Surprise! Time To Prepare For A DOT Inspection

Do you like surprises? Most of us would say yes, if it was a pleasant surprise. One surprise you probably would not appreciate is an unscheduled Department of Transportation (DOT) Inspection. Under the Authority of DOT, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and law enforcement agencies across the country conduct millions of inspections each year to keep our highways and roadways safe for travel, not only for truckers, but also for regular motorists.

There are six different inspection levels, each listed below with a brief description:

Level I: Includes vehicle, cargo, driver, and document inspection
Level II: Walk-Around Driver/Vehicle Inspection – Same as level I without going under the vehicle
Level III: Driver/Credential/Administrative Inspection – Pertains to driver and document inspection only
Level IV: Special Inspections – These inspections usually are for a specific or unique issue
Level V: Vehicle-Only Inspection – The driver need not be present
Level VI: North American Standard Inspection for Transuranic Waste and Highway Route Controlled Quantities (HRCQ) of Radioactive Material – Similar to Level 1, except there’s increased scrutiny for radioactive cargo and documentation.

Level I is the most frequently performed inspection of the six. More commonly known as the North American Standard Inspection, this inspection includes driver’s licensing and qualifications, documentation, and cargo.

Level I, II, V & VI inspections also include assessing the condition of the vehicle systems and components according to Title 49, Section 396 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), which covers vehicle inspection, repair and maintenance. During this inspection, the inspector will scrutinize the following systems and components during the vehicle inspection:

Brake System
Coupling Devices
Exhaust System
Fuel System
Lighting Devices
Safe Loading
Steering Mechanism
Suspension
Frame
Tires
Wheels and Rims
Windshield Glazing
Windshield Wipers

According to the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA), some of the most common vehicle-related violations discovered during DOT inspections are in the areas of lighting, brakes, and fluid leaks such as oil or fuel. So, the best way to pass a DOT inspection, even if it is a surprise, is to plan on it occurring and ensure your driver and your vehicle is prepared beforehand.

When you need the information to diagnose and repair those inoperative tail lights, out-of-adjustment brakes, or the engine oil leak that your driver reported yesterday, you can count on Mitchell 1 TruckSeries truck repair information to be in your shop, at your side.

Curtis (Curt) Bogert joined the Mitchell 1 Commercial Vehicle Group as an Associate Editor in 2013. His previous experience includes more than 35 five years in the commercial truck industry as a service technician, truck dealership service manager, factory service rep for a major commercial truck manufacturer and a commercial truck sales person. He has over 25 years as an ASE Certified Master Medium/Heavy Truck Technician, Master Truck Equipment Technician, Advanced Level Diesel Specialist and School Bus Technician. Curt also holds a certificate in diesel technology from San Diego City College.