Roadside Ready: Five Ways to Be Prepared When an Inspector Stops You
April 15, 2026
Roadside inspections are a routine part of life for every driver. A part that most would rather do without. A North American Standard (NAS) inspection doesn’t have to be a stressful experience, though. With the right preparation and the right mindset, drivers can walk away with a clean record and get back on the road quickly. These five tips are taken directly from the Vehicle Inspections course through CarriersEdge, and give fleet managers practical coaching points to help reduce driver stress by equipping them to always be ready for an inspection.
See the end of the article for a link to download a helpful tip sheet you can share with drivers.
Tip 1. Organize your documents before you drive
Carrying the right documents is a driver’s responsibility, and the time to sort that out is before the trip begins, not at the roadside with an inspector waiting. That means verifying that credentials, permits, and recent inspection reports are present and accounted for. Whether your fleet uses a physical binder or a digital file management system, the principle is the same: check before you go. If drivers rely on a mobile device to present documents, it needs to be fully charged before departure. If a device loses power during an inspection, an inspector may treat that the same as not having the documents at all. Some situations are at the inspector’s discretion, and a dead battery is not a strong position to be in.
Tip 2. Keep your cab clean and clutter-free
First impressions make a huge difference and inspectors notice the condition of the cab. A messy cab can raise questions about whether that same inattention carries over to vehicle maintenance and that can trigger a closer look at everything.
A tidy cab, on the other hand, communicates professionalism before the inspector has looked at a single document or walked around the vehicle. It is a small habit with a potentially big impact on how an inspection starts.
Tip 3. Remember BLT: brakes, lights, tires
When inspectors conduct Level I vehicle inspections, they focus on three systems above all others: Brakes, Lights, and Tires. At a recent International Roadcheck event, over 75% of vehicles placed out of service had a violation in one of those three areas.
Coach drivers to check all three on every pre-trip inspection. Brakes should be checked for proper adjustment, missing components, damaged air hoses, and audible air leaks. Lights, especially on trailers, should be verified for function and proper connection. Tires should be checked for tread depth, visible damage, proper inflation, and anything lodged between dual tires. Catching these items before the trip can save you an out-of-service violation on the road.
Tip 4. Know how to transfer your RODS
One area where drivers consistently struggle at the roadside is transferring their record of duty status (RODS) to the inspector. Inspectors have noted that drivers often can’t perform the transfer, and some end up doing it themselves. While that doesn’t result in a formal infraction, it is not a good look.
Drivers are currently required to carry their ELD manual and instruction sheets and to present them on request. The instruction sheets must be separate documents covering how to transfer records of duty status to an inspector and how to report an ELD malfunction. These are standardized documents, but they must be on their own dedicated sheets.
The fix is simple: know how to do the transfer. If a software update changes the process, be sure to coach drivers on the new steps. Do not wait until the roadside to figure it out.
Tip 5. Be polite and professional
How a driver conducts themselves during an inspection matters. Drivers who are calm, polite, and cooperative tend to have smoother experiences.
Remind drivers to stay in the cab unless asked to do otherwise. If an inspector asks to examine the sleeper berth or cargo area, the right answer is to cooperate. Unlike police officers, inspectors do not require a warrant to examine cargo, or any other part of the vehicle. They have the authority to look at whatever they see fit to inspect, and drivers who have nothing to hide have nothing to worry about.
If a driver has questions about a specific finding, the right time to ask is at the end of the inspection. The inspector will walk the driver around the vehicle to review any issues, and this is the right moment to ask questions calmly and respectfully. Drivers should never challenge or debate the inspectors’ findings. Some decisions come down to individual discretion, and a professional attitude is the best way to keep that discretion in the driver's favor.
Preparation is the best policy
A smooth inspection does not happen by accident. It comes from consistent pre-trip habits, a solid understanding of what inspectors look for, and a professional approach from the first moment of contact. Fleets that coach drivers on inspection readiness are less likely to face out-of-service violations, delays, and the costs that come with them.
The time to get ready for an inspection is before it happens, not when the lights come on behind you.
Want to really equip your drivers to ace their next roadside inspection? Following the advice in our Vehicle Inspection course will equip them to perform an effective pre-trip, and watch for our new NAS Inspections course coming soon.
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Download a free driver tip sheet to share with your drivers.