Every commercial motor vehicle in interstate commerce needs a periodic inspection at least once every 12 months, with proof of the inspection kept on the vehicle.
Beyond the paperwork, inspections are about staying out of trouble. Trucks working the San Pedro Bay ports see plenty of roadside enforcement, and in California there is a second layer on top of it: CARB’s Clean Truck Check screens heavy vehicles with roadside emissions monitoring and can put a hold on your registration. A truck placed out of service loses its appointment window, adds violations to the carrier’s safety record, and still needs the repair.
Our mobile DOT inspection service comes to your yard to inspect tractors and trailers against the federal minimum periodic inspection standards, then repairs defects on site whenever possible. For fleets, that means inspecting several units in one visit without taking trucks off the road.
What our DOT Inspection covers
- Annual (periodic) inspections for tractors, straight trucks, and trailers
- Brake system — adjustment, pushrod stroke, linings, drums, air leaks, and hoses
- Tires and wheels — tread depth, inflation, damage, and loose or missing lug nuts
- Lighting devices and reflectors
- Steering system — lash, linkage, and components
- Suspension — springs, air springs, U-bolts, and torque rods
- Frame and coupling devices — fifth wheel, kingpin area, and safety devices
- Exhaust and fuel system leaks
- Windshield, wipers, horn, and mirrors
- Inspection report and decal for vehicles that pass
- On-site repair of defects found during the inspection
- Pre-inspection checkups ahead of an audit or busy inspection season
What can’t be fixed during an inspection visit
- Defects that need shop work — cracked frames, steering gear replacement, or kingpin area damage
- Repairs waiting on parts that aren’t available locally
- State inspection programs that must be performed at a certified station — check which inspections apply to your vehicles
A vehicle with a defect that fails the inspection can’t receive a passing report until the defect is repaired.
Fix it on site or tow it?
The inspection itself happens wherever the truck is parked. The real question is what happens when a defect is found. Brake adjustment, air leaks, lights, tires, mud flaps, and many suspension parts can be fixed during the same visit.
If a vehicle is placed out of service at a roadside inspection, it can’t be driven until the out-of-service defects are corrected. A mobile mechanic can often make those repairs where the truck was stopped so it can legally continue.
What to tell dispatch when you call
The more dispatch knows up front, the better the odds the mechanic shows up with the right parts and tools on the first trip.
- How many tractors and trailers need inspection
- Where the vehicles are parked and when they’re available
- Date of each unit’s last annual inspection
- Any known defects or recent roadside inspection violations
- Whether the inspections have to be done by a certain date
Truck makes & engines we work on
- Freightliner
- Peterbilt
- Kenworth
- Volvo
- Mack
- International
- Western Star
Class 6 through Class 8 trucks, including engines from Cummins, Detroit Diesel, PACCAR, Volvo, Mack, Navistar, and Caterpillar.
DOT Inspection around the harbor & the South Bay
We perform inspections at fleet yards and drop yards across the harbor area — Wilmington, Carson, Rancho Dominguez, and Long Beach — and at owner-operator locations throughout the South Bay. Out-of-service repair calls come from wherever the truck was stopped.
Freeways
Service areas
DOT Inspection FAQ
How often does a truck need a DOT inspection?
Federal rules require every commercial motor vehicle to pass a periodic inspection at least once every 12 months, with proof — the report or a decal — kept on the vehicle.
Who is allowed to perform an annual DOT inspection?
The inspector must meet the federal qualification requirements for periodic inspectors, and the inspector’s information goes on the inspection report.
What fails the most trucks at inspection?
Lighting, tires, and brakes are consistently among the most common vehicle violations, with brake adjustment and air leaks near the top. Our out-of-service criteria guide covers the details.
Can you inspect trailers too?
Yes. Trailers need their own periodic inspection. Tell dispatch how many trailers and what type.
Can you repair defects found during the inspection?
Yes. Many common defects can be repaired during the same visit so the vehicle passes without a trip to the shop.
Is a federal annual inspection the same as CARB’s Clean Truck Check?
No — they are completely separate. The federal annual inspection is a mechanical safety inspection under 49 CFR 396.17. Clean Truck Check is a California emissions compliance test submitted by a CARB-credentialed tester. Passing one says nothing about the other. Our California emissions guide explains the difference.