The FMCSA conducts over 8,084,683 roadside inspections annually through a network of federal and state inspectors. Each inspection follows one of six standardized levels. Here's what happens at each level and what the results mean for a carrier's safety record.
The Six FMCSA Inspection Levels
Every roadside inspection conducted in the United States and Canada follows the North American Standard Inspection Program. There are six levels, each with a different scope and purpose.
Which Inspection Levels Are Most Common?
Based on FMCSA inspection data in the CarrierRecord database:
- Level 2 (Walk-Around) is the most frequently conducted inspection type, accounting for roughly 35-40% of all inspections
- Level 3 (Driver-Only) is the second most common, at roughly 30-35%
- Level 1 (Full Inspection) accounts for roughly 25-30% of inspections
- Levels 4, 5, and 6 combined make up less than 5% of total inspections
What Happens During a Level 1 Inspection?
A Level 1 (full) inspection is the most thorough. Here's what the inspector checks:
Driver Examination
- Commercial driver's license (CDL) — valid, correct class, proper endorsements
- Medical examiner's certificate — current and valid
- Hours-of-service records — ELD or paper logs, within legal limits
- Seatbelt use
- Alcohol and drug indicators
- Vehicle registration and insurance
Vehicle Examination
- Brakes — stroke measurement, air leaks, condition (requires going under the vehicle)
- Tires — tread depth, pressure, condition, rim integrity
- Lights — headlamps, taillights, turn signals, clearance lights
- Steering and suspension components
- Frame and body condition
- Windshield and mirrors
- Coupling devices (fifth wheel, kingpin)
- Cargo securement
- Exhaust system
- Fuel system integrity
How Inspection Results Affect Safety Records
Every inspection is recorded in the FMCSA's Safety Measurement System and appears on the carrier's safety profile. Key outcomes include:
- Clean inspection: No violations found. This counts as a positive data point for the carrier.
- Violations found: Documented but the vehicle/driver is allowed to continue after correction
- Out-of-service order: The most serious outcome — the vehicle or driver is prohibited from operating until violations are corrected. These OOS violations are the primary factor in CarrierRecord's safety grade calculations.
See Any Carrier's Inspection History
Every carrier profile on CarrierRecord shows their full inspection history with dates, states, levels, and OOS results.
Where Do Inspections Happen?
FMCSA inspections are conducted by certified inspectors from both federal and state agencies. They take place at:
- Fixed weigh stations — permanent facilities along highways
- Temporary checkpoints — set up in high-traffic areas during safety campaigns
- Roving patrols — mobile inspectors who pull over trucks based on observed safety concerns
- Carrier terminals — on-site inspections at trucking company facilities
Each carrier profile on CarrierRecord shows which states the carrier has been inspected in, giving a geographic picture of their operations and enforcement exposure.
Related Reading
- What Does Out-of-Service Mean? — What OOS violations are and why OOS rates matter
- What Is a CSA Score? — How inspection data feeds into FMCSA's Safety Measurement System
- How to Check a Trucking Company's Safety Record — Step-by-step lookup guide
- What Is a DOT Safety Rating? — How official FMCSA ratings differ from CSA scores