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An intermodal equipment provider (IEP) must establish a system for motor carriers and drivers to report to it any damage, defects, or deficiencies of intermodal equipment.
Scope
These requirements apply to intermodal equipment providers.
Regulatory citations
- 49 CFR 396.12 — Procedures for intermodal equipment providers to accept reports required by §390.42(b) of this chapter.
Key definitions
- Intermodal equipment: Trailing equipment (usually container chassis) that is used in the intermodal transportation of intermodal cargo containers over public highways.
- Intermodal equipment provider (IEP): Any person who interchanges intermodal equipment with a motor carrier according to a written agreement or has contractual responsibility for the maintenance of the intermodal equipment.
Summary of requirements
Each IEP must establish a system for motor carriers and drivers to report to it any damage, defects, or deficiencies of intermodal equipment discovered by, or reported to, the motor carrier or driver which would:
- Affect the safe operation of the intermodal equipment, or
- Result in a mechanical breakdown while transported on public roads.
This reporting system must include:
- Name of the motor carrier responsible for the operation of the intermodal equipment at the time the damage, defects, or deficiencies were discovered by, or reported to, the driver;
- Motor carrier’s USDOT number;
- IEP’s USDOT number;
- Unique identifying number for the item of intermodal equipment;
- Date and time the report was submitted;
- All damage, defects, or deficiencies of the intermodal equipment reported to the equipment provider by the motor carrier or its driver; and
- Signature of the driver who prepared the report.
The IEP must repair all reported damage, defects, or deficiencies that are likely to affect the safe operation of the vehicle before allowing a motor carrier to transport the piece of intermodal equipment.
Each IEP or its agent must certify on the original driver’s report which lists any damage, defects, or deficiencies of the intermodal equipment that the reported damage, defects, or deficiencies have been repaired, or that repair is unnecessary, before the vehicle is operated again.
Each IEP must keep the following reports for three months from the date a motor carrier or driver submits the reports to the intermodal equipment provider or its agent:
- The driver report, and
- Certification of repairs on all intermodal equipment.