DOT & BIT inspections that hold up roadside.
A failed annual inspection doesn't just cost you paperwork — it parks your truck. We run the full FMCSA 396.17 annual inspection and California's BIT 90-day program with certified techs who catch issues before the CHP does.
One bad inspection, one bad day.
Every commercial motor vehicle in the US needs an annual DOT inspection (FMCSA 49 CFR 396.17). In California, motor carriers also owe a BIT (Basic Inspection of Terminals) inspection every 90 days — that's the one the CHP audits you on during a terminal inspection.
Miss either one and the consequences stack: out-of-service orders, CSA score damage, failed CHP terminal audits, and insurance that suddenly doesn't cover you. A clean paper trail matters as much as a clean truck.
We do both inspections in-house with certified inspectors, and we document everything so your records survive an audit — not just a citation stop.
The full FMCSA 396.17 list.
- Brake systemChamber stroke, slack adjusters, air system leak-down, brake linings and drums, parking brake holding force, ABS function.
- Steering & suspensionKing pins, tie rods, drag link, springs, U-bolts, air bags, shocks, frame and crossmembers.
- Tires & wheelsTread depth, sidewall condition, inflation, wheel studs, rims, hub seals — steering and drive-axle specs checked separately.
- Lighting & electricalHeadlamps, marker lights, turn signals, stop lamps, reflectors, wiring, battery mounting, alternator output.
- Coupling devicesFifth wheel, pintle hook, safety chains, kingpin wear, upper / lower plates, locking jaws.
- Exhaust & fuel systemsLeaks, mounts, DPF/DOC condition, fuel tank mounting and straps, fuel lines.
- Frame & bodyCracks, sagging, corrosion, cab mounts, doors and latches, windshield and mirrors.
- Horn, windshield wipers, defrostFunction-tested. Small things — but they fail a lot of trucks.
- DocumentationInspection sticker placed, signed inspector report filed in your vehicle file and a copy retained at the shop per DOT rules.
Two programs, one shop.
| DOT Annual (FMCSA 396.17) | Once per 12 months. Federal. Covers any CMV in interstate commerce. Sticker on the truck, report in the vehicle file. |
|---|---|
| California BIT | Every 90 days. State. Required for all CA motor carriers, audited by CHP at terminal inspections. Report retained at your terminal for 2 years. |
| Pre-trip / post-trip | Driver responsibility daily (DVIR). We'll train drivers or audit DVIRs on request. |
| Who signs the form | A certified inspector who meets FMCSA 396.19 qualifications — which all our inspectors do. |
| Typical MTR turnaround | Same-day on scheduled appointments. Most trucks leave with a sticker and a clean report inside 2–3 hours. |
| If you fail | We show you the defects, walk through the fix, and re-inspect once repaired — all in-house. |
Inspection questions we hear most.
Can you do the DOT and BIT in the same visit?
Yes. We bundle them whenever the timing lines up — one bay, one technician, one set of paperwork. It saves you a second trip and keeps both clocks reset.
My CHP terminal audit is next month. Can you help me prep?
Absolutely. We'll review your vehicle files, check your BIT cadence, and run inspections on any truck that's close to due. The goal is a clean audit, not a last-minute scramble.
Do you inspect trailers?
Yes — drop trailers, reefers, flatbeds, dry vans. Brakes, ABS, lights, landing gear, frame. Same documentation.
What if my truck fails the inspection?
We show you exactly what failed, quote the repair up front, and re-inspect once it's fixed. No sticker until it earns one.
Do you do fleet programs?
Yes. Rolling BIT cadence, bundled annual DOTs, PM tied in — talk to us about your fleet size and we'll build a schedule.