Call to schedule service in Orange County: 888-234-9742 Call to schedule service in Los Angeles County: 888-696-5162

Did You Know?

California Highway Patrol (C.H.P.) Basic Inspection of Terminals (B.I.T.) are required on all Commercial Motor Vehicles (C.M.V.) with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (G.V.R.W.) of more than 10,001 pounds every 90 days. – Section 34501.12 of the California Vehicle Code

Additionally, all Motors Carriers must have their US D.O.T. number or CA number displayed on vehicle.

BIT VS DOT

BIT	DOT
BIT = “Biennial Inspection of Terminals” This is required by California to be performed every 90 days The actual inspection is the same as the DOT inspection.	DOT = “Department of Transportation” inspection This is required Federally to be performed annually. Required annually if traveling outside of CA

For all CA drivers, you will need to perform the BIT every 90 days. However, if you’re an interstate driver that happens to be driving through California when it’s time for your annual DOT, we could perform that as well.

Schedule DOT Inspection

	Interior And Exterior			Chassis
	Warning devices – air, oil and temperature, vacuum			Check steering gear and mounting-free lash
	Fire extinguisher and reflectors – secured – marked			Steering arms, drag links and tie rod ends
	Horn – defrosters, gauges, speedometer			Fifth wheel conditioning and mounting
	Mirrors and supports			Springs, shackles and U-bolt-torque arms
	Windshield wipers – windows cracks, condition			Check frame, cross members, cracks, etc.
	Check all lights – turn signals – reflectors, mud flaps			Drive shaft and universal joints
	Check electrical wiring – condition and protection			Transmission, differential-mounting and seals
	Check batteries – water terminals and cable			Wheel seals leaks, hydraulic brake system leaks
				Clean under carriage
	Engine and Electric			Trailor(s)
	Radiator and water hoses – condition – leaks			Lights – stop, tail, turn-reflectors
	Belt – compressor(s), fan and water pump			Air leaks – brake system
	Air lines – leaks, condition and protection			Air leaks – dump system
	Fuel tanks – lines – pump, condition and protection			Cracks in body and sub frame
	Manifold and flange gaskets – muffler and condition			Brakes – adjustment – drums – near cam over
	Engine mounts, oil and fuel leaks			Springs U-bolts-torque arm
	Clutch adjustment and free play			Drawbar – hitch and safety cable – check strand wear
	Throttle and linkage, air filter			Fifth wheel on pull trailer
	Generator/alternator, starter, brushes and wiring			Tires wheel nuts and studs
				Fifth wheel on pin wear-safety lock
	Brakes			Emergency relay valves, tank mounting
	Tractor protection valve-breakaway test			Tarps
	Brakes – lining, drums and adjustment – near cam over, pedal ht-hyd			Electrical connections – lead wire
	Hoses and tubing condition – protection, hyd., brake reservoir level			Air lines – between trailers, gladhands, rubbers
	Air leaks and 1-minute brake application test, vaccum loss			Mudflaps, fenders
	Air governor adjustment – minimum 85 maximum 130
	Identify number 1 air tank – drain – test check valve
	All tanks secure, drains operable, drain tanks
	Check tires, wheel nuts and studs, cracked secure and inflation, tread
	Parking brake – condition and adjustment
	Emergency stopping system – labeled, operable
	Release after loss of service air – test anti skid lamp

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a BIT inspection and a DOT inspection?

• BIT (Biennial Inspection of Terminals): This is a state-level inspection required by California to be performed every 90 days.
• DOT (Department of Transportation): This is a federal-level inspection required to be performed annually, which is necessary if you are traveling outside of California. While the frequency requirements differ, the actual checklist and inspection items are the same.

Which commercial vehicles are required to have a BIT inspection?

Per Section 34501.12 of the California Vehicle Code, the California Highway Patrol (C.H.P.) requires a BIT inspection every 90 days on all Commercial Motor Vehicles (C.M.V.) with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (G.V.W.R.) of more than 10,001 pounds.

Am I required to display identification numbers on my commercial vehicle?

Yes. All Motor Carriers must have either their US D.O.T. number or CA number clearly displayed on the vehicle.

Does Tom’s Truck Center perform annual DOT inspections for out-of-state drivers?

Yes. For all local California drivers, you will need to perform the BIT every 90 days. However, if you are an interstate driver traveling through California when your annual federal DOT inspection is due, we can perform that service for you as well.

What components are checked during a BIT/DOT inspection?

Our comprehensive inspection process covers five core areas of your vehicle and/or trailer:

• Interior & Exterior: Warning devices (air, oil, temperature, vacuum), horn, defrosters, gauges, speedometer, fire extinguisher and reflectors, mirrors, windshield wipers, all lights/turn signals, electrical wiring, and batteries.
• Engine & Electric: Radiator and water hoses, belts, air/fuel lines, fuel tanks, manifold and flange gaskets, muffler, engine mounts, clutch adjustment, throttle linkage, air filter, and the generator/alternator/starter.
• Brakes: Tractor protection valve, brake linings and drums, hoses/tubing, air leaks (including a 1-minute brake application test), air governor adjustment, air tanks, parking brake, and emergency stopping systems.
• Chassis: Steering gear, steering arms, drag links, tie rod ends, fifth wheel conditioning and mounting, springs, shackles, U-bolts, frame/cross members, drive shaft, universal joints, transmission/differential seals, and wheel seal leaks.
• Trailer(s): Lights, air leaks (brake and dump systems), air lines, body/subframe cracks, brakes, springs, drawbar/hitch, fifth wheel pin wear, tires, wheel nuts, studs, emergency relay valves, and tarps.

Where are your service departments located and how do I schedule an inspection?

You can schedule your DOT/BIT inspection at either of our two convenient locations by calling our service lines directly:

• Orange County Service Department * Address: 909 N. Grand Avenue, Santa Ana, CA 92701
  • Phone: (888) 234-9742
• Los Angeles County Service Department * Address: 13443 E. Freeway Drive, Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670
  • Phone: (888) 696-5162

What are the service department hours at Tom’s Truck Center?

Both of our service locations operate during the following hours:

• Monday – Friday: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• Saturday: 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
• Sunday: Closed