This document provides a summary of commercial vehicle inspection rules and regulations in Iowa. It notes that annual inspections are required for vehicles over 10,001 lbs or used in interstate/intrastate commerce, and a copy of the inspection report must be kept with the vehicle. Inspectors must be qualified, and brake inspections must comply with FMCSA regulations. Critical vehicle defects that cause accidents or breakdowns make a vehicle "out of service" until repairs are made. Inspections must check lights, steering, windshields, wipers, mirrors, air pressure, emergency equipment, leaks, frames, springs, tires, wheels and other parts for defects outlined in Appendix G, with photos showing examples of defects that

1. Agriculture Outreach
Office of Motor Vehicle Enforcement
Iowa Department of Transportation

2. DISCLAIMER
This slide module is intended to summarize commercial Vehicle rules
and regulations and is not intended to be used for legal guidance or as
a substitute for applicable local, state, and federal statutes.
While every attempt has been made to ensure the completeness and
accuracy of the information contained in this presentation, it is not a
detailed explanation of all applicable local, state and federal statutes.
The module is part of a larger presentation and as such is only part of a
summary of regulations that may or may not apply to you.
By use of this resource, the user agrees the Iowa Department of
Transportation assumes no liability or responsibility for the user’s
understanding and compliance to the rules and regulations

3. Commercial motor vehicle (CMV)
Inspecting your CMV

4. Truck inspections
Annual inspections
 Required for all vehicles
10,001 lbs or more or rating
used in interstate or intrastate
commerce
 A copy of a report or decal
must be available with vehicle
 Conducted by qualified Individual

5. Vehicle inspection
Inspector qualification
The motor carrier is responsible
to ensure the person performing
the annual inspection is qualified.
Applies to:
 Carrier employees.
 Commercial repair shops.

6. Vehicle inspection
Brake inspector qualification
The motor carrier must ensure
that all inspections, repairs or
service to brake systems are
done in compliance to FMCSA’s
rule 396.25

7. Truck Inspections
Annual Inspection
Inspection Must
Comply With
Standards Found
in Appendix G of
49CFR

8. Truck Inspections
Inspection report
 Copy of inspection report
dated within 12 months,
carried on vehicle
 Must be produced on
request
 Decal attached to
vehicle, must be legible,
show date and certify the
Any Trucking Co. inspection was done
Any Town, Iowa
according to FMCSA’s
rules

9. Vehicle inspection
Out-of-service criteria
Critical vehicle inspection
 Likely to cause an accident or breakdown
 No one shall operate, require another to operate
a vehicle declared out of service until repairs
are made
 An inspector cannot release a vehicle declared
out of service until repairs are made
The critical vehicle inspection criteria was established by
the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance – representatives of
industry and government -- across the United States, Canada
and Mexico.

10. Vehicle inspection
Required front lights
ID
Clearance
OOS
Headlamps
Turn/Hazard/Park

11. Vehicle inspection
Side marker lights
Front Intermediate if Rear
30 ft or more

12. Vehicle inspection
Required rear lights
OOS
Stop
OOS Tail
ID
License
OOS
Clearance Turn/Hazard

13. Vehicle inspection
Steering defects
OOS

14. Vehicle inspection
Windshield
2”
1” Allowed damage: 1”
•Single crack (nonintersecting)
•Chips ¾ inch or less in size if not
within 3 inch of other damage
Top of the steering wheel

15. Vehicle inspection
Windshield wipers
OOS
Mirrors
Check the mirrors

16. Vehicle inspection
Low air 55-60 psi
OOS

17. Vehicle inspection
Must be
secured
and charged
Emergency
triangles

18. Vehicle inspection
Fuel leak
OOS

19. Vehicle inspection
Damaged/Bulged
OOS

20. Vehicle inspection
Appendix G
Defective brakes
 Need ¼” of lining
OOS

21. Vehicle inspection
Defective brakes
OOS

22. Vehicle inspection
Defective brakes
OOS

23. Vehicle inspection
Cracked brake drum
OOS

24. Vehicle inspection
Spring brake housing
OOS

25. Vehicle inspection
Frame rails
OOS

26. Vehicle inspection
Cracked front spring
OOS

27. Vehicle inspection
Broken main springs
OOS

28. Vehicle inspection
Loose U-bolts
OOS

29. Vehicle inspection
Steer Tires
Need 4/32 inch tread OOS

30. Vehicle inspection
Other Tires
Need 2/32 inch tread OOS

31. Vehicle inspection
Flat/Missing
tires OOS
OOS
Bulged sidewall

32. Vehicle inspection
Loose fastener
OOS

33. Vehicle inspection
Broken stud
OOS

34. Vehicle inspection
Cracked wheel
OOS

35. Contact information
Motor Vehicle Enforcement
Information Line
800-925-64691
E-mail: omve@dot.iowa.gov
www.iamvd.com