What does a California 45 Day Inspection Look For
Following an unfortunate accident with a gambling tour bus that caused the loss of 22 senior citizens in 1986, California lawmakers took action. In 1987, regulations were enacted to require tour buses to undergo inspections every 45 days. So, what’s involved in a 45 day inspection?
In addition to routine maintenance, tour buses must be inspected every 45 days by a qualified inspector. The inspection will include, but not be limited to, the following:
- Brake adjustment
- Brake system components and leaks
- Steering and suspension systems
- Tires and wheels
Any defects noted during the 45 day inspection must be corrected before the tour bus is allowed back out on the highway. Records of these inspections are to be maintained at the place where the tour bus is regularly garaged or the operator’s maintenance facility for at least one year. Upon request, these records must be made available for inspection by any authorized employee of the Department of Motor Vehicles. These records must contain, but not be limited to:
- The vehicle’s make, model, license number, and other forms of identification
- The date and nature of every inspection or repair performed
- The company’s vehicle number
- The signature of the operator’s authorized representative affirming that the inspection and necessary repairs have been completed.
If the records are kept electronically, that will suffice, as long as they have all the required information. Any tour bus that’s been non-operational for 45 days or longer is exempt from the requirement of the 45 day inspection. In addition to these inspections, drivers are required to keep a daily inspection report, detailed post-trip, at the end of each driving day. This report must identify the vehicle and list any problems with it, either discovered by or reported to the driver. It’s important to keep a record of these things, because they could impact the safe operation of the vehicle or cause a mechanical breakdown. The motor carrier must maintain these daily reports for at least three months, along with certifying that necessary repairs have been completed for any listed defect or deficiency. Necessary repairs must be completed before the driver operates the vehicle again.
Of course, to ensure that your bus passes every inspection every time, it’s important to find someone knowledgeable and experienced to properly maintain your vehicle and perform any necessary repairs. If you need help with maintenance and repair of your tour buses, trust Davey Coach Sales, Incorporated. Established in 1992, we’re one of the leading dealers of new and used mid-sized buses and shuttles in North America. In addition to new bus sales and used bus sales, we provide comprehensive bus service and repairs in our state of the art, 12,000 square foot service facility. In our inventory, we have a huge selection of makes and models of vehicles, and we specialize in bus conversions to help you make your vision into reality. For more information call 800-873-1856 or contact us through our website.
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