DOT inspection levels: all nine, and what each one checks
Many guides, including an earlier version of this one, list six inspection levels. CVSA now defines nine, and FMCSA's own numbers show the full Level 1 is not the level inspectors perform most.
Written by Inely Baez
Inspection levels in numbers
The DOT inspection levels are the nine North American Standard levels roadside inspectors use: Level 1 full inspection, Level 2 walk-around, Level 3 driver-only, Level 4 special, Level 5 vehicle-only, Level 6 radioactive shipments, Level 7 jurisdictional, Level 8 electronic, and Level 9 post-crash.
The level an inspector chooses decides what gets tested: the driver, the truck, or both. That makes each level a check on a different part of your operation.
I lead operations at Simplex, and I read the inspection levels as a map of which system is under test: driver files and logs, maintenance, or all of it at once. This guide goes level by level, with what is inspected and who inspects it.
The full briefing, read aloud
8 chapters. Select one to jump to it.
Generated with AI text-to-speech from this article's key insights, in order, rather than reading it word for word. Chapter times come from a transcript of the audio. The article itself was written and reviewed by Inely Baez.
Key takeaways
There are nine levels, not six
CVSA's current definitions run from Level 1 to Level 9. Level 9, for post-crash inspections, is the newest.
Level 2 stays out from under the truck
A walk-around skips the undercarriage, brake adjustment, tractor protection, and fifth-wheel steps of the 37-step Level 1.
Driver-only is the most common level
In 2025, U.S. inspectors performed 1,127,493 Level 3 and 1,122,841 Level 2 inspections, against 821,720 at Level 1.
Most inspectors are state officers
State inspectors performed about 97% of the 3.17 million U.S. roadside inspections FMCSA recorded in 2025.
The level decides which scores can move
FMCSA's Safety Measurement System counts Levels 1, 2, 3, and 6 as driver inspections and Levels 1, 2, 5, and 6 as vehicle inspections.
In this articleContents
What are the DOT inspection levels?
The DOT inspection levels are the nine levels of the North American Standard Inspection Program, written by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA). CVSA numbers them in Roman numerals, I to IX; most carriers and inspectors just say Level 1, Level 2, and so on.
| Level | What is inspected | Who performs it |
|---|---|---|
| 1 · Full inspection | Driver credentials, hours of service, alcohol and drugs, and the whole vehicle, including underneath | A certified inspector; hazmat items only by a certified hazmat inspector |
| 2 · Walk-around | The same driver items, plus vehicle items that can be checked without getting under it | A certified inspector |
| 3 · Driver-only | License, medical and SPE certificates, logs, hours of service, seat belt, inspection reports, carrier status | A certified inspector |
| 4 · Special | A one-time check of one item, for a study or a suspected trend | A certified inspector |
| 5 · Vehicle-only | Every Level 1 vehicle item, with no driver present, at any location | A certified inspector |
| 6 · Radioactive shipments | A radiation survey plus an enhanced Level 1, for highway route controlled quantities and transuranic waste | An inspector with CVSA Level VI certification |
| 7 · Jurisdictional | State or provincial programs that fit no other level, such as school buses, limousines, and taxis | Certified inspectors, other government employees, or approved contractors |
| 8 · Electronic | Driver, carrier, and vehicle records, read wirelessly while the truck moves | No officer on scene; a data exchange, now only in an FMCSA test |
| 9 · Post-crash | All accessible Level 1 items after a fatal, serious-injury, or high-profile crash | CVSA recommends specially trained investigators |
Certified means the inspector completed a CVSA-approved training program. In the U.S., that is usually a state or local officer working under FMCSA's Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program: in 2025, state inspectors performed about 97% of the roadside inspections FMCSA recorded, and federal inspectors the rest.
Decals and out-of-service orders work the same way across levels, so they have their own guide: CVSA inspections, decals, and out-of-service rules.
What is a Level 1 DOT inspection?
A Level 1 DOT inspection, the North American Standard Inspection, is the full check of both driver and vehicle. It follows CVSA's 37-step procedure, from choosing the inspection site to checking brake adjustment and fifth-wheel movement.
- The driver: license, medical examiner's certificate and SPE certificate if applicable, alcohol and drugs, record of duty status, hours of service, seat belt, and vehicle inspection reports.
- The vehicle: brake systems, cargo securement, coupling devices, driveline, exhaust, frames, fuel systems, lighting, steering, suspensions, tires, van and open-top trailer bodies, wheels, rims and hubs, and windshield wipers.
- Underneath: the steering axle, the other axles and undercarriage, brake adjustment, and the tractor protection system.
- Special cargo and passengers: hazmat and cargo tank items, checked only by certified hazmat inspectors, and emergency exits and seating on passenger vehicles.
It is the level most likely to end with an out-of-service order. In 2025, 29% of U.S. Level 1 inspections had at least one out-of-service violation, compared with 7% of Level 3 inspections.
A vehicle that passes a Level 1 with no critical vehicle violations can earn a CVSA decal.
What is a Level 2 DOT inspection?
A Level 2 DOT inspection is a walk-around driver and vehicle inspection. The inspector checks the same driver items as a Level 1, and every vehicle item that can be inspected without physically getting under the vehicle.
In CVSA's 37-step chart, a Level 2 leaves out six steps:
- Inspecting the steering axle
- Inspecting axles 2 and 3, under the carriage of the vehicle
- Inspecting axles 4 and 5
- Checking brake adjustment
- Inspecting the tractor protection system and emergency brakes
- Checking fifth-wheel movement
It keeps the low air pressure warning and brake pedal check, the air loss rate test, and the steering wheel lash check. A Level 1 can also turn into a Level 2: if more than 20% of the brakes cannot be inspected, CVSA says the inspection is recorded as Level 2.
Level 2 is common and far from light. FMCSA recorded 1,122,841 U.S. Level 2 inspections in 2025, and 28% had an out-of-service violation. Tires, lights, coupling, and air leaks are all visible from the walk-around, which is why a real pre-trip and preventive maintenance matter as much here as at Level 1.
What is a Level 3 DOT inspection?
A Level 3 DOT inspection is a driver-only inspection, which CVSA calls the Driver/Credential/Administrative Inspection. Where required, it checks:
- The driver's license
- The medical examiner's certificate and any Skill Performance Evaluation (SPE) certificate
- The record of duty status and hours of service
- Seat belt use
- Vehicle inspection reports
- Carrier identification and status
Mechanical violations that belong to a Level 1 or 2 should not be written on a Level 3, but traffic violations should be, when they apply. In the 37-step chart, a Level 3 runs steps 1 to 12, from choosing the site to reviewing periodic inspection reports, then completes the inspection.
It is the most common level: FMCSA recorded 1,127,493 U.S. Level 3 inspections in 2025. Because it looks only at the driver and the paperwork, the findings fall on hours of service, credentials, and logs, so your ELD records and in-cab packet are what this level tests.
What are Level 4, 5, and 6 DOT inspections?
Levels 4, 5, and 6 each have a narrow purpose: one item, the vehicle alone, or a radioactive load.
Level 4: special inspection
A Level 4 DOT inspection is a one-time examination of a particular item, normally made to support a study or to verify or refute a suspected trend. Under Operational Policy 5, a Level 4 is also used after a crash when a Level 9 is not required and a Level 1, 2, or 3 cannot be completed. It is rare: 5,072 in the U.S. in 2025.
Level 5: vehicle-only inspection
A Level 5 DOT inspection covers every Level 1 vehicle item without a driver present, at any location. In the 37-step chart it starts at step 12, the periodic inspection reports, and runs through the whole vehicle, including underneath. Like a Level 1, it can earn a CVSA decal.
Level 6: radioactive shipments
A Level 6 inspection applies to transuranic waste and highway route controlled quantities of radioactive material. It adds a radiological survey of the vehicle and load before the 37-step procedure, and applies its own out-of-service criteria for these shipments.
Only inspectors already certified for driver, vehicle, and general hazmat inspections can take CVSA's Level VI certification course. The vehicle, driver, and cargo must be defect-free at the point of origin, and a vehicle that passes gets a special Level VI decal, valid for one trip.
What are Level 7, 8, and 9 DOT inspections?
Levels 7, 8, and 9 cover state inspection programs, electronic checks, and post-crash inspections.
Level 7: jurisdictional mandated inspection
A Level 7 inspection is a state or provincial program that does not meet the requirements of any other level, such as inspections of school buses, limousines, taxis, shared-ride services, and hotel shuttles. CVSA-certified inspectors, other designated government employees, or jurisdiction-approved contractors may perform it, and each jurisdiction sets the training. It never earns a CVSA decal, though the jurisdiction may apply its own.
Level 8: electronic inspection
A Level 8 inspection is conducted electronically or wirelessly while the vehicle is moving, with no direct interaction with an officer. It must include data such as the driver's license class and status, medical and SPE certificates, record of duty status, hours of service, USDOT number, registration, operating authority, UCR compliance, and federal out-of-service orders.
It is not routine yet. FMCSA is running an operational test with CVSA that began on-road testing in March 2024. Its project page, last updated October 3, 2025, lists four states and six carriers, and says the test data will not affect a carrier's or driver's safety record.
Level 9: post-crash inspection
Level 9 is the newest level. CVSA says it should be conducted after a crash that results in a fatality, a serious physical injury, or a high-profile crash involving a commercial motor vehicle, or when the jurisdiction requires it. It must include all accessible Level 1 items.
CVSA recommends specially trained investigators, such as crash reconstructionists, Level IX-trained officers, and drug recognition experts. After a lesser collision, a truck that can still be driven gets a Level 1, 2, or 3 inspection marked as post-crash.
How do inspection levels affect your CSA scores?
The level decides which BASICs an inspection can affect. FMCSA's Safety Measurement System counts Levels 1, 2, 3, and 6 as driver inspections and Levels 1, 2, 5, and 6 as vehicle inspections.
| Inspection type | Levels | BASICs it feeds |
|---|---|---|
| Driver inspection | 1, 2, 3, 6 | Unsafe Driving, Hours-of-Service Compliance, Controlled Substances/Alcohol, Driver Fitness |
| Vehicle inspection | 1, 2, 5, 6 | Vehicle Maintenance, and Hazardous Materials Compliance when placardable hazmat is on board |
Clean inspections count too. In BASICs measured per inspection, such as Hours-of-Service Compliance, Vehicle Maintenance, and Driver Fitness, an inspection with no violations adds to the total your violations are measured against.
Violations count for 24 months, whether or not the driver got a ticket. After a crash, only violations that existed before it are used; violations flagged as caused by the crash are left out. Our CSA program explains how those scores are built.
How Simplex helps you get ready for any inspection level
Each level tests a different part of your operation. We help you keep driver files, logs, and maintenance ready for all of them.
DOT safety compliance
Our DOT safety compliance team helps carriers stay compliant with FMCSA rules, from driver screening and hours of service to maintenance and audit support.
A program that keeps checking
Our compliance programs include driver qualification file management, HOS management, CSA monitoring, and mock audits.
Help with high CSA scores
Our CSA program support helps you understand the inspection results behind your scores and work to improve them.
Frequently asked questions
How many DOT inspection levels are there?+
What is the most common DOT inspection level?+
What is the difference between a Level 1 and a Level 2 DOT inspection?+
Does a Level 3 DOT inspection check the truck?+
Are Level 8 electronic inspections happening now?+
Where this information comes from
The definitions below come from CVSA's own inspection documents, and the numbers from FMCSA's inspection data and Safety Measurement System, checked on September 24, 2026.
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1
CVSA — All Inspection Levels
Definitions of Levels I through IX, including who may perform Level VII inspections.
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2
CVSA — Operational Policies for Roadside Inspections
Operational Policy 5, revised April 23, 2026: the nine levels, the 20% brake rule, and post-crash inspections.
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3
CVSA — Understanding the North American Standard Inspection Program
The 37-step inspection procedure and which steps each level includes.
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4
CVSA — Inspections overview
Certified inspectors, the program overview, and the page that still says eight levels.
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5
CVSA — Level VI Inspection Program
Level VI scope, the defect-free rule at origin, and the single-trip Level VI decal.
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6
FMCSA — Operational Test of Level VIII Inspections
Status of the Level VIII test: started March 2024, four states and six carriers, no effect on safety records.
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7
FMCSA A&I — Roadside Inspections by Level
U.S. inspections and out-of-service inspections by level, federal and state, calendar year 2025.
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8
FMCSA — SMS Methodology, version 3.21
Which inspection levels feed which BASICs, the 24-month window, and post-crash violations.
Written by
Inely Baez
Chief Operating Officer, Simplex Group
Chief Operating Officer at Simplex Group, with nearly eight years at the company leading operational strategy and execution across compliance, technology, logistics, and performance systems. She is a Certified Public Accountant with a background spanning operations and finance, including leadership roles within Simplex's Freight 4 U division and Velox Transport Solutions. Her work focuses on building scalable, disciplined systems that support long-term performance and growth.
Published · Updated
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Every inspection level tests a system you already run
Level 3 tests your driver files and logs. Levels 2 and 5 test your maintenance. Level 1 tests both, down to the brake adjustment.
If you want help getting driver files, hours of service, and maintenance ready for whichever level you get, talk to our team.