Understanding DOT Roadside Inspections (and How to Pass Them)

DOT roadside inspections will be on the rise in the next few months..

DOT roadside inspections are expected to increase in the coming months as enforcement officials prepare for International Roadcheck 2026, scheduled for May 12 through May 14 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Each year, hundreds of thousands of commercial vehicle roadside inspections take place across North America. Some result in out of service (OOS) violations, preventing drivers from continuing their routes until the issue is corrected.

For fleets, these violations can cause delivery delays, operational disruptions, and increased compliance risks.

Out of service orders also affect a company’s Compliance, Safety, and Accountability (CSA) score for 24 months. The more safety violations a company accumulates, the higher its CSA score becomes, increasing the likelihood of federal interventions such as DOT audits and compliance investigations.

Understanding how DOT roadside inspections work can help fleets stay compliant and avoid costly violations.

The key to passing roadside inspections is understanding the following:

• How drivers are selected for the inspections

• What the various inspection levels involve

• The top driver roadside inspection violations for 2026 so far

• The top vehicle roadside inspection violations for 2026 so far

• How to avoid both driver and vehicle violations

We dive into each of these factors below.

How are commercial drivers chosen for roadside inspections?

Certain drivers and commercial vehicles are usually selected for roadside inspections because an officer has spotted something off about their driving behavior or the state of their commercial vehicle. The driver could be speeding, or maybe one of the vehicle's tires is flat.

However, unlike non-commercial vehicles, officers don’t need a specific reason to pull over a CMV driver. They will often pull over a driver for the sole purpose of conducting an inspection.

What are the different roadside inspection levels?

There are seven roadside inspection levels, each less complex as the level number increases.

• Level 1 – This is not only the most common type of roadside inspection but also the most detailed and comprehensive. The inspector will check the driver’s documentation (including CDL, medical certificate, and others) as well as the entirety of the vehicle's interior and exterior. 
• Level 2 – Nearly identical to level one inspections; however, the inspector will do a walk-around inspection of the vehicle rather than conducting an extensive examination. 
• Level 3 – A driver-only inspection in which the officer will thoroughly examine a driver’s records, including daily logs and vehicle inspection reports.
• Level 4 – One-time inspection of a particular vehicle or driver item, likely in the case of an ongoing company investigation.
• Level 5 – A level one check of the commercial vehicle without the driver present.
• Level 6 – A specific inspection of vehicles hauling transuranic waste and Highway Route Controlled Quantities (HRCQ) of radioactive material.
• Level 7 – An inspection that applies to school buses, limousines, taxis, hotel courtesy shuttles, and other intrastate passenger vehicles specifically.

To learn more about each type of CMV roadside inspection, click here.

What are the top driver roadside inspection violations?

Recent FMCSA roadside inspection data for 2026 shows that the most common driver violations continue to involve speeding, hours of service compliance, and driver documentation issues.

The top five driver violations recorded so far in 2026 include:

• Speeding 8 to 10 MPH over the speed limit — 8,420

• ELD form and manner violations — 8,061

• False report of driver record of duty status — 7,615

• Operating a property carrying vehicle without a valid medical certificate — 7,402

• Lane restriction violations — 6,913

Many of these violations stem from driver behavior and recordkeeping errors. Using an MVR monitoring program allows employers to track driver violations and receive alerts when changes appear on a driver’s license record.

Drivers must follow all federal hours of service regulations and keep their records of duty status (RODS) accurate and up to date throughout their routes.

Performing DOT background checks during the pre employment process can also help ensure drivers have the required licenses and endorsements needed to operate commercial vehicles legally.

What are the top Vehicle roadside inspection violations?

Vehicle violations discovered during roadside inspections are often related to maintenance issues or defective equipment that inspectors can identify during a vehicle check. The most frequently cited vehicle violations include:

• Operating a CMV without documentation of a periodic inspection — 20,300

• Inoperable required lamp — 17,120

• Clamp or roto type brake out of adjustment — 15,600

• Tire issues such as leaks or inflation below 50% of the maximum pressure — 14,020

• Identification lamp(s) inoperative — 9,540

Many of these violations involve vehicle maintenance issues that could be identified during routine inspections. Performing regular preventative maintenance and completing pre-trip and post-trip inspections can help fleets identify potential problems before drivers hit the road.

Drivers should also check tires for wear or low inflation, inspect lights and brake systems, and report any mechanical issues to maintenance teams to help avoid violations during roadside inspections.

How to Pass Roadside Inspections in 2026

Although your driver may not be able to avoid being pulled over, it is possible to prevent OOS orders that may result from a random roadside inspection.

Implementing an effective preventative maintenance program can help your team recognize potential issues with your commercial vehicles before your drivers take them on the road. Managing your vehicle maintenance recordkeeping is also key to staying organized, keeping up with regular maintenance, and ensuring your drivers have the right documentation with them in the event of a roadside inspection.

In terms of avoiding driver violations, creating and maintaining DOT-compliant driver files is the best way to stay on top of your drivers' qualification documents, like their CDLs, medical certificates, and more. Inspectors will typically check these items for their validity and expiration, especially during level-one inspections.

Talk to a Foley compliance expert today about how easy it can be to manage your DOT recordkeeping requirements so your drivers can have better chances at passing roadside inspections in 2026.