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 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
North American Standard Cargo Tank and Other Bulk Packagings Inspection Procedure
- Initiate the Inspection
- Check for Specification Marking
- Inspect Test Date Markings
- Inspect Securement Integrity
- Inspect Double Bulkhead Drains
- Inspect Piping and Protection
- Inspect Emergency Flow Control Devices
- Inspect Rear End Protection
- Check Optional Inspection Items
- Apply CVSA decal
North American Standard Hazardous Materials/Dangerous Goods Inspection Procedure
- Initiate the Inspection
- Check Shipping Paper(s) Compliance
- Check Placarding Compliance
- Check Marking Compliance
- Check Labeling Compliance
- Check Packaging Compliance
- Check Loading Compliance
