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Home›Courses›Driver & Fleet Safety›Vehicle Inspection Interactive Training

Vehicle Inspection Interactive Training

19 minutesENDriver & Fleet Safety49 CFR 396.11 and 396.13 (FMCSA); OSHA General Duty Clause
Quick Answer

Vehicle Inspection is a 19-minute online course that trains employees on proper pre-trip and post-trip vehicle inspection procedures to identify safety defects before operating a vehicle. It is designed for fleet drivers, delivery personnel, and field employees who operate company vehicles and includes a downloadable certificate of completion.

Course Overview

Vehicle defects and mechanical failures contribute to thousands of workplace crashes each year. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires commercial motor vehicle drivers to conduct pre-trip inspections under 49 CFR 396.13 and report vehicle defects after each trip under 49 CFR 396.11. Even for non-commercial vehicles, employers have a General Duty Clause obligation to ensure that company vehicles are maintained in safe operating condition. FMCSA inspection data consistently shows that brake violations, tire defects, and lighting issues are among the top vehicle-related findings during roadside inspections.

This course trains your employees on a systematic approach to vehicle inspection that covers all major safety components. Your team will learn how to identify defects in tires, brakes, steering, suspension, lights, mirrors, and other critical systems before the vehicle leaves the lot. The training emphasizes the importance of documenting findings and reporting defects so they can be corrected before the vehicle is returned to service. Whether your fleet includes pickup trucks, box trucks, or passenger vans, this course builds the inspection habits that prevent breakdowns and reduce accident risk.

What You'll Learn

  • Pre-trip inspection procedures covering tires, brakes, lights, mirrors, steering, and fluid levels
  • Post-trip reporting requirements and how to document vehicle defects
  • How to identify common safety defects including worn tires, brake issues, and damaged lights
  • Inspection requirements under FMCSA regulations for commercial motor vehicles
  • The employer's responsibility to maintain vehicles in safe operating condition
  • How to use vehicle inspection checklists and driver vehicle inspection reports (DVIRs)

Who Needs This Training

  • Fleet drivers and delivery personnel responsible for conducting daily vehicle inspections
  • Field technicians and service workers who operate company vehicles to customer sites
  • Municipal and public works drivers operating utility trucks, snowplows, and service vehicles
  • Fleet managers and maintenance supervisors who oversee vehicle safety compliance programs
  • Any employee assigned a company vehicle who is expected to report defects and maintenance needs

Regulatory Background

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires commercial motor vehicle operators to conduct pre-trip inspections under 49 CFR 396.13 and to complete written driver vehicle inspection reports (DVIRs) under 49 CFR 396.11 after each driving day. Employers must not allow commercial vehicles to be operated with known safety defects until repairs are completed. FMCSA roadside inspection data from the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) International Roadcheck programs consistently identifies brakes, tires, and lighting as the most common out-of-service violations. For non-commercial fleet vehicles, OSHA's General Duty Clause requires employers to provide safe equipment, and vehicles with known defects represent a recognized hazard. Employers who fail to maintain inspection programs face both regulatory penalties and increased civil liability when vehicle defects contribute to crashes.

Frequently Asked Questions

For commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) subject to FMCSA regulations, yes. Under 49 CFR 396.13, drivers must be satisfied that the vehicle is in safe operating condition before driving, and under 49 CFR 396.11, drivers must complete a written vehicle inspection report at the end of each driving day. For non-CMV fleet vehicles, OSHA's General Duty Clause creates an implied requirement to ensure vehicles are safe before use.
According to CVSA International Roadcheck data, the most common out-of-service vehicle violations are brake system defects, tire and wheel issues (including worn tread and low pressure), and lighting equipment problems. These three categories consistently account for the majority of vehicle-related inspection failures. Regular pre-trip inspections help catch these defects before they create on-road safety hazards.
A DVIR is a written report completed by the driver after each driving day that documents the condition of the vehicle's safety-critical systems. Under 49 CFR 396.11, the report must cover at minimum: parking brake, steering, lights, tires, horn, windshield wipers, mirrors, coupling devices, wheels, and emergency equipment. The employer must review DVIRs and certify that any reported defects have been corrected before the vehicle returns to service.
The inspection principles in this course apply to any vehicle used for work purposes. While FMCSA regulations specifically apply to commercial motor vehicles, employers who allow employees to use personal vehicles for business travel should still encourage basic safety checks. Many employers include personal vehicle condition requirements in their fleet safety policies, and some require periodic inspections as a condition of mileage reimbursement.
The driver should document the defect on the inspection form and report it to their supervisor or fleet maintenance department immediately. If the defect affects safe operation - such as brake failure, a flat tire, or inoperative headlights - the vehicle must not be operated until the repair is completed. Under FMCSA regulations (49 CFR 396.13), drivers must not operate a CMV unless satisfied it is in safe condition.

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This pre-trip inspection course is a natural companion to Safe Driving: Defensive Driving Techniques, which covers on-road driving skills, and Driving Safety: Hazardous Weather, which addresses weather-specific vehicle preparation. Together, these three courses form a comprehensive fleet safety curriculum covering vehicle condition, defensive driving, and adverse conditions.

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$24.95
per person
Volume Pricing
Team Size Price per Person
1 - 9$24.95
10 - 24$19.95
25 - 49$17.95
50 - 99$17.50
Subtotal $24.95

Certificate of completion included. Downloadable upon passing the final assessment.

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$24.95
per person