Need a DOT inspection near you in Washington?
Washington 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 | Washington |
|---|---|
| Lead agency | Washington State Patrol, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Bureau |
| Federal rules | Broadly adopted for intrastate carriers |
| Who's covered intrastate | 10,001 lb or more; 9 or more passengers for compensation; 16 or more not for compensation; placarded hazmat |
| Annual inspection | Every 12 months, by a qualified inspector |
| FMCSA-accepted state program | No |
| Damaged vehicles | WSP equipment inspection within 24 hours of returning to service |
Compare Washington with other states on the state requirements hub, or see which states run their own inspection programs.
The Washington State Patrol, through its Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Bureau, enforces commercial vehicle safety and is the main inspection authority under chapter 46.32 RCW. WSP also inspects school buses, with rules set by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Yes. Washington adopts the federal inspection rules, including Part 396, by rule (WAC 446-65-010; RCW 46.32.085). Its commercial vehicle definition starts at 10,001 lb and also covers passenger vehicles and placarded hazmat at any weight (RCW 46.32.005).
| Operation | Who's covered |
|---|---|
| Interstate | 10,001 lb or more, plus federal passenger and hazmat triggers (49 CFR 390.5) |
| Intrastate (Washington only) | 10,001 lb or more; 9 or more passengers for compensation or 16 or more not for compensation, including the driver; placarded hazmat at any weight |
The federal annual, at least every 12 months, for every covered truck, tractor, trailer, converter dolly and bus. Washington doesn't run a state program that replaces it. A vehicle that became unsafe from damage or wear must also be presented for a WSP equipment inspection within 24 hours of returning to service.
| Inspection | Applies to | How often | Rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal annual | Every covered CMV and each unit in a combination | 12 months | 49 CFR 396.17; WAC 446-65-010 |
| Return-to-service equipment inspection | Covered vehicles made unsafe by damage or deterioration | Within 24 hours of returning to service | RCW 46.32.070 |
| School bus inspection | School buses of districts and their contractors | Annually, plus an unannounced inspection of at least 25% of each fleet | WAC 392-143-035 |
The federal annual can be done by an inspector qualified under 49 CFR 396.19: a qualified carrier employee, or a commercial garage, fleet leasing company, truck stop or similar business. That's Bright Inspect's model, designed to meet FMCSA annual inspection requirements.
School bus inspections and return-to-service inspections are done by the Washington State Patrol. Our federal annual is not a substitute for either.
Keep the annual report 14 months, with proof on the vehicle. Washington has no general state sticker for the annual; proof can be the report, a sticker or a decal. School districts keep the school bus operation permit, with a copy carried in the bus.
| Vehicle | Rule |
|---|---|
| School buses | Annual WSP inspection; a bus not inspected by August 31 can't run as a school bus unless waived. New, rebuilt or significantly repaired buses are inspected before carrying students (WAC 392-143-040) |
| Passenger carriers | Covered at 9 or more passengers for compensation or 16 or more not for compensation, including the driver |
| Tow trucks | We're still confirming Washington tow truck inspection rules. Check with the Washington State Patrol directly. |
WSP commercial vehicle officers inspect vehicles in operation, using random, data-driven or probable cause selection. 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. A CVSA decal after a roadside inspection is not an annual inspection sticker.
We're still confirming roadside fines for a missing annual inspection in Washington. Check with the Washington State Patrol 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 anywhere in Washington. $99 for one vehicle, with fleet discounts from 2 units.