Vehicle inspection requirements fall under 49 CFR Part 396 and cover everything from pre-trip walk-arounds to annual comprehensive inspections. The FMCSA's Vehicle Maintenance BASIC tracks violations in this area — carriers with high scores face increased roadside inspection rates and potential compliance reviews. Proper inspection documentation is as important as the inspection itself.
Annual Periodic Inspections
Every commercial vehicle must pass an annual periodic inspection performed by a qualified inspector. The inspection must cover at minimum the items listed in Appendix G of 49 CFR Part 396 — including brakes, steering, suspension, wheels/tires, lights, and more. The inspection report must be retained on the vehicle or at the terminal for 14 months. Operating a vehicle without a current annual inspection is an out-of-service violation.
Pre-Trip and Post-Trip DVIRs
Drivers must complete a Driver Vehicle Inspection Report (DVIR) at the end of each day they operate a vehicle. The post-trip DVIR must report any defect or deficiency in the vehicle that would affect safety or result in a mechanical breakdown. The next driver must review the previous day's DVIR before operating the vehicle. Carriers must retain DVIRs for 3 months. Pre-trip inspection is also required — if defects were noted on the previous DVIR, they must be repaired and signed off before the vehicle returns to service.
Defect Reporting and Repair Documentation
When a defect is noted on a DVIR, the carrier must certify either that repairs were made or that no repair was necessary (if the defect is non-safety-related). The certifying mechanic must sign off. Ignoring a noted defect — or certifying it repaired without actually fixing it — creates significant liability. Roadside inspectors often compare current DVIR books against vehicle condition.
Roadside Inspections and CSA Impact
Roadside inspections conducted by state enforcement officers feed directly into a carrier's CSA score. Vehicle out-of-service violations carry the highest severity weights. Common violations include inoperative lights, brake deficiencies, tire issues, and missing inspection stickers. BridgeWorks One™ tracks annual inspection due dates and DVIR submissions so nothing falls through the cracks.
Key Takeaways
- Annual inspection required for every CMV — retain report 14 months
- Post-trip DVIR required every day a CMV is operated
- Next driver must review previous DVIR before operating
- Defects must be repaired and signed off before return to service
- Roadside violations directly impact CSA scores