DOT Vehicle Inspection

First published: September 2, 2026Last verified: September 2, 2026Reviewed by the CertQuestUSA team

TL;DR

DOT Vehicle Inspection: a 70-question practice bank for the real DOT / FMCSA Carrier Compliance standard, 2 full papers of 30 questions each with no repeats, every question citing the real regulation it comes from.

Where these questions come from

Every question in this bank cites a real source -- primarily 49 CFR (100%) of this exam's citations.

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2

full papers, no repeats

30

questions per paper

70

questions in the bank

What this exam covers

Driver Pre-Trip Inspection & DVIR Review (396.13)10%
Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports (396.11)55%
Out-of-Service Criteria & Process (396.9)15%
Periodic (Annual) Inspection (396.17)20%

5 real sample questions

A driver spots a cracked rim with several loose lug nuts during a walk-around. Which required 396.11(a)(1) DVIR item does this fall under?

A. Wheels and rims

B. Driver’s cell phone plan

C. Cargo release code

D. Terminal loading dock number

Source: 49 CFR 396.11(a)(1)

Fire extinguisher, spare fuses, and warning devices fall under which required 396.11(a)(1) DVIR item?

A. Emergency equipment

B. Driver’s payroll direct-deposit account

C. Trailer paint color

D. Carrier’s marketing contact

Source: 49 CFR 396.11(a)(1)

Which of the following is NOT one of the eleven minimum items 396.11(a)(1) requires a DVIR to cover?

A. Odometer reading

B. Steering mechanism

C. Coupling devices

D. Windshield wipers

Source: 49 CFR 396.11(a)(1)

How many minimum vehicle-component items does 396.11(a)(1) name for DVIR coverage?

A. Eleven

B. Five

C. Fifteen

D. Twenty

Source: 49 CFR 396.11(a)(1)

Before driving a motor vehicle, what must a driver first be satisfied of under 396.13(a)?

A. That the motor vehicle is in safe operating condition

B. That the fuel tank is completely full

C. That the cargo has been weighed at a certified scale

D. That the dispatcher has approved the route

Source: 49 CFR 396.13(a)

Real-world data for this exam

Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers: real median wageMay 2025$58,640/yr Vehicle Maintenancesince 2023-01-011,914,895 violations Part of the real CDL Driver career pathExplore ›

Frequently asked questions

How many questions are on the CertQuestUSA DOT Vehicle Inspection practice test?

70 questions total, split into 2 full papers of 30 each with no repeats across papers.

What topics does the DOT Vehicle Inspection test cover?

4 domains, with the heaviest weight on Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports (396.11) (55%), Periodic (Annual) Inspection (396.17) (20%), and Out-of-Service Criteria & Process (396.9) (15%).

Where do CertQuestUSA's DOT Vehicle Inspection questions come from?

Primarily 49 CFR (100%) of this bank's citations -- computed directly from this exam's own question sources, not a generic description.

Is there a free diagnostic for DOT Vehicle Inspection?

Yes -- 10 real questions across the exam's domains, no sign-up required, with a domain-by-domain breakdown at the end.

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