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Motor carriers and intermodal equipment providers (IEPs) must make sure that anyone performing an annual (periodic) vehicle inspection is qualified.
Scope
These requirements apply to commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) and intermodal equipment operated in interstate commerce.
Regulatory citations
- 49 CFR 396.19 — Inspector qualifications
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.
Summary of requirements
A motor carrier or IEP is responsible for ensuring that individuals who perform annual CMV inspections under 396.17 are qualified, whether those individuals work for the motor carrier/IEP or someone else.
No special license or “certification” is required, but the individual must:
- Understand the inspection criteria found in Part 393 and Appendix A;
- Be able to identify defective components;
- Be knowledgeable of and have mastered the methods, procedures, tools, and equipment used when performing an annual inspection; and
- Have at least one year of experience, training, or both.
The experience/training requirement can be met in such ways as:
- Participating in a commercial or government-sponsored CMV training program;
- Working as a mechanic or inspector for a motor carrier, IEP, commercial garage, fleet leasing company, or similar facility; or
- Working as a CMV inspector for a unit of government.
Documentation. The motor carrier or IEP must have documentation showing that its inspectors are qualified, and the documentation must be kept until one year after the inspector stops performing annual inspections. A third party may maintain the documentation, but it must be made available upon demand for auditing. No documentation is required for inspectors who perform inspections as part of a state’s periodic inspection program.