Truck Inspection Checklist
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 inspections 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:
California Vehicle Code Requirements.
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Current Registration |
4000 VC |
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Headlights |
24400 VC |
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Beam Indicator |
24408 VC |
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Taillamps |
24600 VC |
Shop Now |
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License Plate Lamp |
24601 VC |
Shop Now |
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Stop Lamps |
24603 VC |
Shop Now |
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Extension Lights |
24605 VC |
Shop Now |
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Backup Lamps (1969+) |
24606 VC |
Shop Now |
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Reflectors, Rear |
24607 VC |
Shop Now |
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Reflectors, Front and Side (1968+) |
24608 VC |
Shop Now |
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Turn Signals |
24951 VC |
Shop Now |
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Clearance Lamps (>80"W) |
25100 VC |
Shop Now |
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Amber Warning Lights |
25253 VC |
Shop Now |
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Warning Devices (Reflectors) |
25300 VC |
Shop Now |
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Service Brakes |
26311 VC |
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Parking Brake |
26451 VC |
Shop Now |
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Windshield |
26700 VC |
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Windshield Wipers |
26706 VC |
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Mirrors |
26709 VC |
Shop Now |
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Horn |
27000 VC |
Shop Now |
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Exhaust System |
27150 VC |
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Fuel Cap |
27155 VC
|
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Tire Tread |
27465 VC
|
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Fenders/Mud Guards |
27600 VC |
Shop Now |
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Broom |
27700 VC |
Shop Now |
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Shovel |
27700 VC |
Shop Now |
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Fire Extinguisher
4B, C Rating |
27700 VC |
Shop Now |
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Safety Chains |
29004 VC |
Shop Now |
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Signs |
27907 VC |
Shop Now |
Service and other equipment.
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Flashlight |
Shop Now |
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Wrecking Bar (Large Pry Bar) |
Shop Now |
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Equivalent of Six 30-Minute Flares |
Shop Now |
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Trash Cans w/Absorbent |
Shop Now |
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Shop Rags/Paper Towels |
Shop Now |
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Shop to Truck Communications (Not a CB radio)
|
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Fuel in Approved Containers
(Classes A and B) |
Shop Now |
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Booster Battery or Hot Box |
Shop Now |
Towing Equipment.
Wheel Lift.
Conventional.
Car Carrier.
Vehicle Safety.
Tow Truck Equipment Specifications (By Class) Class A.
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Minimum 14,000 lbs. GVWR Chassis
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4-Ton Recovery Equipment Rating |
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One 4-Ton Snatch Block |
Shop Now |
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Tow Dolly |
Shop Now |
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Steering Wheel Securement Device |
Shop Now |
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Wheel Lift Safety Straps |
Shop Now |
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Tow Sling 3,000 lbs. (If equipped) |
Shop Now |
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Tow Chains 5/16" Alloy with J/T Hooks |
Shop Now |
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Safety Chains 5/16"
Alloy or OEM Specifications |
Shop Now |
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4Wheel Lift Rating - Extended 3,000 lbs. |
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48"L x 4"W x 4"D & 60"L x 4"W x 4"D Wood Crossbeams |
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100'L x 3/8" dia. Cable 6 x 19 Construction
or OEM Specifications |
Shop Steel |
Shop Fiber |
Tow Truck Equipment Specifications (By Class) Class A Car Carrier One Vehicle.
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Minimum 14,000 lbs. GVWR Chassis
|
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50'L x 3/8" dia. Cable 6 x 19 Construction
or OEM Specifications |
Shop Steel |
Shop Fiber |
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J/T Hook Loading Bridle Chains |
Shop Now |
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4 Safety Chains 5/16" Alloy or OEM Specs. |
Shop Now |
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48"L x 4"W x 4"D & 60"L x 4"W x 4"D Wood Crossbeams |
Class A Car Carrier Two Vehicle.
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Minimum 16,001 lbs. GVWR Chassis
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J/T Hook Loading Bridle Chains |
Shop Now |
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50'L x 3/8" dia. Cable 6 x 19 Construction
or OEM Specifications |
Shop Steel |
Shop Fiber |
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4 Safety Chains 5/16" Alloy
or OEM Specs. & 2 for Towed Vehicle |
Shop Now |
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Steering Wheel Securement Device |
Shop Now |
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48"L x 4"W x 4"D & 60"L x 4"W x 4"D Wood Crossbeams |
Class B.
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Minimum 19,501 lbs. GVWR Chassis
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14-Ton Recovery Equipment Rating |
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150'L x 7/16" dia. Cable 6 x 19 Construction
or OEM Specifications |
Shop Steel |
Shop Fiber |
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Safety Chains 1/2" Alloy or OEM Specifications |
Shop Now |
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Two 8-Ton Snatch Blocks |
Shop Now |
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Air Brakes or Hydraulic w/Air Hookup Package |
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Air Hoses and Fittings |
Shop Now |
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Steering Wheel Securement Device |
Shop Now |
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Axle Covers/Caps |
Shop Now |
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Tow Sling 7,000 lbs. Rating (If Equipped)
|
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48"L x 4"W x 4"D & 60"L x 4"W x 4"D Wood Crossbeams |
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Tow Chains 1/2" Alloy or OEM Specifiations |
Shop Now |
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Wheel Lift Rating — Retracted 10,000 lbs.
|
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Wheel Lift Rating — 85" Extension 8,000 lbs. |
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Wheel Lift Safety Straps |
Shop Now |
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Lift/Fork Adapters |
Shop Now |
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Safety Tie-Down Chains |
Shop Now |
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Aluminum Tow Angles |
Shop Now |
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Tow Bar 7,000 lbs. Rating |
Shop Now |
Class B Car Carrier One Vehicle.
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Minimum 19,501 lbs. GVWR Chassis
|
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50'L x 3/8" dia. Cable 6 x 19 Construction
or OEM Specifications |
Shop Steel |
Shop Fiber |
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J/T Hook Loading Bridle Chains |
Shop Now |
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Steering Wheel Securement Device |
Shop Now |
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48"L x 4"W x 4"D & 60"L x 4"W x 4"D Wood Crossbeams |
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4 Safety Chains 5/16" Alloy
or OEM Specs. & 2 for Towed Vehicle |
Shop Now |
Class C.
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Minimum 33,000 lbs. GVWR Chassis
|
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25-Ton Recovery Equipment Rating |
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200'L x 5/8" dia. Cable 6 x 19 Construction
or OEM Specifications |
Shop Steel |
Shop Fiber |
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Safety Chains 5/8" Alloy or OEM Specification |
Shop Now |
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Two 12-Ton Snatch Blocks |
Shop Now |
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Air Brakes w/Air Hookup Package |
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Air Hoses and Fittings |
Shop Now |
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Steering Wheel Securement Device |
Shop Now |
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Axle Covers/Caps |
Shop Now |
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Tow Sling with 12,000 lbs. Rating (If Equipped) |
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Tow Chains 5/8" Alloy or OEM Specifiactions |
Shop Now |
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48"L x 4"W x 4"D & 60"L x 4"W x 4"D Wood Crossbeams Pintle Hook |
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Under Lift Rating — Retracted 25,000 lbs. |
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Under Lift Rating — 100" Extension 12,000 lbs.
|
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Wheel Lift Safety Straps |
Shop Now |
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Lift/Fork Adapters |
Shop Now |
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Aluminum Tow Angles |
Shop Now |
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Safety Tie-Down Chains |
Shop Now |
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Tow Bar 12,000 lbs. Rating |
Shop Now |
Class D.
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Minimum 50,000 lbs. GVWR Chassis
|
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30-Ton Recovery Equipment Rating |
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250'L x 3/4" dia. Cable 6 x 19 Construction
or OEM Specifications |
Shop Steel |
Shop Fiber |
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Safety Chains 5/8" Alloy or OEM Specification |
Shop Now |
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Two 12-Ton Snatch Blocks |
Shop Now |
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Air Brakes w/Air Hookup Package |
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Air Hoses and Fittings |
Shop Now |
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Steering Wheel Securement Device |
Shop Now |
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Axle Covers/Caps |
Shop Now |
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Tow Sling with 20,000 lbs. Rating |
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Tow Chains 5/8" Alloy or OEM Specifiactions |
Shop Now |
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48"L x 4"W x 4"D & 60"L x 4"W x 4"D Wood Crossbeams |
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Pintle Hook |
Shop Now |
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Hydraulic or Mechanical Winch(es) |
Shop Now |
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Under Lift Rating — Retracted 32,000 lbs.
|
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Under Lift Rating — 100" Extension 16,000 lbs.
|
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Lift/Fork Adapters |
Shop Now |
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Aluminum Tow Angles |
Shop Now |
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Safety Tie-Down Chains |
Shop Now |
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Tow Bar 20,000 lbs. Rating |
Shop Now |
