A level 3 DOT inspection is a type of inspection conducted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and its state partners. It is also known as a Driver-Only Inspection. This roadside inspection is the least intrusive of the six levels (or 8 levels) of DOT roadside inspections.
What is Level 3 Inspection?
Basically, a Level 3 inspection for a trucker is like you getting “pulled over” in your personal vehicle. But, it’s a much more in depth process.
During a level 3 roadside inspection, a trained inspector will examine Driver Qualification File components like your commercial driver’s license (CDL) and medical certificate of drivers operating commercial motor vehicles (CMV) to ensure compliance with federal and state safety regulations. The inspection may also include a review of the driver’s hours-of-service records and other documentation.
When the roadside inspection is complete, you’ll be given a Driver Vehicle Examination Report (DVER) to retain and send back to your company.
Monitoring your roadside inspection activity is a DOT compliance service that is automatically included in our My Safety Manager program!
DOT Level 3 Inspection Checklist
Grab your free DOT Level 3 Inspection Checklist here!
Where Do Level 3 Inspections Usually Happen?
A level 3 truck inspection can be conducted at roadside inspection sites, weigh stations, or other locations where CMVs can be safely pulled off the road.
But, level 3 inspections are much more common on the side of the road. If a violation is found during this inspection, the driver may be placed out of service until the issue is corrected.
Additionally, if an officer is originally intended to conduct only a Level 3 inspection, they may bump that up to a DOT Level 2 inspection or even a Level 1 DOT inspection if they detect an easily observable DOT violation like a flat tire or a tire with an audible air leak as they approach the truck cab.
We call this “inspection creep”…
How is a Level 3 Roadside Inspection different?
Level 3 inspections are the least comprehensive type of inspection and are usually focused on the driver rather than the truck and/or trailer. They are typically used to verify the driver’s qualifications and compliance with regulations, such as hours-of-service compliance.
Unlike Level 2 ( Walk-Around Driver/Vehicle Inspection) or Level 1 ( the North American Standard Inspection) DOT inspections, a Level 3 DOT inspection will focus only on the driver of the commercial motor vehicle and no inspection of the driver’s truck will be completed.
If you pass your Level 3 DOT inspection, you will not be eligible for a CVSA Sticker.
Even though about an even number of level 1 DOT inspections, Level 2 inspections and level 3 DOT inspections are completed each year, the driver violation rate is much higher for Level 3 roadside inspections.
In 2023, there were almost 334,000 driver violations from Level 3 inspections, while Level 2 inspections accounted for about 174,000 violations and only 77,600 or so driver violations from Level 1 Inspections.
Learn more about upcoming changes about the FMCSA’s proposal to calculate Unsafe Driving and other CSA scores here.
What Does a Level 3 Inspection Consist of?
A level 3 inspection will include those items specified under the North American Standard Level III Driver/Credential/Administrative Inspection Procedure. This procedure is developed by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) and the inspections are conducted by law enforcement officers throughout the US.
The level 3 DOT inspection must include:
- Carrier Identification and Status review
- Driver’s license and English Language Proficiency enforcement check
- DOT Medical Examiner Certificate and Skill Performance Evaluation ( SPE Certificate) review. In early 2026, this will be handled differently. Check out the 2025 DOT medical certificate changes here.
- Examination of the driver’s record of duty status/ Electronic Logging Device/ Hours of Service compliance
- Seat belt usage check
- Review of all recent vehicle inspection report(s)
What Else May Be Checked During a Level 3 Roadside Inspection?
Although it’s not required, the inspector will usually check a driver’s current drug and alcohol clearinghouse status to ensure that the driver is able to operate in interstate commerce.
Additionally, law enforcement will usually check to ensure that the driver has the 4 required ELD compliance documents (including the ELD instruction manual, the ELD information transfer sheet, the ELD malfunction instructions and 8 days of blank paper logs).
Lastly, an officer or inspector may originally intend on only conducting a Level 3 DOT inspection but may switch to one of the lower DOT inspection levels if they notice a significant vehicle violation (like a flat tire or an audible air leak) when approaching the truck.
Common Level 3 Inspection Violations
As mentioned before, driver’s usually receive a level 3 roadside inspection when a law enforcement officer observes the truck driver disobey a traffic law or other FMCSA regulation. So, the most common types of violations received as a result of this inspection are Unsafe Driving violations.
This includes violations for:
Speeding (392.2S) (Speeding 6-10 mph over is the most common violation)
Failure to obey traffic control devices (392.2(c)
Lane restriction violations (392.2LV)
Failing to use a seat belt (392.16) and
Using a hand-held cell phone while driving (392.82(a)(1)
Since these roadside inspections also consist of a document check and Hours of Service/ ELD review, you’ll also see violations related to this as well.
This includes violations for:
False report of a driver’s record of duty status (395.8(e)
Record of Duty Status Violation (395.8) (Form and manner violations)
Operating a CMV without a CDL (383.23(a)(2)
Operating a property carrying vehicle without possessing a valid medical certificate (391.41(a)(1).
As you can see, a Level 3 DOT inspection can be pretty in depth, but these are actually one of the least comprehensive of the six DOT inspection levels.
If the drivers in your fleet can avoid speeding and disobeying other traffic laws (like keeping out of the left lane, not running red lights and not using a handheld cell phone), then you’ll be in good shape to avoid most level 3 roadside inspections.
These “gateway” violations can lead to your truck being pulled over. Improper vehicle maintenance can cause a Level 3 inspection to be be bumped up to a Level 2 inspection pretty quickly. So, be sure to maintain your vehicles carefully and have all drivers complete a thorough daily DOT pre-trip inspection as well.
Level 3 Inspection FAQ
What is a Level 3 DOT inspection?
A Level 3 DOT inspection is a driver-only roadside inspection. Officers review the driver’s credentials, hours-of-service (HOS), and safety-related paperwork—not the vehicle’s mechanical condition.
What documents are checked in a Level 3 DOT inspection?
Expect to present your CDL, medical examiner’s certificate (or MVR med status, depending on state), HOS/ELD records, shipping papers/BOL, proof of insurance, registration/IFTA/IRP credentials, driver’s license endorsements/restrictions, and any required permits.
How is a Level 3 DOT inspection different from Level 1?
Level 1 is a full driver and vehicle inspection (bumper to bumper). Level 3 focuses only on the driver—credentials, HOS/ELD, and paperwork compliance.
How long does a Level 3 inspection take?
Typically 15–30 minutes, depending on document readiness, ELD access, and whether any violations are found.
What are the most common Level 3 violations?
Frequent violations include HOS errors, missing or invalid medical certificate, CDL/endorsement mismatches, no proof of insurance, missing BOL/shipping papers, and ELD malfunctions not properly documented.
What ELD items do officers review?
They’ll verify duty status, drive time limits, 7/8-day totals, required 30-minute break, annotations/corrections, unassigned driving events, and whether the device can transfer logs (wireless/web services or on-device display/print).
Can I be cited if my ELD is down?
Yes—unless you follow malfunction procedures (notify motor carrier, reconstruct logs for last 7 days, keep paper logs until fixed, and provide required documentation). Failure to follow procedures can trigger violations and out-of-service in some cases.
Do officers check my medical card at Level 3?
Yes. They confirm your medical qualification (valid MEC on file/linked to your CDL as required). Bring your card if your state still requires it to be carried, and ensure your CDL status reflects “medically certified.”
Will a Level 3 DOT inspection affect my CSA scores?
Yes. Driver-related violations found during Level 3 impact BASIC categories (Hours of Service, Driver Fitness, Controlled Substances/Alcohol, etc.). Clean inspections help your ISS score and CSA profile.
What should I do if I receive a violation I disagree with?
Politely ask the officer for clarification, keep the documentation, and work with your carrier to submit a DataQs challenge with evidence (ELD exports, receipts, GPS, repair orders). Timely, well-supported requests have the best chance.
How can I prepare to pass a Level 3 inspection?
Do a quick paperwork pre-trip: confirm CDL and MEC, verify permits/registration/IFTA/IRP, check insurance card, ensure ELD is logged in and up to date, and keep BOLs organized. Know how to navigate and transfer ELD logs on demand.
Can a Level 3 inspection lead to a vehicle inspection?
Yes. If the officer suspects vehicle defects or freight issues, they may escalate to a higher level (e.g., Level 1 or Level 2) that includes mechanical checks.
What happens after a clean Level 3 inspection?
You’ll get an inspection report showing no violations—good for your record and CSA profile. Keep a copy in your files; some carriers use clean inspections for safety incentives.
About My Safety Manager:
My Safety Manager is a leading provider of fleet safety and trucking compliance services for fleets of all sizes. Our specialized safety management solutions help deliver results—safe drivers out on the road who are staying compliant with FMCSA regulations.
We work with you to create compliance systems that meet your unique needs, taking what’s typically far too much work off your plate so you have more time to grow your business. For more information about how we may be able to help you with this or similar issues, please reach out to us at www.MySafetyManager.com.
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