Trucking and regulatory
annual vehicle inspection
An annual vehicle inspection is a periodic inspection of a commercial motor vehicle. Under 49 CFR 396.17, each such vehicle must be inspected at least once in the preceding 12 months. The inspection covers, at a minimum, the parts and accessories listed in appendix A to Part 396.
Why it matters
Every power unit and trailer in a delivery fleet needs a current inspection record. The motor carrier may inspect its own vehicles or use a commercial garage, a fleet leasing company or a similar business with qualified inspectors. The rule counts each unit in a combination, so the tractor and the trailer both need an inspection. A common mistake is to keep the report but forget to show proof on the vehicle. Another is to let one unit slip past the 12-month mark. Operators should also check state inspection rules, because states may add their own requirements.
Read: Safety and compliance for container delivery: DOT, FMCSA, CDL and OSHA
Definition source: ecfr.gov
Related terms
FMCSA
FMCSA is the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, an agency within the U.S. Department of Transportation. It writes and enforces safety rules for commercial motor vehicles and carriers, and it handles registration for interstate carriers. Its rules are in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.
pre-trip inspection
A pre-trip inspection is the check a driver makes of a truck and trailer before driving. Federal rule 49 CFR 396.13 requires the driver to be satisfied that the vehicle is in safe operating condition. The driver must also review the last driver vehicle inspection report, if one is required.
tilt-bed truck
A tilt-bed truck has a bed that tilts down toward the ground. A winch pulls a container onto or off the bed. It places a 20 ft or 40 ft container on the ground without a crane or forklift. It is the most common delivery truck in portable storage.
roll-off truck
A roll-off truck is a truck with a cable hoist and tilting rails that pulls a container or dumpster onto its frame and rolls it off. Roll-off trailers also exist. Some operators use them to move storage containers. It is common in waste hauling and some container work.
tag trailer
A tag trailer, or tag-along, is a trailer that hitches behind a truck on a drawbar or pintle hitch instead of a fifth wheel. Many tag trailers have decks that tilt so equipment can drive on without ramps. Capacity ranges widely, from light to heavy duty.
DOT number
A DOT number is an identifier assigned to a company that operates commercial vehicles. Most people mean the USDOT number issued by FMCSA. It tracks a carrier's safety record from audits, inspections and crash reports. Rules differ by state for in-state carriers.
For the industry
Grow your portable storage business with NPSA
Members get event rates, the Community Forum, the directory listing and leads from this website.
Need storage?
Get quotes from NPSA member companies
Tell us what you need and where. A member company that serves your area will contact you.