DOT DOT Out-of-Service Criteria & Enforcement 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A CMV is placed out of service for a lighting defect. Who is authorized to move the vehicle to a repair facility?
- A qualified driver who has not been placed out of service, using the most direct route to the nearest repair facility (Correct answer)
- Any licensed driver, regardless of their hours of service status
- Only a DOT-certified recovery vehicle operator
- The carrier's dispatcher by remote command
Correct answer: A qualified driver who has not been placed out of service, using the most direct route to the nearest repair facility
A vehicle placed OOS for a vehicle defect (not driver defect) may be moved to the nearest repair facility by a compliant driver taking the most direct safe route.
Question 2: What is a Level VI inspection under CVSA's North American Standard Inspection Program?
- An enhanced inspection for transuranic waste and highway route-controlled quantities of radioactive materials (Correct answer)
- A spot check of driver hours of service only
- A detailed inspection of cargo securement on flatbed trailers
- An annual inspection performed at a carrier's terminal
Correct answer: An enhanced inspection for transuranic waste and highway route-controlled quantities of radioactive materials
Level VI is the most specialized CVSA inspection, designed specifically for vehicles transporting transuranic waste and highway route-controlled quantities of radioactive materials.
Question 3: Which of the following steering system defects places a commercial vehicle out of service?
- Steering wheel free play exceeding 2 inches on a vehicle with a power steering system with a 20-inch wheel (Correct answer)
- A slightly worn but functional power steering belt
- A small amount of dried lubricant on a tie rod boot
- Steering that requires minor adjustment per the manufacturer's schedule
Correct answer: Steering wheel free play exceeding 2 inches on a vehicle with a power steering system with a 20-inch wheel
Excessive steering wheel lash (free play) — such as more than 2 inches on a 20-inch wheel with power steering — is an OOS condition under CVSA brake and steering criteria.
Question 4: Under CVSA criteria, what is the out-of-service threshold for brake lining/pad thickness on a disc brake system?
- Lining thickness of 1/16 inch or less, or as specified by the manufacturer's wear indicator (Correct answer)
- Any pad with less than 25% remaining thickness
- A pad worn to the metal backing plate on any axle
- No specific disc brake thickness standard exists
Correct answer: Lining thickness of 1/16 inch or less, or as specified by the manufacturer's wear indicator
For disc brakes, CVSA criteria place a vehicle OOS when lining thickness is 1/16 inch or less, or when the manufacturer's wear indicator shows the pad is worn to its limit.
Question 5: A driver's commercial driver's license has been expired for 15 days. What is the correct inspector action under CVSA driver OOS criteria?
- Place the driver out of service because operating with an expired CDL is a driver OOS condition (Correct answer)
- Issue a warning citation and allow the driver to continue to a licensing office
- Contact the carrier and allow a 24-hour grace period
- Take no action if the driver has a valid medical certificate
Correct answer: Place the driver out of service because operating with an expired CDL is a driver OOS condition
Operating a CMV with an expired CDL meets the CVSA driver out-of-service criteria, and the driver must be placed OOS until a valid license is presented.
Question 6: What does the CVSA sticker placed on a vehicle after a passing inspection signify?
- The vehicle passed a Level I, II, or III inspection and did not receive any OOS violations (Correct answer)
- The vehicle is permanently certified for interstate commerce
- The vehicle's annual FMCSA safety rating has been updated
- The carrier has paid all outstanding civil penalties
Correct answer: The vehicle passed a Level I, II, or III inspection and did not receive any OOS violations
A CVSA inspection decal indicates the vehicle completed a North American Standard Inspection without receiving any out-of-service violations; it does not signify permanent certification.
DOT DOT Out-of-Service Criteria & Enforcement 2
A CMV is placed out of service for a lighting defect.
Who is authorized to move the vehicle to a repair facility?