KNOW THE RULES BEFORE ROADSIDE.
Plain-English explanations of the FMCSA and CVSA rules that cause the most violations and out-of-service orders, with the CFR section for each.
CVSA Out-of-Service Criteria Explained
What the CVSA North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria are, which vehicle and driver conditions put a truck out of service, and how to avoid an OOS order at roadside.
CVSA Inspection Levels I–VIII
A plain-English breakdown of the eight CVSA North American Standard inspection levels — what each covers, how long it takes, and what inspectors look for.
DOT Pre-Trip Inspection Checklist
A complete pre-trip inspection checklist for tractor-trailers and straight trucks, built around 49 CFR §392.7 and §396.13, with the items most likely to cause an out-of-service order.
DVIR Requirements Under 49 CFR 396.11
When a driver vehicle inspection report is required, what it must include, how long carriers keep it, and how repairs must be certified under 49 CFR §396.11 and §396.13.
FMCSA Hours of Service Rules for Truck Drivers
The property-carrying hours-of-service limits under 49 CFR Part 395 — 11-hour driving, 14-hour window, 30-minute break, 60/70-hour limit, 34-hour restart, sleeper berth splits, and exceptions.
Common DOT Brake Violations and How to Prevent Them
Brakes are the #1 vehicle out-of-service category. Learn the most common brake violations under 49 CFR Part 393, pushrod stroke limits, the 20% rule, and how to catch problems before roadside.
DOT Tire Tread Depth Requirements
Federal minimum tread depth for commercial truck tires under 49 CFR §393.75, the stricter CVSA out-of-service thresholds, and other tire conditions that will get you placed out of service.
HazMat Placarding Requirements (49 CFR 172.504)
When placards are required for hazardous materials shipments under 49 CFR §172.504, the difference between Table 1 and Table 2 materials, the 1,001-pound threshold, and the DANGEROUS placard.
Driver Qualification File Checklist (49 CFR Part 391)
Everything a motor carrier must keep in each CDL driver's qualification file under 49 CFR §391.51 — application, MVRs, road test, medical certificate, Clearinghouse queries — and how long to keep it.
DOT Annual Vehicle Inspection Requirements (49 CFR 396.17)
Who needs a DOT annual inspection, what Appendix G covers, inspector qualifications, the proof you must carry, and how long to keep annual inspection records.