The 6 Levels of DOT Inspections you need to know about and what to expect when a DOT inspector stops you
Every commercial vehicle (CV) registered for a weight of more than 4,500 kilograms must undergo annual DOT inspection. A DOT (Department Of Transportation) inspection is an inspection conducted by a qualified DOT Officer to ensure that the vehicle is safe to be on the road. The Commercial Vehicle Inspection Program (CVIP) involves a mandatory vehicle inspection that ensures a vehicle is mechanically safe to operate. It is illegal for a commercial vehicle to be operated on a highway unless it has a valid inspection certificate and decal
There are 6 Levels of DOT inspections The DOT Inspections can be conducted anywhere by a qualified Inspector or state police officer. Bellow is a list of the different levels with an explanation of the methods the DOT officer uses to asses the safe use of the vehicle.
Level I: North American Standard Inspection
An inspection that includes examination of driver’s license; Medical Examiner’s Certificate and Skill Performance Evaluation (SPE) Certificate (if applicable); alcohol and drugs; driver’s record of duty status, as required; hours of service; seat belt; vehicle inspection report(s) (if applicable); brake systems; cargo securement; coupling devices; driveline/driveshaft; exhaust systems; frames; fuel systems; lighting devices (headlamps, tail lamps, stop lamps, turn signals and lamps/flags on projecting loads); steering mechanisms; suspensions; tires; van and open-top trailer bodies; wheels, rims and hubs; windshield wipers; buses, motorcoaches, passenger vans or other passenger-carrying vehicles – emergency exits, electrical cables and systems in engine and battery compartments, seating, HM/DG and specification cargo tank requirements, as applicable. HM/DG required inspection items will only be inspected by certified HM/DG and cargo tank inspectors, as applicable. examination of driver’s license; Medical Examiner’s Certificate and Skill Performance Evaluation (SPE) Certificate (if applicable)
alcohol and drugs; driver’s record of duty status, as required; hours of service, seat belt; vehicle inspection report(s); brake systems; cargo securement; coupling devices; drive-line/driveshaft; exhaust systems; frames; fuel systems; lighting devices (headlamps, tail lamps, stop lamps, turn signals and lamps/flags on projecting loads); steering mechanisms; suspensions; tires; van and open-top trailer bodies; wheels, rims and hubs; windshield wipers; buses, motor coaches, passenger vans or other passenger-carrying vehicles – emergency exits, electrical cables and systems in engine and battery compartments, seating, HM/DG and specification cargo tank requirements, as applicable. HM/DG required inspection items will only be inspected by certified HM/DG and cargo tank inspectors, as applicable.
Level II: Walk-Around Driver/Vehicle Inspection.
The level II is almost identical to level I inspection, It is contemplated that the walk-around driver/vehicle inspection will include only those items that can be inspected without physically getting under the vehicle.
A mobile app or DOT driver vehicle checklist can be helpful to you if you are interested in learning about the steps of conducting a vehicle safety inspection,
Level III: Driver/Credential Inspection
An examination that includes those items specified under the North American Standard Level III Driver/Credential Inspection Procedure. As a minimum, Level III Inspections must include, where required and/or applicable: examination of the driver’s license; Medical Examiner’s Certificate and Skill Performance Evaluation (SPE) Certificate; driver’s record of duty status; hours of service; seat belt; and vehicle inspection report(s).
Level IV: Special Inspections
Under this level typically to include a one-time examination conducted to take a closer look at a particular item. These examinations are usually done in support of a previous claim to verify or refute a suspected trend
Level V: Vehicle-Only Inspection
This level 5 Inspection each of the vehicle inspection items specified under the North American Standard Inspection (Level I) and is conducted at any location but without the driver present.
Level VI: Enhanced NAS Inspection for Radioactive Shipments
This is required to pass the North American Standard Level VI Inspection. As of Jan. 1, 2005, all vehicles and carriers transporting HRCQ of radioactive material are regulated by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and required to pass the North American Standard Level VI Inspection. what is required to pass the North American Standard Level VI Inspection.
This level VI ensures that before transporting dangerous goods, a driver have knowledge of what they are working with. No person may handle, offer for transport or transport dangerous goods unless they are trained in or under the direct supervision of someone who is trained. Drivers must learn about the dangers of driving defective vehicles and how to detect and report problems for repairs well before a bigger issue arises. A simple walk around inspection before and after every trip is one of the best way to perform this inspection.
This walk-around inspection includes
Knowing what the inspection criteria includes ensures that drivers are passing inspections with flying colors and helps maintaining a safe commercial vehicle on the road.
There are 6 Levels of DOT inspections The DOT Inspections can be conducted anywhere by a qualified Inspector or state police officer. Bellow is a list of the different levels with an explanation of the methods the DOT officer uses to asses the safe use of the vehicle.
Level I: North American Standard Inspection
An inspection that includes examination of driver’s license; Medical Examiner’s Certificate and Skill Performance Evaluation (SPE) Certificate (if applicable); alcohol and drugs; driver’s record of duty status, as required; hours of service; seat belt; vehicle inspection report(s) (if applicable); brake systems; cargo securement; coupling devices; driveline/driveshaft; exhaust systems; frames; fuel systems; lighting devices (headlamps, tail lamps, stop lamps, turn signals and lamps/flags on projecting loads); steering mechanisms; suspensions; tires; van and open-top trailer bodies; wheels, rims and hubs; windshield wipers; buses, motorcoaches, passenger vans or other passenger-carrying vehicles – emergency exits, electrical cables and systems in engine and battery compartments, seating, HM/DG and specification cargo tank requirements, as applicable. HM/DG required inspection items will only be inspected by certified HM/DG and cargo tank inspectors, as applicable. examination of driver’s license; Medical Examiner’s Certificate and Skill Performance Evaluation (SPE) Certificate (if applicable)
alcohol and drugs; driver’s record of duty status, as required; hours of service, seat belt; vehicle inspection report(s); brake systems; cargo securement; coupling devices; drive-line/driveshaft; exhaust systems; frames; fuel systems; lighting devices (headlamps, tail lamps, stop lamps, turn signals and lamps/flags on projecting loads); steering mechanisms; suspensions; tires; van and open-top trailer bodies; wheels, rims and hubs; windshield wipers; buses, motor coaches, passenger vans or other passenger-carrying vehicles – emergency exits, electrical cables and systems in engine and battery compartments, seating, HM/DG and specification cargo tank requirements, as applicable. HM/DG required inspection items will only be inspected by certified HM/DG and cargo tank inspectors, as applicable.
Level II: Walk-Around Driver/Vehicle Inspection.
The level II is almost identical to level I inspection, It is contemplated that the walk-around driver/vehicle inspection will include only those items that can be inspected without physically getting under the vehicle.
A mobile app or DOT driver vehicle checklist can be helpful to you if you are interested in learning about the steps of conducting a vehicle safety inspection,
Level III: Driver/Credential Inspection
An examination that includes those items specified under the North American Standard Level III Driver/Credential Inspection Procedure. As a minimum, Level III Inspections must include, where required and/or applicable: examination of the driver’s license; Medical Examiner’s Certificate and Skill Performance Evaluation (SPE) Certificate; driver’s record of duty status; hours of service; seat belt; and vehicle inspection report(s).
Level IV: Special Inspections
Under this level typically to include a one-time examination conducted to take a closer look at a particular item. These examinations are usually done in support of a previous claim to verify or refute a suspected trend
Level V: Vehicle-Only Inspection
This level 5 Inspection each of the vehicle inspection items specified under the North American Standard Inspection (Level I) and is conducted at any location but without the driver present.
Level VI: Enhanced NAS Inspection for Radioactive Shipments
This is required to pass the North American Standard Level VI Inspection. As of Jan. 1, 2005, all vehicles and carriers transporting HRCQ of radioactive material are regulated by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and required to pass the North American Standard Level VI Inspection. what is required to pass the North American Standard Level VI Inspection.
This level VI ensures that before transporting dangerous goods, a driver have knowledge of what they are working with. No person may handle, offer for transport or transport dangerous goods unless they are trained in or under the direct supervision of someone who is trained. Drivers must learn about the dangers of driving defective vehicles and how to detect and report problems for repairs well before a bigger issue arises. A simple walk around inspection before and after every trip is one of the best way to perform this inspection.
This walk-around inspection includes
- Checking the tires air pressure using a tire pressure gauge, checking also mudflaps (be sure to know the rules and regulations in your state) as some states have specific requirements for bud flaps
- Electrical system testing for malfunctioning lights, bulbs and electric signals can be a safety hazard. Also be sure to check your brake lights, head lights including high and low beams.
- Checking for cracks on windshield even a small or tiny chip can quickly turn to a much worse if not addressed right away. Do a regular check for
Knowing what the inspection criteria includes ensures that drivers are passing inspections with flying colors and helps maintaining a safe commercial vehicle on the road.
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