Federal & State Regulations | CMV inspections - California

Motor carriers, drivers, and vehicles must comply with Part 396 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs).

California has adopted 396.11 and 396.13 of the FMCSRs, as published October 1, 2014.

The following types of trucks are subject to the daily inspection regulations in 396.11 and 396.13:

Motortrucks of three or more axles which are > 10,000 lbs. gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR);
Truck tractors;
Any other motortruck not specified above that is regulated by the Department of Motor Vehicles, Public Utilities Commission, or United States Secretary of Transportation. This would include a vehicle or combination of vehicles ≥10,001 lbs. GVWR or gross vehicle weight (GVW);
Trailers and semitrailers, pole or pipe dollies, auxiliary dollies, and logging dollies used in combination with vehicles listed above;
Any combination of a motortruck and any vehicle or vehicles set forth above that exceeds 40 feet in length when coupled together;
Any vehicle or any combination of vehicles transporting hazardous materials;
Manufactured homes and park trailers which, when moved on the highway are required to be moved under a specified permit;
Any commercial motor vehicle with a GVWR ≥ 26,001 lbs.; and
Any commercial motor vehicle of any GVWR towing any trailer, semitrailer, pole or pipe dolly, auxiliary dolly or logging dolly with a GVWR > 10,000 lbs.

Annual Inspections - Motor Carrier (90-day BIT)

Motor carriers with the following types of trucks are subject to the California periodic (90-day) inspection regulations (sometimes referred to as a BIT-required inspection):

Motortrucks of three or more axles > 10,000 lbs. gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR);
Truck tractors;
Any other motortruck not specified above that is regulated by the Department of Motor Vehicles, Public Utilities Commission, or United States Secretary of Transportation. This would include a vehicle or combination of vehicles ≥10,001 lbs. GVWR or gross vehicle weight (GVW);*
Trailers and semitrailers, pole or pipe dollies, auxiliary dollies, and logging dollies used in combination with vehicles listed above;
Any combination of a motortruck and trailers and semitrailers, pole or pipe dollies, auxiliary dollies, and logging dollies that exceeds 40 feet in length when coupled together;
Any vehicle or combination of vehicles, transporting hazardous materials;
Any commercial motor vehicle with a GVWR ≥26,001 lbs.; and
Any commercial motor vehicle of any GVWR towing any trailer, semitrailer, pole or pipe dolly, auxiliary dolly or logging dolly with a GVWR > 10,000 lbs.

Exception: There is an exception to the inspection requirements for an agricultural vehicle as defined in §34500.6 of the California Vehicle Code. This exception remains in effect until January 1, 2026.
A vehicle inspection is required at least every 90 days on the following items:

Brake adjustment,
Brake system components and leaks,
Steering and suspension systems,
Tires and wheels, and
Vehicle connecting devices.

Inspections must be documented and must include the signature of the carrier’s authorized representative attesting to the inspection and the completion of all required repairs. Inspection records must be maintained for 2 years.
The Federal Department of Transportation has determined that this mandatory inspection program is considered equivalent to the Federal annual inspection requirement in Part 396.
*As of January 1, 2025, vehicles with a GVWR of under 26,001 pounds (as specified in the third bullet above) will no longer be subject to California’s 90-day inspection program.
On and after January 1, 2025, vehicles that are no longer subject to the 90-day inspection requirement will be subject to the federal annual inspection requirements in Part 396 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs).

Terminal Inspections (BIT)

Motor carriers with the following types of trucks are subject to the terminal inspection requirement administered and enforced by the California Highway Patrol (CHP):

Motortrucks of three or more axles > 10,000 lbs. gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR);
Truck tractors;
Any other motortruck not specified above that is regulated by the Department of Motor Vehicles, Public Utilities Commission, or United States Secretary of Transportation. This would include a vehicle or combination of vehicles ≥10,001 lbs. GVWR or gross vehicle weight (GVW);
Trailers and semitrailers, pole or pipe dollies, auxiliary dollies, and logging dollies used in combination with vehicles listed above;
Any combination of a motortruck and trailers and semitrailers, pole or pipe dollies, auxiliary dollies, and logging dollies that exceeds 40 feet in length when coupled together;
Any vehicle or combination of vehicles, transporting hazardous materials;
Any commercial motor vehicle with a GVWR ≥26,001 lbs.; and
Any commercial motor vehicle of any GVWR towing any trailer, semitrailer, pole or pipe dolly, auxiliary dolly or logging dolly with a GVWR > 10,000 lbs.

Under the Basic Inspection of Terminals (BIT) program, motor carrier terminals in California are selected for inspection based on safety-performance scores. These scores are based on Compliance Safety Accountability (CSA) Safety Measurement System (SMS) Behavior Analysis Safety Improvement Categories (BASIC) percentiles.
Priority for inspection is given to carriers that have:

A BASIC percentile at or above the federal alert level; and
Never been inspected by CHP.

Terminals from which hazardous materials are transported are also given priority for inspection.
Carriers that do not exceed the performance thresholds will not be inspected more than once every six years.
Records reviewed during a BIT inspection include:

Driver records:
- Pull notice,
- Hours of service,
- Driver proficiency,
- Employment application;
Maintenance records:
- Daily vehicle inspection reports,
- Preventive maintenance inspection reports,
- Documentation of inspection,
- Repair; and
Hazardous materials records (if applicable)
- Training,
- Cargo tank,
- Shipping papers.

Preventive Maintenance

Motor carriers are required to ensure that all vehicles subject to their control, and all required accessories on the vehicles, are regularly and systematically inspected, maintained, and lubricated to ensure they are in safe and proper operating condition.
Motor carriers must ensure that individuals performing inspections, maintenance, repairs, or service to the brakes or brake systems are qualified in accordance with 396.25 (published October 1, 2014).
Every motor carrier shall institute and maintain a systematic inspection and maintenance record for each vehicle for the period during which the vehicle is subject to the carrier’s control. The records shall be retained for one year and include at least:

Identification of the vehicle, including make, model, license number, or other means of positive identification;
Date or mileage and nature of each inspection, maintenance, lubrication, and repair performed;
Date or mileage and nature of each inspection, maintenance, and lubrication to be performed (the inspection, maintenance, and lubrication intervals); and
The name of the lessor or contractor furnishing any vehicle.

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['Annual inspections - Motor Carrier']

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CMV inspections - California