How to Prep Your Truck for Seasonal Inspections
June 12, 2025
There aren’t many things truckers dread more than DOT inspections. They add time to a day that’s already long enough. Worse, a failed inspection can put you out of service. However, it’s important to remember that DOT inspections are meant to keep everyone safe and not be inconvenient. And if you’re well-prepared, you won’t have anything to worry about.
The truth is, most common DOT violations result from simple mistakes. You may think your truck only has minor problems, but you get a few lighting and brake violations, and suddenly, you have serious issues to deal with. If you can avoid these routine blunders, you’ll stay safe and keep your livelihood secure. Let’s take a look at the top mistakes truckers make before a DOT inspection — and how you can steer clear of them.
Skipping or Rushing the Pre-Trip Inspection
Checking your rig before getting on the road may seem like a waste of time, especially if everything was fine during your last trip. But skipping or rushing a pre-trip inspection is arguably your biggest mistake.
The pre-trip inspection is meant to help you catch the very things a DOT inspector will be looking for: lights that have gone out, low tire pressure, fluid leaks, and countless other nagging issues. You want to discover these problems before an inspector does.
So, how can you get into the habit of prioritizing pre-trip inspections? The best way is to include them in your schedule. Take a look at your trip plan, free up 15 to 30 minutes, and designate that as inspection time. Use a checklist to ensure you don’t forget to check things under the hood, coupling devices, and smaller lights you never think about. Taking this extra time will save you heartache in the long run.
Showing Up Without the Right Paperwork
You can have the most well-maintained rig on the road, but it’s all for naught if your paperwork isn’t in order. DOT inspectors need to verify that you’re operating legally, and that requires documentation.
Truck driver paperwork problems are incredibly common but can also be very costly. In addition to delays as you scramble to find your (hopefully) current registration, you can face citations, fines, or even be put out of service until you can provide the correct paperwork.
Commonly Overlooked Docs
Take a few minutes to ensure you have all your important documentation, like:
- An accurate and up-to-date logbook: Whether you use an ELD or paper logs, your hours of service (HOS) documentation must be accurate, current, and readily accessible. If you use an ELD, ensure it’s functioning correctly and you know how to access your HOS and other critical data.
- Medical examiner’s certificate: Your med card proves you are healthy enough to operate a commercial vehicle. Ensure it’s valid, not expired, and you have it on hand.
- CDL: This may sound obvious, but make sure you have your commercial driver’s license. Of course, you should not be suspended or revoked, and you must have the correct endorsements for the type of vehicle you’re operating and the cargo you’re hauling.
- Registration and proof of insurance: Again, these are basic documents that should always be on hand. Remember, the penalties can be severe if you can’t produce them.
Ignoring “Small” Equipment Problems
You’ve checked your logs, your med card is current, and your registration is in order. Great! But what about that slightly cracked marker light lens? Is the horn sounding a little weak? Small leaks or drips from hoses, if left unaddressed, can be flagged during an inspection.
These might seem like minor, non-urgent issues, but they’re just the kind of defects DOT inspectors are trained to spot. An accumulation of several “small” problems can result in a failed inspection, so save yourself some hassle and do some preventive maintenance. Replace those cracked or missing lenses, and look into those fluid drips. Even damaged or missing mud flaps can be grounds for a violation, so replace them as needed.
Neglecting Tire and Brake Condition
If two things on your truck must be in top shape for safety and passing a DOT inspection, it’s your tires and brakes. “Good enough” doesn’t cut it. Seemingly minor issues with tires or brakes can be enough to pull your truck out of service, so it pays to know what to look for.
When Tires Are Borderline
While a completely bald tire is an obvious problem, a more mysterious problem is when an inspector tells you they are “borderline.” What does this mean, exactly?
Many drivers think it has to do with tread depth that’s barely at or below the minimum requirement. While that can certainly be an issue that causes an inspector to label a tire borderline, they’re often looking at other problems, like irregular wear or sidewall damage. Even under-inflated tires can qualify as borderline. Look for these issues during your pre-trip inspections and remember that “good enough” is not actually good enough. Save yourself the headache and address borderline tires before getting on the road.
Brake Wear Patterns
Just like how inspectors see borderline tires as clues to larger problems, brake wear patterns can be an indicator of coming trouble. Give your brake system a visual once-over to look for signs of wear on brake pads, drums, and rotors.
Proactively addressing these issues can help keep you safe and increase your chances of a successful inspection.
Forgetting to Check All Lighting
Here’s a simple truth about DOT inspections: If a light is out, it’s a violation. And with the sheer number of lights on a truck and trailer – headlights, taillights, brake lights, turn signals, hazard lights, clearance lights, marker lights, and even the license plate light – it’s easy to miss one or two.
Make a thorough lighting check part of every pre-trip inspection. Replacing lamps is typically quick and easy, so why not take care of it now before you rack up a violation or two?
Overlooking Signs of Leaks
Trucks need fuel to run, coolant to regulate temperature, and air for their brake systems and tires. Any of these can leak, and any leak is a major problem at inspection time. Be on the lookout for signs of leaks, like puddles, stains, unusual smells, and hoses that just don’t feel right.
Assuming You’ll Get a Light Inspection
You may tell yourself they’re only doing Level IIIs today, or that they’ll only ask for your logbook. This type of thinking may temporarily make you feel better, but assuming you’ll get a light inspection can be a big mistake. Always remember that the only way to handle any DOT inspection is to ensure that your vehicle is 100% compliant. Otherwise, you’re setting yourself up for failure later.
Pre-Inspection Mistakes Lead to Common DOT Violations
You may have noticed a common thread running through all these mistakes: All of them can be avoided by taking a few minutes and doing a bit of preventive maintenance. Semi-truck inspections take less than an hour at LubeZone Truck Lube Center. Don’t make these pre-inspection mistakes. Find a LubeZone location near you today.
Leaman Crews is a former newspaper reporter, publisher and editor with more than 25 years of professional writing experience. He is also a former IT director who specializes in writing about tech in a fun and enjoyable way. On top of all that, he is graduate of the USC School of Cinematic Arts, and brings a perceptive eye to articles on movies and TV. His diverse experiences come together as a freelance writer to offer you a lot, producing engaging SEO content (like blogs, landing pages, and email campaigns) that drive customers to your business and eyeballs to your website.
