Inspection Procedures

Law enforcement officers should follow the following appropriate steps when conducting each corresponding inspection procedure. This consistency in procedure ensures a uniform inspection procedure of both commercial motor vehicles and their drivers, no matter the state, province, jurisdiction or territory.

North American Standard Level I Inspection Procedure

Choose the Inspection Site
Approach the Vehicle
Greet and Prepare the Driver
Interview Driver
Collect the Driver’s Documents
Check for Presence of Hazardous Materials/Dangerous Goods
Identify the Carrier
Examine Driver’s License or CDL
Check Medical Examiner’s Certificate and Skill Performance Evaluation (SPE) Certificate (if applicable)
Check Record of Duty Status
Review Driver’s Daily Vehicle Inspection Report (if applicable)
Review Periodic Inspection Report(s)
Prepare Driver for Vehicle Inspection
Inspect Front of Tractor
Inspect Left Front side of Tractor
Inspect Left Saddle Tank Area
Inspect Trailer Front
Inspect Left Rear Tractor Area
Inspect Left Side of Trailer
Inspect Left Rear Trailer Wheels
Inspect Rear of Trailer
Inspect Double, Triple and Full Trailers
Inspect Right Rear Trailer Wheels
Inspect Right Side of Trailer
Inspect Right Rear Tractor Area
Inspect Right Saddle Tank Area
Inspect Right Front Side of Tractor
Inspect Steering Axle(s)
Inspect Axle(s) 2 and/or 3
Inspect Axle(s) 4 and/or 5
Prepare the Vehicle and Check Brake Adjustment
Inspect Tractor Protection System (this procedure tests both the tractor protection system and the emergency brakes)
Inspect Low Air Pressure Warning Device and Brake Pedal
Test Air Loss Rate
Check Steering Wheel Lash
Check Fifth Wheel Movement
Complete the Inspection

North American Standard Level I Light-Duty (Hydraulic) Vehicle and Trailer Inspection Procedure

Choose the Inspection Site
Approach the Vehicle
Greet and Prepare the Driver
Interview Driver
Collect the Driver’s Documents
Check for Presence of Hazardous Materials/Dangerous Goods
Identify the Carrier
Examine Driver’s License
Check Medical Examiner’s Certificate and Skill Performance Evaluation (SPE) Certificate (If Applicable)
Check Record of Duty Status
Review Driver’s Daily Vehicle Inspection Report (If Applicable)
Review Periodic Inspection Report(s)
Prepare Driver for Vehicle Inspection
Inspect Front of Truck
Inspect Left Front Side of Truck
Inspect Left Driver Side of Truck
Inspect Between Truck and Trailer
Inspect Left Side of Trailer
Inspect Rear of Trailer
Inspect Right Side of Trailer
Inspect Right Passenger Side of Truck
Inspect Steering Axle(s)
Inspect Axle(s) 2 and/or 3
Inspect Axle(s) 4 and/or 5
Inside Cab Inspection
Inspect the Trailer Brake System
Inspect the Ball Hitch, If Necessary
Complete the Inspection

North American Standard Level II Inspection Procedure

Choose the Inspection Site
Approach the Vehicle
Greet and Prepare the Driver
Interview Driver
Collect the Driver’s Documents
Check for Presence of Hazardous Materials/Dangerous Goods
Identify the Carrier
Examine Driver’s License
Check Medical Examiner’s Certificate and Skill Performance Evaluation (SPE) Certificate (If Applicable)
Check Record of Duty Status
Review Driver’s Daily Vehicle Inspection Report (If Applicable)
Review Periodic Inspection Report(s)
Prepare Driver for Vehicle Inspection
Inspect Front of Tractor
Inspect Left Front Side of Tractor
Inspect Left Saddle Tank Area
Inspect Trailer Front
Inspect Left Rear Tractor Area
Inspect Left Side of Trailer
Inspect Left Rear Trailer Wheels
Inspect Rear of Trailer
Inspect Double, Triple and Full Trailers
Inspect Right Rear Trailer Wheels
Inspect Right Side of Trailer
Inspect Right Rear Tractor Area
Inspect Right Saddle Tank Area
Inspect Right Front Side of Tractor
Inspect Low Air Pressure Warning Device and Brake Pedal
Test Air Loss Rate
Check Steering Wheel Lash
Complete The Inspection

North American Standard Level III Inspection Procedure

Choose the Inspection Site
Approach the Vehicle
Greet And Prepare the Driver
Interview Driver
Collect the Driver’s Documents
Check For Presence of Hazardous Materials/Dangerous Goods
Identify the Carrier
Examine Driver’s License
Check Medical Examiner’s Certificate And Skill Performance Evaluation (SPE) Certificate (If Applicable)
Check Record of Duty Status
Review Driver’s Daily Vehicle Inspection Report
Review Periodic Inspection Report(s)
Complete the Inspection

North American Standard Level V Inspection Procedure

Prepare Operator for Vehicle Inspection
Inspect Front of Tractor
Inspect Left Front Side of Tractor
Inspect Left Saddle Tank Area
Inspect Trailer Front
Inspect Left Rear Tractor Area
Inspect Left Side of Trailer
Inspect Left Rear Trailer Wheels
Inspect Rear of Trailer
Inspect Double, Triple and Full Trailers
Inspect Right Rear Trailer Wheels
Inspect Right Side of Trailer
Inspect Right Rear Tractor Area
Inspect Right Saddle Tank Area
Inspect Right Front Side of Tractor
Inspect Steering Axle(s)
Inspect Axle(s) 2 and/or 3
Inspect Axle(s) 4 and/or 5
Prepare the Vehicle and Check Brake Adjustment
Inspect Tractor Protection System (This Procedure Tests Both the Tractor Protection System and the Emergency Brakes)
Inspect Low Air Pressure Warning Device and Brake Pedal
Test Air Loss Rate
Check Steering Wheel Lash
Check Fifth Wheel Movement
Complete the Inspection

North American Standard Passenger Carrier Vehicle Inspection Procedure

Inspection Preparation – Team Leader
Greet and Prepare the Driver and Passengers – Team Leader
Collect Driver’s Documents – Team Leader
Interview the Driver – Team Leader
Identify the Carrier – Team Leader
Examine Commercial Driver’s License – Team Leader
Check Medical Examiner’s Certificate and Skill Performance Evaluation (SPE) Certificate – Team Leader
Check Record of Duty Status – Team Leader
Review Vehicle Inspection Reports – Team Leader
Check Passenger Area – Team Leader
Check Driver’s Compartment – Team Leader
Inspect Front Outside of Vehicle – Other Inspector(s)
Inspect Left Side of Vehicle – Other Inspector(s)
Inspect Rear of Vehicle – Other Inspector(s)
Inspect Right Side of Vehicle – Other Inspector(s)
Place Inspection Ramps – All Inspector(s)
Inspect the Front Undercarriage – Other Inspector(s)
Inspect the Rear Undercarriage – Other Inspector(s)
Check for Presence of Hazardous Materials/Dangerous Goods – All Inspector(s)
Check Air Loss Rate – Team Leader
Complete the Inspection – Team Leader
Take Appropriate Enforcement Action – Team Leader
Apply CVSA Decal – Team Leader