Navigating Department of Transportation (DOT) truck inspections can be a make-or-break moment for any truck driver or fleet manager. Today, we’ll highlight the strategies and insights that can help you keep your fleet in perfect condition. Maintain a reputable, compliant fleet by assessing the most important tips for passing a DOT truck inspection.

Keep Your Truck Well-Maintained

A DOT inspection is thorough. The inspector will assess your documentation, as well as the quality of the truck’s interior and exterior. Thankfully, compliance requires little more than responsible record-keeping and vehicle maintenance.

Your inspector will look for signs that make the vehicle unsafe for the road. Frequent, if not daily, vehicle inspections must become a habit in order to keep your semi-truck(s) in good condition.

Maintain adequate fluid levels and air pressure to ensure the vehicle is efficient on every drive. Consistent maintenance keeps your truck in peak operating condition, which is important for your safety and the safety of others on the road.

Avoid Neglectful Practices

In the trucking industry, a few neglectful practices can put your inspection in jeopardy. Sometimes, it’s not just about what you do—it’s about what you don’t do. An inability to produce necessary documentation can lead to a violation and questions about the management of your operations. In addition to focusing on record-keeping, pay attention to warning signs from your truck. Those flickering dashboard lights aren’t just a sign for maintenance at a later point; they’re an invitation for an inspector’s scrutiny. Complete any repairs or part replacements before the inspection to ensure you show the inspector your vehicle in the best light.

We can’t overstate the importance of maintaining and storing your documentation. Before you’re even close to an inspection station, ensure you have organized paperwork, such as the vehicle registration and driver logs.

Don’t underestimate the significance of violations on your inspection report. Multiple violations can quickly add up to an out-of-service vehicle.

Understand Local Requirements

An important tip to pass DOT truck inspections is to understand your local requirements. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) details what drivers can expect from a roadside inspection. Consider requirements on a state level, too. Every state has a Department of Transportation, whether it’s IDOT in Illinois, NYSDOT in New York, or ODOT in Ohio.

Visit your local DOT online to get familiar with how they outline requirements for commercial vehicles. One commonality you can expect is the timing. Your local DOT will likely require annual inspections, so consistently keeping trucks in great shape is key to passing inspections.

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Use this same principle to assess your tires, brakes, electrical system, and any other system that might fail before the inspection. Take a closer look at your truck today to ensure it’s always compliant and ready for an inspection by a professional.