DOT inspections are a series of tests that are often carried out by state troopers to further enforce roadway safety in the United States. These inspections make sure that your truck is in good working condition, and isn’t a hazard to other drivers on the road. If you are a seasoned trucker, you most likely are familiar with DOT inspections.
However, you may not know what they inspect during a DOT and what common violations are. For new truckers, you may not have undergone a DOT inspection in your career yet. Written down below, we have detailed what you need to know about DOT inspections for seasoned truckers and new truckers alike.
The Six Levels of DOT Inspections
There are six levels of DOT inspections that are different in terms of thoroughness. The different levels will be carried out in different situations, but the most common level is the level one DOT inspection. Level 1 DOT inspections are the most common and the most thorough. We will be detailing how to pass a level 1 inspection in this article since you’ll be able to pass all six levels of DOT inspections if you are prepared for a level 1.Level 1 DOT Inspection
During a level 1 DOT inspection, the inspector will examine the following:- Medical examiners certificate
- Alcohol and drug use
- Daily logs
- Hours of Service (HOS) documentation
- Seat belt use
- Driver and vehicle inspection reports
- Brake system
- Coupling devices
- Exhaust system
- Truck frame
- Fuel system
- All lamps
- Tires
- Windshield and wipers
- Suspension
- Safe loading
- Steering wheel and associated mechanisms
- Wheels and rims
- Hazardous materials requirements (if you are a hazmat hauler)