NETTCP Transportation Safety & Inspection 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under NETTCP safety standards, when a technician identifies a cracked or broken leaf spring on a commercial vehicle, what is the immediate action?
- Reduce vehicle load by 50% and proceed to nearest shop
- Mark the defect and schedule repair within 72 hours
- Place vehicle out of service — broken spring is an OOS condition (Correct answer)
- Weld the crack temporarily and re-inspect after 500 miles
Correct answer: Place vehicle out of service — broken spring is an OOS condition
A cracked or broken leaf spring is an FMCSA out-of-service condition because it critically compromises vehicle stability and control.
Question 2: A transportation technician is conducting a Level I roadside inspection. Which of the following is included in a Level I inspection?
- Interior vehicle inspection only
- Driver and vehicle inspection including all major systems (Correct answer)
- Cargo documentation review only
- Visual exterior walkaround without touching the vehicle
Correct answer: Driver and vehicle inspection including all major systems
A Level I North American Standard Inspection is the most comprehensive, covering both the driver's documentation and a thorough vehicle inspection of all major safety systems.
Question 3: What is the maximum allowable out-of-adjustment condition for an S-cam brake before it becomes an out-of-service violation on a vehicle with a 6-inch stroke chamber at full rated pressure?
- 5/8 inch pushrod travel beyond adjustment limit
- 1 inch pushrod travel beyond adjustment limit
- The stroke limit specified on the chamber's data plate (Correct answer)
- Any perceptible movement beyond the slack adjuster range
Correct answer: The stroke limit specified on the chamber's data plate
Brake adjustment limits are determined by the stroke length marked on the brake chamber's data plate, and exceeding that limit is an out-of-service condition.
Question 4: When inspecting cargo securement, a technician finds a tiedown strap with a working load limit (WLL) of 5,000 lbs securing a 12,000 lb piece of equipment. Assuming only one strap is used, how should this be classified?
- Compliant if the strap is new and undamaged
- Non-compliant — insufficient aggregate WLL for the cargo weight (Correct answer)
- Compliant if driving speed is reduced to 45 mph
- Non-compliant only if the cargo is over 15,000 lbs
Correct answer: Non-compliant — insufficient aggregate WLL for the cargo weight
FMCSA requires aggregate WLL of tiedowns to equal at least half the cargo weight, so a 12,000 lb load requires at least 6,000 lbs aggregate WLL.
Question 5: A technician conducting a brake inspection finds the brake lining thickness is 1/4 inch on a disc brake rotor-style system. Under FMCSA criteria, how should this be evaluated?
- Acceptable — well above minimum thickness
- Out of service — disc brake lining must be at least 1/8 inch above wear indicator (Correct answer)
- Advisory only — monitor for the next 500 miles
- Acceptable only if rotor thickness is also within specification
Correct answer: Out of service — disc brake lining must be at least 1/8 inch above wear indicator
FMCSA out-of-service criteria specify disc brake lining thickness must not be worn to the wear indicator or less than 1/8 inch, so 1/4 inch should be evaluated against specific wear indicator markings.
Question 6: Under New England state transportation regulations aligned with NETTCP, which vehicle category requires a Level VI (enhanced NAS) inspection that includes radiological checks?
- Oversize/overweight permitted loads
- Vehicles transporting radioactive materials (highway route controlled quantities) (Correct answer)
- All passenger vehicles with more than 15 occupants
- Refrigerated trailers carrying perishable food products
Correct answer: Vehicles transporting radioactive materials (highway route controlled quantities)
Level VI inspections are designed specifically for vehicles transporting highway route controlled quantities (HRCQ) of radioactive materials and include radiological monitoring.
Question 7: A technician notices a commercial vehicle's exhaust system pipe is routed within 6 inches of a fuel line without heat shielding. What action is required?
- No action required — fuel lines are heat resistant by design
- Note as an advisory and re-inspect in 30 days
- Place out of service — exhaust/fuel proximity without shielding is an OOS condition (Correct answer)
- Apply heat wrap tape and document the repair
Correct answer: Place out of service — exhaust/fuel proximity without shielding is an OOS condition
An exhaust system routed within 6 inches of a fuel line without adequate heat shielding is an FMCSA out-of-service condition due to fire risk.
NETTCP Transportation Safety & Inspection 4
Under NETTCP safety standards, when a technician identifies a cracked or broken leaf spring on a commercial vehicle, what is the immediate action?