Qualifications for Brake Inspectors (396.25)
Motor carriers must ensure that all inspections, maintenance, repairs, and service to brakes of CMVs comply with regulations, and that employees responsible for brake inspection and maintenance meet minimum brake inspector qualifications.
Motor carriers must confirm that brake inspectors:
- Understand and are able to perform brake services and inspections;
- Know the methods, procedures, tools, and equipment needed; and
- Are qualified to perform brake services or inspections through firsthand training and/or experience.
Qualifying brake training or experience includes successful completion of the following:
- A State, Canadian Province, Federal agency, or union training program;
- A State-approved training program;
- Training that led to a State or Canadian Province qualifying certificate to perform assigned brake services or inspections, including passage of CDL air brake test; or
- One year of brake-related training, experience, or combination of both.
Recordkeeping Requirements
Motor carriers must maintain evidence of brake inspector qualification at the principal place of business or the location where the inspector works for as long as the brake inspector is employed, and for one year thereafter. However, motor carriers do not have to maintain evidence of qualifications to inspect air brake systems for such inspections performed by persons who have passed the air brake knowledge and skills test for a CDL.