Need your annual inspection done?
Book an inspection where your vehicle is parked. Same-day slots, a digital record within 60 minutes, and no shop day.
| Paragraph | What it says, in plain words |
|---|---|
| (a) | Every CMV must be inspected to Appendix A minimums. Each vehicle in a combination counts separately. |
| (b) | Motor carriers must inspect, or cause to be inspected, every vehicle under their control. |
| (c) | No CMV may be used unless it passed within the preceding 12 months and proof is on the vehicle: the report, or a sticker or decal with date, record location, vehicle ID and pass certification. |
| (d) | A carrier may do its own annual inspection, unless the vehicle is subject to a state program under 396.23. |
| (e) | Or a commercial garage, fleet leasing company, truck stop or similar business may do it as the carrier's agent, if it has appropriate facilities and qualified inspectors. |
| (f) | Passing an inspection under an accepted state program counts for 12 months from the last day of the month it was done. |
| (g) | Carriers must keep components at Appendix A standards all year, not just on inspection day. |
| (h) | Failing to do the annual properly exposes the carrier to penalties under 49 U.S.C. 521(b). |
Source: eCFR, 49 CFR 396.17, up to date as of 10/07/2026.
It covers commercial motor vehicles as defined in 49 CFR 390.5. In a combination, each unit is its own CMV for this rule, so the tractor and every trailer need their own inspection.
| Your vehicle | Federal CMV? |
|---|---|
| Truck, tractor, trailer or combination rated 10,001 lb or more | Yes |
| Vehicle designed for 9 to 15 passengers, including driver, carrying passengers for pay | Yes |
| Vehicle designed for 16 or more passengers, including driver | Yes |
| Any vehicle carrying hazardous materials that require placards | Yes |
Intrastate only? Thresholds differ by state. Check your state's rules.
01
Each tractor, truck, trailer and converter dolly needs its own inspection and its own proof. Trailer rule.
02
If your vehicle must be inspected under a state program, use that program. States with their own programs.
03
You or a commercial business can inspect, but the inspector must meet 49 CFR 396.19. Who can inspect.
04
Keep the report 14 months and keep proof on the vehicle. Record rules and sticker rules.
05
Passing once a year doesn't end the duty. Components must meet Appendix A every day the vehicle runs (396.17(g)).
Book an inspection where your vehicle is parked. Same-day slots, a digital record within 60 minutes, and no shop day.