Need a DOT inspection near you in Vermont?
For trucks inspected under the federal model, Bright Inspect does the annual where your truck is parked. Motor buses and school buses need a Vermont station inspection, which our inspection doesn't replace, and we tell you which applies before you pay.
| Item | Vermont |
|---|---|
| Lead agency | Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement |
| Federal rules | Federal baseline plus a state inspection program |
| Who's covered intrastate | 26,001 lb or more; 16 or more passengers; placarded hazmat |
| Annual inspection | Every 12 months; as federal law requires for most CMVs since July 1, 2026 |
| State program | Station inspections by certified mechanics; motor buses twice a year, school buses three times a year |
| Sticker | Vermont inspection sticker for motor buses and school buses |
Compare Vermont with other states on the state requirements hub, or see which states run their own inspection programs.
The Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles enforces commercial vehicle safety through its Commercial Vehicle Enforcement officers, who enforce state and federal rules. DMV also runs the vehicle inspection program, licensing inspection stations and certifying mechanics.
Yes. Vermont applies the federal motor carrier safety rules under 5 V.S.A. 2101. Intrastate property carriers are covered at 26,001 lb or more; vehicles carrying 16 or more passengers and placarded hazmat at any weight are also covered.
| Operation | Who's covered |
|---|---|
| Interstate | 10,001 lb or more, plus federal passenger and hazmat triggers (49 CFR 390.5) |
| Intrastate (Vermont only) | 26,001 lb or more; 16 or more passengers including the driver; placarded hazmat at any weight |
Covered commercial vehicles need the federal annual every 12 months. Under a 2026 change to 23 V.S.A. 1222 (Act 153, S.326), effective July 1, 2026, commercial motor vehicles other than school buses and motor buses are inspected as federal law requires. FMCSA still lists Vermont as an equivalent state inspection program.
We're still confirming how the July 2026 change applies to Vermont-registered trucks that used to carry a state inspection sticker. Check with Vermont DMV directly.
| Inspection | Applies to | How often | Rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal annual | Covered CMVs other than school buses and motor buses, each unit in a combination | 12 months | 49 CFR 396.17; 23 V.S.A. 1222 |
| Motor bus safety and emissions inspection | Motor buses: more than 7 seats, regular route, for hire | Twice a year, six months apart | 23 V.S.A. 1222 |
| School bus inspection | Type I and Type II school buses | Before service, then once in each of January to April, May to August and September to December | 23 V.S.A. 1282 |
Every unit counts on its own: see whether each trailer needs its own annual inspection.
The federal annual can be done by an inspector qualified under 49 CFR 396.19, including a carrier employee or a qualified third party. Bright Inspect's inspection is designed to meet FMCSA annual inspection requirements for vehicles on that model.
Motor bus and school bus inspections must be done by a Vermont-certified inspection mechanic at a DMV-designated station, and school buses need a mechanic with the separate school bus inspection certification. Our federal annual is not a substitute for a Vermont station inspection, and we confirm which applies before you pay.
Keep the annual report 14 months, with evidence of the current inspection on the vehicle. Motor buses and school buses that pass a Vermont inspection get state certification; school buses also get a signed certificate, shown to school officials and carried in the bus.
| Vehicle | Rule |
|---|---|
| Motor buses | Safety and emissions inspection twice each calendar year at six-month intervals. Vermont defines a motor bus narrowly: more than 7 seats, run on a regular route, carrying passengers for hire |
| School buses | Inspection before service and once in each of three periods every year, at a designated station; DMV also inspects at random during the school year (school bus inspection program) |
| Tow trucks | We're still confirming Vermont tow truck inspection rules. Check with Vermont DMV Commercial Vehicle Enforcement directly. |
Vermont DMV Commercial Vehicle Enforcement officers conduct roadside inspections. 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. Passing a roadside inspection doesn't replace the annual.
We're still confirming roadside fines for a missing annual inspection in Vermont. Check with Vermont DMV 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
Bright Inspect does the federal annual where your vehicle is parked, and we confirm before you pay whether Vermont needs a station inspection instead. $99 for one vehicle, with fleet discounts from 2 units.