Class 8 trucks that have a weight rating of more than 10.001 pounds are required to undergo Inspection every year. These inspections are regulated and conducted by the Department of Transportation-DOT.

The aim of the Dot Inspection is to make sure that the truck, all truck parts of the commercial motor vehicle are in the best working condition. The DOT requires inspection of the truck driver as well.

In general there are six levels of the DOT inspection.

Thereupon, the truck drivers who are performing pre-trip inspections on a regular basis and are using electronic logging devices are the ones that tend to do very well on DOT inspections.

Mainly it is so, because the electronic logging devices are making inspections safer, faster and more efficient, both for the truck driver and for the DOT inspector.

In addition, electronic logging devices are eliminating the form and manner violations- featuring missing dates, locations, total miles and the HOS violations.

Henceforth, truck drivers by following all the rules and regulations can drastically reduce the violations that they can potentially receive.

So, my tips for success would be:

• Listen and follow instructions;
• Be polite;
• Be organized;
• Do your pre trip inspection;

Inspections…. Nobody likes them but still all truck drivers involved in the trucking industry should go through.

Further in this article you can read and learn more facts and figures about what DOT officers are looking for when performing a DOT inspection.

So, let’s take a look!

1. DOT INSPECTION: A Tidy Cab Means Move Along

The lifestyle that truck drivers are leading implies being constantly on the road. Speaking in that direction the truck cab becomes their home.

Straight proportionally, it means that truck drivers should pay enormous attention to maintaining their cab tidy.

Yet, it is not that hard. After all keeping a tidy cab can be seen as a win-win situation, you will enjoy the benefits of a tidy and clean home on the road while at the same time staying compliant with the DOT requirements and regulations.

Yet, there are some truck drivers who are not paying enough attention and time on maintaining their cabs. Due to that truckers when selected for DOT inspection might encounter few problems.

DOT inspectors don’t like to look at your cab and see a jungle. Truck drivers should never ever leave their cabs look bad and smell bad.

Keeping items of trash or bags is both not hygienic and can lead to illnesses.

Moreover, DOT inspectors can end up with a conclusion that the truck driver is not spending a fair amount of time to clean his own truck as well as that he is not keeping after the trucking company to fix things.

Thanks to these impressions the DOT inspectors often think that the chances for them to find something wrong with the truck are high.

2. DOT INSPECTION: Make Your Documents Easy To Inspect

If you are stopped for a DOT inspection, then you should expect document inspection as well.

So, all truck drivers should keep in mind that they need to keep their documentation clear and in order- that will make your documentation easy to inspect.

Moreover, it will leave a good impression in the eyes of the DOT inspector as well.

But on the other hand, if you are one of those truck drivers who has all documents at one place, and you keep it without any particular order then believe it or not the DOT inspection will take a while.

Not only that the DOT inspection will take a while, but as well the DOT inspector won’t be happy about it.

Just keep it clean and make every document look good.

Remember: If your truck is maintained well and is in a good shape, as well as if you have a good documentation in place, then the DOT inspection won’t take a lot of your time.

DOT inspectors can notice it all straight away. Also, keep in mind that first impressions speak volumes.

3. DOT INSPECTION: First Impressions Are Lasting Ones

As I mentioned before, when you get pulled over for a DOT inspection keep in mind to make the first impression a lasting one.

Moreover, the best way for truck drivers to leave a lasting first impression is not to say something to volunteer himself. More precisely, handling yourself good and answering politely the questions that the DOT inspector has to ask you will push away any stepping stone.

So the cleanliness of the truck can speak volumes about the truck driver. DOT inspectors believe that keeping a clean truck is a big deal.

When I say this I do not refer to a sparkling clean truck at all time, but instead an averagely clean truck.

For example: If a truck driver is keeping the trash and all different kinds of stuff in the truck cab then it is logical for the DOT inspector performing the DOT inspection process to see that the driver is not on top of things.

4. DOT INSPECTION: If You Are Chosen For Inspection Then Prepare Yourself

Truck drivers at any time should be prepared for a DOT inspection.

It is in favor of the truck driver to stay compliant with all the rules and regulations, as well to maintain his truck in a good condition.

Tip: If you are chosen for inspection then you should prepare yourself and to cooperate with the DOT inspector. Yet, after all the better you cooperate with throughout the DOT inspection the better and quicker you will end up.

More precisely, the truck drivers who are regularly performing pre-trip inspection are the ones who will be compliant with the DOT inspection.

Also, it is of a great importance for the truck driver to know where all of his documentation and additional equipment is.

5. DOT INSPECTION: Be Courteous

As you already know, the truck driving career is putting truck drivers on the road for a long period of time, and that can affect truck drivers in many ways.

Yet, those days that truck drivers are on the road can make then nervous due to many things, starting from the fact that they are far away from home and from their loved ones, up to some complication that has happened with the truck.

So, sometimes when the truck drivers are being stopped by a DOT inspector they can get offended due to the fact that they have a lot of stuff on their head. But that attitude is not preferable at all.

Moreover, the best way for truck drivers to face a DOT inspection is through being courteous.

6. DOT INSPECTION: How Can Truck Drivers Prepare Themselves For DOT Inspection

So far I have spoken about the attitude of the truck drivers when they get stopped for DOT inspection. Now it is time to pass on the second most important part, which is to prepare themselves for DOT inspection.

Thereupon, truck drivers who are for a long time in the trucking industry know how to detect as well as to report the problems that they are having with their truck.

On the other hand we have the new truck drivers who sometimes don’t know how to face and detect problems for truck repair.

Due to that it is recommendable for both, experienced and new truck drivers to perform pre trip inspections on a regular basis in order to maintain the truck in the best possible condition.

The three most important steps that truck drivers should take in order to prepare themselves for a DOT inspection are the following ones.

7. Check The Tires

Tires tend to deflate slowly as time passes by. So, the very first thing that truck drivers should do is to check the tires.

Tires rarely blow out, but nevertheless, it is recommendable for truck drivers to check each tire for air by using a digital tire pressure gauge. If there is any problem the digital tire pressure gauge will show whether the tires are deflated or not.

Truck drivers often overlook the mudflaps. Each state has different set of rules and regulations concerning the class 8 truck mudflap usage. (The purpose of using mudflaps is to keep debris and spray tossed up by the tires from hitting the windshields)

8. Test The Lights

Safety is always on the first place, so speaking about that truck drivers should as well inspect if there are any malfunctioning lights or electric signals. These are the truck parts that can become a huge safety hazard if not functioning properly.

So, before truckers hit the road they should be sure to check the following truck parts:

• The brake lights;
• Headlights;
• High Beams;
• Low Beams;

9. Look For Cracks

Hairline cracks can happen every now and then due to flying gravel. Therefore, it is recommendable for truck drivers before they hit the road to check whether there are any crack on the windows.

10. DOT INSPECTION: 6 Levels of Inspection

Let me make it clearer to you. DOT inspection is usually carried out by a state police officer or by a qualified DOT inspector. They have the right to inspect the carriers, to check all parts and accessories of the vehicles.

Thereupon, the reason why state police officers and qualified DOT inspectors are performing DOT inspection is due to ensuring that all commercial motor vehicles operating on the road are in a proper condition and are safe to be on the highways.

Moreover, the DOT inspection consists of six extensive levels. These six extensive levels include inspection of the commercial motor vehicle as well as inspection of the truck driver.

So let’s see in details what the six extensive levels of DOT inspection include:

1.    North American Standard Inspection

The first extensive level or better known as the North American Standard Inspection, includes a complete check of the driver’s documentation- the driver’s license, medical certificate, daily longs, HOS documents, driver and vehicle inspection reports as well as hazmat endorsements.

Hence, the DOT inspector while performing the North American Standard Inspection is able to check whether the truck driver is using alcohol, drugs or other hazardous materials that can harm the safety of all people engaged on the roads.

In addition, DOT inspectors are as well checking the following things:

• Seat Belts;
• Exhaust system;
• Brakes;
• Coupling devices;
• Emergency exits;
• Suspension;
• Tires;
• Trailer bodies;
• Hubcaps;
• Windshield wipers;
• Frame, tail and headlamps;
• Turn signals;
• Steering wheel;
• Rims and Fuel systems;
• If the cargo is properly loaded and secured;

2.    Walk-Around Driver and Vehicle Inspection

The walk-around driver and vehicle inspection includes the inspection of all items of the truck that can be checked without physically getting under the truck.

3.    Driver Only Inspection

Truck drivers should prepare their credentials properly, because the third extensive DOT inspection level includes a driver only inspection during which the trucker will be checked for the following things:

• Required endorsements;
• CDL driver’s license;
• RODS;
• Hazmat endorsements;
• Medical card and waiver;
• Vehicle Inspection Report;
• Skill performance evaluation certificate;
• HOS documentation;
• Seat belt usage;
• Possible use of alcohol or drugs;

4.    Special Inspection

Special inspections are dedicated for a one-time examination of a particular item.

5.    Vehicle-Only Inspection

The vehicle only inspection includes a complete check of the vehicle, altogether with everything that is part from the level 1 inspection. This type of inspection should be performed without truck driver’s presence.

Moreover, the vehicle only inspection includes:

• Brake and fuel systems;
• Suspensions;
• Tires and wheel assemblies;
• Cargo securement and coupling devices;
• Open-top trailer bodies;
• Electrical cables and systems in engine and battery compartments;
• Windshield wipers and emergency exits;
• Steering mechanism and lighting devices;

6.    Enhanced NAS Inspection for Radioactive Shipments

The North American Standard Inspection for Transuranic Waste and HRCQ- Highway Route Controlled Quantities of Radioactive Material involves the inspection of:

• Inspection for radiological shipments;
• Enhancements to Level 1 inspection;
• Radiological requirements;
• Enhanced out of service criteria;

Thereupon, the vehicles that are transporting this type of loads should pay attention on the special nuclear symbol decals that are specially developed for vehicle meeting the inspection criteria. The nuclear symbol is only valid for one trip.

Final DOT INSPECTION Tip: Use a pre-trip checklist

Performing a pre-trip inspection is a must for all truck drivers who are part of the U.S. trucking industry. After all the pre-trip checklist is the thing that can save you from both minor violations, as well as from out-of service violations.

As a crucial part of the business the DOT inspection are necessary, because this inspection is what keeps everyone compliant and safe.

So, each truck driver should make some time to check the coupling devices, fuel system, tires, lights, brake system as well as other crucial truck parts before every trip.

Conclusion

All in all, truck drivers should make sure to keep the truck and equipment clean and in a professional manner in order to stay compliant with the DOT inspection and to stay off the DOT radar.

Thereupon, trucking companies should train their truck drivers how to answer DOT related questions that may arise during a roadside inspection so that they can protect their trucking business.

As well, trucking companies by ensuring that truck drivers are using the proper load securement methods for the type of the loads that they are transporting can protect their business too.

So, as you had the chance to read in this article the aim of DOT inspections is not to issue any tickets to truck drivers, but instead to keep them and the other people engaged in the road transportation safe and sound.

I hope that you will find this article useful. Yet, if you have already had any experience with DOT Inspection feel free to share it with us in the comment box.