Roadside Inspections & CSA Scores
State troopers and inspectors stop commercial vehicles at weigh stations and on the roadside to check drivers and equipment. Violations can put the driver or vehicle out of service on the spot, and they follow both the driver and the carrier in federal safety records.
- Truck drivers
- Bus drivers
- Carriers
Inspection levels
| Level | What it covers |
|---|---|
| I: North American Standard | The full inspection: driver documents and the vehicle, including going under it to check brakes |
| II: Walk-around | Driver and vehicle, without going under the vehicle |
| III: Driver-only | License, medical card, hours of service, seatbelt, drug and alcohol, hazmat documents |
| IV: Special | A one-time check of a specific item, often for a study |
| V: Vehicle-only | Vehicle inspection without the driver present |
| VI: Radioactive shipments | Enhanced inspection for certain radioactive loads |
| VII: Jurisdictional | State-specific programs, like school bus inspections |
| VIII: Electronic | Done wirelessly while the truck is moving |
What inspectors often find
- Brakes out of adjustment, air leaks and brake system problems
- Tires with low tread, flats or damage
- Lights not working
- Hours-of-service and ELD problems
- Cargo securement violations
- Missing or expired medical card or license problems
Out-of-service orders
If the inspector finds a violation on the CVSA out-of-service criteria, the vehicle or driver can’t move until it’s fixed. A driver out of service for hours of service must take the required rest first. Driving in violation of an out-of-service order carries heavy penalties for both driver and carrier.
CVSA decals
A vehicle that passes a Level I or Level V inspection with no critical violations can get a CVSA decal, which is valid for up to three months. Inspectors generally don’t re-inspect a decaled vehicle unless they see an obvious problem.
CSA scores
FMCSA’s Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) program uses inspection results, violations and crashes to rank carriers in categories called BASICs:
- Unsafe Driving
- Crash Indicator
- Hours-of-Service Compliance
- Vehicle Maintenance
- Controlled Substances and Alcohol
- Hazardous Materials Compliance
- Driver Fitness
High scores can lead to warning letters, investigations and lost business for the carrier.
Your own record
FMCSA’s Pre-Employment Screening Program (PSP) shows a driver’s crashes from the past 5 years and inspections from the past 3 years. Employers can view it with your permission, and you can request your own. Clean inspections help your career.
During an inspection
- Pull over safely where directed, set the brakes and stay in the cab unless asked to get out.
- Have your license, medical card, registration, ELD data transfer method, shipping papers and permits ready.
- Be polite and honest. Ask questions if you don’t understand a violation.
- Get a copy of the report and give it to your carrier.
- If you believe a violation is wrong, it can be challenged through FMCSA’s DataQs system.
Standards & references
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