Building & Implementing a Fleet Vehicle Inspection Checklist

Posted on by GoCanvas Team

Building & Implementing a Fleet Vehicle Inspection Checklist

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Fleet managers are responsible for the safety and compliance of their vehicles, ensuring that they are correctly maintained and minimizing downtime. A fleet vehicle inspection checklist can help with all of these things.

The Purpose of Mobile Fleet Vehicle Inspection Checklists

A fleet vehicle inspection checklist is an essential tool for fleet managers, allowing them to ensure that all vehicles in their fleet are safe, compliant, and well-maintained. The purpose of a mobile fleet vehicle inspection checklist extends beyond safety and compliance reasons – regular inspections can also identify mechanical issues early on, helping minimize downtime and increase efficiency across the fleet.

Mobile fleet management inspections allow fleet managers to track vehicle usage, monitor wear, and tear, and identify any concerns that need to be addressed. In addition, they provide a comprehensive view of the entire fleet’s health and performance.

Essential Features of a Fleet Vehicle Inspection Checklist

When creating a fleet vehicle inspection checklist, it’s important to consider the essential features that should be included. These include:

  • Fleet Operations: Are fleet operations safe and legal driving practices?
  • Driver Safety: Are all safety features up-to-date, adequately maintained, and functioning correctly?
  • Fleet Maintenance Services: Is the vehicle being maintained in line with the manufacturer’s guidelines Does it require any immediate repairs or maintenance?
  • Fuel Management: Is the vehicle adequately fueled, and are fuel costs managed efficiently?
  • Fleet Tracking: Are fleet vehicles being tracked in real-time?
  • GPS Tracking: Is GPS tracking available for fleet vehicles?
  • Repair Services: Are repair services available for fleet vehicles?

Strategies to Streamline Fleet Vehicle Inspection Checklists

Once you’ve created your fleet vehicle inspection checklist, there are several strategies you can use to ensure that it is implemented throughout the fleet.

  • Ensure all drivers understand the importance of collecting real-time data by completing an inspection before and after each job.
  • Train drivers on correctly completing the inspection form for their work orders so that all defects are appropriately noted.
  • Provide drivers with mobile devices to easily access and accurately complete the form.
  • Set up automatic inspection reminders to ensure that they are completed regularly.
  • Review the forms after each inspection to ensure all defects have been noted and all necessary repairs have been taken care of.

Get Started with GoCanvas Fleet Vehicle Inspection Checklists

GoCanvas has a variety of mobile fleet vehicle inspection forms available for mobile apps, making it easy to create a customized checklist for your fleet. With our intuitive drag-and-drop form builder, you can easily add and remove fields, set up digital signatures, automate data collection, and more. To get started with GoCanvas mobile fleet vehicle inspection forms, contact us today to learn more.

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About GoCanvas

GoCanvas® is on a mission to simplify inspections and maximize compliance. Our intuitive platform takes care of the administrative tasks, freeing our customers to focus on what truly matters – safeguarding their people, protecting their equipment, and delivering exceptional quality to their customers. 

Since 2008, thousands of companies have chosen GoCanvas as their go-to partner for seamless field operations.

Check out even more resources

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A Guide to Transforming Fleet Inspections with Digital Solutions

Posted on by GoCanvas Team

A Guide to Transforming Fleet Inspections with Digital Solutions

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Government-mandated vehicle inspections lack uniformity. The European Union (EU) has standards that apply to all countries, but every country can institute their own. Canadian inspection requirements are determined by province, and the United States has state and federal regulations. How does a fleet manager keep up?

Here are a few steps to make the task manageable.

1. Optimize Inspection and Maintenance Reports with Fleet Management Software

Fleet inspections should be part of every maintenance program regardless of government regulations. Scheduling vehicle maintenance that complies with mandated inspections ensures:

  • Vehicle safety
  • Reduced maintenance costs
  • Extended vehicle life
  • Compliance

Incorporating software solutions into your inspection requirements, into a larger maintenance program eliminates duplicate efforts and frees technicians to address more immediate repairs.

Preventive Maintenance

Scheduled preventive maintenance checks reduce the chance of unexpected repairs or equipment breakdowns. They help protect a company’s assets and extend the life of a vehicle. Some insurance carriers require inspection and maintenance documentation before approving coverage.

Automate Inspection Requirements

Adding mandated inspection requirements to planned fleet maintenance checks reduces the risk of an out-of-compliance citation. If multiple jurisdictions are involved, the inspection efforts become more complex, increasing the risk of a requirement being overlooked.

2. Use Digital Checklists to Streamline Fleet Productivity

Lists identify the items to be checked during an inspection or what functions to test as part of scheduled maintenance. Checklists ensure consistency. They can also create more work, especially if they are paper-based.

Eliminate Paper Forms

How costly are paper-based checklists? A box of paper containing ten reams has 5,000 pages.  The average paper usage per worker in the United States is 10,000 pages or two boxes of paper a year. While two boxes of paper may only average around $100, it’s the time lost in printing, copying, and distributing the paper-based checklists that impact the bottom line.

Someone has to update paper-based checklists. Without a version control system, it’s easy to use an out-of-compliance checklist, resulting in an out-of-compliance vehicle. The situation generates a snowball effect where costs grow because of fines, unscheduled repairs, and technician overtime.

Digitize Inspection Checklists

Digitizing inspection checklists eliminates problems with version control. When forms are updated, they replace existing lists automatically. When employees access a checklist, the current version displays on their phone, tablet, or computer. The checklist is completed electronically and uploaded for back-end processing. Alternatively, completed digital forms could be forwarded to a manager or supervisor for review and approval before being uploaded. With e-signing capabilities, paperwork isn’t delayed, lost, or misplaced. The process from inspection to reporting becomes seamless.

3. Centralize Data with Fleet Inspection Reports

Digitized data is easily transmitted to a central location where critical information on fleet inspections can be secured. The centralized data becomes a single source of truth for what is transpiring across a commercial fleet. Providing access to the same data throughout the enterprise can result in:

  • Faster routine maintenance
  • Responsive field support
  • Smoother workflows

Centralizing data means sharing data that establishes an informed workforce, empowered to make data-driven decisions.

Faster Routine-Efficient Maintenance Schedules

Maintenance schedules with digital checklists should outline what checks to perform on a daily, monthly, or yearly basis. When a van is scheduled for a six-month maintenance check, the technician can access the corresponding checklist. 

Mechanics can note areas on the digital form that may require additional checks. They can schedule repairs using an electronic form. Employees spend less time tracking down what needs to be done and more time doing it.

Digital Maintenance Processes

Systematic routine maintenance processes go a long way to extend a vehicle’s life. It minimizes wear and tear and can catch weaknesses that can be repaired before they become a problem. Even with the best maintenance programs, equipment can fail. With digital forms, the truck driver can submit a repair request and attach GPS coordinates for the maintenance crew. Drivers could even include photos of the damage so technicians can see what happened. 

Smoother Business Workflows

Digital forms with well-designed workflows can keep a preventative maintenance program on track. Drivers can be notified of upcoming maintenance checks. Maintenance departments can communicate schedules to minimize operational disruptions. With a digital format, the information can be shared across the fleet. Data can be uploaded and made available to other solutions for tracking inventory or developing data-based insights.

4. Ensure Fleet Management Compliance with Mobile Devices

Part of compliance is reporting. Digitizing information makes it easy to produce reports showing compliance with inspection standards. Electronic driving records ensure compliance without the hassles of managing reams of paper. Creating mobile applications that track driving hours can minimize the time a driver must spend documenting activities to remain in compliance.

Using digital resources, fleet managers can ensure compliance through checklists and consistent reporting.

  • With digital data, checklists can be uploaded and databases updated for faster reporting. Managers do not have to track down drivers or technicians to prepare compliance reports.
  • Digital forms ensure that the same data is collected every time. Data consistency means more reliable reporting and fewer follow-up requests.

With digitized data, compliance takes less time with fewer errors, resulting in more time for more customer-facing tasks.

5. Deliver Fleet Operation Insights in Real-Time

Data collected through digital forms can provide insights into fleet operations. Historical data can identify vehicle-specific trends, reducing the likelihood of an in-field breakdown. Minimizing unplanned servicing can save between $488 and $760 a day in vehicle downtime.

Mobile forms allow drivers and technicians to submit data in real time. If approvals are required, digital form solutions like GoCanvas can capture signatures electronically for faster processing.  With these capabilities, fleet managers can make and approve adjustments in schedules or delivery times.

6. Partner with GoCanvas for a Digital Transformation

Using a solution such as GoCanvas allows fleet managers to build forms from a no-code platform. Through drag-and-drop capabilities and templates, individuals with little to no coding experience can create forms. Organizations can work on their digital transformations without adding to the workload of the IT department.

Flexibility of a Digital Fleet

Given the flexibility of a GoCanvas platform, fleet departments can generate jurisdiction-specific checklists. Whether it is adding or subtracting items on a list, digital forms can be created in hours and modified in minutes. Fleet managers no longer need to wait months, if not years, for developers to deliver an electronic form that can only be updated by IT. 

Reliable Fleet Tracking Automation

When checklists become outdated, the out-of-compliance risk increases. Companies must depend on employees to remember what has changed until the form can be updated. Relying on human memory to recall undocumented changes in compliance regulations will ultimately lead to fines and other penalties.

Transformational Digital Solutions

With the right process and partner, fleet managers can ensure compliance, improve operations, and reduce employee friction. Talk to the experts at GoCanvas to learn how to transform your fleet inspection process.

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About GoCanvas

GoCanvas® is on a mission to simplify inspections and maximize compliance. Our intuitive platform takes care of the administrative tasks, freeing our customers to focus on what truly matters – safeguarding their people, protecting their equipment, and delivering exceptional quality to their customers. 

Since 2008, thousands of companies have chosen GoCanvas as their go-to partner for seamless field operations.

Check out even more resources

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The 6 Most Effective Methods of Data Collection For Fleet Management Businesses

Posted on by GoCanvas Team

The 6 Most Effective Methods of Data Collection For Fleet Management Businesses

Data collection is essential for fleet management. It allows you to track progress and make necessary changes to optimize efficiency. There are many ways to collect data, but some methods are more effective than others.

6 Data Collection Processes for Fleet Management Businesses

Collecting data can be time-consuming, selecting the most suitable method is crucial based on the needs and goals of your fleet management business. There are many types of data collection methods to gather information from. The most common are:

1. Online Surveys

One of the most effective data collection methods is online survey questions. You can use surveys to collect data on various topics, including driver satisfaction, route optimization, and fuel usage.

2. GPS Tracking with Mobile Devices

GPS tracking is another effective data collection method for fleet management. GPS tracking devices can be installed in vehicles to track their location, speed, and mileage.

3. Focus Groups

Direct observation is another data collection method used in fleet management. In a focus group, a group of drivers meets regularly to discuss fleet management topics.

4. Quantitative Data Questionnaires

Quantitative data questionnaires ask drivers to rate their satisfaction with various aspects of fleet management, such as the dispatch process, vehicle maintenance, and driver training.

5. Qualitative Data Questionnaires

Qualitative data questionnaires are similar to quantitative data questionnaires, but qualitative research asks drivers open-ended questions to have them respond. For example, a qualitative data questionnaire might ask a driver to describe their experience with the maintenance of their vehicle. 

6. Secondary Data Collection

Secondary data is data that another source has already collected. This data can be used to supplement your data collection efforts. For example, you can collect data from the Department of Transportation to track changes in traffic patterns over time.

How High-Quality Data Collection Can Improve Your Fleet Management Business

Data collection is only helpful if the data is high-quality. Here are a few ways high-quality data collection can improve your business:

  • Identify critical business decisions
  • Improve routing and dispatch processes
  • Enhance team communication
  • Understand driver needs and concerns
  • Track progress and measuring success
  • Reduce data entry errors
  • Save time and money
  • Acknowledge trends in the industry
  • Fill gaps in your data

Create a Data Collection App For Your Fleet Management Business

It’s no question that we’re living in a digital age. GoCanvas can help your fleet management business quickly collect data and improve your process with digital solutions. GoCanvas offers a variety of templates that can be customized to fit your specific needs and downloaded to your mobile devices.

To Create a Data Collection App, Follow These Steps:

1. Browse our Logistics Management app template library to find the right app for your needs

2. Sign up to try it for free and customize the template to fit your specific needs.

3. Publish the app and share it with your team.

4. Collect data using the app and use it to improve your business needs.

Improve Data Collection for Your Fleet Management Business with GoCanvas

GoCanvas can get you started on improving the data management for your fleet management business. With easy-to-use data collection templates and mobile apps, you can streamline your workflow and increase efficiency. Contact us today to learn more.

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About GoCanvas

GoCanvas® is on a mission to simplify inspections and maximize compliance. Our intuitive platform takes care of the administrative tasks, freeing our customers to focus on what truly matters – safeguarding their people, protecting their equipment, and delivering exceptional quality to their customers. 

Since 2008, thousands of companies have chosen GoCanvas as their go-to partner for seamless field operations.

Check out even more resources

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Centurian Transport saves $100k every year with GoCanvas

Centurion is the largest heavy haulage provider in Australia. They deliver national supply chain solutions to the resources, energy, construction & retail sectors…

Read their Story
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Duotank is a bag-in-tank alternative to the traditional keg beer system. The aseptic tank environment enables breweries to maintain the quality of their beer…

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TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® used GoCanvas to increase data visibility & compliance

With a workforce that primarily works out in the field, many of the TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® locations found that paperwork was hindering…

Read their Story

Connect with an Expert Today.

We’ll help you put together the right solution for your needs.

Let’s Build A Plan Together

GoCanvas and Linxup: Fleet Management Made Easy

Posted on by GoCanvas Team

GoCanvas and Linxup: Fleet Management Made Easy

What if we told you fleet management could be faster, easier, and more accurate?

Better Together

GoCanvas and Linxup are excited to announce a new partnership, offering new and existing customers a comprehensive fleet and asset management solution.

Using the combined power of GoCanvas’ mobile data collection and Linxup’s fleet management solutions, companies will have access to an unparalleled, real-time view of field operations.

How It Works

GoCanvas’ easy-to-use, customizable workflow empowers companies to capture the data they need when they need it. Organizations save time and money sharing information from the field in real-time with tailor-made forms like:

  • asset and inventory documentation
  • daily vehicle inspection reports, and
  • proof of delivery

With the paperwork taken care of, Linxup offers multiple options to further support fleet and asset management. Linxup’s hardware includes tracking devices, temperature sensors, and dash cams, all supported by a robust SaaS platform.

By using GoCanvas and Linxup together, companies can:

  • Automate workflow
  • Deliver real-time field information
  • Meet regulatory requirements
  • Eliminate manual paperwork
  • Improve communication
  • Speed up processes

About GoCanvas

GoCanvas makes mobile data collection simple and fast, connecting your fleet workers in the field to the office in real-time. 

No more lost or incomplete forms. No more piles of chicken-scratch paperwork waiting for data entry. No more waiting for critical information to reach the right people.

About Linxup

Want to know where it is, where it’s going, or how it’s getting there?

Linxup’s total vehicle and asset-tracking solution deliver robust location-based solutions, giving businesses the tools they need to improve fleet management, increase productivity, and reduce operating costs.

Learn More
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About GoCanvas

GoCanvas® is on a mission to simplify inspections and maximize compliance. Our intuitive platform takes care of the administrative tasks, freeing our customers to focus on what truly matters – safeguarding their people, protecting their equipment, and delivering exceptional quality to their customers. 

Since 2008, thousands of companies have chosen GoCanvas as their go-to partner for seamless field operations.

Check out even more resources

Woman looking at tablet inside a large vehicle machine.

Centurian Transport saves $100k every year with GoCanvas

Centurion is the largest heavy haulage provider in Australia. They deliver national supply chain solutions to the resources, energy, construction & retail sectors…

Read their Story
Image of two men in front of kegs on tablet.

Duotank Transforms Business Processes with GoCanvas

Duotank is a bag-in-tank alternative to the traditional keg beer system. The aseptic tank environment enables breweries to maintain the quality of their beer…

Read their Story
Image of Two Men and a Truck looking at tablet.

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® used GoCanvas to increase data visibility & compliance

With a workforce that primarily works out in the field, many of the TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® locations found that paperwork was hindering…

Read their Story

Connect with an Expert Today.

We’ll help you put together the right solution for your needs.

Let’s Build A Plan Together

Guide to Mobile Inspection Forms for the Trucking Industry

Posted on by GoCanvas Team

Guide to Mobile Inspection Forms for the Trucking Industry

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Trucks are the backbone of the global supply chain. According to the American Trucking Association, about 70 percent of all freight and cargo in the United States moves by truck. Without these vehicles, the U.S. economy would grind to a halt within a week. 

However, keeping that workforce moving comes with significant risks. Five million truck drivers share the roads with 250 million motorists — but even though large trucks only represent 2 percent of drivers, they’re involved in 11 percent of all road fatalities.

Passing inspections and complying with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations is key to keeping drivers and motorists safe — and trucks moving and generating revenue.

But that’s often a challenge in and of itself. To pass inspections and meet regulations, carriers and drivers are required to keep a long list of records related to their operations. If, during an inspection or investigation, they can’t produce accurate, up-to-date documentation, carriers and drivers may face fines or have their vehicles taken out of service.  

Using mobile forms can help you maintain and monitor vehicles, repairs, and drivers, and can make it easier for employees to conduct frequent, regular inspections. In this article, we will cover how the information you collect can help you:

  • Keep your Safety Measurement System percentile low
  • Pass roadside inspections and keep trucks generating revenue
  • Understand and manage CSA interventions 

What Carrier Documentation is Required?

Carriers must maintain records including, but not limited to:

  • Accident registers
  • Hazardous materials shipping papers/logs
  • Vehicle maintenance history
  • Annual lists of driver violations
  • Driver’s medical examiner certificates
  • Driver safety performance evaluation certificates
  • Vehicle identifying information: DOT registration, vehicle make, serial number and tire sizes
  • Vehicle inspections: schedule, type and date
  • Pre- and post-trip inspection reports  

How Does Driver Safety Impact Carriers? 

Drivers themselves are not rated, but their inspections, accidents, and violations impact the carriers’ safety measurements.  The data from inspections while a driver works for you remains part of your safety record for two years. Carriers do not inherit any of a new hire’s past violations — only violations received while driving under your authority. 

Why Use an App to Manage Critical Data? 

Pre- and post-trip inspection forms, regular maintenance inspections, and even regular tire inspections are all part of keeping your trucks moving. Logging all of this data onto paper forms means lost paperwork, manually re-entering data, and then storing all of those forms in one of many file cabinets. 

With mobile forms, data entry is more accurate because there is no duplicated data entry, form fields can be required so that nothing gets skipped, and that data is all stored in the cloud, and accessible to you and your drivers anytime and anywhere. And while paper forms get lost or can be destroyed in an accident, data securely archived in the cloud is easily accessed in the case of an accident or legal suit. 

Getting your team to complete regular inspections is key to keeping your vehicles moving. 

Here are some examples of the types of mobile form inspections:

  • Pre-trip inspections. Seven of the top ten CSA violations could be prevented with a thorough pre-trip inspection.
  • Maintenance inspections. Average downtime can cost $100 per hour, so a preventive maintenance system can save money in the long run, help avoid violations, and keep drivers safe.
  • Hazardous materials inspections. A serious violation of hazardous materials transport regulations can cost you more than $77,000.

1. Why Compliance, Safety, and Accountability Matter

 

Keeping Your Vehicles in Check

All vehicles that meet the description of a motor carrier are bound by FMCSA’s regulations, including Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA), FMCSA’s data-driven safety compliance and enforcement program. CSA is designed to improve safety and prevent commercial motor vehicle (CMV) crashes, injuries, and fatalities. The core element of CSA — the Safety Measurement System (SMS) — measures carriers’ safety performance. Poor safety and compliance can prompt two other elements of the program: interventions and Safety Fitness Determination.

What You Need to Know About CSA’s Ranking Systems 

Identifying Carriers for Interventions 

The FMCSA uses historical data, such as number of crashes or compliance violations, to identify carriers for interventions. Through interventions — which could range from warning letters to investigations — inspectors work with the carriers address those issues. They then use a rating system to designate the safety of motor carriers and remove those unfit to operate on public roads.

Safety Measurement System Percentiles

CSA’s Safety Measurement System (SMS) assigns carriers a Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Category (BASIC) percentile in seven categories. Carriers are grouped by the number of safety incidents (e.g., crashes or violations) they’ve had in each category, then assigned a percentile. The higher the percentile, the worse the performance. This percentile does not affect the carrier’s safety ranking; it simply prioritizes them for interventions.

Safety Rankings 

Safety rankings may be assigned after an on-site investigation. Carriers can be assigned the ranking satisfactory, conditional, or unsatisfactory. A carrier ranked as unsatisfactory is prohibited from operating a CMV in interstate commerce. 

The Safety Measurement System (SMS) assigns a BASIC percentile in seven categories: 

  • Unsafe driving
  • Crash indicator
  • Hours-of-service compliance
  • Vehicle maintenance
  • Controlled substances/alcohol compliance
  • Hazardous materials compliance
  • Driver fitness

SMS Prioritization & Public Reporting

Your company’s safety data is publicly available online in FMCSA’s Safety Measurement System (SMS). FMCSA updates the SMS once a month with data from roadside inspections, crash reports from the last two years, and investigation results. Some of what the SMS considers includes:

  • Number of safety violations and inspections
  • Number of trucks/buses a carrier operates and number of vehicle miles traveled
  • Severity of safety violations

How Do You Maintain Your Records?

To comply with the FMCSA’s CSA and SMS programs, and keep vehicles moving and companies generating revenue, it’s important for company owners and managers to evaluate the quality of their records and record-keeping systems. Mobile inspections help your crew stay up to date on maintenance, compliance, and keep trucks on the roads instead of out of service. 

Using a mobile app to enter, digitally record, and store data electronically eliminates vulnerabilities common to paper records and expedites the record-keeping process. 

2. Minimizing Roadside Inspection Downtime and Avoiding Fines

FMCSA’s Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) program is designed to keep the roads safe. 

Part of keeping your company’s CSA ranking as low as possible is making sure that all of your vehicles pass roadside inspections with flying colors.  

How Do You Make Sure Your Drivers and Vehicles Pass Inspection?

Make the pre-trip inspection process quick and painless for your drivers. 

Use mobile apps to check, double check, and document all the basics like lights, mirrors, horns, etc. Remember that passing inspection is specific to the category of what is being transported. Instruct your drivers to pay special attention to their vehicle’s brakes, tires, and cargo security (as these are some of the leading causes of large truck crashes), and use a mobile app to document specific areas (including taking photos) pre-trip. 

Make documents easy to inspect.

Crumpled and incomplete documentation that a driver digs out of a messy glove compartment don’t leave a good impression on an inspector. A mobile inspection form gives your drivers access to inspection documents at their fingertips. If an inspector knows the paperwork is organized, he or she will have a better initial impression of your truck overall.

Cooperate.

This may seem like common sense, but it’s not always common. The more cooperation the officer receives, the smoother things go. An officer doesn’t have to go through with a full inspection just because he or she pulls a driver over, but does have the right to cite the driver, the company, or both, so attitude pays. 

How can mobile inspection checklists make your company more efficient (and successful) when it comes to roadside inspections?  

  • Much faster to complete than traditional paper forms
  • Cloud-based forms are instantly accessible for the inspector, anywhere, anytime 
  • Forms can be created to require drivers to fill in all sections so nothing gets skipped  
  • Fields can be pre-populated with company data for efficiency
  • GPS tracks and confirms where the inspection took place
  • Date and timestamp features keep drivers honest and prevent any backdating 
  • Image captures at point of inspection may be later used to substantiate compliance in the event of a crash or accident

What Does Non-Compliance Cost?

  • Improper or lack of recordkeeping violations can soar up to $14,502 per violation
  • Operating in violation of an out-of-service order carries a fine of $22,587
  • Violation of hazmat material regulations generates fines of no less than $463 but up to $77,114 per violation

Beyond the Fine

Non-compliance hits your bottom line beyond just the fine. Your loss of revenue will vary, but you can estimate it using the following equation:

Travel Speed x Revenue Per Hour x Downtime for Non-Compliance = Total Revenue Lost

So, for example, if your truck travels 50 miles in an hour, and your revenue is $1.75 per hour, you will lose $350 if your truck sits for only four hours. And that doesn’t include repairs on the spot, which are more expensive than if planned in advance. But as violations, roadside inspection violations, and fines are logged, they are added to the FMCSA’s Safety Measurement System (SMS).

As your ranking climbs within the SMS system, it is more likely that you will be targeted for intervention by FMCSA, which can affect your insurance and contract rates, and ultimately, your ability to attract new customers.

Worried that roadside inspections will take your vehicles out of service? Here are three of the most critical areas for drivers to be aware of to pass an inspection:

  • Completing a full pre-trip inspection. Besides the basic vehicle inspection, drivers should check any load securement devices if the load falls into any special categories. 
  • Knowing the working load limit. The limit requires that drivers use enough weight-rated tie downs to equal at least half the weight of the load. If they are under the limit, they will be out of service (OOS) until they correct the problem. 
  • Using the 10-foot rule. The general rule is that you need at least one tie down for every 10 feet of what the driver is hauling. The tie downs cannot be more than 10 feet apart. Inspectors will measure. Drivers should carry extra tie downs just in case. 

3. Understanding and Managing CSA Interventions 

FMCSA’s Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) program uses the Safety Measurement System (SMS) to identify carriers that aren’t complying with safety regulations. When carriers earn high enough rankings, CSA uses intervention tools to step in and assist those owners and drivers — or take more serious action if carriers still fail to improve. 

Interventions fall into three categories:

Early Contact 

These initial actions include warning letters, which notify carriers of their performance issues, and targeted roadside inspections to look further into a carrier’s specific safety concerns. 

Investigation 

Safety inspectors (SIs) conduct investigations on site or off site to identify and address safety compliance issues and help carriers identify ways to improve. 

Follow-On 

Following an investigation, CSA may issue a follow-up action, which could include a cooperative safety plan, a notice of violation or claim, or an operation out of service order (OOSO), which instructs the carrier to immediately cease trucking operations.  

What Triggers an Intervention?

Carriers are selected for interventions based on the following:

  • Number of BASIC percentiles above a certain threshold 
  • A critical or acute violation in the last 12 months 
  • Commodity hauled (e.g., passengers or hazardous materials)
  • Intervention history 
  • Time since last intervention
  • Complaint or fatal crash 

Types of Investigations 

On-Site Investigations  

SIs conduct on-site investigations at the carrier’s place of business, where they can interview employees, perform vehicle inspections, and ask carriers to produce documentation to prove compliance. Using mobile forms, you can produce any requested data on demand, on any device. Relying on paper forms, you’ll likely have to spend time before the inspection planning, collecting information, and making copies.

During an on-site investigation, SIs may choose to conduct vehicle inspections to make sure your fleet meets safety performance and compliance regulations. To assess the extent of any issues, SIs may request documentation including roadside inspection reports, vehicle maintenance files, annual vehicle inspection reports, equipment repair receipts, and accident reports.  

Off-Site Investigations 

SIs can also request copies of carriers’ documents to review remotely as an off-site investigation. The SIs use these documents to identify safety performance and compliance problems.

What Happens When There’s a Crash? 

A trucking accident can be costly to a company in a range of obvious ways — such as loss of cargo or vehicle damage. But an accident can be the cause of many indirect costs as well, including lost customers, lost sales, and poor public relations. Crashes also impact carriers’ percentile ranking in CSA’s Safety Measurement System, which can increase the likelihood of an intervention or investigation. 

 And that introduces another potential cost: If carriers can’t produce copies of roadside inspections or repairs records when the accident is investigated, they may face steep non-compliance penalties, civil penalties, and even criminal charges.

Armed with mobile apps, drivers can immediately access inspections records and forms at any time, from any location. In addition, when carriers keep accurate and updated information, they’re better equipped to make sure each truck has been inspected and is in working order — which can help prevent accidents in the first place.   

Do you know how to handle an intervention?   

If you receive an initial warning letter, what should be your next step? Here are three things to consider:

Should you respond to the letter?

Actually, no response is necessary. FMCSA will continue to monitor your performance — it’s your job to immediately take steps to improve your safety performance so no further intervention is necessary. 

Should you prepare for an investigation?

A warning letter is just that — a warning. It does not indicate that FMCSA will conduct an investigation. However, if your safety performance and compliance don’t improve, FMCSA may decide to conduct additional interventions, which could include an investigation.

Take steps to improve your safety 

Now that you have received a warning, it’s up to you to improve your safety performance and compliance, and regularly monitor your SMS data to make sure you don’t put your company at risk for additional interventions. 

Using Mobile Inspection Data to Grow Your Business

Operating trucks of any size is essential for many businesses. Keeping them (and their drivers) on the road has a profound impact on profitability, so maintaining those vehicles is key. It directly affects your ability to compete and win new work in the market.  

Mobile apps can not only help you manage everything from preventive maintenance to daily and weekly inspections — they can also give you valuable insight into your data, which can help you find more business efficiencies and generate more revenue. 

  • Which drivers are most profitable?
  • Which ones routinely “forget” to do pre-trip inspections?
  • Which vehicles break down the most and at what time of year?
  • What are the most common problem areas found during inspections?

With GoCanvas apps, drivers can perform critical inspections for maintenance, pre- and post-trip, with ease. And you have the peace of mind that data is always available to access to keep your vehicles on the road generating revenue and your employees safe. 

The right tools can not only help you stay compliant, but also competitive. Compliance gets easier and vehicles stay on the road when inspections are completed on mobile apps. Key features of GoCanvas include:

  • Photos with inspections. Mobile apps allow the user to photograph wear, tear, and damage during a maintenance inspection.
  • GPS tracking. Knowing where an inspection took place helps you keep tabs on both your equipment and your employees.
  • Required fields. Requiring certain fields to be filled in ensures that all critical information is filled out on maintenance or pre-trip inspections. Data is more accurate, your company is more compliant, and your equipment keeps running.

Want to get started with inspections using mobile forms and apps? Sign up today for a free trial of GoCanvas or contact our team to learn more.

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About GoCanvas

GoCanvas® is on a mission to simplify inspections and maximize compliance. Our intuitive platform takes care of the administrative tasks, freeing our customers to focus on what truly matters – safeguarding their people, protecting their equipment, and delivering exceptional quality to their customers. 

Since 2008, thousands of companies have chosen GoCanvas as their go-to partner for seamless field operations.

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Complete Guide to Vehicle Inspection Forms

Posted on by GoCanvas Team

Complete Guide to Vehicle Inspection Forms

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What is a Vehicle Inspection Form?

A vehicle inspection form is used to document the condition of a vehicle. These forms have many different uses, both for personal vehicles and companies that operate commercial vehicles or fleets. Different types of vehicle inspection report forms will have different fields used to assess the vehicle based on the goal of that inspection. For example, a pre-trip inspection will look for safety concerns before operating a vehicle on a trip, whereas a multi-point inspection will provide a greater level of detail if performed only on an annual basis.

Typically a vehicle inspection form is used by a licensed inspector or mechanic to give an official assessment of the vehicle. However, there are also vehicle inspection forms that can be used by individuals or drivers to ensure the safety of their vehicles. 

Whatever your goal is for a vehicle inspection form, consider searching the GoCanvas website for all vehicle inspection forms. With thousands of forms, you can get started with one of our pre-built templates rather than creating your own from scratch.

Understanding Vehicle Inspection Reports?

Once the data is collected in the vehicle inspection form, it’s common for the information to be presented as a vehicle inspection report. A vehicle inspection report will document the findings from the inspection and make any necessary recommendations needed for the maintenance of the vehicle.

One benefit of using inspection software is the ability to streamline the data collection and reporting process. For example, a digital vehicle inspection is performed by a technician using a tablet device to rapidly collect information on an easy-to-use digital checklist. The inspector can upload photos, insert recommendations, and sign digitally. Once the inspection is complete, a branded PDF report can be generated to send to any stakeholders or clients to have for their records. 

Utilize GoCanvas for Vehicle Inspections.

GoCanvas provides inspection software and forms that can be used by your business to perform vehicle inspection checklists in the field. Using a mobile form on a tablet, inspectors can use the software to perform faster inspections and your office can have an instant report generated to the cloud and shared via email. 

Why use GoCanvas?

Companies are switching to GoCanvas to eliminate paperwork and cut down on manual, time-consuming processes such as annual vehicle inspection reports. If you need to perform many inspections to scale your business, consider leveraging software like GoCanvas to increase efficiency and eliminate the use of inspection sheets. A recent survey from GoCanvas customers found that they are able to:

  • Shorten the time to receive completed forms by 55%
  • Increase the amount of work completed by 24%
  • Increase the amount of time spent manually re-entering form data by 29%

You can get started for free with any of our vehicle inspection forms or you can contact our team here to learn more about our software for vehicle inspections and more. 

Vehicle Inspection Checklist.

As we mentioned in the article, there are many vehicle inspection forms. In the next section, you will find a complete list of the top forms used for vehicle inspections. Here are some of the common areas of a vehicle inspection checklist:

  • Brake system
  • Coupling devices
  • Exhaust System
  • Fuel System
  • Lighting Devices
  • Safe Loading
  • Steering mechanism
  • Suspension
  • Frame
  • Tires
  • Wheels and Rims
  • Windshield Glazing
  • Windshield Wipers

GoCanvas Vehicle Inspection Templates

Looking for a specific vehicle inspection form? Here are some examples and templates you can use to get started. Follow the links below to find the inspection forms and you can use the GoCanvas app builder to easily customize your vehicle inspection forms depending on your needs. Our no-code builder allows you to drag and drop form fields into the designer, giving you a simple way to create vehicle inspection forms for any need. Here are 8 common vehicle inspection form examples and templates to work from:

#1. Annual vehicle inspection form

The easy-to-use safety inspection app is perfect for annual vehicle inspections of fleet cars, commercial vehicles, rental car inspections, and more. The customizable electronic inspection form covers important car inspection details that should be covered by the driver or inspection team, including the motor, safety features, wheels-rims, frame, brakes, tires, steering mechanism, and more. 

Access the template here.

#2. Multi-point vehicle inspection form

The easy-to-use vehicle multi-point inspection app can be used for a variety of tasks, including pre-purchase inspections, vehicle insurance inspections, and dealership inspections, and as part of a general preventive maintenance program.

Access the template here.

#3. Commercial vehicle pre-trip inspection form

The Commercial Vehicle Pre-Trip Inspection Checklist mobile app is designed to test your ability to check a variety of commercial vehicle safety equipment and vehicle components. This ensures that drivers, vehicles, and products reach their destinations safely.

Access the template here.

#4. Daily vehicle inspection form

This Daily Vehicle Inspection Report Mobile App includes the minimum information to be recorded on a daily vehicle inspection report and can be used as a daily log of mandatory safety inspections. Use this vehicle maintenance tool to best monitor your commercial motor vehicle’s windshield, tires, wipers, power steering, parking brake, and more to identify any deficiencies.

Access the template here.

#5. Used Car Inspection Checklist Form

This thorough and extensive pre-purchase vehicle inspection form app makes sure that car inspection technicians conduct all the necessary inspections and repairs during the inspection process before giving motor vehicles to their owners.

Access the template here.

#6. Forklift Safety Inspection Form

This forklift inspection checklist helps ensure safe operation and helps identify areas where forklift maintenance may be required. This forklift inspection checklist covers all areas of the electric forklifts, including fluid levels, tires, forklift trucks, forklift operator safety equipment, and more. Once the form has been completed, the app saves the checklist for your records.

Access the template here.

#7. Fleet Vehicle Inspection Form

As an important component of a fleet management program for a fleet manager, this preventive maintenance checklist app includes a detailed driver vehicle inspection report that promotes driver safety and vehicle integrity by identifying necessary repairs. Use this checklist template app for industry standard compliance, safety, and preventative maintenance through solutions based on real-time tracking and observations. 

Access the template here.

#8. DOT Vehicle Inspection Form

If your company hires drivers of commercial vehicles, you will want the DOT Driver Vehicle Inspections Mobile App available for everyone on your team. This digital checklist or pre-trip inspection form gives the driver assurance their company vehicle is safe for driving – or they can make a note of a maintenance issue.

Access the template here.

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About GoCanvas

GoCanvas® is on a mission to simplify inspections and maximize compliance. Our intuitive platform takes care of the administrative tasks, freeing our customers to focus on what truly matters – safeguarding their people, protecting their equipment, and delivering exceptional quality to their customers. 

Since 2008, thousands of companies have chosen GoCanvas as their go-to partner for seamless field operations.

Check out even more resources

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Beginner’s Guide to Digital Inspection Form Builders

Posted on by GoCanvas Team

Beginner’s Guide to Digital Inspection Form Builders

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What is an inspection form?

Inspection forms are used during the inspection process to collect information that is compiled into a report. An inspection form can be completed using a standard sheet of paper or it can be completed digitally using software for inspections on a mobile form.

Many different types of inspection forms exist and will depend on the use case. For example, there are home inspections, commercial vehicle inspections, building inspections, safety inspections, equipment inspections, operational inspections, and even more. Each of these inspection types will require different form fields to collect the information that is relevant to that industry. Checklist forms are commonly used for many inspection types to give the inspector a simple checklist to ensure all items are filled out.

Inspection forms are most commonly used in the fields of construction, service industry, oil & gas, transportation & logistics, utilities, and various other industries. These industries can benefit greatly from software designed to streamline the inspection process for field teams collecting data.

Why do businesses need software for inspections?

Companies are adopting software to transform their business operations in many different ways. Inspections are a perfect example of a paper-based process that works more efficiently when performed digitally. The reason for buying inspection form builder software is to save time and money for your business. Here is how most companies make the business case and ROI for inspection form builder software:

Eliminating cumbersome data entry from the field

Inspection form builder software allows field teams to capture data from the field using inspection forms. Data is captured in real-time and shared with anyone that needs to see it, rather than relying on paper forms and manual data entry.

Avoiding risk and liability

Most inspections contain information that is very important to a business and needs to be kept safe. With paper documents, there is no way to control if documents are lost or illegible. With digital inspections using software and forms, organizations reduce their risk by having the information automatically saved to the cloud. Inspections can even be performed offline and then synced to the cloud when an internet connection is available again. This ensures that inspection reports are always available, whenever they are needed.

Gaining insights into field operations

It’s really difficult to spot trends and have meaningful insights into your business in real-time when manual processes and paper forms are involved. You may get to the reports, but your staff spends too much time creating reports on a daily and weekly basis. Moving the inspection process to software will give your organization the ability to analyze trends and potential problems. You can even get alerts to know when inspections fail, so you can send someone to resolve the issue right away. All of the reporting is done in real-time and available in the cloud, giving your business greater visibility into field operations.

How does inspection form builder software work?

There are many different features and functionality offered for inspection form builder software and forms. Here are some of the main ways that inspection software can be used:

Dispatch

One key feature of inspection form builder software is dispatch. With Dispatch, you can create, assign, and send tasks to your team from the software application. Field technicians can then head directly to the next call without ever having to check in with status updates. The software will also let you create custom report approvals between employees and supervisors using workflows. The goal of dispatch is to send jobs directly to your workers in the field to improve their productivity and reduce their downtime.

Forms and checklists

Another feature of inspection software is the form builder for field data collection. Forms and checklists that were once paper-based, now become a digital process for technicians to complete on tablets or mobile devices. The best form builder inspection software will allow you to build customized inspection forms using a low-code or no-code platform. This means that you can easily create customizable forms and apps on the platform, without any advanced technical knowledge. Mobile forms and checklists for inspections make the entire process simple. Easily collect all of the relevant information for your industry’s inspection, collect electronic signatures on the spot, and have the information digitized for record-keeping.

Reports

Once the inspection is completed in the field, the next step in the process is to generate a report. Without software for inspections, this might require several hours of additional work to compile the reports and send them to the appropriate parties after the job has been completed. Inspection form builder software streamlines this process by generating a digital report in real-time that can be shared via email and other communication channels.

Analytics

Another important feature of inspection form builder software is the ability to perform analytics across inspections. For many industries, this is useful for visualizing what’s happening across the business and distributing findings throughout the organization. Analytics is designed to allow you to drill down into one facet of your business or keep track of everything in a high-level view. All of this is meant to empower data-driven decision-making that can result in improved productivity and greater profitability.

Getting Started with Inspection Form Builder Software and Forms

The best part about inspection form builder software and forms is that the process to get started is simple. You can get started for free by signing up for an account with GoCanvas and companies that use the platform see a very fast time to value with digital inspections. Here are some common inspection form templates and examples.

Inspection Form Templates and Examples

Building Inspection Form

Looking for a customizable inspection form for your business? This versatile inspection form is designed for building inspections and can be adapted to fit your needs. This digital inspection form simplifies the processes to assess home condition and safety.

The inspection template covers general property condition topics covered during the inspection process, including cleanliness, safety and overall condition. Jot down notes about whether or not the home is in good condition and add photos.

Follow this link to try the GoCanvas Building Inspection Form.

Quality Control Inspection Form

The Quality Control Inspection form enables inspection of mechanical devices and equipment inspections. The form is designed for quality management and can be used by many different industries.  The form is designed to help you detect problems and identify where quality improvement  through corrective measures is needed. The digital quality control inspection form allows you to make recommendations in real-time using inspection form builder software to streamline the process for your business.

Follow this link to try the GoCanvas Quality Control Inspection Form.

Vehicle Inspection Form

Vehicle inspection forms can be used during the pre-purchase phase of the vehicle, to ensure that the car is ready to be sold. Vehicle inspection technicians can use this mobile form to review the vehicle’s condition and assess what repairs are needed in order to have the vehicle in top condition for the new owner. Use this inspection form to ensure customer satisfaction and document your dealership’s attention to detail when performing vehicle inspections for the customer.

Follow this link to try the GoCanvas Vehicle Inspection Form.

Housekeeping Inspection Form

The housekeeping inspection form is designed for companies that provide cleaning services and janitorial services. Use the mobile form to add specific details about the building, including areas that need extra attention from cleaning staff, and the overall condition of inspected areas.

This inspection form helps to ensure that the highest level of standards are met and inspections are performed consistently using the template form provided to employees. Going digital with this type of inspection form allows your teams to complete inspections faster and provide instant feedback from their inspections. For example, if an issue is detected during the inspection, an image can be attached to the report and submitted instantly to have the item corrected as soon as possible.

Follow this link to try the GoCanvas Housekeeping Inspection Form.

Food Service Inspection Form

The Food Service Inspection Form helps restaurants to perform full  inspections of food service operations electronically.

The food establishment inspection form includes all areas of the food service facility and can be completed on a mobile device with a report that is automatically generated with the results of your inspection. This form is essential for restaurants and other service businesses to ensure the quality and cleanliness standards are met.

Follow this link to try the GoCanvas Food Service Inspection Form.

Looking for something different? See another helpful resource that is a compiled list of inspection templates and examples for many different use cases and industries. You can also find all of our inspection apps on the GoCanvas App Store.

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About GoCanvas

GoCanvas® is on a mission to simplify inspections and maximize compliance. Our intuitive platform takes care of the administrative tasks, freeing our customers to focus on what truly matters – safeguarding their people, protecting their equipment, and delivering exceptional quality to their customers. 

Since 2008, thousands of companies have chosen GoCanvas as their go-to partner for seamless field operations.

Check out even more resources

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15 of the Best Inspection Apps in 2021

Posted on by GoCanvas Team

15 of the Best Inspection Apps in 2021

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What is a mobile inspection?

The term mobile inspection refers to the process of using a mobile device or tablet to perform an inspection in the field. Companies are eliminating paper forms and instead relying on mobile technology in today’s digital era to perform job functions like inspections on a mobile device. 

The mobile inspection is performed by a technician in the field and the data is then automatically synced in real-time to the office or generated as a report for the customer. Given the remote nature of many inspection job sites, mobile inspections can also be performed offline. Using an inspection mobile app, the information can be collected offline and synced to the cloud once an internet connection is available again.

What is the best inspection app?

The best construction project management app should be simple to use and customizable for any business or use case. Here is what you need in order to have a best-in-class inspection app for your business:

  • Ease to use and adopt. The best inspection apps should be easy to use and easy for your entire staff to adopt into their workflows. No coding or advanced help from IT should be required with app development or customization, ensuring that you can quickly build inspection apps and see a fast return on investment.
  • Fast time to value. The best inspection apps should provide an immediate value to your organization. There should be clear processes to help you implement and get started with the app platform, with dedicated customer success teams to ensure your organization is getting value from the inspection app.
  • Secure and compliant. The best inspection apps will have robust security for cloud software and will be designed for compliance with HIPPA, GDPR, OSHA, and any other business-specific requirements to ensure data is processed and stored properly.
  • Data integrations and insights. The best inspection apps will integrate with other cloud apps that your business already uses. Analytics and reporting capabilities should be robust to provide business insights in real-time to inform smarter decisions for operations leaders.

When evaluating inspection apps and technology, be sure to take these factors into consideration to ensure that you have tools that can help you scale your business, automate key business processes, and enable your business to work more efficiently.

15 Inspection Apps to Get Started With for Free 

GoCanvas is a leading provider of inspection apps and forms for businesses across industries. Our expansive library of templates is a great place to start when looking for free templates to use for your next inspection. All of our mobile inspection apps are completely customizable and are built on our drag and drop interface that doesn’t require any coding to build apps. 

This article compiles a list of our most popular inspection apps available for businesses in 2021. You can also search the GoCanvas application store for more examples and templates. Follow the links below to see how it works or simply contact our team any time to learn more.

Property and Building Inspections

Vehicle Inspections

  • Pre-Trip Inspection App
  • Vehicle Inspection Mobile App
  • Free Fleet Inspection App

Construction, Manufacturing, and Job Site Inspections

  • Safety Inspection App
  • Heavy Equipment Inspection App
  • Forklift Inspection App
  • Ladder Inspection App
  • Manufacturing Material Inspection App

GoCanvas Inspection Apps 

Home inspection app

man holding tablet performing home inspection

Home inspection apps are used during real estate transactions to assess the state of a property. If you are in the business of performing home inspections, this app allows you to digitize the process of a home inspection. Dynamic checklists help to speed up the process and home inspectors only need to fill out the relevant sections of the form based on the house type. Use the dispatch feature to send out a worker in the field and automatically have a report generated for the buyer and for your office records.

Learn more about the GoCanvas home inspection app and get started for free.

Property Inspection App

Similar to the home inspection app, this property inspection mobile app is designed to assess the state of a property, specifically for landlords or management companies for their rental properties. This checklist inspection app allows property owners, managers, or landlords to easily check the condition of a residential rental property and record that it is in good condition for tenants. Digitizing this information makes it simple to create PDF reports that can automatically be shared with the tenant and the management team has a record stored in a central cloud location for easy access when needed. 

Learn more about the GoCanvas property inspection app and get started for free.

Custodial Inspection App

janitorial work station

Custodial inspection apps are used for janitorial services to denote which areas of the building were cleaned by staff. Using an inspection app can ensure that quality standards are met and simple checklists are helpful for remembering all areas of the building. Digitizing this information can help cleaning businesses to elevate their customer service experience, bring reports, invoices, and a digital record of work that has been performed.

Learn more about the GoCanvas custodial inspection app and get started for free.

Hotel Room Inspection App

Many companies in the hospitality industry leverage the GoCanvas mobile platform to complete their hotel room inspections. This simple app provides a checklist for cleaning crews to perform all of the necessary tasks for servicing guest rooms at a hotel. Managers and hotel management benefit from having this information digitized, giving them more visibility into their operations and helping to understand the overall condition and state of the hotel in real-time.

Learn more about the GoCanvas hotel room inspection app and get started for free.

Fire Alarm Inspection App

Fire alarm and fire sprinkler inspections are common in buildings to ensure that all of the smoke detectors, sprinkler systems, and smoke alarms are in working order. This app allows inspectors to perform this inspection using a mobile device or tablet and a report is automatically generated with the results. This streamlines the process for staff and gives instant visibility into fire inspections for management and anyone else that needs the information.

Learn more about the GoCanvas fire alarm inspection app and get started for free.

Pool Inspection App

This app is designed for pool inspectors and public pool managers so they can list safety violations, corrective actions taken, and document any required pool closures. The pool safety inspection app includes fields for a variety of details, including water chemistry, pool water cleanliness, equipment safety and more. Once the inspection is completed, the pool operator can instantly sign off on the results using a tablet or mobile device and have the records saved automatically to the cloud.

Learn more about the GoCanvas pool inspection app and get started for free.

HVAC Inspection App

HVACChecklist

HVAC inspections are needed to ensure the heating and air-conditioning systems are properly configured. This mobile app template includes important elements, including the HVAC ducts, air quality test, exhaust fans, testing for leaks and a thermostat check. 

As a building inspector or contractor, this inspection app simplifies the process for performing residential or commercial services and allows the entire process from work order, inspection, invoicing, payment, and reporting to be managed digitally. 

Learn more about the GoCanvas HVAC inspection app and get started for free.

Pre-Trip / Post Trip Inspection App

The pre-trip and post-trip inspection is performed by drivers with CDL licenses to track details about their trucks and report any damage or improvements that need to be made before the vehicle can go out on the road. Digitizing this form allows commercial truck drivers and managers to ensure that the proper inspection has been performed and signed off digitally to keep an accurate record for management purposes.

Learn more about the GoCanvas pre trip inspection app and get started for free.

Vehicle Inspection App

man holding the key to a new vehicle after inspection

The vehicle inspection app is designed for car dealerships to perform a pre-purchase inspection of a car. This mobile app is designed to digitize the inspection form that is used before vehicles are given to a new owner of a car. GoCanvas vehicle inspection apps can be customized to your needs and this template is a great way for car dealerships and business owners to manage the vehicle inspection process digitally.

Learn more about the GoCanvas vehicle inspection mobile app and get started for free.

Fleet Inspection App

Field inspector on ipad

For transportation companies that have a fleet management program, this inspection app provides a template that can be used for compliance, safety, and preventive maintenance. Managing this digitally allows fleet operations teams to gain greater instant visibility into their fleet with real-time reports.

Learn more about the GoCanvas fleet inspection app and get started for free.

Safety Inspection App

Construction safety helmets hanging on the wall

Safety inspections are an important part of any construction project. This safety inspection app helps contractors and construction firms to ensure compliance with OSHA and perform regular safety inspections of job sites. The data collected from a safety inspection app can be used as part of the safety management program and other important programs like toolbox talks, job safety analysis, incident reports, and more can be managed through GoCanvas for a comprehensive digital safety solution.

Learn more about the GoCanvas safety inspection app and get started for free.

Heavy Equipment Inspection App

construction worker filling out near miss reports on phone

Performing heavy equipment inspections are important on the job site to ensure safety and prevent delays by having greater insight into your equipment. This inspection app provides a template that can be used on job sites and includes all of the important details for the inspection, including the date of safety inspections, issues found, and other relevant details.

Learn more about the GoCanvas heavy equipment inspection app and get started for free.

Forklift Inspection App

man using tablet on construction site for safety

Forklifts are commonly used in many different job sites. The GoCanvas forklift inspection checklist helps ensure safe operation and identifies areas where forklift maintenance may be required. The checklist template covers all areas of the electric forklifts, including fluid levels, tires, forklift trucks, forklift operator safety equipment and more. 

Learn more about the GoCanvas forklift inspection app and get started for free.

Ladder Inspection App

man carrying ladder on job site with safety vest

Ladder inspections are critical for job sites to ensure worker safety. Using the ladder inspection app on GoCanvas, you can make sure that all ladder equipment is in good condition and any damaged equipment is fixed before use. Use this in conjunction with the other GoCanvas safety apps to ensure that all aspects of the job site are compliant with OSHA and injuries and incidents are avoided.

Learn more about the GoCanvas ladder inspection app and get started for free.

Manufacturing Material Inspection App

This mobile app is designed for quality inspections when items arrive or they are taken out of inventory as part of the manufacturing operations. The app is designed as a quality control tool to be used from anywhere and have a digital report generated automatically to simplify the process for workers and eliminate tedious paper work.

Learn more about the GoCanvas manufacturing material inspection app and get started for free.

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About GoCanvas

GoCanvas® is on a mission to simplify inspections and maximize compliance. Our intuitive platform takes care of the administrative tasks, freeing our customers to focus on what truly matters – safeguarding their people, protecting their equipment, and delivering exceptional quality to their customers. 

Since 2008, thousands of companies have chosen GoCanvas as their go-to partner for seamless field operations.

Check out even more resources

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Pre-Trip Inspection Forms – Examples and Templates

Posted on by GoCanvas Team

Pre-Trip Inspection Forms – Examples and Templates

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What are pre-trip inspections?

Pre-trip inspections are required for companies that operate and manage a fleet of vehicles used for commercial purposes. The basic goal of a pre-trip inspection is to identify and document any potential problems with a vehicle before a driver is on the road. 

According to regulations set by DOT, vehicle operators must perform daily post-trip inspections after a vehicle is operated. If any defects or problems are found in the post-trip inspection, it must be included in the post-trip inspection report. The vehicle is allowed to be sent out for use again once all problems have been addressed.

What information is checked in a DOT pre-trip inspection?

The Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) pre-trip inspection is designed to certify that the problems have been addressed and that the vehicle is ready to be safely operated on the road. While there are many different types of vehicles on the road today, the DOT provides a basic list or items to check when performing vehicle inspections: 

  • Service brakes, including trailer brake connections
  • Parking (hand) brake
  • Steering mechanism
  • Lighting devices and reflectors
  • Tires
  • Horn
  • Windshield wipers
  • Rear-vision mirrors
  • Coupling devices
  • Wheels and rims
  • Emergency equipment

(Source: FMCFA)

Pre-Trip Inspection Checklist Forms and Apps

Inspection checklists are designed to improve the inspection process by providing staff with an easy-to-use template on the best practices to follow for that inspection. 

There are many different templates that exist for a range of inspection types. For example, a class A pre-trip inspection template would look slightly different than what is required for a class B inspection template. 

The most basic checklist can be completed on a sheet of paper, but more companies are turning to mobile apps and forms to streamline their processes for performing pre-trip inspections. Digitizing this information is highly beneficial for fleet management and transportation companies that need to document and report on their vehicle inspections.

Paper forms are simple to use, but missing or lost paper work can become a problem later on. To minimize risk and to modernize business operations, transportation companies rely on simple apps to digitize the information rather than using paper forms.

Beyond the basic benefits of digitizing the information, mobile apps also provide a number of advanced features that are helpful when performing inspections. For example, driver dispatch is an easy way to organize drivers and delivery schedules based on the most efficient configurations possible. Other features such as barcode scanning, signature capture, and GPS capture can help you keep track of your deliveries and maintain records for your business. 

Mobile apps can be built using no-code or low-code solutions that do not require advanced technical knowledge. Using a simple interface, anyone can start building apps for their pre-trip inspection checklists to replace paper forms. 

Common Pre-Trip Inspection Examples and Templates

For businesses that want to modernize their processes using mobile apps, an important feature is going to be the ability to customize the mobile app to meet specific needs and requirements. Most mobile apps will provide templates to use as a starting point and then customizations can be made to require certain information. 

With the GoCanvas app builder, businesses can create pre-trip inspection forms and checklists that are then deployed to workers to complete via the mobile app. All of this is suited for workers in different locations and standardized processes around how businesses collect and store their inspection reports. 

Key outcomes include an increase in worker productivity, efficiency, and improved data collection for operations teams. Here are some of the common commercial vehicle inspection templates and examples:

Class A Vehicles

Class A description

Class A vehicles are defined as “any combination of vehicles which has a gross combination weight rating or gross combination weight of 11,794 kilograms or more (26,001 pounds or more) whichever is greater, inclusive of a towed unit(s) with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of more than 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds) whichever is greater.”

This would include tractor-trailers, combinations of truck and trailer, livestock carriers, tank vehicles, or flatbeds. 

GoCanvas example and template:  

Class B Vehicles

Class B Description

Class B vehicles are defined as “any single vehicle which has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of 11,794 or more kilograms (26,001 pounds or more), or any such vehicle towing a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight that does not exceed 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds).”

This would include straight trucks, large passenger buses, segmented buses, box trucks, dump trucks with small trailers, and tractor-trailers. 

GoCanvas examples and template:  

Class C Vehicles

Class C Description

Class C Vehicles are defined as “Any single vehicle, or combination of vehicles, that does not meet the definition of Class A or Class B, but is either designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver, or is transporting material that has been designated as hazardous under 49 U.S.C. 5103 and is required to be placarded under subpart F of 49 CFR Part 172 or is transporting any quantity of a material listed as a select agent or toxin in 42 CFR Part 73.”

This would include small HazMat vehicles, passenger vans, combination vehicles not covered by Classes A or B.

GoCanvas example and template: 

Sources:

Transform how your business operates with mobile apps

Many companies in the transportation industry start using mobile apps to solve a single paperwork challenge, like pre-trip inspections. But there are many areas of business operations that deal with paperwork that can create slow and manual processes for staff. This includes things like delivery confirmations, mileage tracking, safety inspections, bill of lading, and any other paper-based processes for drivers and management. If you are looking for additional transportation apps for business, be sure to search in the GoCanvas app store where you can get started for free.

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About GoCanvas

GoCanvas® is on a mission to simplify inspections and maximize compliance. Our intuitive platform takes care of the administrative tasks, freeing our customers to focus on what truly matters – safeguarding their people, protecting their equipment, and delivering exceptional quality to their customers. 

Since 2008, thousands of companies have chosen GoCanvas as their go-to partner for seamless field operations.

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6 Benefits of Inspection Apps for Business

Posted on by GoCanvas Team

6 Benefits of Inspection Apps for Business

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Many companies are starting to use inspection apps to streamline this process for employees that need to perform regular inspections as part of their job duties.

The typical inspection involves filling out a series of forms or checklists to record all of the relevant information. The next step in the process involves creating a report with all of the information compiled for distribution to anyone that needs it.

There’s really a wide range of use cases for these apps, including:

  • Real estate transactions
  • Safety inspections
  • Building inspections
  • Machinery or equipment inspections
  • Vehicle inspections
  • And much more

What are the benefits of an inspection app?

Historically, companies used paper forms as the primary mode of collecting data, but more firms are beginning to move away from paper-based processes. Companies are now switching to digital apps that can simplify the process for everyone involved and eliminate the headaches of using paper forms.

Bringing the process into the digital world is beneficial to organizations in a number of different ways. Here are some of the key benefits:

  • Business efficiencies: Inspectors are able to perform their jobs better and faster on mobile apps. They can collect photos and text notes that are recorded digitally and the reports can be generated automatically for them.
  • Standard data: One important factor is the ability to standardize how the data is collected, with reports that are consistent regardless of who performs the inspection.
  • Improved processes: Businesses need visibility into their operations in real-time. Technology today allows you to track issues in the field and have a quick turnaround time if another action needs to be taken, like scheduling further maintenance or repairs, for example.

6 key features available in inspection apps

There are many reasons to switch to a mobile app instead of using paper. Since apps are designed to be used on a mobile device or tablet, you get some advanced features with the technology that simply isn’t possible using paper.

Here are some of the features you gain when using an app for inspections:

1. Integrated with iOS or android camera for image capture

Many inspections require that you document items with images. Since mobile devices have powerful cameras built-in, inspections performed using the app can streamline taking photos and adding them to the report. Images are captured in real-time and can be associated with specific inspection items. An added feature is the ability to annotate images and highlight any problem areas.

2. Offline functionality

The ability to do work offline is an important feature for many business types. There are many people that need to perform inspections in areas that do not have an internet connection (such as a rural area or a basement). Inspection apps can collect and store the data while offline while you are on site. Once you are able to access the internet again, the app will sync everything back up to the cloud.

3. Cloud-based technology

The cloud-based technology of inspection apps is a benefit for businesses today. With data that is stored securely in the cloud, you can have peace of mind that your data is always backed up and easily accessible from anywhere.

Inspection software platforms should have a high level of IT security infrastructure built-in and should also have compliance for things like GDPR and HIPPA requirements.

Modern technology has come a long way to ensuring that your business can effectively operate online using tools that are readily available to businesses of all sizes.

4. ​​​​Reports in real-time

The ability to report on data in near real-time is a big reason to switch to apps versus paper. Creating a report on paper often takes additional time and slows down getting that information into the hands of people that need it.

When you create an inspection using an app, it files the report automatically and submits the report to all of the required recipients without creating additional work. This saves time and effort for inspectors by allowing them to finish their work and simply press the submit button to generate a report.

Most inspection apps use templates as a starting point and you can customize the templates to be consistent with your company’s brand and unique needs.

5. GPS functionality

Another built-in feature of a mobile device is your GPS functionality. This gives you the ability to verify the exact location of the property, equipment, vehicle, or item that’s undergoing inspection. 

Location tracking can be an added benefit for companies that really need to understand the precise location of something to do their jobs more efficiently.

Companies that want to automate their processes can also consider using location data in the field to streamline other tasks, like automatically generating work orders or other types of follow-up tasks that need to be performed.

6. Automation to streamline workflows

With automation tools built into inspection apps, it’s all about working smarter and reducing the amount of manual work your teams need to do.

Using these tools, you can automatically generate any of the follow-up actions that need to be performed after an inspection occurs. Depending on your business, you might have different use cases for how this would work. Most often it involves integrating your different cloud tools and systems you have in place to communicate with one another.

You can also think of automation in the form of push notifications or email notifications that are designed to alert different people after the inspection occurs. In today’s digitally connected world, you should always look for applications that can help to automate tasks and streamline your workflows to save you valuable time.

Inspection templates for your use case

Looking for a specific inspection template for your business? Make sure to check out our library of pre-built templates in the GoCanvas app store that can help you get started for free.

Our app builder requires no coding or advanced technical knowledge, which means you can build and customize your apps to fit your exact needs. Check out the GoCanvas website here for additional resources and templates for all of your inspection needs.

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About GoCanvas

GoCanvas® is on a mission to simplify inspections and maximize compliance. Our intuitive platform takes care of the administrative tasks, freeing our customers to focus on what truly matters – safeguarding their people, protecting their equipment, and delivering exceptional quality to their customers. 

Since 2008, thousands of companies have chosen GoCanvas as their go-to partner for seamless field operations.

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