BIT Inspections and You

The Basic Inspection of Terminals (BIT) started in 2013 as a way to regulate commercial motor vehicles to ensure that they are receiving their proper maintenance. The inspections are to determine whether motor carriers are complying with Motor Carrier Safety regulations.

If you’re curious if your vehicle is subject to a BIT inspection, please check the following from the California Vehicle Code (CVC) Section 34504.12(a):

• Any motortruck of three or more axles that are more than 10,000 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).
  • Truck tractors.
  • Trailers and semitrailers, pole or pipe dollies, auxiliary dollies, and logging dollies used in combination with vehicles listed above. This subdivision does not include camp trailers, trailer coaches, and utility trailers.
  • A combination of a motor truck with a GVWR of more than 10,000 pounds, while towing any trailer listed above, which exceeds 40 feet in length when coupled together. Combinations which include a pickup truck as defined in Section 471 CVC or which are never operated in commercial use are excluded.
  • A commercial motor vehicle with a GVWR of more than 26,000 pounds or a commercial motor vehicle of any GVWR towing trailers listed above with a GVWR of more than 10,000 pounds, except combinations including camp trailers, trailer coaches, or utility trailers.
  • A vehicle, or a combination of vehicles, transporting hazardous materials for which the display of placards, a California hazardous materials transportation license, or a California hazardous waste transporter registration is required.
  • Any other motortruck not specified above that is regulated by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Motor Carrier Permit (MCP), Public Utilities Commission (PUC), or FMCSA.

Carriers must ensure each regulated vehicle is inspected at least every 90 days, or more often if necessary to ensure safe operation. Vehicle inspections must be documented and retained for at least two years. At a minimum, the following items must be inspected:

• Brake adjustment.
  • Brake system components and leaks.
  • Steering and suspension systems.
  • Tires and wheels.
  • Vehicle connecting devices.

At a minimum, each periodic inspection report must include:

• Identification of the vehicle, including make, model, license number, company vehicle number, or other means of positive identification.
  • Date and nature of each inspection and any repair performed.
  • Signature of the motor carrier’s authorized representative attesting to the inspection and to the completion of all required repairs.

There are a few exceptions though!
Vehicles that display special identification plates; historical vehicles; implements of husbandry; farm vehicles; vehicles used only incidentally on the highway; motor vehicles not designed, used, or maintained primarily for the transportation of property; firefighting apparatus; and vehicles owned or operated by an agency of the federal government.

For more information regarding the BIT inspections, please check the CHP’s web site.

Tom’s Truck Center Orange County & Los Angeles are well versed and well equipped to handle all your BIT needs whether you have one truck or a whole fleet.  Call us today to book your BIT inspections.