Blog Layout

Understanding DOT Roadside Inspections: What You Should Know

Oct 19, 2021

Frankly, many truck drivers aren't thrilled with the DOT roadside inspection. And the reason is quite obvious; they fear failing the inspection. However, US Department of Transport inspections aren't something you should be anxious about. While they may happen out of the blue, anywhere and at any time, you'll easily pass the test if you plan ahead for the different inspection levels. 



Foremost, you need to understand what a DOT roadside inspection is, the different levels of inspection, and how you can efficiently prepare for each of them. Well, don't worry as this article covers all that and more.


So, What Is a DOT Roadside Inspection, and How Is It Conducted?


Put simply, a DOT roadside inspection is a series of examinations that ascertains if Commercial Motor Vehicles (CMVs) are in good shape to operate. This happens when a Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP) inspector examines individual commercial motor vehicles and drivers to determine if they comply with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) and Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMRs.)

Failure of compliance may lead to revocation or withdrawal of the operational license. But upon compliance, you will be allowed to resume your operations. Remember that a traffic enforcement violation may also be recorded in conjunction with a roadside inspection.


The 8 DOT Inspection Levels


Under the North American Standard, there are eight different levels of a DOT Roadside Inspection. And according to the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA), there are about four million inspections conducted across North America every year.

Unfortunately, you may not even know which of the eight different levels will be conducted until you're stopped by the inspectors. Consequently, it is vital to understand each of these eight levels of DOT inspections and help your drivers become compliant.


Level 1: Full


Considered the most comprehensive and common DOT Roadside Inspection, the Level-1 North American Standard Inspection covers a series of tests on the driver and the vehicle. Talking of how common it is, in 2019, 45568 inspections out of 67072 were considered as Level-1 inspections by CVSA. With these numbers, it wouldn't be fair not to consider this as your most regular inspection.


All the same, it examines the driver's Commercial Driver License (CDL), seat belt, drug and alcohol intake, medical examiner's certificate, Skill Performance Evaluation (SPE) certificate (if applicable), the record of duty status (RODS), and hours of service compliance.


In regards to the vehicle, it can examine several factors, including but not limited to; brake systems, electrical systems, coupling devices, lighting devices, steering system, fuel and exhaust system, emergency exit, windshield wipers, rims, hubs, wheels, and the overall open body. HM/DG requirements may also apply. In other words, level-1 inspection is mostly concerned with driver and vehicle safety.


Level 2: Walk-Around


Generally, this inspection level is very similar to the level-1 DOT inspection. However, the one distinction existing is that level 2 will only examine those items that can be inspected without having to physically get below the vehicle. That even explains why it's referred to as the walk-around vehicle/driver inspection.

While it can be less rigorous than the former, level 2 inspections still call for the driver to prepare as much as possible since it encompasses nearly every item in level-1, such as drug and alcohol screening, among other vehicle and driver-related items.


Level 3: Driver Only


As the name suggests, level 3 driver-only inspection will examine the credentials specific only to the truck driver when applicable. This comprises; the driver's license, medical examiner's report, skill performance evaluation, hours of service, seat belt, the record of duty status, carrier identification and status, as well as drug/alcohol screening. Not to mention, traffic violations will also be included in a level 3 inspection, if applicable.


Level 4: Special Study


Level 4 DOT inspections are special examinations for a one-time investigation of a certain vehicle or driver-related concerns. It may be done to verify the truth about a particular norm or trend. For instance, the fuel or exhaust system may be examined for safety purposes or air pollution concerns. Alternatively, it may even entail the verification of a common violation trend among the CMV operators and carriers.


Level 5: Terminal


Level 5 DOT inspection, often referred to as vehicle-only inspection, conducts an inspection of the vehicle-related items stated under level-1 North American Standard inspection. The only difference is that it is conducted in the absence of the truck driver. It may also be done at any location, including a company-owned facility akin to the DOT audit.


Level 6: Radioactive Material


Level 6 DOT inspection is dedicated to Transuranics and Highway Route Controlled Quantity substances. In other words, it is largely concerned with radioactive shipments or rather radioactive cargo. The NAS inspection specific to radiological shipments are subject to;

  1. Enhancement to the level 1 DOT inspection
  2. Requirements pertaining to radiological materials, that is, before and after shipment
  3. NAS inspection of Transuranic Waste and HRCQ of radioactive shipments

Upon passing the test, a special nuclear symbol decal, which is only valid for one trip, is given to the motor vehicle for compliance.


Level 7: Jurisdictional Mandated


Level 7 DOT inspections are more unique than the other inspection levels as they include any jurisdictional mandated inspection program that does not meet the requirements of any other inspection level. In other words, they apply only to vehicles that do not meet the requirements of other levels. Typically, a jurisdictional mandated inspection would apply to school buses, shared-ride transportation, Intra-Provincial Operations, and hotel courtesy shuttles.


Level 8: Electronic Inspection


A level 8 electronic inspection is a fairly new inspection level that not everyone is well familiar with. It doesn't necessitate physical interaction with an inspector as it is conducted entirely electronically/wirelessly while the vehicle is in motion. As eligibility for a level 8 inspection, the details collected should entail all of the required/applicable data points listed by CVSA, including;


●     A clear location with GPS coordinates

●     Electronic validation of the vehicle's operator

●     Driver's license class and endorsement for the vehicle being operated

●     License status

●     Skill Performance Evaluation (SPE) Certificate

●     Medical Examiner's Certificate

●     Record of Duty Status (RODS) of the current driver

●     Hours of Service compliance

●     USDOT number

●     Power unit registration

●     Operating authority

●     Unified Carrier Registration compliance

●     Federal out-of-service orders


Tips to Prepare Your Drivers for DOT Inspections


As mentioned earlier, roadside inspections can happen at any time. It is, therefore, important for drivers to be ready for an inspection. Here are a few tips:

  1. Provide training for drivers so that they understand what an inspection is and the different levels
  2. Teach drivers how to properly perform a Pre and Post Trip Inspection
  3. Follow hour of service regulation
  4. Follow traffic control devices
  5. Stay ELD compliant
  6. Perform walk-around when applicable, looking for defective lights, tires, or loose cargo
  7. Implement Preventive Maintenance Programs


Key Takeaway


One of the best solutions to help minimize DOT roadside violations and get ready for the inspections is conducting a preventive maintenance program for your vehicles. This will go a long way in identifying potential violation issues or malfunctions so you can address them earlier. Fortunately, we can assist you with setting up your maintenance shop. You can contact Red River DOT Consulting and Training for In-House drivers training or visit our online training program.

A male driver standing in front of a Hazmat truck with a chemical plant on the background

Steps for Implementing your HM Security Plan

20 Oct, 2021
An HM Security Plan is needed to comply with the DOT laws and regulations. Writing a security plan is one thing and implementing it is another thing. Find out how to take action by reading this guide.
HAZMAT-team-members-discussing-chemical-disaster

A Look at HAZMAT Security Plan’s Minimum Components

16 Sep, 2021
What are the three most crucial minimum components of a HAZMAT security plan? And how to conduct an assessment on security risks during transportation? Find out now in this article.
man-on-security-duty

Does Your Company Require an HM-232 Hazmat Security Plan?

31 Aug, 2021
Perhaps one of the most important requirements for a HAZMAT company is to have a security plan. What is it, and when does your company need one? Let's find out.
Male truck driver at work using a radio; photo showing a concept of DOT's Hours of Service Regulatio

Making Sense of DOT Hours of Service Regulations Exceptions

06 Aug, 2021
The Hours of Service Regulations released by the DOT are meant to benefit drivers and other road users. Here are the important things you should know.
Hazardous materials hauling | HAZMAT training Red River DOT Consulting and Training LLC

An Overview of HAZMAT 49 CFR 172.704 Training Online

22 Jul, 2021
HAZMAT training ensures you receive the necessary experience and proper license endorsements to handle Hazardous Material hauling safely.

Understanding OSHA and DOT Jurisdiction for Truckers

19 Jul, 2021
As an employee in the trucking industry, the occupational safety statistics make for grim reading. Luckily, there is a myriad of Federal and State agencies whose mandate is to ensure all workers maintain safety standards. As a trucker, you are primarily under the jurisdiction of the US Department of Transport (DOT), with jurisdictional limits. Beyond those restrictions, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) takes over. What is the difference between OSHA and DOT jurisdiction? Here is a quick look at a couple of situations. Highway Driving As a trucker, you spend most of your time on the road. However, you do have to drop off your cargo at some point and pick up new deliveries. Whenever you are traveling on public roads, the US DOT has occupational safety jurisdiction. This is through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. There is a distinction to be made between OSHA and DOT jurisdiction. The FMCSA has control over interstate commerce while OSHA has jurisdiction over intrastate commerce. So, if you are transporting within the state and are not making any transshipment from out of state, OSHA will have command. If you are hauling Hazmat, DOT has jurisdiction – interstate and intrastate. Loading and unloading Once you have delivered the goods to the destination, they have to be put into some form of storage. It could be grain handling facilities, warehouses, or retail location piers. OSHA has jurisdiction over loading and unloading in off-highway facilities. In these areas, OSHA requires that workers receive instructions concerning the safety procedures, as well as the hazards they may face in that particular space. There are also industry-specific hazards that workers need to be aware of. The trucking industry is known to have the most fatalities across all occupations. By following specific regulations by OSHA and the DOT, you can keep yourself from becoming a part of those statistics. Since training is crucial to your success, ensure you plan for it. Find both DOT and OSHA online training here .

Everything a Supervisor Should Know About Reasonable Suspicion Testing

19 Jul, 2021
Your job as a CDL driver supervisor is not easy. The responsibility placed on your shoulders could make or break a company. You need to be on top of everything. This includes drug and alcohol training. As part of fulfilling your DOT requirements, you need to have at least 120 minutes of reasonable suspicion testing training. While traditionally you may need to visit a physical class to get the training, Red RiverDOT Consulting and Training has made it easier for you. All you need is to get reasonable suspicion testing training online. Why you need the course Under 49 CFR Part 382.307 of the Federal Motor Carrier Regulations, an employer, orin this case, a supervisor will require a driver to take an alcohol or drugs test if there is reasonable suspicion that the driver may be drunk, or could be using drugs. While those terms are simple enough to digest, it's not always easy to determine whether a driver is drunk, using a controlled substance, or just having eccentricities at work. This course helps you determine whether a driver is using alcohol or drugs by teaching you how to make sense of your hunches through the Reasonable Suspicion Process. What the course covers During the two hours you spend learning, you cover a lot of instruction crucial for maintaining driver safety. You start by covering the rules and regulations, as well as going over the reasonable suspicion testing process and how to use it. The lessons also involve learning about the effects of alcohol and various drugs, what to look for when you want to determine the substance the driver is on, and how to handle them. This detailed course will benefit you greatly since you'll acquire knowledge and insights into the program. Learn more about it here .
Share by: