Every commercial motor vehicle in interstate commerce needs a periodic inspection at least once every 12 months, with proof kept on the vehicle.
Beyond the paperwork, it’s about staying out of trouble. Trucks running I-40 and I-75 through Knoxville pass the Tennessee Highway Patrol scale house near mile marker 372, and roadside inspections happen across the state. A truck placed out of service loses its delivery window, adds violations to the carrier’s safety record, and still needs the repair.
Our mobile DOT inspection service comes to your yard to inspect tractors and trailers against the federal periodic inspection standards, then repairs defects on site whenever possible. For fleets, that means several units done in one visit without taking trucks off the road.
What’s included with our DOT Inspection
- Annual (periodic) inspections for tractors, straight trucks, and trailers
- Brakes — adjustment, pushrod stroke, linings, drums, air leaks, and hoses
- Tires and wheels — tread depth, inflation, damage, and loose or missing lug nuts
- Lamps and reflectors
- Steering — lash, linkage, and components
- Suspension — springs, air springs, U-bolts, and torque rods
- Frame and coupling devices — fifth wheel, kingpin area, and safety devices
- Exhaust and fuel system leaks
- Windshield, wipers, horn, and mirrors
- Inspection report and decal for vehicles that pass
- On-site repair of defects found during the inspection
- Pre-inspection checkups before an audit or a CVSA inspection blitz
What can’t be fixed during an inspection visit
- Defects that need shop work — cracked frames, steering gear replacement, or kingpin area damage
- Repairs waiting on parts that aren’t available locally
- Any state or local inspection program that has to be done at a certified station — check which inspections apply to your vehicles
A vehicle with a failing defect can’t get a passing report until the defect is repaired.
Repair it where it sits, or tow it?
The inspection happens wherever the truck is parked. The real question is what happens when a defect turns up. Brake adjustment, air leaks, lights, tires, mud flaps, and many suspension parts can be fixed during the same visit.
If a vehicle is placed out of service at a roadside inspection, it can’t be driven until the out-of-service defects are corrected. A mobile mechanic can often make those repairs where the truck was stopped so it can legally continue.
Have this ready when you call
A few details up front help the mechanic load the right parts and tools and get it done in one trip.
- How many tractors and trailers need inspection
- Where the vehicles are parked and when they’re available
- The date of each unit’s last annual inspection
- Known defects or recent roadside inspection violations
- Whether the inspections have to be done by a certain date
Makes & engines we work on
- Freightliner
- Peterbilt
- Kenworth
- Volvo
- Mack
- International
- Western Star
Class 6 through Class 8 trucks, including engines from Cummins, Detroit Diesel, PACCAR, Volvo, Mack, Navistar, and Caterpillar.
DOT Inspection around Knoxville & East Tennessee
We perform inspections at fleet yards and drop yards around Knoxville and at owner-operator locations across Knox, Blount, Anderson, Loudon, Sevier, Jefferson, and Hamblen counties. Out-of-service repair calls come from wherever the truck was stopped — often the scale house on I-40/I-75.
Highways we cover
Towns we cover
- Knoxville
- Farragut
- Maryville & Alcoa
- Oak Ridge
- Clinton
- Lenoir City & Loudon
- Sevierville & Pigeon Forge
- Morristown
DOT Inspection: common questions
How often does a truck need a DOT inspection?
Federal rules require every commercial motor vehicle to pass a periodic inspection at least once every 12 months, with proof — the report or a decal — kept on the vehicle.
Who can perform an annual DOT inspection?
The inspector must meet the federal qualification requirements for periodic inspectors, and their information goes on the inspection report.
What fails the most trucks?
Lighting, tires, and brakes are consistently among the most common vehicle violations, with brake adjustment and air leaks near the top. Our out-of-service guide has the details.
Can you inspect trailers too?
Yes. Trailers need their own periodic inspection. Tell dispatch how many and what type.
Can you fix what the inspection finds?
Yes. Many common defects can be repaired during the same visit so the vehicle passes without a shop trip.
Where are the scales near Knoxville?
The Tennessee Highway Patrol operates a scale house on I-40/I-75 in west Knox County near mile marker 372, serving both directions. Keep annual inspections current and pre-trips thorough, and it’s just another stop.