The FMCSA defines an inspector in CFR 396.17 as a person who understands the inspection criteria set forth in 49 CFR Part 393 and Appendix G of this subchapter and can identify defective components. That person is knowledgeable of and has mastered the methods, procedures, tools, and equipment used when performing an inspection. Also, capable of performing an inspection by reason of experience and training. Please click here for an example of a certification for an annual inspector, which contains the certification requirements. Exemptions to the Periodic Inspection Program Vehicles passing roadside or periodic inspections performed under the auspices of any State government, equivalent jurisdiction, FMCSA, meeting the minimum standards contained in Appendix G of this subchapter, will be considered to have met the requirements of an annual inspection for a period of 12 months. Commencing from the last day of the month in which the inspection was performed. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations require that all commercial motor vehicles operating in interstate commerce must pass an inspection at least annually. One way to satisfy this requirement is through the periodic inspection programs administered by certain states. To qualify, the state inspection program must comply with federal standards. The following is a complete list of states with inspection programs that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has determined are comparable to, or as effective as, the federal periodic inspection requirements.
Alabama (LPG Board), California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin
Note that two states that used to appear on this list have since been removed. Arkansas no longer has a periodic inspection program for buses, and Oklahoma has repealed its inspection requirements. In addition to the states listed above, the FMCSA also accepts the inspection programs of the Yukon Territory and the 10 Canadian Provinces:
Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan
The FMCSA considers Mexico’s NOM (Norma Oficial Mexicana or Official Mexican Standard) 68 program, as comparable to, or as effective as, the federal periodic inspection requirements. All other states either have no periodic inspection programs for commercial vehicles or their programs have not been determined by the FMCSA to be comparable to the federal requirements.