DOT Inspections: What Every Trucker Should Know & What DOT Officers Look For 

Many moons ago my old man told me, 90 % of driving problems are solved by "keeping all the light working, keep them quiet and don't drive like an idiot". Many decades later...this still rings true.

I’m a veteran trucker, 14 years on the road. I still appreciate and watch these kinds of videos to stay fresh and keep myself memorable of the things I need to be doing. Complacency is a driver’s worst enemy. That’s what I always tell my trainees.

Brian, you are 100% correct. I've been in the industry for a year roughly (I'm from Quebec). I was in Virginia about a month ago and I was pulled over on a scale in the middle of the night. I was told to pull over because my front axle was overweight. The officer said I had 1 hour to adjust the 5th wheel. It took me two tries to get the 5th wheel adjusted properly but i got it done, 20 minutes later, I was back on the road. No inspection, but Attitude is key. The officer even recommended how many holes to move it over, because I remember when I was in CDL school there was a winter storm and the school teachers had decided to only do an in-class "theoretical" lesson on 5th wheel adjustment. They were too lazy to go outside in freezing temperature and show it to us in the yard.

_This channel brings truckers together I had some of the coolest conversations with other truckers who watch this channel and man I got to tell you I never felt more like a brother to a man of a different race; thank you_

As a DOT inspector , i will say good job being informative so all other drivers can understand the process and why we do what we do.

I've been pulled for a level 1 (as my first ever inspection) on the Kentucky stateline and a level 2 (when I was sick with a cold) on the Idaho stateline. Both times I was very cordial and polite, even asked questions and made good natured conversation. Both DOT officers were super friendly and very informative. My level 1 was as easy as can be. I knew I was legal as I pretrip everyday and was within axle weights. However, being my first inspection I was super nervous. The DOT officer knew this, and was very friendly and answered all of my questions. She really made my first experience getting inspected pleasurable. She even permitted me a few minutes so I could collect my trucker cat in his crate! My level 2 inspection was much of the same nature. First thing that came out of my mouth when I opened the door was a polite warning that I was sick. (Back in COVID times so I felt I was obligated to inform him even though it wasn't COVID that I was sick with). He proceeded to chuckle and talk about how he just got over being sick as well. We then just started to shoot the sh!t and the inspection was over just like that. I've also been pulled by Oklahoma stateline just so the officer could tell me one of my drive tires was flat. And instead of giving me an inspection, he allowed me to get a repair. All of these passed inspections or being pulled into detainment I contribute heavily into keeping my truck at good working order, and treating these officers like people, not villains. Be nice, keep your equipment in good shape, and drive safe. Thank you for your videos man, I appreciate them greatly!

I agree with you regardless if you are a company driver or a owner operator you should always take care of the truck you are driving because it even shows even at a shiper or reserver on how your truck looks like than you know the difference between a clean driver versus a sloppy driver. So my advice is regardless if you own the truck or not take care of it as if you are the owner of it and take pride on keeping it clean

Totally agree! For me, being engaging at an inspection has always helped. Also whenever you are entering a scale give your brakes a few good pumps (6 pack) to tighten up the self adjusting slack adjusters, so the brakes are tight and at the best adjustment.

DOT keeps records on your company and know who to stop and who to let go based on past inspections/violations.

I keep a half inch binder as well within reach of the driver's seat that has my cab card, insurance certificates, IFTA license, most recent DOT inspection on the truck, UCR, a few days of paper logs, ELD malfunction and operation guide, and recent maintenance history with dates and mileage. Everything is in plastic sleeves to keep it neat. If you get stopped, there is no searching around for these documents and this should help the inspection start off in the right direction. Great video and thanks for covering this topic!

Been looking for what they look for in a DOT inspection for a year. Thank so much.

Used to drive over the road many years ago. Any time I got pulled in, I was always friendly and respectful. Had paper logs, electronic logs weren't a thing yet, I always kept my logs neat and legible. Doing those things made things much easier, and I rarely had any problems. D.O.T's not your enemy, they're just doing their job

My son used to dispatch for a fly by night trucking company. They had a truck lose a wheel and hit a pickup truck. Thankfully no one got hurt. After that every time one of their trucks went over the scale it was pulled to the side. Also they got pulled over to get their TDG paperwork checked. Their trucks kept failing inspection. Then one day the MOT, MOE, and MOL showed up at the depot for an in depth inspection. When they were done my son had to look for a new job. As someone that had to share the road with their trucks I am glad they put them out of business. I just don’t know how those garbage trucks are still on the road.

The clean dashboard thing is real.

I tell my trainees when they're doing their Circle check use a rag as you touch things wipe it when they decide to do an inspection on the truck they can see that proper inspections have been done stuff is clean it's not covered in Road grime

Great and informative video! Years ago I was pulling out of a Flying J Truckstop and it was dusk. I did not turn my lights on because I thought there still was sufficient sun light left. I was in Kansas and was going to jump on the interstate. A DOT officer lit me up so on the should I went. I rolled down my window and in a polite tone greeted him. I had nice clothing on for the job and I kept my cab so clean you could eat off the floor. No trash or papers on the dashboard. I offered him my logbook, and he proceeded with his inspection. He told me the reason he pulled me over was that I did not have my lights on. Outside of that he found nothing wrong with the DOT inspection and let me go on my way. My son was a police officer at the time and he gave me little hints on how to survive a DOT inspection. He told me to always be polite and respectful, look like a professional, and don't have a lot of junk on the dash. The officer was a nice guy and I bid him goodbye. Using those rules sure paid off for me!

Thank you for taking the time to go through the list of what DOT is looking for. I definitely agree with you 100% as much as I felt like it is personal when they pour me and I have learned to just bite my tongue. The quicker they can get done the quicker they can print your paperwork and get you out of the bay.

Hey Brian. This was both informative and entertaining to watch. I learned a lot from watching your video on what to expect at the inspection. Thank you!

Great video and I'm glad you mentioned that a driver's "Attitude" is key to the inspection. Bad Attitude equals harder inspection, showing respect to him and having a good demeanor will save you a from longer delay. Remember they're just doing their job keeping us and our families safe.

stay out of california, try to do most of your driving after 2 30 pm, dodge as many scales as possible. slow down way before a chicken coop and let as many of the 64 mph club members get ahead of you, once the chicken coop off ramp gets backed up on to the hi way in most cases they put the big word out and you can go right on by.. Always remember-dot cops are cops that are too chicken to be real cops hence the term "chicken coops" you are dealing with people that suffer from mental issues much like correction officers-I`m a 42 year veteran 3 million miles, good luck!

Great video. You sir, are spot on when it comes to cleanliness of your cab. I guy that I used to work with, his cab was spotless and everything was well organized. He got stopped by a DOT and in his inspection he commented on his cab and said more guys kept a cab like his and make his life easier. If it looks like trash, they are going to look that much harder.

My first and only was while I was still with my trainer. I just crossed into Mississippi on a state hwy and the dude pulled me into a u turn lane to inspect my truck. Went well and I got a bit of extra pay for passing it 🤣

Good information bud👍. We usually know pretty quick who to pull in and who to wave on. Being polite and professional goes a long way with us. Be safe out there drivers.

You covered everything that I’m being taught in school by my instructors. Basically, do your pre-trip as if you were going before your examiner. Find the problem first, and fix it. Like I learned in the Navy, Preventive, and Corrective maintenance are the basic requirements to ensuring your equipment stays operational. I’m liking, and subscribing. Great stuff.

Thank you for sharing this. I am not a driver, I am a fleet mechanic for a utility company in California. I don't work on over the road semi trucks like you are showing. Most of the trucks I work on are local trucks with booms used for manlifts or diggers. They occasionally have to go through scales depending on where they are working. Part of my work includes a 90 day DOT inspection on each of the trucks and an annual opacity test. The 90 day DOT inspections are both a blessing and a curse. It includes just about everything you pointed out which helps me make sure the trucks are in good shape for the CHP's terminal inspection every couple of years. The curse is when I find something and repair it, the District Manager pulls the DVIRs of the driver to find out why they didn't catch the problem and report it to me long before my 90 Day inspection. Now the driver thinks I ratted them out. But the District Manager is correct. The biggest thing I find on my 90 Day inspection is worn tires. If the driver was doing his daily inspection he would have caught it, not me.

I've been driving for 29 years. Every year I try to take the week of the Blitzkrieg off. I also monitor the scales and dot in real time before I get to them. The worst is Wyoming. Stay away from WY.. I had COVID and parked on dirt lot on side of 80 and was too sick to drive. The young Dot gave me 40 points of warnings. Warnings stay on CSA Vs ticket you can fight. California let me go after I threw my license at Dot after they triggered my PTSD. God bless California for understanding what we go through.

Thanks for making this video! I can go into a scale with more piece of mind after watching this knowing what they really look 4. Thank you!

Thank you for the wonderful video of all that happens at a DOT inspection. i'm looking to get into being a trucker.

Great video. You are 100% correct. A sloppy messy truck is 10× more likely to get inspected. Let's take a little pride in what we do and how we do it. Thanks for the videos guys.

13 year OTR in Canada and US and I can confirm what you just said. I always had a clean truck (inside and out) and never had a problem with DOT (except once in Ontario when they would not believe I was stopped for 13 hours despite having the fuel and shower receipts!). An Ohio DOT even let me drive 50 miles to a truck stop to fix a broken booster. Be good with yourself, your truck and everyone around you. It goes a long way! OH, and keep your attitude to yourself. they have the power to make your life miserable.

Great information! Thank you 🙏 for sharing the knowledge 😊

Good video. I'm a DOT inspector. You are correct. We do have a job to do. I'm sorry to hear that you have been "unnecessarily detained". You do a good job explaining that we are MOSTLY looking for violations that are SAFETY concerns. These inspections shouldn't vary from state to state. They should be the same throughout North America but they do vary slightly. Keep up the good work. Drivers like you make the roads safer.

I love this channel, every bit of information helps me and also useful on the road

Everything he is saying is so true 👍 good video man safe trucking 🚚

Great video! I especially liked the part about the interior of your tab reflecting to the inspector the likelihood of how you would take care of the rest of your truck.

Great information and advices, Thanks a lot for that.... here you have a new subscriber, keep up with this good job, I'll make sure to be ready for that. God Bless You Man!!!

Thank You for your Time and Energy!

Great content, really enjoying it. I'm in Newfoundland, hopefully going to school next month for my Class 1. That air brake adjustment is a good benefit us East Coasters get, I did not know that we were the only provinces to get that, cool!

These are the best videos! Thanks for this

Great Video! Air Lines... I'm gonna pay more attention to those. Tires, Log Books (E-Logs) Lights... Check. But I'm now definitely going to pay attention to my air lines! If that's what they're look at, I should be looking at them too. Also, I'm a big stickler for Air and Electrical line hook ups to a Trailer. Again, Great, Short, To The Point, Video... Rock On, Brother. Be Safe

I’m gonna send this video to all my clients, thank you so much sir!

Great video, really descriptive and informative.

Amazing content Brian. This is gold for us, rookies 👍🏻! Thank you! Alana, as always, great job!! ✅

First one I did was a farm fuel inspection. Had no clue what was going on, total newbie. The lady was cool, answered my dumb questions. But it is only dumb because you don't know and your lack of experience. But I proved that I was at least smart enough to ask. "The only stupid question is the one not asked!"

Thanks for the video! I downloaded it for future reference when I get my company up and going 👍

great vid man

Great tips Brian!

Awesome content !!! Thank you 😅

Thank you so much for the great job.

That is so true about rear tractor lights and being hooked up to a trailer. That happened to me, in Missouri. The turn signals and four ways and break lights worked, but they weren’t lit.

Brian, you are absolutely such a experienced person I really like the way you explain everything. I promise while I buying my first truck I for sure will meet you in person and you will help me buying my first truck.... Insha,allah 👍😇😊

Great video.

Awesome dot inspection review

I believe the brake pads cannot be worn down more than the quarter of an inch. For the brake adjustment, the push rods the front steers could be 1" the drive and trailer 2". Thanks again for the great content always enjoy your videos 👍

I've only ever been asked about truck ownership once, and the Trooper said it was to ensure the paperwork leasing me on to a DOT number was correct. I drove for an O/O, so had to carry paperwork stating that he was authorized to run the parent company DOT number. That may not always be reason. I had 2 different names on side of truck so he knew there should be lease on paperwork somewhere.

Brian . . . . your Professionalism & Work Ethic is so RARE these days . . . .You are a BLESSING to any Trucking Co. . . . .Be safe my Freind & Happy New Year 😃

Thank you so much for more information 👍

Great video! Windshield cap happened to me too .. But spot on , very informative 👏. Im very big as well, to keep my cab clean, windows clean , i go over all my marker light ...tail light ...quick windex spray , wipe the lenses clean , especially in snow , salt , crap .... Safe riding , god bless 🙌

Great presentation

Thanks a lot. Right, agree 100%. Take care of your Truck - inside and mechanicaly. Helpfull !

Ty!

Excellent explanation

The airlines got a lot of free promo in this video. Fly safe!

Condolences again..family losses never diminished by status or life.

Thanks for the video

Good Stuff,Great Tips😃👍🏿

Great info. Sir👌

Good content! Thx

I don't mind going in... I want to be safe and I may miss something. Always get back to your family! Thanks for the vid.

Thanks buddy! I’m a new driver and this information is a good to know and yea.. nothing on my dash!! Plus I pre trip like I was taught and have actually had roadside come fix flaws I find during my pre trip!

thanks enjoyed your video.

Thanks man for this vedio .

Thank you very much sir for all this informations❤💪

Pretty good video. You are absolutely correct.The more you look like you take care of your truck, the less likely they're going to pull you in for any reason.

They told it to me as being in less than a quarter of an inch on those brake liners anything less would be worn dangerously thin

I got a lvl 3 the other day on my Ram 3500 lol. everyone told me my tint would make me a auto fail but yet the CVSE officer had no beef with it and was happy with the rest of the truck.

Good info. 👍 4 one, I will b keeping my truck clean. 🚚 Thanks 😊

I drove for almost 30 years and I want to tell you I think you done a heck of a job. Another thing is in some shots you reminded me of red green.

This man gave me hope continuing in trucking…

That right Brian nothing should be on your dash paperwork or garbage as it's becomes a safety issue that's the last thing you want too g down the highway have to put on the brakes and stuff flly in you face so I believe keep your truck clean as you are representing your company have pride and drive safe

God bless the truckers! 🚙🚛🚚🛻

Well i bought a english course! But i suppose than learning more with you video! 😅👍 i training my listening skills!!! Really appreciate it!! 😎👍

That’s true about your dash and windows. IF the dash is cluttered, they might be inclined to do a Level I Inspection.

My thinking is that EVERYONE needs oversight and someone else to help with accountability. Someone else inspecting any work I do gives me the assurance that the quality delivered is up to standard, and in the inadvertant case that it is not, to correct and prevent in future. I see a truck or a bus like an aircraft, if the equipment is safe, and the driver/pilot makes sure their equipment is ready for service, it lessens the opportunities for bad and unsafe things to happen. Great video. Thank you kindly.

I believe if your truck looks clean they see you take care of your equipment and go easier on the inspection. I know that's not true but it definitely depends on the inspector

Hello ET Transport, I am a Certified Evaluator and Instructor. I chose my career when I was a kid, and now I'm 65 and coming into my 50th year of trucking. In my time, I have been pulled in and inspected, and every once in a while, they will find something. But I may add a few items to your quick list, and by the way, I agree with the cleanliness of the truck. If they see stuff on the dash, your risk for getting pulled, jumped from 50/50 to 75/25. On your tires, keep an eye on the sight glass. They get dirty, and if you don't have an area that gives an indication that you took a look at the levels of that H5 oil, your chances of getting pulled, went from 75/25 to 80/20. As you say a clean truck will pretty much win every time and I absolutely agree. Another area that you may not be aware of is the front of your 5th wheel, that adjustor bolt. It is on the front and middle of the 5th. That needs to be flush against the face of the 5th wheel. If you can see daylight between the washer and the 5th wheel, that is an indicator that the jaw or locking bolt is not closing properly. Sometimes a quick release and a slightly more aggressive pushback could lock it properly, if it fails to do so, you may need to take it to the shop for a quick check. Some 5th wheels do not have that bolt, but you can tell by the slap happening between the power unit and the trailer. It is why the DOT or the MTO will get you to rock the truck and they will watch to be sure the connection is not slack. Now on YT, you will see some of these drivers talk about their constitutional rights and not have the truck checked. Here in Ontario and I would think all the rest of the provinces and territories, if you refuse an inspection, it's called Contempt and you will get a big fine and a possible suspension. It all depends on how bad you make any situation. Great video, and one of the best I've seen. I know that you were discussing getting pulled only, so my ranking for information would be an 8/10. Listening to you, you know your stuff and had some good info. By the way, I had to chuckle when you came across your windshield wiper fluid cap... we're all human...

Good job i like this channel better honestly thanks you

I totally agree with you 💯

If they want to write a ticket they will find something. Got a ticket before. Only thing he could find was passenger side wiper sprayer was about 30% less spray than driver side. Got ticket for insufficient spray volume. Ok what is the volume # dot requires? The sprayer works. Just not as saturating as driver side.

Thank you for that Brian that was a great video, And your advice at the end about keeping a tidy truck, honestly it makes sense to me. If I was a D.O.T. officer and I seen the inside of a cab completely trashed up, I would think let's check out the rush of the truck. I mean something could get caught up behind the brake pedal, which won't allow you to hit brakes. (Arguably) not everyone may think that way (speaking of the officers) but I know I will.

I can't understand why anyone would say they don't need the rear tractor lights to work when they are hooked to a trailer. How much does a light cost? Even if it's true where you are, why chance it? Is the few dollars it might cost worth you risking a ticket, or a conflict with law enforcement? I think you are 100% right about trash and clutter in the truck. Keep your work area dirty, you slack off in other places. Anybody who thinks a dirty truck inside won't attract attention, just doesn't know what's going on in the real world.

I had a level 1 inspection today. First in my life. Had no clue what to expect. What you are saying wasn’t my experience. Didn’t look at my log book first, that was actually last. Didn’t ask me if I owned the truck. Didn’t open my hood. Didn’t check my mirrors. Didn’t look at my airlines. Rolled over a pit and had my brakes, tires, and lights checked. That’s it. The reason they pulled me in was “it seemed like one of my tires was low on air.” It wasn’t. No violations. A sticker with a ‘3’ was placed on my windshield.

appearance is definitely a key factor in inspections. I got pulled for a Level 1 with my older tractor. After checking lights and we got the hood opened, he started to inspect the engine compartment. I had just replaced and done all the bushings etc on my steering. After a couple minutes he closed my hood and said it was obvious my truck was well maintained and that he was not going to waste more of my time while other trucks needed to be inspected instead.

Don’t worry about the inspection just pay the fine and hit the road no need to get upset pass the cost on down the line

so true brother

left side skid plate is angled outwards because of bent out frame just under it.

Thanks man to be an normal person not the Mr.Perfect trucker … many thanks for the video

The thrash can remark...It is amazing how some trucks are filled with c... And in a firm where the trucks go in rotation, to need to clean everytime you go in a few garbage bags is... And how one cabin can be filled in a week you have not been inside it? Is still amazing to me.

thats a true statement always pretrip bus or truck and always to nice to them even if there wrong

On the inside of drums they’re not called pads, they’re known as shoes, I have experience on Toyota cars (service at dealership) and the drums measure from 1mm to 4mm+. OEM they’re around 4-5mm shoes, have to be replaced if 1mm or less. Don’t know the measurements for big rigs. Love the videos, have a nice day!