The CVSA (Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance) is an international organization that is comprised of motor carrier safety officials at local, state and Federal levels as well as trucking industry representatives in Canada, Mexico and the United States. 

Check out our quick and concise guide to all of the CVSA inspection levels to ensure your fleet safety. The most common inspections that drivers need to make themselves aware of are Level I, Level II, Level III, and Level IV inspections.

Level I- North American Standard Inspection

• Paperwork:
  • Driver’s license, medical card (medical examiner’s certificate/DOT physical), log book, vehicle inspection reports, and Skill Performance Evaluation Certificates if applicable.
• Driver:
  • Seat belt use, alcohol and drugs.
• Vehicle:
  • Brake systems, exhaust systems, fuel systems, electrical systems (cables and batteries), steering mechanisms, frames, suspensions, tires, wheels, rims, hubs, lighting (head lights, turn signals, emergency flashers, brake lights, tail lights), coupling devices (if trailer is present), load securement, condition of trailer bodies (if present), windshield wipers, and emergency exits. If the load contains hazardous materials, a Haz-Mat officer will inspect Haz-Mat items.

Level II- Walk Around and Paperwork Inspection - The inspector performs a Level I inspection with the exception that the inspector is unlikely to examine anything that requires getting under the vehicle.

Level III- Paperwork Inspection

• Paperwork:
  • Driver’s license, medical card (medical examiner’s certificate/DOT physical), log book, vehicle inspection reports, and Skill Performance Evaluation Certificates if applicable.
• Driver:
  • Seat belt use, alcohol and drugs

Level IV- Special Inspections - These inspections are usually part of a study to determine if a particular trend is occurring. Inspections are generally made of just one item or aspect.

Level V- Vehicle Only Inspection

• Driver:
  • The driver is not present for this inspection, therefore driver related items are not inspected.
• Vehicle:
  • Brake systems, exhaust systems, fuel systems, electrical systems (cables and batteries), steering mechanisms, frames, suspensions, tires, wheels, rims, hubs, lighting (head lights, turn signals, emergency flashers, brake lights, tail lights), coupling devices (if trailer is present), load securement, condition of trailer bodies (if present), windshield wipers, and emergency exits. If the load contains hazardous materials, a Haz-Mat officer will inspect Haz-Mat items.

Level VI- North American Standard Inspection for Transuranic Waste and Highway route Controlled Quantities of Radioactive Materials - Inspectors perform a Level I inspection. In addition, inspectors ensure that radiological requirements and Transuranic Waste and Highway route Controlled Quantities of Radioactive Materials requirements are met.

Level VII- Jurisdictional Mandated Commercial Vehicle Inspection - Other inspection programs that are required by various jurisdictions for the inspection of, for example, limousines and school buses. No CVSA decal is issued for a Level VII inspection. 

For more fleet safety tips check out Summertime driving is no vacation! Fleet safety tips...