Their primary mission is to reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities involving large trucks and buses.
However, the inspection program is nothing new. Prior to the FMCSA, the agency regulating this was the FHWA (Federal Highway Authority) and prior to that, the ICC (Interstate Commerce Commission)... you might even hear police officers or drivers calling it a "DOT Inspection", or maybe a "Periodic Inspection" or just simply a "Federal Inspection".
Regardless of what federal agency is in charge, the terms or acronyms they use, or the color of the crayon they use to write the rules, the inspection is the same.
» Basically, the FMCSA requires that any commercial "vehicle" be inspected at least once a year for safety related issues. The inspection covers areas like tires, brakes, lights, chassis, etc.
It does NOT check tailpipe emissions or documents like registration or insurance.
Hmmm... let's see....the requirement for inspection is for "every commercial motor vehicle", and...
•49CFR382.107 and 49CFR383.5 define a commercial motor vehicle as being 26,001 lbs and up, whereas
•49CFR390.5defines a commercial motor vehicle as being 10,001 lbs and up.
Huh? (scratches head...)
Now what? Well, we usually advise anyone that drives a diesel truck 10,000 lbs and above that does NOT go to NJ State Inspection to get an FMCSA inspection in order to be safe and legal...
In a nutshell, you can think of the inspection this way: everything that has something to do with the safe operation of the vehicle will be inspected.
Lamps (lights) and reflectors
Brakes, wheels, tires, etc.
Window glass, windshield wipers, defrosters
Mirrors
Horns
Exhaust
Gauges
Emergency equipment
Cab body & frame
Fluid leaks
Plus...
As noted above, the inspection does NOT include checking documents like a driver's license or registration.
It also does NOT include checking tailpipe emissions.
sidenote: Here in New Jersey, tailpipe emissions are tested on certain diesel
vehicles (linked here for your brain-baking pleasure!) Understanding Diesel Emissions Testing and we discuss that in our NJ emissions page. (coming soon!)
» It needs to be done once every 12 months...it is due 12 months from the last time it was done.
Since it is not "tied" to the renewal of any document (like a registration or insurance) it does not expire with any document and you can end up having your trucks and trailers due for FMCSA inspections at all different times during the year.
For instance... if you buy a truck in January, have it inspected in February (after having it lettered) and then forget* until April of the following year to get re-inspected, your inspection is now due in April of the following year.
If you are late with your inspections, you may end up having your fleet inspections become so spread out across the calendar that your equipment inspection schedule becomes unmanageable.
If you have more than a few pieces of equipment, it is easier to follow a simple schedule:
Perform all your FMCSA inspections to coincide with your registration renewals.... OR Perform all your FMCSA inspections during a single month that occurs in your slow season.
You may be thinking: "...but what if I transfer plates" or "...I started out having my inspections all done the same month, but I was late a few times with my inspections and now my inspections are due all over the calendar..."
It will happen. Don't panic.
When you are getting your FMCSA inspection(s) performed, have them backdated to the month you designated as your inspection month (either the registration expiration month or your slow month). You may "lose" a few months, but consolidating your schedule is worth it.
What if you already had the inspections(s) done and they don't coincide with your inspection month?
Go ahead and have the next inspection(s) done early, when your inspection month rolls around. Again, you may "lose" a few months, but consolidating your schedule is worth it.
Both schedules have their pros and cons:
Keeping your inspection with your registration month makes it easier to remember when each piece of equipment is due for inspection, but if your registration renewal comes during your busy season, you may end up getting jammed for time...
Don't forget, you need to allow time to: a: get the vehicle inspected and b: make any repairs uncovered by the inspection.
Oh....crap!... ...."the repairs!".... Don't forget that if the inspection uncovers needed repairs, you'll need to make time in your schedule to have those completed before your vehicle passes inspection. And making time for even small repairs can be a pain-in-the-arse when the repair list is handed to you during your busy season!
*Forget? As a courtesy, we send out reminders to our clients when they are due next...however, if you do them yourself or your repair facility does not provide reminders, you are responsible for keeping track of your own inspection schedule.
»
It's absolutely possible. There is no "licensed facility" or licensing of inspectors. You can easily buy the inspection forms and decals at many "trucking supply" companies.
... but why take a risk that FAR outweighs any benefit?
(warning: opinion ahead) A fraudulent inspection leaves you soooooo exposed to liability...why...we can't even begin to calculate the lawyer's fees...! With just one small accident, you'll be exposed to lawsuits involving your commercial vehicle...which unfortunately, is an instant money magnet. And with a fraudulent inspection, even WE can't protect you.
Still interested in performing these inspections yourself? You or your chosen inspector need to meet the following qualifications... (warning!dryreading ahead)
» Very little. Sometimes, however, trucks are brought to us
that have simple problems which either fail the truck or delay its
return back in service...
So check these items before you come.
Get them fixed before you come or allow a little extra time in the
repair shop so we can make the repairs for you.
All lights work. (All of them. Even the ones the driver added...)
No lights or reflectors missing.
Mirrors not cracked or missing.
Horn(s) work.
Windshield not cracked.
Tires not worn to limits.
No profuse fluid leaks.
All brakes in adjustment.
This is not a complete list of what we inspect, but it's a good place to start!
» Our rates vary for various equipment types...trailers are cheaper than box trucks which are cheaper than tractors...
Additionally, we offer two "styles" of inspections:
Pass/Fail as Presented.
We will perform the FMCSA inspection, but we will not make any repairs, adjustments nor corrections to get the vehicle to pass.
The vehicle will pass or fail based upon the condition it was presented to us in.
We perform the entire inspection and you will be billed for an entire inspection.
If your vehicle passes, you will receive the proper credentials denoting your vehicle meets FMCSA inspection standards.
If your vehicle fails, a list of those items that do not meet minumum safety standards will appear on our work order (as "advisories") which we will send (usually by fax)
to your fleet manager....he or she can then team up with our shop foreman to
guide us in a manner that best fits your budget and
schedule.
Did you fail our inspection but make your own repairs? Don't fear! We offer a re-inspection option at greatly reduced price (currently $17.12).
This re-inspection option applies to any vehicle initially failed by us and presented for re-inspection within 2 weeks of the fail date. The fee includes checking those items repaired and completing the documentation required to show your vehicle passes....woohoo!
[Typical use of this kind of inspection:]
~ Companies that require a purchase order issued prior to any work performance. ~ Companies with an in-house repair facility that performs all their own repairs.
Cost: $42.27 for a standard 2 axle air brake trailer, higher rates for power units.
2. Repair to Pass (Time & Materials)
We will perform the FMCSA inspection and make any needed small repairs or corrections in order to (attempt to*) get the vehicle to pass.
"Small Repairs" may include quick, simple tasks like replacing a missing bolt, replacing burned out lamps (lights bulbs) or missing reflectors, replacing a mud flap or a broken mirror (argh! 7 years of bad luck!!!) , securing air lines or wiring away from axles, etc.
"Corrections" may include things like making a clutch or brake adjustment, replacing a fire extiguisher, etc.
* Uh oh...sometimes a vehicle requires a labor intensive repair or a lot of smaller repairs in order to pass inspection. When we come across a case like that, we finish the base inspection, list the needed repairs (as "advisories") on our work order and then send the list (usually by fax) to your fleet manager who can then team up with our shop foreman to guide us so we proceed in a manner that best fits your budget and schedule.
[Typical use of this kind of inspection:]
~ Companies that prefer speed over delay. ~ Companies without their own in-house repair shop.
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) , securing air lines or wiring away from axles, etc.