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DOT Commercial Motor Vehicle Inspections
Keep your vehicle—and your job—safe, legal, and inspection-ready.Preview the first lesson free — get full access to all 6 lessons.
Essential Provider : KnowledgeCity 6 Lessons · 15m in English, Spanish
Course Description
An estimated 15.5 million trucks operate on the roads in this country. To help keep the roads safe for everyone who uses them, the Department of Transportation requires motor carriers to implement a program of regular inspection and maintenance for the trucks that they operate, whether they have a large fleet or just a single truck. In this DOT Commercial Motor Vehicle Inspections course, you’ll learn how to perform the three types of federally required vehicle inspections: pre-trip, en route, and post-trip. These inspections are not just a safety best practice—they’re mandatory under Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations.
This course explains what you must check before hitting the road, including tires, brakes, lighting, steering, and trailer connections. You’ll also learn how to recognize issues while in transit and how to document problems at the end of your shift. Following these inspection steps helps prevent breakdowns, violations, and accidents—and ensures you're in compliance with DOT regulations.
You’ll explore how to fill out Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports (DVIRs), understand out-of-service criteria, and know what to do when you spot a mechanical issue. The course also covers how roadside inspections by enforcement officers work and what you should expect during the process.
By the end of this course, you’ll be ready to conduct thorough, legal inspections that protect your vehicle, your safety, and your driving record.
What You'll Learn
- Identify the purpose of DOT-required commercial motor vehicle inspections
- Perform pre-trip, en route, and post-trip inspection procedures
- Recognize vehicle components most often linked to violations, including tires, brakes, lighting, steering, and trailer connections
- Complete Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports (DVIRs) accurately and clearly
- Apply out-of-service criteria to determine what to do when a mechanical issue is spotted
- Prepare for and respond to roadside inspection procedures conducted by enforcement officers
Key Takeaways
- The Department of Transportation requires motor carriers to implement a program of regular inspection and maintenance for the trucks they operate, whether they run a large fleet or a single truck.
- There are three types of federally required vehicle inspections under FMCSA regulations: pre-trip, en route, and post-trip.
- Pre-trip inspections cover checks such as tires, brakes, lighting, steering, and trailer connections before driving.
- Following the required inspection steps helps prevent breakdowns, violations, and accidents while ensuring compliance with DOT regulations.
- The course covers completing DVIRs, understanding out-of-service criteria, and how roadside inspections by enforcement officers work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is this course for?
It is for drivers and motor carriers responsible for inspecting and maintaining commercial trucks, whether they operate a large fleet or just a single truck.
What inspections does this course teach?
It teaches how to perform the three types of federally required vehicle inspections: pre-trip, en route, and post-trip checks.
What vehicle components does the course cover checking?
It explains what to check before driving, including tires, brakes, lighting, steering, and trailer connections, and which components are most often linked to violations.
Does the course cover roadside inspections and reports?
Yes. It covers how to fill out Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports (DVIRs), out-of-service criteria, and how roadside inspections by enforcement officers work and what to expect during the process.
What regulations is this course based on?
The inspections are mandatory under Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations, and the course includes an overview of FMCSA regulations.
