Did you know the Orange County Sheriff’s Office has a commercial vehicle enforcement (CVE) unit? Our CVE members work to enhance public safety by ensuring that commercial vehicles and their operators comply with local, state, and federal laws to keep our roadways safe and our commuters safe.
A Level 1 DOT Inspection is the most comprehensive roadside inspection of a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) and its driver. It involves a 37-step process to assess whether the driver, vehicle, and company are in compliance with FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) regulations. Below is a brief checklist of items that the Inspector will examine when conducting their inspection. Also included is a list of commonly encountered out-of-service violations, along with tips for passing an inspection.
- Driver / Company Inspection Checklist
- Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) – Ensure the type of CDL being presented is appropriate for the CMV being operated.
- Medical Examiner’s Certificate (Medical Card) – Ensure the driver possesses a valid medical card.
- Electronic Record of Duty Status (Logbooks) – Ensure the driver is operating within their permitted hours of service.
- USDOT number verification and, if applicable, NYS Highway Use Tax (HUT) sticker & overweight permit verification.
- Zero tolerance for alcohol or drug use or the presence of alcohol or drugs inside the CMV.
- Vehicle Inspection Checklist
- Brake Systems (No audible air leaks, brakes are in proper adjustment)
- Tires (No belted or exposed chord, tires inflated to proper PSI)
- Lights & Reflectors (Do all lights on the CMV work, is the CMV outfitted with the proper retroreflective material)
- Steering (Pitman arm, tie rods, drag link) & Suspension (Leaf springs & spring hangers)
- Tips for a Successful Inspection
- Regular maintenance
- Keep your paperwork organized and, in a binder, so it is easy to find when the Inspector requests it.
- Pre & Post Trip Vehicle Inspections
- Most Commonly Found Out-of-Service Violations
- Driver operating a CMV without a Medical Card
- Underinflated Tires
- Defective steering components
- Unsecured or improperly secured machinery
For a complete outline of the FMCSA’s regulations, please visit their website at fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations
For more information or to contact my office, please visit www.orangecountygov.com and click on the Sheriff’s Office links or contact us at OCNYSheriff@orangecountygov.com.
