Every commercial motor vehicle you run needs a periodic inspection at least once every 12 months under federal rules (49 CFR 396.17). Red Rover Service brings that inspection to you. Our ASE-certified technicians inspect trucks, tractors and trailers at your yard, job site or loading dock around Charlotte, Monroe and Union County, so your units don’t lose a day waiting in a shop line.
Call 704-317-6161 to schedule, Monday through Thursday 8 AM to 6 PM or Friday 8 AM to 5:30 PM ET.
What a DOT Annual Inspection Covers
The annual inspection follows the minimum standards in Appendix G to the federal inspection rules. On a typical tractor, straight truck or trailer, the tech checks:
- Brake system: service and parking brakes, drums and rotors, linings, hoses and tubing, the air compressor, and brake adjustment.
- Coupling devices: fifth wheel, pintle hooks, drawbars and safety devices.
- Steering: steering wheel lash, gear box, pitman arm, tie rods and drag links.
- Suspension and frame: springs, U-bolts, torque rods, air suspension, and frame members for cracks or sagging.
- Tires, wheels and rims: tread depth, sidewall damage, inflation, lug nuts, rims and hubs.
- Lighting: all required lamps, reflectors and turn signals.
- Exhaust and fuel systems: leaks, mounting and placement.
- Windshield and wipers, plus safe loading items such as the front-end structure, doors and tailgates.
On-Site Inspections vs. Taking the Truck to a Shop
A shop inspection usually means pulling a driver off the road, driving the unit across town and waiting for an open bay. With a mobile inspection, the tech comes to the truck. That works especially well for fleets that park at one yard, because we can inspect several units in one visit while your office keeps running.
It helps owner-operators too. If your annual is coming due and you’re between loads, we can meet the truck where it’s parked and get it done without a trip to a shop.
Scheduling Inspections for Your Fleet
For most fleets, the hard part isn’t the inspection. It’s keeping track of when each unit is due. We can line up your annuals on a schedule that fits your routes, and pair them with scheduled maintenance visits so one trip covers both. If you want us to handle PMs and inspections across your whole fleet, see our fleet preventive maintenance page.
When We Find Something That Needs Repair
A unit with a defect on the federal list can’t pass until the defect is fixed. Because our techs are mechanics and not just inspectors, we can repair many common problems on the same visit, such as brake adjustment, air leaks, lights and wiring. We’ll go over what we found and what it costs before we fix it. If a part has to be ordered, we’ll tell you what failed and set a time to finish the job.
Paperwork and Records
When the inspection is done, you get a completed inspection report for the unit. Federal rules require you to keep the report for 14 months and to keep proof of the inspection on the vehicle (49 CFR 396.21). We’ll make sure you have the paperwork you need for your files.
Pricing and Service Area
Call for pricing: (704) 317-6161. Call for current inspection pricing, and ask about inspecting several units on one visit.
We’re based in Union County, so if you’re looking for a diesel mechanic in Monroe, NC, we’re local. We also inspect trucks across Charlotte and nearby towns. See all of our service areas. We also cover mobile truck repair in Rock Hill, SC.
DOT Inspection FAQ
How often does a commercial truck need a DOT inspection?
At least once every 12 months. Federal rules (49 CFR 396.17) require a periodic inspection for each commercial motor vehicle, and that includes trailers. Many fleets also check units more often as part of their preventive maintenance.
How long does a DOT inspection take?
It depends on the unit and its condition. A truck in good shape goes faster than one that needs repairs along the way. We’ll give you a time window when we schedule, and we plan multi-unit visits so trucks aren’t tied up longer than they need to be.
Do you fix problems found during the inspection?
Yes. Our technicians are mechanics, so we can repair many common defects on the same visit. If a part has to be ordered, we’ll explain what failed, what it costs and when we can finish the job.
Can you inspect trailers too?
Yes. We inspect trucks, tractors and trailers. We work on commercial vehicles only.
