Need a DOT inspection near you in Arizona?
Arizona uses the federal annual model, so you don't need a station. Bright Inspect inspects your truck where it's parked. $99 for one vehicle, with fleet discounts from 2 units.
| Item | Arizona |
|---|---|
| Lead agency | Arizona Department of Public Safety, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement |
| Federal rules | Adopted, with a state intrastate threshold |
| Who's covered intrastate | 26,001 lb or more; buses and school buses; for-hire vehicles for 9 or more people; placarded hazmat |
| Annual inspection | Every 12 months, by a qualified inspector |
| FMCSA-accepted state program | No |
| Tow trucks | DPS inspection for new tow companies and trucks added to a fleet |
Compare Arizona with other states on the state requirements hub, or see which states run their own inspection programs.
Arizona DPS Commercial Vehicle Enforcement handles roadside inspections and motor carrier enforcement. Arizona's motor carrier safety rules sit in the Arizona Department of Transportation's chapter of the administrative code, which lets officials audit carriers with or without cause (A.A.C. Title 17, Ch. 5).
Yes. A.A.C. R17-5-202 adopts the federal motor carrier safety rules, including Part 396, for intrastate carriers (A.A.C. Title 17, Ch. 5). Arizona-only property vehicles are covered at 26,001 lb or more. School buses, buses, vehicles carrying 9 or more people for hire, and placarded hazmat are covered regardless of weight.
| Operation | Who's covered |
|---|---|
| Interstate | 10,001 lb or more, plus federal passenger and hazmat triggers (49 CFR 390.5) |
| Intrastate (Arizona only) | 26,001 lb or more GVWR or gross weight; school buses; buses; 9 or more people when carrying passengers for hire; placarded hazmat at any weight |
The federal annual, at least every 12 months, for every covered truck, trailer and bus. Arizona doesn't run a separate state annual program; compliance is checked during roadside inspections, audits and investigations.
| Inspection | Applies to | How often | Rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal annual | Every covered CMV and each combination unit | 12 months | 49 CFR 396.17; A.A.C. R17-5-202 |
| Tow truck inspection | Trucks of new tow companies and trucks added to a tow fleet | When the company or truck is added | Arizona DPS towing rules (A.A.C. Title 13); Arizona DPS |
The federal annual can be done by an inspector qualified under 49 CFR 396.19, either a carrier employee or a third party. That's the model Bright Inspect is designed for, and our federal annual is designed to meet FMCSA annual inspection requirements.
The DPS tow truck inspection is done by Arizona DPS, so our federal annual is not a substitute for it. We confirm what your tow truck needs before you pay, or check with Arizona DPS.
Keep the annual inspection report and inspector qualification records at least 14 months, with proof of inspection on the vehicle. Arizona doesn't require a state annual sticker. A CVSA decal may be applied after a qualifying roadside inspection, but it's not an Arizona requirement and doesn't replace the annual.
| Vehicle | Rule |
|---|---|
| Tow trucks | Arizona DPS inspects tow trucks of new towing companies and trucks added to a fleet, under the state's towing rules (A.A.C. Title 13) |
| School buses | Covered by Arizona's intrastate rules regardless of weight. We're still confirming any separate Arizona school bus inspection schedule. Check with Arizona DPS directly |
| Passenger carriers | Buses, and vehicles carrying 9 or more people for hire, are covered intrastate regardless of weight |
CVSA-certified Arizona DPS officers inspect vehicles at roadside, ports of entry and during enforcement operations, and can place a vehicle out of service for critical violations (A.A.C. R17-5-211). Federal rules let an officer cite you under 49 CFR 396.17(c) when proof of a current annual inspection isn't on the vehicle; it carries a CSA severity weight of 4. The officer gives the driver an inspection report. The carrier must certify that listed violations were corrected and return it within 15 days, and keep a copy for 12 months (49 CFR 396.9). Fines are set by state law.
We're still confirming roadside fines for a missing annual inspection in Arizona. Check with Arizona DPS Commercial Vehicle Enforcement directly.
Stopped without proof of a current annual? See what to do when your inspection expired or failed at roadside and what happens if your annual inspection is expired. Nobody can promise to remove a violation or change a safety score; what fixes the problem going forward is a current inspection and a complete record.
Last reviewed: September 11, 2026