From the AZ Trucking Association’s Industry Insider on 7-6-2010…

If you handle intermodal containers, you probably already know that implementing the roadability mandates on June 30 is not going nearly as smoothly as hoped.

According to Intermodal Carriers Conference Executive Director Curtis Whalen, many Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports (DVIRs) are not going through or being accepted in the filing systems set up for this purpose. The problem is complicated by the fact that terminal/gate operators are not universally informed on the processes that are being set up to receive DVIRs and remove defective chassis for repair, etc. It is important to note that the motor carrier/driver obligation under Roadability is to report (as directed by the Intermodal Equipment Provider or its terminal operator/agent) on the condition of the equipment being returned/terminated. If the IEP has not met the law’s requirement to fully deploy a working documentation system to receive the required DVIR, the IEP is in violation of the regulations, not the driver/motor carrier.

Mr. Whalen recommends that carriers take several steps to protect their rights under the regulations:

1) Register with at least one of the major IEP documentation systems - OCEMA (http://www.chassis.com)or IANA (https://dvir.intermodal.org/dvir/).

2) Advise your drivers to (attempt to) file the required DVIR under the processes/procedures made available under the IEP’s electronic system that you have chosen to use.

3) Advise drivers to continue to note on the driver’s end-of-day report the condition of the equipment and the fact that they tried to file a DVIR. The Intermodal Conference continues to work with FMCSA and the intermodal associations to resolve the reporting issues. For more, contact Curtis at cwhalen@trucking.org or 703.838.1867.