CVSA defines six main inspection levels. Level I is the North American Standard Inspection — the 37-step full driver + vehicle exam (30–60 minutes, CVSA decal eligible). Level II is the Walk-Around — most Level I items minus under-vehicle work (15–30 minutes, no decal). Level III is Driver-Only — credentials, HOS, medical, seat belt (15–30 minutes, no decal). Level IV is Special Purpose — one-time examination of a specific item as part of a study (variable, no decal). Level V is Vehicle-Only — full Level I vehicle exam without the driver, typically at a terminal (30–60 minutes, decal eligible). Level VI is Enhanced Radioactive Materials — Level I plus radiation-specific checks for HRCQ shipments (60+ minutes, special L6 decal). Truck Inspection & Maintenance software builds Level I-readiness into every daily DVIR.

A Level I North American Standard Inspection is the most comprehensive roadside inspection — a 37-step examination covering both driver and vehicle. It typically takes 30 to 60 minutes. The inspector examines driver credentials, hours-of-service records, medical certificate, and motor carrier documentation, then performs a thorough mechanical inspection that includes crawling under the vehicle to check brake adjustment, suspension, and frame components. If the vehicle passes with no defects in critical inspection items, it receives a CVSA decal — the only level (with Level V and Level VI) that qualifies. Level I inspections are the source of most CSA data points, both good and bad.

Both examine the driver and the vehicle. The difference is depth. A Level I inspector will physically get under the vehicle to check brake adjustment, chamber integrity, frame components, and other items not visible from a walk-around. A Level II inspector performs the same driver review and checks all externally visible vehicle items — lights, tires, cargo securement, coupling — but does not go under the vehicle. Duration differs: Level I is 30–60 minutes, Level II is 15–30 minutes. Only Level I earns a CVSA decal. Level II is more common at busy weigh stations where inspection volume matters.

Five categories dominate out-of-service violations every year. Brake systems account for 41.1% of vehicle OOS violations (adjustment out of spec, air leaks, chamber failures). Tires add another 21.4% (tread depth below 4/32" on steer or 2/32" elsewhere, sidewall damage, exposed cord). Lighting failures account for around 10%. Cargo securement issues run 8%. Wheels and rims contribute about 6%. On the driver side, HOS violations lead at 32.4% of driver OOS. Build your inspection prep around these five categories and you eliminate the vast majority of failure risk. Contact our team to see how the software captures these at every DVIR.

A standard CVSA decal (from Level I or Level V) is valid for the month it was issued plus the following two months — approximately 60 days. During that period, some jurisdictions allow decal-carrying vehicles to bypass certain weigh station inspections. The Level VI CVSA decal is trip-specific for the radioactive materials shipment it was issued for. Decals must be properly placed near the top of the passenger-side windshield, out of the wiper sweep, and cannot be counterfeited or transferred between vehicles. If a truck receives a citation during a Level I or V inspection, no decal is issued.

Consequences depend on the violation severity. Non-OOS violations become citations that feed into your CSA scores for 12 months under the 2026 overhaul, and count with severity weight 1. OOS violations require the vehicle or driver to be repaired or replaced before continuing operation — and carry severity weight 2 (double impact) in CSA scoring. The vehicle cannot legally operate until the OOS condition is corrected and re-inspected. Beyond the immediate stop, the violation appears in FMCSA's Safety Measurement System and can trigger targeted enforcement, insurance impact, and lost broker/shipper contracts. Try free: sign up here.