Annual DOT Inspection Checklist for Owner Operators

Every item from the federal minimum periodic inspection standards, Appendix A to 49 CFR Part 396, as a checklist you can walk through, plus your next due date and what the report must show.

Vehicle (unit number, VIN or plate)

1. Brakes: service brakes

1. Brakes: parking brake, drums, hoses, valves and adjusters

1. Brakes: ABS, electric, hydraulic and vacuum (only if your vehicle has them)

2. Coupling devices: fifth wheel

2. Coupling devices: pintle hooks, drawbars, safety devices and saddle-mounts

3 to 6. Exhaust, fuel, lighting and safe loading

7. Steering

8 and 9. Suspension and frame

10. Tires: steering axle of a power unit

10 and 11. Other tires, wheels and rims

12, 13 and 15. Windshield, wipers and rear impact guard

0 of 119 checked

When is the next inspection due?

Date of your last passed annual inspection

Who did it? The carrier or a shop A State inspection program that meets Appendix A

The rule (49 CFR 396.17) says each part must have passed an inspection at least once in the last 12 months. A State program inspection counts for 12 months from the last day of the month it was done. The report must be kept for 14 months (396.21).

How to use the list

Each item is a defect the rule says fails a vehicle. Check the box when you have looked and the defect is not there. Any box you leave open is a possible fail. The number at the end of each line is its place in Appendix A. Do this for each unit: the tractor, each trailer and any dolly.

What must be on the vehicle

Carry the inspection report, or a sticker or decal made from it. It must show the date of the inspection, the name and address of who keeps the report, something that identifies the vehicle if it is not clearly marked, and a statement that the vehicle passed an inspection under 396.17.

What the inspector's report must include

Who did the inspection, the motor carrier, the date, the vehicle, each part checked with the result (naming any that do not meet Appendix A), and a statement that the report is accurate and complete (396.21).

Who can inspect

A carrier may inspect its own vehicles, or use a garage, fleet leasing company, truck stop or similar business that has the right facilities and qualified inspectors (396.17). A qualified inspector knows the Part 393 criteria and Appendix A, has mastered the methods and tools, and has either finished a Federal or State training program or holds a State or Canadian province certificate, or has at least 1 year of training or experience (396.19). Keep proof of the inspector's qualifications for as long as they inspect for you, and one year after.

If a vehicle fails

The carrier must keep parts and accessories at the Appendix A standards, or promptly repair them (396.17(g)). Failing to do the annual inspection properly can bring penalties under 49 U.S.C. 521(b).

This list leaves out the bus-only items (bus exhaust and motorcoach seats). Push-rod stroke limits by brake chamber type are in a table in Appendix A and 393.47(e), so read the type marked on each chamber. Your state may add its own rules. This is a walkthrough aid, not the inspection report, and it does not replace a qualified inspector. To go deeper on FMCSA record checks, see the DOT Audit Checklist, and for daily checks use the DVIR Checklist.

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What is checked in an annual DOT inspection?

The annual DOT inspection checks the parts listed in Appendix A to 49 CFR Part 396: brakes, coupling devices, exhaust, fuel, lighting, loading, steering, suspension, frame, tires, wheels, windshield, wipers and the rear impact guard. A vehicle fails if it has any listed defect. It must pass at least once every 12 months.

Enter the date of your last passed inspection to see when the next one is due.
Choose one vehicle at a time: the tractor, each trailer and any dolly.
Walk through each group of items. Check a box when you have looked and the defect is not there.
Fix anything you leave open, then get a qualified inspector to do the official inspection.
Make sure the report or sticker on the vehicle has the date, the carrier's name and address, and the passed statement.
Keep the report for 14 months.

Some of the numbers that fail a vehicle (Appendix A to Part 396)
Part	Fails if
Steering axle tire tread	Under 4/32 inch at a major tread groove
Other tire tread	Under 2/32 inch at a major tread groove
Air drum brake lining, non-steering axle	Under 1/4 inch at the shoe center
Fifth wheel upper and lower halves	More than 1/2 inch horizontal movement
Low pressure warning device	Does not work at 55 psi or below, or half the governor cut-out, whichever is less
Pintle hook horn	Reduced by more than 20%
Rear impact guard, newer trailers	Horizontal member more than 22 inches above the ground

Read from the eCFR on September 26, 2026: 49 CFR 396.17 (periodic inspection), 396.19 (inspector qualifications), 396.21 (recordkeeping) and Appendix A to Part 396. Appendix A was Appendix G before October 2021. The list leaves out bus-only items and the brake chamber stroke table, which is in Appendix A and 393.47(e). Your state may add its own rules. This is a walkthrough aid and does not replace a qualified inspector.

Last reviewed September 2026. Sources: eCFR: 49 CFR 396.17, periodic inspection; eCFR: 49 CFR 396.19, inspector qualifications; eCFR: 49 CFR 396.21, recordkeeping; eCFR: Appendix A to Part 396, minimum periodic inspection standards.

Frequently Asked Questions - Annual DOT Inspection Checklist

Do I need an annual DOT inspection?

Yes, if you are a motor carrier. 49 CFR 396.17 says every commercial motor vehicle must be inspected, and that a carrier must not use one unless it has passed an inspection at least once in the preceding 12 months and documentation is on the vehicle. Each unit of a combination counts, so the tractor, each trailer and any dolly need their own.

How long is an annual DOT inspection good for?

Twelve months. The rule says each part must have passed an inspection at least once during the preceding 12 months. If a State program did it, the rule counts it for 12 months starting from the last day of the month it was done. Enter your date in the tool to see your covered-through date.

Can I do my own annual DOT inspection?

A motor carrier may perform the inspection on vehicles under its control, but the person doing it must be qualified under 396.19. That means they know the Part 393 criteria and Appendix A, know the methods and tools, and either finished a Federal or State training program, hold a State or Canadian province certificate, or have at least 1 year of training or experience.

Who can do an annual DOT inspection?

The carrier itself, or a commercial garage, fleet leasing company, truck stop or similar business that has facilities for commercial vehicle inspections and qualified inspectors. Ask any shop for its inspector's qualifications. The carrier must keep proof of those qualifications for as long as the person inspects for it and one year after.

What does an annual DOT inspection consist of?

At minimum, the parts and accessories listed in Appendix A to Part 396: brakes, coupling devices, exhaust, fuel system, lighting, safe loading, steering, suspension, frame, tires, wheels and rims, windshield, wipers and the rear impact guard. A vehicle fails if it has any listed defect. This checklist has each item, with its number in Appendix A.

What has to be on the truck after the inspection?

The inspection report, or a sticker or decal based on it. It must show the date of the inspection, the name and address of who keeps the report, something that identifies the vehicle if it is not clearly marked, and a statement that the vehicle passed an inspection under 396.17.

How long do I keep the annual inspection report?

Fourteen months from the date of the report, at the place where the vehicle is housed or maintained. It must be available if an authorized Federal, State or local official asks. If someone else did your last inspection, you must be able to get a copy of that report when asked.

What happens if my truck fails the annual inspection or I skip it?

The carrier is responsible for keeping parts at the Appendix A standards or repairing them promptly. Failing to do the annual inspection properly can bring penalties under 49 U.S.C. 521(b). Fix any defect the inspector lists, then get the vehicle inspected again so it has a passing report.

Is an annual inspection the same as a roadside inspection or a DVIR?

No. The annual inspection is the periodic inspection in 396.17 that a carrier must have done every 12 months. A roadside inspection is done by an enforcement officer on the road. A DVIR is the daily driver report. This tool covers only the annual inspection. The DVIR Checklist covers the daily one.

Where do I get an annual DOT inspection?

Many commercial garages, fleet leasing companies and truck stops do them. Ask whether their inspectors meet 396.19 and whether they give you a report with the items 396.21 requires. Some States run their own periodic inspection programs, and a passing State inspection that meets Appendix A counts.

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