{
  "schema_version": "citation-answer/v1",
  "answer_key": "fmcsa-annual-inspection",
  "artifact_slug": "fmcsa-annual-inspection",
  "query": "fmcsa annual inspection requirements",
  "citation_slots": 3,
  "canonical_path": "/guides/fmcsa-annual-inspection-requirements",
  "title": "What are FMCSA's annual inspection requirements?",
  "description": "The 12-month federal periodic-inspection rule and limits.",
  "answer_capsule": "FMCSA requires each covered commercial motor vehicle, including each combination segment, to receive a periodic inspection at least once every 12 months. The Part 396 page and live §396.17 text accessed 2026-07-21 are the named sources. A periodic inspection is distinct from a roadside inspection, and additional state requirements can apply.",
  "scope": "This guide covers the federal periodic-inspection interval and official source. It does not determine whether a particular vehicle or state program satisfies every requirement.",
  "methodology_version": "citation-answer/v1",
  "reproducibility_note": "Re-derive this answer from the named source and dated scope; no Fonteum account is required.",
  "limitations": [
    "Vehicle coverage, inspector qualifications, records, and state equivalence require current rule review.",
    "This aggregate public-record answer is not a consumer report, person-level dossier, eligibility decision, or risk score."
  ],
  "related_links": [
    {
      "label": "DOT roadside inspections",
      "href": "/guides/dot-roadside-inspection-levels"
    }
  ],
  "data_as_of": "2026-07-21",
  "source_artifacts": [
    {
      "source_key": "ecfr-49-cfr-396-17",
      "kind": "upstream",
      "file_name": "49 CFR §396.17 — Periodic inspection",
      "file_url": "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-396/section-396.17",
      "publisher": "Office of the Federal Register and Government Publishing Office",
      "published_date": null,
      "retrieved_date": "2026-07-21",
      "data_as_of": "2026-07-21",
      "sha256": null
    },
    {
      "source_key": "fmcsa-part-396-annual",
      "kind": "upstream",
      "file_name": "Inspection, Repair, and Maintenance — Part 396",
      "file_url": "https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safety/passenger-safety/inspection-repair-and-maintenance-motor-carriers-passengers-part-396",
      "publisher": "Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration",
      "published_date": null,
      "retrieved_date": "2026-07-21",
      "data_as_of": "2026-07-21",
      "sha256": null
    }
  ],
  "published_date": "2026-07-21",
  "modified_date": "2026-07-21",
  "sources": [
    {
      "source_key": "ecfr-49-cfr-396-17",
      "name": "49 CFR §396.17 — Periodic inspection",
      "publisher": "Office of the Federal Register and Government Publishing Office",
      "official_url": "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-396/section-396.17",
      "source_date_kind": "accessed",
      "source_date": "2026-07-21",
      "limitation": "The live federal rule can change. Vehicle coverage, inspector qualifications, records, and state-equivalence questions require review of the current text and applicable state rules.",
      "retrieved_date": "2026-07-21"
    },
    {
      "source_key": "fmcsa-part-396-annual",
      "name": "Inspection, Repair, and Maintenance — Part 396",
      "publisher": "Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration",
      "official_url": "https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safety/passenger-safety/inspection-repair-and-maintenance-motor-carriers-passengers-part-396",
      "source_date_kind": "accessed",
      "source_date": "2026-07-21",
      "limitation": "The federal periodic-inspection rule can be supplemented by state requirements. A periodic inspection is distinct from a roadside inspection.",
      "retrieved_date": "2026-07-21"
    }
  ],
  "facts": [
    {
      "fact_key": "interval",
      "label": "Maximum federal periodic-inspection interval",
      "value": "12 months",
      "source": {
        "source_key": "ecfr-49-cfr-396-17",
        "name": "49 CFR §396.17 — Periodic inspection",
        "publisher": "Office of the Federal Register and Government Publishing Office",
        "official_url": "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-396/section-396.17",
        "source_date_kind": "accessed",
        "source_date": "2026-07-21",
        "limitation": "The live federal rule can change. Vehicle coverage, inspector qualifications, records, and state-equivalence questions require review of the current text and applicable state rules.",
        "retrieved_date": "2026-07-21"
      }
    },
    {
      "fact_key": "segments",
      "label": "Combination vehicles",
      "value": "Each segment requires inspection",
      "source": {
        "source_key": "ecfr-49-cfr-396-17",
        "name": "49 CFR §396.17 — Periodic inspection",
        "publisher": "Office of the Federal Register and Government Publishing Office",
        "official_url": "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-396/section-396.17",
        "source_date_kind": "accessed",
        "source_date": "2026-07-21",
        "limitation": "The live federal rule can change. Vehicle coverage, inspector qualifications, records, and state-equivalence questions require review of the current text and applicable state rules.",
        "retrieved_date": "2026-07-21"
      }
    }
  ],
  "faq": [
    {
      "question": "Is the annual inspection the same as a roadside inspection?",
      "answer": "No. They are separate inspection contexts under the federal safety rules."
    },
    {
      "question": "Can state requirements also apply?",
      "answer": "Yes. State programs and additional rules can apply alongside the federal minimum."
    }
  ]
}