DOT Roadside Inspection Levels Explained
CVSA defines nine levels of roadside inspection, from the full Level I to a post-crash Level IX. Level I checks the driver and the whole vehicle. Level II is a walk-around that skips anything under the truck. Level III checks the driver and paperwork only. A violation that fails the out-of-service rules stops the driver or the vehicle until it is fixed. The carrier must certify the fixes within 15 days.
Facts checked October 15, 2026
Key Points
- Level I is the full inspection. It covers the driver, the paperwork and the whole vehicle. Some parts need the inspector to look under the truck
- Level II is a walk-around. It checks the same items as Level I, but only those the inspector can reach without getting under the truck
- Level III checks the driver and paperwork only. It checks the license, the medical certificate, the log and hours of service. It also checks the seat belt, inspection reports and carrier status
- Level V checks the vehicle only, without the driver present, at any location
- Level VIII is an electronic inspection done wirelessly while the truck is moving. Level IX is a post-crash inspection
- CVSA's out-of-service criteria are the pass-fail rules. They are updated every year, effective April 1. The current edition is 2026
- A driver must show a record of duty status for the day of the inspection and the prior 7 consecutive days (49 CFR 395.13)
The nine CVSA roadside inspection levels
| What it is | |
|---|---|
| Level I | Full North American Standard inspection of the driver and the vehicle |
| Level II | Walk-around driver and vehicle inspection. Only items that can be inspected without getting under the vehicle |
| Level III | Driver, credential and administrative inspection. No mechanical inspection |
| Level IV | Special inspection: a one-time look at a particular item, usually for a study or to check a suspected trend |
| Level V | Vehicle-only inspection with all the Level I vehicle items, with no driver present, at any location |
| Level VI | Enhanced inspection for transuranic waste and highway route controlled quantities of radioactive material |
| Level VII | Jurisdictional inspection program that fits no other level, such as school buses, limousines and taxis. No CVSA decal |
| Level VIII | Electronic inspection done wirelessly while the vehicle is moving, with no direct contact with an officer |
| Level IX | Post-crash inspection after a fatality, a serious physical injury, a high-profile crash or where a jurisdiction requires it |
What does a Level I inspection check?
A Level I inspection covers the driver and the vehicle. For the driver, it covers the license and the medical certificate. It covers alcohol and drugs, the record of duty status and hours of service. It also covers the seat belt and vehicle inspection reports. For the vehicle, it covers brakes, cargo securement and coupling devices. It covers the driveline, exhaust, frame and fuel system. It covers lights, steering, suspension and tires. It covers trailer bodies, wheels, rims, hubs and wipers. CVSA notes that if more than 20 percent of the pushrod travel on exposed pushrods cannot be measured, the inspection counts as a Level II.
What is the difference between Level I, Level II and Level III?
Level I and Level II check the same driver and vehicle items. The difference is where the inspector can go. A Level II includes only what can be inspected without getting under the vehicle. A Level III has no mechanical inspection at all. It looks at the license and the medical certificate. It looks at the record of duty status, hours of service and seat belt. It also looks at inspection reports and the carrier's identification and status. CVSA says mechanical violations belong to Level I or II, not Level III. Traffic violations can be noted on a Level III.
What are Level VIII and Level IX inspections?
A Level VIII electronic inspection is done wirelessly while the vehicle is moving. It has no direct contact with an officer. It checks the vehicle's location and who is driving. It checks the license, the medical certificate and the record of duty status. It checks hours-of-service compliance and the USDOT number. It also checks the registration, operating authority, UCR compliance and federal out-of-service orders. A Level IX post-crash inspection is done after a fatality, a serious injury or a high-profile crash. It is also done where the jurisdiction requires it.
What does out of service mean?
CVSA's North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria are the pass-fail rules for inspections. They pick out critical violations. Those put the driver, the vehicle or the cargo out of service until the problem is fixed. CVSA updates them every year, effective April 1. A vehicle that is likely to cause an accident or a breakdown is declared and marked out of service. This can be because of its mechanical condition or its load. No one may operate it, including by towing it, until the required repairs are done. No one may remove the sticker before then (49 CFR 396.9(c)). A driver is ordered out of service for driving after being on duty longer than the hours rules allow. A driver is also ordered out of service for not having a record of duty status for the day of the inspection and the prior 7 consecutive days (49 CFR 395.13).
What do you have to do after an inspection report or an out-of-service order?
The driver gives a copy of the inspection report to the motor carrier at the next terminal or facility. If the driver will not reach one within 24 hours, the driver sends the report in right away (49 CFR 396.9(d)). Within 15 days of the inspection, the carrier must certify that every violation was corrected. It returns the form if the state agency asks, and keeps a copy for 12 months. After a driver out-of-service order, the carrier completes the Motor Carrier Certification of Action Taken. It delivers the form to the FMCSA Division Administrator or State Director within 15 days (49 CFR 395.13). A driver ordered out of service for hours of service cannot drive until it is lawful again under Part 395.
Related Free Tools
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Pre-Trip / Post-Trip DVIR Checklist
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Level 1 inspection?+
It is the full North American Standard inspection. It checks the driver's license, medical certificate and record of duty status. It checks hours of service and the seat belt. It also checks the vehicle. That means brakes, cargo securement, coupling devices, exhaust and the frame. It means the fuel system, lights, steering, suspension, tires, wheels and wipers. Some parts need the inspector to look under the truck.
What is a Level 3 inspection?+
It is a driver and paperwork check with no mechanical inspection. It covers the license and the medical certificate. It covers the record of duty status, hours of service and the seat belt. It also covers inspection reports and the carrier's identification and status.
What should I have ready for a roadside inspection?+
Have your license, your medical certificate and your record of duty status ready. Have any vehicle inspection reports too. A driver must be able to show a record of duty status for the day of the inspection and the prior 7 consecutive days (49 CFR 395.13). Keep them organized so you can hand them over quickly.
Can a truck be inspected without the driver there?+
Yes. A Level V inspection checks the vehicle only, with all the Level I vehicle items, without a driver present, at any location.
What happens if I am put out of service for hours of service?+
You cannot drive until it is lawful again under the hours rules. A driver ordered out of service for failing to prepare a record of duty status must be off duty for the number of consecutive hours the rules require before driving again. The carrier must send the Certification of Action Taken to FMCSA within 15 days (49 CFR 395.13).
How long do I keep a roadside inspection report?+
The carrier keeps a copy for 12 months from the date of the inspection, at its principal place of business or where the vehicle is housed (49 CFR 396.9(d)). It must also certify the corrections within 15 days.
More federal trucking rules
- Hours of Service Rules for Truck Drivers
- ELD Mandate: Who Needs an ELD
- DOT Drug and Alcohol Testing Rules
- Driver Qualification File Requirements
- DVIR and Vehicle Maintenance Rules
- New Entrant Safety Audit Requirements
- Hours of Service Exceptions and Exemptions
- Motor Carrier Insurance Requirements
- CDL Classes, Endorsements and ELDT Training
- DOT Physical and Medical Card Requirements
- Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse Requirements
- Cargo Securement Rules for Trucks
- Hazmat Basics for Truck Drivers and Carriers
- USDOT Number and Biennial Update Requirements
- Safety Ratings, Compliance Reviews and DataQs
- Federal Truck Size and Weight Limits
- California Clean Truck Check (HD I/M)
- Truth-in-Leasing Rules for Owner-Operators
- Form 2290 Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax
- Truck Driver Phone, Texting and Seat Belt Rules
- Railroad Crossing Rules for Truck Drivers
- Truck Emergency Equipment and Warning Triangle Rules
- Truck Windshield, Dash Cam and Mirror Rules
- CDL Disqualification: Major and Serious Offenses
- Truck Tire Rules: Tread Depth, Retreads and Pressure
- Trailer Reflective Tape (Conspicuity) Rules
- Truck Brake Rules: Pushrod Stroke, Lining Thickness and ABS
- Driver Conduct Rules: Alcohol, Drugs, Fatigue, Passengers and Pre-Trip Checks
- English Language Proficiency for Truck Drivers: The 391.11(b)(2) Rule
- Weigh Station Rules: Who Must Stop and What Happens If You Skip
- Truck Lighting Rules: Required Lamps and Reflectors (49 CFR 393)
- Driver Road Test Rules: The Company Road Test and Certificate (49 CFR 391.31)
- Box Truck and Hotshot Requirements: CDL, USDOT Number, Authority and ELD
- Owner-Operator Requirements: What You Need Before You Haul
Related terms and pages
Sources
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This is a plain-language summary for reference, not legal advice. Check the official rule text before you rely on any detail. Ask a compliance professional about your own operation.