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Truck Inspection Checklist

CHP Inspection Checklist Header

Follow this checklist to help maintain your equipment and keep it in compliance with DOT inspection requirements. The checklist is tailored to tow companies for the California Highway Patrol inspection program but can also be used as a guide for general commercial vehicle and tow truck inspections. Most categories include links to the replacement parts if the original parts are found to be defective. Truck inspections make a difference, and whether you are prepping for the California Vehicle Code Inspection or your state’s annual vehicle inspection certification, this checklist is the first tool you need to reach for to ensure compliance for your fleet.
Download the CHP checklist PDF here:
Requirements for All Classes

California Vehicle Code Requirements.

       Current Registration   4000 CVC 

 Headlights   24400 CVC 

 Beam Indicator   24408 CVC 

 Tail Lamps   24600 CVC   Shop Now 
   License Plate Lamp  24601 CVC  Shop Now 
   Stop Lamps   24603 CVC   Shop Now
   Extension Lights  24605 CVC   Shop Now

 Backup Lamps (1969+)   24606 CVC   Shop Now 
   Reflectors, Rear  24607 CVC  Shop Now
   Reflectors, Front and Side (1968+)  24608 CVC  Shop Now
   Turn Signals  24951 CVC  Shop Now
   Clearance Lamps (>80" Wide)   25100 CVC  Shop Now
   Amber Warning Lights  25253 CVC  Shop Now
   Warning Devices (Reflectors)   25300 CVC  Shop Now
   Service Brakes  26311 CVC
      Parking Brake   26451 CVC   Shop Now
    Windshield   26700 CVC 
   Windshield Wipers   26706 CVC 
    Mirrors   26709 CVC   Shop Now 
    Horn  27000 CVC  Shop Now
    Exhaust System   27150 CVC 
    Fuel Cap  27155 CVC 
    Tire Tread   27465 CVC 
   Fenders/Mud Guards   27600 CVC  Shop Now
   Broom  27700 CVC  Shop Now
   Shovel  27700 CVC  Shop Now
   Fire Extinguisher
 4B, C Rating
 27700 CVC  Shop Now
   Safety Chains  29004 CVC  Shop Now
   Signs  27907 CVC  Shop Now

Service and other equipment.

         Flashlight  Shop Now
   Wrecking Bar (Large Pry Bar)  Shop Now
   Six (6) 30-Minute Flares or 6 Reflectorized Cones, Min. 12" Ht.   Shop Now
   Trash Cans & Absorbent (4 Gallon Minimum)  Trash Cans   Aborbents 
   Shop Rags or Paper Towels   Shop Now
   Shop to Truck Communications (Cell Phones / 2-Way Radio)

 Approved Fuel Containers (Classes A and B) If Carried  Shop Now 

 Booster Battery or Hot Box  Shop Now
   Hydraulic Jack  Shop Now
      Tire Changing Equipment   Shop Now 
    Rubber Mallet / Hub Cap Tool (Classes A and B)  Shop Now
   Lockout Tools (Classes A and B)   Shop Now 
    Motorcycle Straps (Class A)   Shop Now 
    Sledge Hammer (Classes B, C, and D)  Shop Now
    Tool Kit   Shop Now 
   Reflective Safety Attire  Shop Now

Towing Equipment.

      Manufactured Rating Plates   Shop Now
    Controls Labeled   Shop Now
   Wrecker Boom Assembly 
 Shop Now
    Wheel Lift Assembly
 Shop Now
    Body and Towing Equipment
 Mounting Bolts
    Winch Rating:   Boom Capacity:          
      Wrecker Controls
 Shop Now
    Throttle Control (If Equipped)  Shop Now
   Hydraulic Rams, Hoses, Valves
    Cable Sheaves  Shop Now
    Recovery Chain  Shop Now

Wheel Lift.

      Pivot Pin   Shop Now 
    Wheel Tie Down Safety Straps or Chains   Shop Now

       "L" Arms  Shop Now 
    Claw 


Conventional.

      Tow Sling Assembly (Check for bent inner tubes)   Shop Now 
      Sling Pads   Shop Now

Car Carrier.

      Carrier Bed Frame   Shop Now 
   Bed Hinges  Shop Now
   Loading Bridle  Shop Now
      Bed Safety Lock   Shop Now 
   Loading Bridle  Shop Now

Tow Truck Equipment Specifications (By Class)

Class A.

      Minimum 14,000 lbs. GVWR Chassis 
   4-Ton Boom Rating
   One 4-Ton Snatch Block  Shop Now
   Tow Dolly (w/ Wheel Tie Down Straps)  Shop Now
   Steering Wheel Securement Device  Shop Now
   Tow Sling "Minimum" 3,000 lbs. (If Equipped)  Shop Now
        Tow Chains "Minimum"  5/16"Grade 70 w/ J/T Hooks  Shop Now
      Two (2) Safety Chains 5/16" Alloy or OEM Specifications  Shop Now
   Wheel Lift Rating - 3,000 lbs. Extended
   Two (2) Crossbeams,  (1) 48"L x 4"W x 4"D and (1) 60"L x 4"W x 4"D
   100'L x 3/8" dia. Cable 6 x 19 Wire Rope or OEM Specifications  Shop Steel  Shop Fiber

Class A Car Carrier One Vehicle.

        Minimum 19,000 lbs. GVWR Chassis 
   50'L x 3/8" dia. Cable 6 x 19 Wire Rope or OEM Specifications  Shop Steel  Shop Fiber
   Loading Bridle w/ J/T Hooks  Shop Now
        Four (4) Safety Chains 5/16" Grade 70 or Rated Nylon Straps w/ Ratchets   Shop Now 
   Adequate Crossbeams or Ramping Material

Class A Car Carrier Two Vehicle.

        Minimum 23,500 lbs. GVWR Chassis
   Loading Bridle w/ J/T Hooks  Shop Now
   50'L x 3/8" dia. Cable 6 x 19 Wire Rope or OEM Specifications  Shop Steel  Shop Fiber
   Alloy/OEM Spec & Wheel Straps - Towed Vehicle     
        Four (4) Safety Chains 5/16" Alloy or OEM Specs. & Two (2) for Towed Vehicle   Shop Now 
   Steering Wheel Securement Device  Shop Now
   Adequate Crossbeams or Ramping Material 

Class B.

        Minimum 33,000 lbs. GVWR Chassis 
   16-Ton Boom Rating
   150'L x 7/16" dia. Cable 6 x 19 Wire Rope or OEM Specifications Shop Steel Shop Fiber
   Safety Chains 1/2" Alloy or OEM Specifications   Shop Now 
   Two (2) 8-Ton Snatch Blocks  Shop Now
   Air Brakes or Hydraulic w/ Air Hookup Package
   Air Hoses and Fittings  Shop Now  Quick Connect Kit 
   Steering Wheel Securement Device  Shop Now
   Axle Covers/Caps  Shop Now
       Tow Sling 7,000 lbs. Rating (If Equipped) 
   Truck Hitch/Tow Bar with 7,000 Pound Rating (If Equipped)
   Two (2) 48"L x 6"W x 4"D Crossbeams (Minimum)
   Tow Chains "Minimum" 1/2" Grade 70 with JT Hooks  Shop Now
   Wheel Lift Rating — 10,000 lbs. Retracted
   Wheel Lift Rating — 8,000 lbs. Extended
   Under Lift/Fork Adapters w/ Tie-Down Straps or Chains  Shop Now
   Safety Tie-Down Chains and Binders  Shop Now
   Aluminum Tow Angles (Minimum 2)  Shop Now

Class B Car Carrier One Vehicle.

        Minimum 33,000 lbs. GVWR Chassis 
   50'L x 3/8" dia. Cable 6 x 19 Wire Rope or OEM Specifications  Shop Steel  Shop Fiber
   Loading Bridle w/ J/T Hooks   Shop Now
   Steering Wheel Securement Device   Shop Now 
        Two (2) Safety Chains 5/16" Alloy/OEM Spec & Wheel Straps for Towed Vehicle
   Four (4) Safety Chains 5/16" Grade 70 or OEM Specifications  Shop Now
   Adequate Cross Beams or Ramping Material   

Class C.

        Minimum 52,000 lbs. GVWR Chassis 
   25-Ton Boom Rating
   200'L x 5/8" dia. Cable 6 x 19 Wire Rope or OEM Specifications  Shop Steel  Shop Fiber
   Two (2) Safety Chains 5/8" Alloy or OEM Specifications  Shop Now 
   Two (2) 12-Ton Snatch Blocks  Shop Now
   Air Brakes w/ Air Hookup Package
   Air Hoses and Fittings  Shop Now  Quick Connect Kit
   Steering Wheel Securement Device  Shop Now
   Axle Covers/Caps  Shop Now
   Truck Hitch/Tow Bar 12,000 lbs. Rating (If Equipped) 
        Tow Chains 5/8" Grade 70 or OEM Specifications  Shop Now
   Two (2) 48"L x 6"W x 4"D Crossbeams (Minimum)
   Pintle Hook
   Under Lift Rating — 25,000 lbs. Retracted
   Under Lift Rating — 12,000 lbs. Extended
   Wheel Lift Safety Straps or Chains  Shop Now 
   Under Lift/Fork Adapters w/ Tie-Down Chains and Binders  Shop Now
   Aluminum Tow Angles (Minimum 2)  Shop Now
   Safety Tie-Down Chains and Binders  Shop Now
   Tow Sling 12,000 lbs. Rating (If Equipped)  Shop Now

Class D.

        Minimum 54,000 lbs. GVWR Chassis 
   35-Ton Boom Rating
   250'L x 3/4" dia. Cable 6 x 19 Wire Rope or OEM Specifications  Shop Steel  Shop Fiber
   Two (2) Safety Chains 5/8" Alloy or OEM Specifications   Shop Now 
   Two (2) 12-Ton Snatch Blocks  Shop Now
   Air Brakes w/ Air Hookup Package
   Air Hoses and Fittings  Shop Now  Quick Connect Kit
   Steering Wheel Securement Device  Shop Now
   Axle Covers/Caps  Shop Now
   Truck Hitch/Tow Bar 20,000 Pound Rating (If Equipped) 
       Tow Chains 5/8" Grade 70 or OEM Specifications   Shop Now
   Two (2) 48"L x 4"W x 4"D Crossbeams (Minimum)
   Pintle Hook  Shop Now
   Under Lift Rating — 32,000 lbs. Retracted
   Under Lift Rating — 16,000 lbs. Extended
   Under Lift/Fork Adapters w/ Tie-Down Straps or Chains  Shop Now
   Aluminum Tow Angles (Minimum 2)  Shop Now
   Safety Tie-Down Chains and Binders  Shop Now
   Truck Hitch/Tow Bar 20,000 Pound Rating (If Equipped)  Shop Now
   Tow Sling with 20,000 Pound Rating (If Equipped)