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 around Little Rock pass Arkansas Highway Police weigh stations on I-40 near Lonoke and on I-57 near Jacksonville, 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 pulling trucks off the road.
Our DOT Inspection: what the mechanic handles
- 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.
Fix it on site 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.
What to tell dispatch
Give us these details on the first call so the mechanic shows up with the right parts and finishes 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
Trucks & engines we service
- Freightliner
- Peterbilt
- Kenworth
- Volvo
- Mack
- International
- Western Star
Class 6 through Class 8 trucks, with engines from Cummins, Detroit Diesel, PACCAR, Volvo, Mack, Navistar, and Caterpillar.
DOT Inspection across Little Rock & Central Arkansas
We perform inspections at fleet yards and drop yards around Little Rock and North Little Rock and at owner-operator locations across Pulaski, Saline, Faulkner, Lonoke, and White counties. Out-of-service repair calls come from wherever the truck was stopped — often the scales near Lonoke or Jacksonville.
Interstates we cover
Cities we cover
DOT Inspection FAQ
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 around Little Rock?
The Arkansas Highway Police operate weigh stations on I-40 near Lonoke, east of the metro, and on I-57 (US-67) near Jacksonville, plus a check station on I-30 near Malvern. Keep annual inspections current and pre-trips thorough, and they’re just another stop.