DOT Inspection Checklist Template
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What is a DOT Inspection Checklist?
A DOT inspection checklist is a required inspection of the condition of the commercial motor vehicles and the driver operating it. The DOT inspections are conducted in eight inspection levels, conducted by competent and certified North American Standard Level I, Level V or Level VI certified inspectors. The DOT inspections can be random i.e. truck drivers can be pull aside for inspection, it can also be based on suspected issues of mechanical failure. For Level I inspections, there is a standard inspection procedure that requires inspectors to greet, prepare and interview the driver as they collect their documents and follow a list of check items to check the condition of the vehicle. According to CVSA, consistency of inspection procedures should be observed regardless of the state, province, jurisdiction or territory which is why it would greatly benefit for them to make use of a digital format of the checklist to adhere to this uniformity.
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DOT inspection requirements
The DOT inspection requirements have various general and specific requirements to every company who operates vehicles, such as trucking companies and intermodal equipment providers such as port operations and terminal services. The federal dot inspection requirements include the following general items and records.
Vehicle Inspection Condition:
- Parts and accessories of the vehicles should always be in good condition. This also involves that motor carrier be properly lubricated and free from oil and gas leaks.
- Check items for vehicles are specified in the Appendix A of Minimum Periodic Inspection Standards which basically covers brake systems, brake chambers, coupling devices, exhaust system, fuel system, lighting devices, safe loading, steering mechanism, frame, tires, windshield wipers, motorcoach seats, and rear impact guard.
Maintenance, vehicle records and frequency:
- Inspection for pushout windows, emergency doors, and emergency door marking lights of buses must be done at least every 90 days and records of tests should be conducted.
- Records of the vehicles with identification of the vehicle including company number, serial number, year, and tire size and the owner of the vehicle.
- Maintenance inspection and repair records with its dates should be available and easily accessible.
DOT inspections can be done in different frequencies, there are inspections that are required to be performed by a certified inspector or government employee such as the North American Standard Level DOT inspections, DOT CDL pre trip inspection performed by a commercial driver to ensure the vehicle is safe before driving, and post-trip inspection with the use of Driver Vehicle Inspection Report (DVIR) to check for defects after the trip.
Driver's Qualification
The driver's condition, along with the collection of their documented proof of eligibility to drive, is inspected during a DOT inspection. Requirements for drivers are focused on specific criteria such as:
- Legal eligibility to drive, which includes being at least 21 years old, able to read and write for their own safety (such as reading road signs), being physically fit, and having a valid Medical Examiner's Certificate (Med Card). These are also inspected during DOT Level 1 inspections.
- The driver must not be fatigued and must not be under the influence of illegal drugs or alcohol.
DOT annual inspection requirements
The DOT annual inspection is a required inspection of commercial vehicles as part of the company’s adherence to the required maintenance program of a motor carrier from the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). It is required that carriers should ensure that there is an inspection, it is documented with copies easily accessible and there is evidence of inspection. However, key items on the DOT inspection that could differ with other inspections are:
- DOT annual inspection is performed by a qualified inspector within the company or a third-party hire.
- DOT annual inspection is focused on the vehicle alone. However, the check items that are found in the Code of Federal Regulations Appendix A will be followed.
A DOT inspection could cover an annual DOT inspection checklist that sets it apart from the regular DOT safety inspection checklist, since there are federal-mandated components that need to be reviewed by qualified inspectors and verified for compliance.
Levels of DOT inspections
The DOT inspections have eight levels, each covering different scopes of inspection, including the driver, vehicle, and other special inspections depending on what’s required. Each level of inspection has its own specific procedure to follow. DOT Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 are similar in terms of inspection location, where trucks, trailers, and the like are inspected at checkpoints, while Levels 4 to 8 vary based on the special circumstances under which they are conducted.
What is a DOT level 1 inspection?
This is the Level 1 - North American Standard Inspection conducted by a certified CVSA/DOT Inspector. This inspection ideally should use a comprehensive DOT level 1 inspection checklist with all the procedures and step process. This inspection will be conducted to confirm both the driver and the condition of the vehicle.
What is a DOT level 2 inspection?
DOT Level 2 Inspection using a DOT Level 2 Inspection Checklist following the North American Standard Level II Walk-Around Driver/Vehicle Inspection Procedure. Compared to Level 1, the walk-around driver/vehicle inspection will include only those items that can be inspected without physically getting under the vehicle which is commonly why this is conducted during roadside inspection.
What is a DOT level 3 inspection?
DOT Level 2 Inspection makes use of the DOT Level 3 Inspection Checklist – Driver/Credential/Administrative Inspection. This is focused only on the driver, typically conducted roadside, at weigh stations, or at checkpoints for trucks. The DOT-certified inspector checks if the driver has a valid CDL driver’s license; Medical Examiner’s Certificate (med card) and Skill Performance Evaluation (SPE) Certificate; driver’s record of duty status; hours of service; seat belt; vehicle inspection report(s); and carrier identification and status.
Special or targeted DOT Inspections
DOT Levels 4 to 8 inspections are considerably special and targeted in the sense that they are not common and not part of routine inspections. Below is a quick comparison of their specialties.
- DOT Level 4 Inspection – Targeted one-time inspection to confirm or verify a specific vehicle issue.
- DOT Level 5 Inspection – This is a vehicle-only inspection without the presence of the driver, conducted at any location, often for audits.
- DOT Level 6 Inspection – North American Standard Inspection for Transuranic Waste and Highway Route Controlled Quantities (HRCQ) of radioactive material. This is conducted by a certified Level VI HazMat inspector, typically pre-dispatch for radiological shipments.
- DOT Level 7 Inspection – Jurisdictionally mandated commercial vehicle inspection for vehicles such as school buses or transit vans. Conducted by CVSA-certified inspectors, or other designated government employees or jurisdiction-approved contractors.
- DOT Level 8 Inspection – This uses the North American Standard Electronic Inspection checklist, typically conducted while the vehicle is in motion using telematics.
All these inspections have corresponding guidelines from CVSA – Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance – and are mandated by federal law under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR), and enforced by the Department of Transportation (DOT). However, depending on the state, there are also refinements included in the inspections in terms of frequency, emphasis on an inspection item, and collaboration with enforcement agencies, such as in Maryland, where inspections are conducted jointly with the state police, and in Iowa, with their state patrol.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is this the best DOT Inspection Checklist template?
Sitemate's DOT Inspection Checklist is the bst and most appropriate DOT form to use for truck and DOT inspections because it already aligned with the CVSA standards and federal regulations – perfectly capable of guiding equipment inspection companies and fleet into providing equipment quality to their services and conducting regular workplace safety inspections. Additionally, this checklist is fully editable with Dashpivot's drag and drop feature.
Is this template compliant with CVSA and FMCSR standards?
Yes - this template can be configured to align with CVSA, and FMCSR standards. It can also easily be edited to tailor-fit with State nuances.
Can I edit this DOT Inspection Checklist to align with the Level of inspection?
Yes - the template is completely editable with easy drag-and-drop functionality. You can also conveniently create the other levels of DOT inspection with its amazing features using different field types including tables, photos and more, to cater to any type of data capture. You can even add your company logo, custom headers and other important structure.
What formats is this DOT Inspection Checklist available in?
Easily format this truck DOT safety inspection checklist or even your annual DOT inspection checklist using your mobile or tablet on site, or a computer at the office. This feature allows you to complete inspection forms directly on the field, or edit it later on. Recorded forms can be easily accessed in your company database, where you can share to other team members or export into PDF, CSV – for Word or Excel.
Other popular templates you can use and edit for free
CDL Pre-Trip Inspection Checklist
Complete your pre-trip safety checks digitally, with this easy to access smart report.
Driver Vehicle Inspection Report
Fill out vehicle post-trip inspections reports with this handy DVIR you can use.
Vehicle Safety Inspection Checklist
Ensure vehicle safety with a guided checklist that aligned with federal regulations.
This Inspection Checklist was generated with Dashpivot software
Why use paper forms during roadside or compliance inspections when you have the chance to upgrade to an easy to access smart checklist to open during roadside checks.
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- Invite your team to see, edit and have drivers easily sign off on checklist online.
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