Level 1 DOT Inspection: Ultimate Guide

What is a Level 1 DOT Inspection? 

A Level 1 DOT inspection is a comprehensive (37 step) inspection of a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) and it’s driver that is conducted by a trained and certified CMV inspector.

The inspection is designed to identify any safety defects or DOT violations that could potentially lead to an accident and are usually conducted at a weigh station. 

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) is a non-profit association of local, state, provincial, territorial and federal commercial motor vehicle safety officials and industry representatives. CVSA was founded in 1972 to improve commercial motor vehicle safety in North America.

The CVSA has developed the criteria for all six levels of roadside inspections, including the North American Standard Inspection (which is better known as the Level 1 DOT inspection or simply a Level 1 inspection). 

In practice, most truck drivers will only ever undergo a Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3 DOT roadside inspection. The other 3 DOT inspection levels (which is really now 8 total inspection levels) are usually vehicle inspections conducted at a terminal location or a special purpose roadside inspection.

Let’s dig into what a DOT Level 1 inspection is, what you can expect and how to prepare for one. 

What’s different about a Level 1 DOT Inspection:   

Level one DOT inspections differ from a level 2 or Level 3 inspection in a number of ways. Most importantly, they are much more in depth. 

A Level 3 or Level iii ( driver only ) roadside inspection is much like getting pulled over for a traffic violation in your personal vehicle. This inspection is just a check of your information, credentials, your compliance with the DOT hours of service and a drug and alcohol screening.

The officer or inspector will check your CDL or license status, your medical examiner’s certificate (medical certificate) and your ELD or log book. 

These roadside inspections typically last about 15 to 20 minutes and will always result in you being issued a Driver Vehicle Examination Report (DVER ) at the end of your visit with the law enforcement officer. You’re not eligible for a CVSA sticker as a result of this inspection. (More on that in a bit).  

A Level 2 or Level ii (Walk-Around Driver/Vehicle ) roadside inspection is similar to a Level 3 DOT inspection but with the addition of the officer or inspector doing a basic vehicle maintenance inspection of the truck (and trailer) as well.

The officer will check your recent DVIRs ( Driver Vehicle Inspection Report ) as well as your other driver-related documents, a duty status check and conduct a drug and alcohol use screening. They will also check the primary truck and trailer systems that don’t require the inspector actually getting under your vehicle. 

These roadside inspections typically last about 30 to 45 minutes and will also result in you being issued a DVER at the end of your visit with DOT inspector. You’re not eligible for a CVSA sticker as a result of this inspection either.

Be sure to turn that DVER into your company within 24 hours of receiving it. They have to sign it and send it back to the State that issued the DVER. 

Now that we’ve laid the groundwork a bit, let’s see how the Level 1 DOT inspection is even more in depth than the Level 2 DOT inspection.

What does a Level 1 DOT Inspection consist of?

During a DOT level 1 inspection, officers are trained to look for a variety of potential driver and vehicle issues including:

Brakes: The inspector will check the brakes to make sure they are in good working order and that they can stop the vehicle safely. This will include checking for any leaks and ensuring that your automatic slack adjusters are functioning properly. 
Tires: The inspector will check the tires to make sure they are in good condition, inflated properly and have the minimum required tread depth.
Lights: They will check the lights to make sure they all required lights are working properly and that they are visible to other drivers. All reflective sheeting on your truck (and trailer) will also be viewed to ensure visibility at night.  
Horn: The inspector will check the horn to make sure it is working properly.
Mirrors: The inspector will also check all mirrors to make sure they are in good condition and that they provide the driver with a clear view of the road.
Windshield: The windshield is checked to make sure it is free of cracks and that it provides you with a clear view of the road.
Seat belts: A check of your seat belt will ensure that it’s in good condition and properly installed.

Driver’s license: The inspector will check the driver’s license to make sure it is valid and that the driver is qualified to operate the CMV.
ELD/Log book: The inspector will check the log book to make sure that you’re complying with the hours of service regulations.
Vehicle registration: The inspector will check the vehicle registration to make sure the CMV is properly registered.
Cargo securement: The inspector will check the cargo securement to make sure the cargo is properly secured and will not shift during transport. This is especially important for flatbed or oversized/overweight loads. 
Hazardous materials: If you’re hauling HAZMAT, the DOT inspector will check your hazardous materials and make sure they are properly placarded and secured.

To see all of the different areas that are included in the Level 1 commercial vehicle safety inspection, grab a pdf copy of our Level 1 Inspection checklist here:

DOT Level 1 Inspection Checklist

How long does a Level 1 DOT inspection take?

If you’re pulled in for a Level one DOT inspection, plan on being there for at least an hour.

As we mentioned previously, the inspectors will be going through your documents and credentials and crawling all over, around and under your truck (and trailer). 

One of our clients said that he had one that only lasted about 40 minutes. That inspector was either a speed demon or in a hurry to get home for supper. Not sure which..

Either way, these can be lengthy inspections. Expect to be near your truck or in the cab throughout most of the process as you’ll be assisting the inspector in completing the examination.

For instance, they may have you turn your hi-beams on and turn your emergency lights on and off to verify that everything is working correctly. 

What happens at the end of the Level 1 Inspection? 

Once the DOT inspector has completed the Level 1 DOT inspection, they will have a short chat with you to discuss any concerns that they found during their inspection. 
If the inspector finds any defects or other DOT violations, they will likely issue you a warning or a citation.

Their findings will also be recorded in a document named a Driver Vehicle Examination Report, or DVER for short. 

If violations are discovered, each violation will count as a specific number of CSA BASIC points against your trucking company and the driver’s CSA score.

For instance, if you have any unidentified driving time present, you could be cited with falsifying your ELD records. A 395.8(e) violation counts for 7 CSA points under the current the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration ( FMCSA ) SMS (Safety Measurement System) structure. 

Under proposed FMCSA CSA changes, it would only count as 1 CSA BASIC point. (You can read all about the proposed changes by clicking that link).    

If no violations are discovered, that will be reflected on your DVER and you’ll also reveive a CVSA Sticker (or a CVSA decal).

This is literally a sticker that’s placed on the passenger side of your truck’s windshield that shows that the CMV passed a Level 1 inspection recently. It’s basically a “get out of a Level 1 DOT inspection card” for about 3 months.  

How to pass your DOT Level 1 inspection:

Practice your pre-trip inspection/post-trip inspection. A pre-trip inspection is a visual inspection that you should perform on your truck before you start driving. By preforming your pre-trip inspections regularly, you will be able to identify most potential problems before you hit the road. This is the most important way to prevent most roadside inspections and DOT violations. 

Make sure you know the Level 1 DOT inspection checklist. This checklist outlines all of the items that the inspector will check. By knowing the checklist, you can be sure that your truck is in good condition and that you have all of the required documentation.

Make sure your truck is clean and that your cab is free of debris. This can help actually prevent “Inspection Level Creep”, where a Level 3 DOT inspection can quickly turn into a DOT Level 2 inspection and a DOT inspection Level 2 can evolve into a full Level 1 DOT inspection. 

Make sure all of your lights are working properly and visible from around 500 feet from the truck (and trailer). Preventing lighting violations is simple, but not easy. Be sure to check all of your required lights at least once a week. Learn how to prevent lighting violations here! 

Make sure your tires are in good condition, inflated properly and have the required DOT tread depth for each tire. DOT steer tire regulations require that each steer tire has at least 4/32 of an inch of tread left. All other tires must have at least 2/32 of an inch remaining. All tires should be properly inflated per your equipment manufacturer’s guidelines. Check out this article to learn all about the DOT tire regulations. 

Make sure that all of your brakes are working properly and free from air leaks. Conduct your COLA brake test at the start of each driving day and do a full (pedal to the metal) brake compression at least once per week to ensure that your ASA system is functioning properly. Check your gladhands to ensure proper fit and replace them as needed to avoid any brake air pressure leaks.    

Keep detailed records: Detailed records of your truck’s maintenance, repairs, and inspections can help you demonstrate your commitment to motor carrier safety and compliance and can also help you quickly address any issues that arise during an inspection. Your fleet management team can help you with this if you drive for a larger company. You must make sure that any repairs noted on past vehicle inspection reports (DVIRs or roadside inspections) were corrected! 

Our Monthly DOT compliance services could really help you with this!

Make sure you have all of the required documentation, such as your driver’s license, medical certificate, any skill performance evaluation certificate, your ELD or log book, and vehicle registration(s). Be sure that you’re updating your ELD fully and accurately and that you’re using personal conveyance, adverse driving conditions and the short haul exemption correctly. Keep your shipping information up to date and make sure that you are retaining all hours of service supporting documents.   

Be polite and cooperative with the inspector. Answer any questions they have and provide them with any documentation they request. This can make or break your entire inspection! 

By following these tips, you can help to ensure that you pass your next Level 1 inspection.

Level One DOT Inspection: Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most common type of roadside inspection? 

In 2022, Level 2 DOT inspections accounted for 34.9% of all DOT inspections. Level 1 DOT inspections came in 2nd with 32.2% and Level 3 DOT inspections were in at 29.3%. 96.5% of all DOT inspections were one of those 6 levels of a DOT inspection.

So, it’s around a 3 way tie between a Level 1 DOT inspection, a Level 2 DOT inspection and a Level 3 DOT inspection.

That’s right! Each of the 3 primary DOT inspection levels are about equal. Each account for about 30% to 35% of all DOT inspections in a given year. 

How many levels of DOT inspections are there? 

There are technically 8 levels of DOT inspections today. This has been increased from the 6 levels of DOT inspections from the past with the addition of DOT inspection Level 7 and Level 8.

A Level 7 DOT inspection is a “Jurisdictional Mandated Commercial Vehicle Inspection”. This is “an inspection that is a jurisdictional mandated inspection program that does not meet the requirements of any other level of inspection”.

The new(ish) DOT Level 8 inspection is much sexier. This is called a “North American Standard Electronic Inspection” and “The North American Standard Level VIII Electronic Inspection is an inspection conducted electronically or wirelessly while the vehicle is in motion without direct interaction with an enforcement officer”. 

You know that recent blow up in the news about the FMCSA wanting to be able to target trucks for inspection without first pulling them over? Well, here you go. 

It’s called Universal ID or UID for short. This will also help weigh stations of the future become less dependent on human inspectors being there. Yes, in the near future, we’ll see weigh stations that never close.

What is a Level 1 truck inspection? 

This is the same thing as a Level 1 DOT inspection, a Level 1 inspection, a CVSA Level 1 inspection, a Level one DOT inspection, a DOT vehicle inspection, or Level one inspection.

Because the trucking industry is so diverse, there can be many names for the same thing. It doesn’t really matter what you call it. All of these terms are essentially referring to the same type of in-depth roadside inspection. 

Can a Level 1 Inspection Count As a DOT Annual Inspection? 

No, unfortunately not since 2016. That’s when the FMCSA changed the rules because they felt like too many Level 1 inspections were not adequately addressing everything that should be covered in Appendix A.

But, under 49 CFR 396.17(f), a vehicle passing a State required CMV inspection should be able use that inspection report as proof of a periodic inspection (DOT Annual Inspection) for 12 months.

However, this only applies if your State is on the list of approved states under 49 CFR 396.23.

To see if your State makes the grade in the FMCSA’s eyes, check out the approved list here:  Approved Periodic Inspection States 

Per the FMCSA: “Vehicles passing periodic inspections performed under the auspices of any State government or equivalent jurisdiction in the Canadian Provinces, the Yukon Territory, and Mexico, meeting the minimum standards contained in appendix A to this part, will be considered to have met the requirements of an annual inspection for a period of 12 months commencing from the last day of the month in which the inspection was performed”.

But, the CVSA states in their roadside inspection information that “The North American Standard Inspection Program is not a periodic inspection program or a preventative maintenance program for carriers and drivers. Inspectors do not inspect vehicles by request”. 

We wouldn’t fully rely on the grey area when it comes to your DOT compliance. We would still make sure that you have a full DOT annual inspection completed on you CMV (and trailer) at least once a year just to make sure you’re in compliance with the DOT regulations. 

What is the CVSA?

CVSA’s mission is to “save lives, prevent injuries, and reduce economic losses due to commercial motor vehicle crashes, through education, outreach, encouragement, and enforcement.” CVSA accomplishes this mission through a variety of programs and activities, including:

• The International Roadcheck, a high-visibility enforcement blitz that is conducted every year in North America.
• The North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria, a set of minimum standards for inspecting commercial motor vehicles.
• The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance Training Institute, which provides training to commercial motor vehicle safety professionals.
• The CVSA Safety Hotline, a toll-free hotline that commercial motor vehicle drivers and others can use to report safety concerns.

CVSA is a valuable resource for commercial motor vehicle safety professionals and the industry as a whole. CVSA’s programs and activities help to keep commercial motor vehicles safe on our roads.  

Wrapping Up

In conclusion, Level 1 DOT roadside inspections are critical for ensuring the safety of all road users, including truck drivers, fleet owners, and other drivers on the road.

To prepare for these inspections, truck drivers and fleet owners should regularly perform preventive maintenance checks, replace worn or damaged parts, and ensure that all equipment, including brakes, lights, tires, and safety systems, is functioning correctly.

By taking the necessary steps to prepare for a Level 1 inspection, truck drivers and fleet owners can help improve their CSA BASIC scores, reduce their risk of crashes and violations, and ensure a safer, more efficient operation. If you need more information or guidance on how to prepare for level 1 roadside inspections, we would love to help!

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