Periodic inspection

Scope

These requirements apply to commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) and intermodal equipment operated in interstate commerce, as well as most CMVs operating in intrastate commerce.

Regulatory citations

• 49 CFR 396.17 — Periodic inspection
• 49 CFR 396.19 — Inspector qualifications
• 49 CFR 396.21 — Periodic inspection recordkeeping requirements
• 49 CFR 396.23 — Equivalent to periodic inspection

Key definitions

• Commercial motor vehicle (CMV): A self-propelled or towed motor vehicle used on a highway, in interstate commerce, that meets any one of the following criteria:
  • Has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) or gross combination weight rating (GCWR), or gross vehicle weight (GVW) or gross combination weight (GCW), of 10,001 pounds or more, whichever is greater; or
  • Is designed or used to transport more than 8 passengers (including the driver) for compensation; or
  • Is designed or used to transport more than 15 passengers (including the driver), and not used to transport passengers for compensation; or
  • Is transporting hazardous materials of a type or quantity which requires placarding.

• Interchange: Providing intermodal equipment to a motor carrier according to an agreement for the purpose of transporting the equipment for loading or unloading by any person or repositioning the equipment for the benefit of the equipment provider.
• Intermodal equipment: Trailing equipment (usually container chassis) that is used in the intermodal transportation of intermodal cargo containers over public highways.
• Intermodal equipment provider (IEP): Any person who interchanges intermodal equipment with a motor carrier according to a written agreement or has contractual responsibility for the maintenance of the intermodal equipment.

Summary of requirements

CMVs and intermodal equipment must be inspected at least once each year (annually). The inspection requirements may be met through:

• Periodic inspection programs administered by the states;
• A self-inspection; or
• An inspection performed by a commercial garage or similar commercial business, as long as the inspection complies with federal or compatible state standards.

All CMVs (including trailers and intermodal equipment) must pass the required inspection at least every 12 months. If a vehicle has not been inspected according to applicable standards or if there is no proof of inspection, the carrier may not place it in service.

The annual inspection requirement can be met in one of the following ways:

1. A state inspection program that has been deemed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) as being equivalent to or more stringent than the federal requirements. The following states have this type of inspection program:
   

   Alabama (LPG Board)	New Jersey
   California	New York
   Connecticut (Bus Inspection)	Ohio (Bus Inspection)
   Hawaii	Pennsylvania
   Illinois	Rhode Island
   Louisiana	Texas
   Maine	Utah
   Maryland	Vermont
   Massachusetts	Virginia
   Michigan (Bus Inspection)	West Virginia
   Minnesota	Wisconsin (Bus inspection)
   New Hampshire	District of Columbia

   
   Inspection programs administered by any of the 10 Canadian Provinces or the Yukon Territory, as well as Mexico’s NOM 68 program, are also considered comparable to U.S. federal requirements.
2. When a state does not have a mandatory inspection program, a self-inspection may be performed. A self-inspection must be performed by a qualified inspector who meets the requirements found in 396.19. This inspector may be employed by the motor carrier or work for a commercial garage or third party. Evidence of the inspector’s qualifications must be documented.
   
   The qualified inspector performing an inspection must prepare a report which identifies:
   • The name of the individual performing the inspection;
   • The motor carrier operating the CMV or intermodal equipment provider (IEP) intending to interchange the vehicle to a motor carrier;
   • The date of the inspection;
   • The vehicle inspected; and
   • The components inspected.
   A statement certifying the accuracy and completeness of the inspection must be included.
   
   The inspection report must be retained where the vehicle is housed or maintained, for 14 months.
   
   A copy of the inspection report, or an inspection decal, must be on the vehicle. If a decal is used as documentation, it must include:
   • The date of the inspection;
   • The name and address of the motor carrier, intermodal equipment provider, or other place where the inspection report is kept;
   • Information that identifies the vehicle inspected if it is not clearly marked on the vehicle; and
   • Certification that the vehicle has passed an inspection in accordance with 396.17.