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.
Every commercial motor vehicle subject to the FMCSRs, including each trailer, must pass a periodic (annual) inspection at least once every 12 months (49 CFR §396.17).
What's inspected
The annual inspection must meet at least the standards in Appendix A to Part 396 (formerly Appendix G). It covers:
- Brake system, including adjustment, drums and rotors, hoses, and ABS
- Coupling devices
- Exhaust system
- Fuel system
- Lighting devices
- Safe loading
- Steering mechanism
- Suspension
- Frame
- Tires
- Wheels and rims
- Windshield glazing and wipers
- Motorcoach seating (buses)
Who can perform it
The inspector must be qualified under §396.19, through training, experience, or a state or federal training program. Brake work must be done by someone qualified under §396.25. A state inspection program that FMCSA has found comparable may be accepted instead.
Proof of inspection
A copy of the inspection report or a decal must be kept on the vehicle (§396.17(c)). The record must identify the inspector, the motor carrier, the date, the vehicle, and the components inspected.
Record retention
The original inspection report must be kept for 14 months from the date of the inspection (§396.21).
Passing CVSA inspections between annuals
A vehicle that passes a CVSA Level I or V inspection can count that inspection toward the annual requirement if it meets Appendix A standards and the paperwork is kept. Using DotCheck between annual inspections helps make sure nothing slips in the months between shop visits.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do trailers need a DOT annual inspection?
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Yes. Each CMV, including each trailer and semitrailer, must be inspected at least once every 12 months under 49 CFR §396.17.
How long do I keep annual inspection records?
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Original annual inspection reports must be retained for 14 months from the date of the inspection.
Does a passed CVSA inspection count as an annual?
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A passed Level I or Level V inspection that meets the Part 396 Appendix A standards may be used to satisfy the annual inspection requirement when properly documented.
This guide is for general information and pre-inspection preparation only. It is not legal advice. Always check the current text of 49 CFR at ecfr.gov and the current CVSA OOS Criteria.