7 Trucking Red Flags That GUARANTEE a DOT Inspection (Most Drivers Never Notice)

This video breaks down seven truck inspection red flags that can lead to violations, delays, or an out-of-service order. From tires, lights, leaks, and cargo securement to ELD records and carrier safety scores, these are the problems drivers should be checking before reaching the scale house. A solid pre-trip can catch many of these issues before an inspector does. *Sources:* *CVSA, 2025 International Roadcheck Results* — 56,178 inspections across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Among vehicle inspections, 22.6% were placed out of service, with brakes, tires, lights, and cargo securement among the leading violations. ([CVSA][1]) [CVSA 2025 Roadcheck Results](https://cvsa.org/news/2025-roadcheck-...) *FMCSA, Safety Measurement System / CSA* — explains BASIC scores, intervention thresholds, 24-month inspection history, and heavier weighting for recent violations. ([FMCSA AI][2]) [FMCSA SMS Help Center](https://ai.fmcsa.dot.gov/SMS/HelpCent...) *FMCSA, Cargo Securement Rules* — federal requirements covering tiedowns, working load limits, edge protection, and securing cargo against movement. ([FMCSA][3]) [FMCSA Cargo Securement Rules](https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations...) *FMCSA, Revoked ELDs* — official list and enforcement updates for electronic logging devices removed from FMCSA’s registered list. ([ELD Lookup][4]) [FMCSA Revoked ELD List](https://eld.fmcsa.dot.gov/list/Revoke...) Small accuracy note: the **56,178 inspections were across North America, not the United States alone**, and the **22.6% figure specifically applies to the 44,435 Level I, II and V vehicle inspections**. ([CVSA][1]) [1]: https://cvsa.org/news/2025-roadcheck-... "CVSA Releases 2025 International Roadcheck Results - CVSA – Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance" [2]: https://ai.fmcsa.dot.gov/SMS/HelpCent... "Safety Measurement System - Help Center" [3]: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations... "Cargo Securement Rules | FMCSA" [4]: https://eld.fmcsa.dot.gov/Support/New... "ELD - ELD News and Events"