe handling procedures and the provider’s disposition. Record what equipment the driver ultimately takes and the action on the rejected unit. Never make the repair decision solely from a desk review of a picture.
Official source
A focused federal summary. Check applicability, exceptions, and current requirements for your operation.
