These are the questions fleet managers ask us most often, with straight answers. Where an answer comes from a federal rule, we link to it. Where a number is our recommendation, we say so; your engine and transmission makers' manuals still set the limits for your specific trucks. For questions about diagnostic costs, downtime and judging a shop's work, see our Fleet Manager Q&A.
At least once every 12 months. Under FMCSA rule 49 CFR 396.17, a carrier may not use a commercial vehicle unless it has passed a periodic inspection within the preceding 12 months, with documentation on the vehicle. That applies to each vehicle in a combination, so the tractor and each trailer need their own inspection.
Someone who meets FMCSA's inspector qualifications. Under 49 CFR 396.19, the inspector must understand the inspection criteria, be able to identify defective components, and have completed a qualifying training program or have at least one year of relevant training or experience. The carrier must keep evidence of those qualifications. If you use an outside shop, ask how it documents its inspectors' qualifications.
Anyone responsible for brake inspection, maintenance or repair must be qualified by training, a state or federal certificate, or at least one year of brake-related training or experience, under 49 CFR 396.25. That applies whether the work is done in your own shop or by a vendor.
49 CFR 396.3 requires records for each vehicle that identify it, show the nature and due date of inspection and maintenance work, and record the inspections, repairs and maintenance done. Keep them where the vehicle is housed or maintained for one year, and for six months after the vehicle leaves your control.
Three months from the date the report was prepared, along with the certification of repairs and the driver's review, under 49 CFR 396.11. Drivers do not have to prepare a report if they find no defect.
Brakes, by a wide margin. In the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance's 2025 International Roadcheck, brake-related problems accounted for 41.1% of vehicle out-of-service violations. Tires, lights and cargo securement were the other most common causes. Our post on driver pre-trip and weekly checks covers how to catch them first.
We recommend every 12,500 miles. The clutch wears with every engagement, and a regular check catches adjustment problems and leaks early.
We recommend every 300,000 miles, and sooner for trucks that idle a lot, run short stop-and-go routes or have started regenerating more often.
It depends on the engine, the oil and how hard the truck works. Start with the engine maker's schedule for your duty cycle, and use oil analysis to confirm it. An oil change itself takes 15 to 45 minutes in our shops, and most oil and fluid visits are turned around the same day.
Use mileage for trucks that run steady routes, and engine hours for trucks that idle or run equipment while parked. Many fleets use whichever comes first.
Class 4 to 8 trucks and trailers: light, medium and heavy-duty, all makes and models. That includes brakes, PMs, DOT inspections, diagnostics, engine, transmission, emissions and electrical work, trailer repairs, light body repairs, and Moffett repair and maintenance.
We have three shops in North Carolina: Statesville (945-A Monroe St, Statesville, NC 28677), Bessemer City (3715 Dallas Cherryville Hwy, Bessemer City, NC 28016), serving Gastonia and Gaston County, and Monroe (2203 Stafford Street Ext, Monroe, NC 28110).
Yes, for many jobs. Our mobile units handle on-site preventive maintenance, DOT inspections, DOT-related repairs, shorter repairs and diagnostics on check engine and warning lights. Larger repairs come into the shop.
Yes, at all three shops, Monday to Friday, 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, on each shop's own phone number.
Call the shop nearest you, or send a message, and we will get back to you the same business day.
Yes. Our Fleet Maintenance Partnership Program includes scheduled PM service, on-site inspections and repair, and priority support when service is needed. Ask any of our shops about it.
Statesville: 704-960-8951. Bessemer City: 980-391-4100. Monroe: 980-396-6750. Or email marketing@gallaherfleetsolutions.com or request service at www.gallaherfleetsolutions.com/contact. See Fleet Services for everything we do.