What is DOT Inspection?
Most roadside inspections follow the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) North American Standard levels. Level I checks both driver and vehicle, Level II is a walk-around, and Level III covers the driver's credentials and records, including the record of duty status. An officer can place a driver or vehicle out of service for serious violations, which stops the trip until the problem is corrected. Inspection results feed the carrier's CSA scores. Commercial vehicles also need a periodic inspection at least once every 12 months. Keeping logs, DVIRs and maintenance records ready makes inspections shorter.
Key facts
- Clear logs and DVIRs keep inspections short
- Inspection results feed your CSA scores
- An out-of-service order stops the trip until the problem is fixed
- Records on hand answer an officer's questions on the spot
