You have pulled into the scale and the DOT inspector asks you to pull your vehicle around back or come in for an inspection. Now what?

There are six different levels of inspections:
Level I – is a full inspection of the driver paperwork and equipment. During this inspection the officer will physically get under both the tractor and trailer to inspect brakes and suspension components. This is also known as the North American Standard Inspection. A CVSA decal will be issued if the vehicle passes this inspection.

Level II – is a walk around inspection. The inspector will inspect all items for the driver and vehicle that can be inspected while walking around the vehicle. The inspector will not get under the vehicle. A CVSA decal will not be issued if the inspection is passed.

Level III – is a driver inspection only. The log book, driver’s license, medical card, seatbelt, and inspection paperwork will be checked.

Level IV – is a saturation inspection.  The DOT will pick specific items that they are looking for and that will be all that is inspected. It may be either driver or equipment related.

Level V – is a vehicle only inspection. This is very similar to a level one inspection without the driver components listed in the level III inspection. A CVSA decal will be issued if the vehicle passes this inspection.

Level VI – is an enhanced level I inspection for radioactive shipments.

When you meet the inspector be polite and have your documents in order. The inspector is doing his/her job. Do not argue with him/her or be rude.  If you have questions on what was done during the inspection or believe that you were wrongly written up for something call Berger’s Safety Department. If the inspector asks you to come into the building they will usually tell you what documents that they want you to bring with you.  Have everything in order and ready for them.

When the inspector asks what authority you are operating under? Do not just say Berger.  It is very important that the proper operating authority be given to the inspector. The correct answer to this question can be found on the top of the bill(s) of lading for the shipment(s) that you are hauling. If the bill of lading says Allied on it, you are operating under Allied authority. If the bill of lading says Berger or Logix on the top, that is the authority that you are operating under. The answer that you give to this question will determine where the inspection will be assigned.

Once you have completed the inspection, the original inspection document, your log and any repair receipts must be sent to Berger’s Safety department within 13 days of the inspection. It does not matter if the inspection needs to be returned to the state or not, the inspection must be submitted to the safety department. If the inspection is under Berger or Logix authority Berger Safety will submit the inspection to the state. If the inspection is under Allied authority we will maintain our copies and send the required documentation to Allied.