What does the periodic (annual) inspection require under 49 CFR 396.17?

Short answer

The periodic inspection under 49 CFR 396.17 requires that every commercial motor vehicle be inspected at least once during the preceding 12 months, and documentation of the inspection be maintained on the vehicle. The inspection must include the parts and accessories set forth in appendix A to this part.

The rule says

"A motor carrier must not use a commercial motor vehicle, and an intermodal equipment provider must not tender equipment to a motor carrier for interchange, unless each component identified in appendix A to this part has passed an inspection in accordance with the terms of this section at least once during the preceding 12 months and documentation of such inspection is on the vehicle." (49 CFR 396.17(c))

"The inspection must include, at a minimum, the parts and accessories set forth in appendix A to this part." (49 CFR 396.17(a))

In plain English

It requires a thorough examination of the vehicle's parts and accessories, as outlined in appendix A to this part. The inspection must be documented and maintained on the vehicle, and the motor carrier or intermodal equipment provider must ensure that the vehicle meets the minimum safety standards. In practice, this means that motor carriers and intermodal equipment providers must have a system in place to track and maintain inspection records, and to ensure that vehicles are not operated if they do not meet the minimum safety standards.

What to do

• Ensure that all commercial motor vehicles are inspected at least once every 12 months.
• Maintain documentation of the inspection on the vehicle.
• Verify that the inspection includes all parts and accessories set forth in appendix A to this part.
• Retain records of the inspection for a period of 14 months from the date of the inspection report.