Skip to main content

Inspections

Why Are Roadside Inspections Crucial for Motor Carrier Vetting?​

Roadside inspections play a key role in the broker-to-carrier vetting process for several reasons:

  • They provide a third-party verification that the carrier has recently operated over-the-road.
  • They confirm the type of equipment the carrier uses.
  • They help validate that the carrier's equipment is actually theirs.

When vetting carriers, the goal is to establish trust with a new, unverified party. Independent, third-party data points, like roadside inspections are invaluable in helping establish trust between brokers and carriers.

By the numbers

For Active Interstate Van Trailer carriers with a tractor-trailer combination, approximately 70% have undergone an inspection within the past 12 months. Without at least one inspection, carriers may struggle to differentiate themselves from their peers, making it harder for brokers to establish trust, particularly if they haven’t worked with the carrier before.

Box Truck Considerations​

Lower Inspection Rates for Box Trucks​

For box truck carriers, the inspection rate drops to 44%. Even though inspections are less common for box trucks, they remain a critical aspect of the vetting process across all truck types.

For Carriers​

While box trucks are less likely to undergo inspections, tens of thousands of box truck carriers still receive inspections. Securing at least one inspection can help your company stand out, especially when brokers and shippers are scrutinizing every potential risk factor.

If you operate a box truck or sprinter van for first-mile/last-mile deliveries, securing an inspection can help you stand out from the competition. However, brokers familiar with your type of freight understand that inspections are less common in this sector. You’re less likely to be rejected by brokers/shippers who work specifically with these types of carriers.

For First-Mile/Last-Mile Carriers

Since box trucks, particularly those in first-mile/last-mile shipments, are inspected less frequently, you can build trust by being transparent with brokers. Offer to provide pictures of your equipment or documentation of recent over-the-road activities to bridge the trust gap until an inspection occurs.

For Brokerages and Shippers​

Many brokers and shippers require a recent inspection as part of their vetting process because it verifies the carrier's recent operations, equipment, and overall reliability. However, not all carriers will have a recent inspection. In these cases, you can request alternative verification—such as pictures of VINs, trucks, or trailers—to confirm the carrier’s over-the-road activity and equipment.

Summary​

The goal of any vetting process is to build trust between two unverified parties. Whether you're a carrier or a broker, going the extra mile to provide or request additional proof of reliability—like inspections or alternative verification methods—can significantly strengthen that trust. Trust is key. We believe that building and maintaining as many trusted relationships as possible is essential to success.