What are the Different Levels of Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) Inspections?
Roadside inspections are a way of life for commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers. They take on special emphasis during the annual Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) International Roadcheck, set for May 12–14 this year in North America. This year, you and your drivers can prepare now to ensure inspections go smoothly.
But as motor carriers know, inspections occur well beyond a 72-hour span every year in May.
Here are 8 CVSA inspections that every carrier and driver should understand:
1. Comprehensive driver and vehicle
This is the most common type of inspection and the most thorough. The inspection covers both the driver and vehicle and takes about 45–60 minutes to complete. A driver will be asked to produce documents such as his or her commercial driver’s license (CDL), medical card, and record of duty status. The vehicle portion will check components including brakes, frame, fuel system, lights, cargo securement, hazardous materials, tires, and more.
2. Walk-around
The walk-around inspection is similar to the comprehensive Level 1 inspection but does not include examining components that require the inspector to physically get under the vehicle. The walk-around typically takes about 30 minutes to complete.
3. Driver-only
This type of inspection involves reviewing documents pertaining to the driver and any hazardous materials. This includes the driver’s CDL, medical card, hours of service, and documentation of the annual inspection.
4. Special Inspections
Inspections under this category typically include a one-time examination of a specific item. These are normally conducted in support of a study or to verify or refute a suspected trend.
5. Vehicle-only
A driver does not need to be present for these inspections. They typically take place at a motor carrier’s place of business during an on-site visit. The process is very similar to a comprehensive vehicle inspection and serves as a valid annual inspection. If the vehicle passes, it is issued a CVSA decal indicating that a certified inspector conducted the inspection.
6. Radioactive materials
These inspections are conducted only on select shipments of radioactive material and follow a higher standard than the comprehensive inspection. Any brakes found out of adjustment during this inspection can result in an out-of-service (OOS) violation. As of January 1, 2005, all vehicles and carriers transporting highway route controlled quantities (HRCQ) of radioactive material are regulated by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and are required to pass the North American Standard Level VI Inspection.
7. Jurisdictional Mandated Commercial Vehicle Inspection
This is a jurisdictionally mandated inspection program that does not meet the requirements of any other level of inspection. Examples include inspection programs such as, but not limited to, school buses, limousines, taxis, shared-ride transportation, hotel courtesy shuttles, and other intrastate or intra-provincial operations.
8. North American Standard Electronic Inspection
The North American Standard Level VIII Electronic Inspection is conducted electronically or wirelessly while the vehicle is in motion without direct interaction with an enforcement officer. To be considered complete, a Level VIII inspection must include a data exchange that contains each of the required and/or applicable data points outlined in the CVSA definition.
Preparation is Key
Knowing what to expect when inspection time arrives—and having your drivers prepared to handle inspections in a professional and efficient manner—can help your company moving forward.
Safe operations lead to fewer inspections, a strong safety record, and a better reputation within the industry and with law enforcement officials.
Regularly passing inspections also helps keep your company off the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) radar under the “Compliance, Safety, Accountability” (CSA) program and out of the FMCSA’s crosshairs for additional inspections.
Understanding the CVSA Inspection Program Driver Brochure
Question of the Week
My driver has gone through a roadside inspection. How long do I have to keep this documentation on file?
Answer:
Copies of all roadside inspections must be kept by the motor carrier for 12 months. The driver is required to turn in the inspection report to the motor carrier within 24 hours. If they are not returning to the terminal, they must mail in the inspection.
If the inspection resulted in violations, they must be corrected or repaired. The inspection form must then be signed and certified to confirm repairs were completed and returned to the state of inspection within 15 days.
Best Practice Guidelines for Roadside Inspections
- Train drivers on how to complete high-quality pre-trip inspections to reduce the possibility of violations
- Review CSA monthly at www.ai.fmcsa.dot.gov using your DOT number or company name
- Review vehicle and driver basics and cross-reference inspections on file with those submitted by drivers. Follow up with drivers who did not submit reports
- Review the “Carrier History” tab in the Tools/Resource section to determine inspection trends
- Review vehicle inspections and violations with your maintenance provider to reduce future issues
- Maintain copies of inspections, along with any repair orders, in tractor and trailer files
- Use roadside inspection data (date, time, location) to cross-reference with driver hours of service documentation
- Train drivers on how to successfully pass roadside inspections and how to conduct themselves
- Keep vehicles clean and well maintained to reduce the likelihood of being targeted for inspection
- Advise drivers that moving violations can lead to inspections
- Consider providing incentives to drivers who successfully pass inspections
2026 National Work Zone Awareness Week, April 20–24
National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW) is an annual spring campaign held at the start of construction season to encourage safe driving through highway work zones and construction sites. The key message is for drivers to use extra caution in work zones.
For more information, visit:
NATIONAL WORK ZONE AWARENESS WEEK – Home
