Trailer-Only Inspection (Standalone Trailer)

A standalone trailer (not coupled to a tractor) still requires periodic inspection. The carrier owns the inspection responsibility.

Annual inspection (same as tractor)

• Required every 12 months
• Conducted by a qualified inspector
• Covers brakes, lights, hubs, structure, body, suspension
• Certificate retained in trailer file

Pre-trip inspection of trailer

• Driver coupling to a trailer inspects the trailer at coupling
• Brake hose connections, lights, glass, mirrors
• Body integrity, latches, doors

When trailer is parked

• Not subject to daily DVIR (only when in operation)
• Annual inspection still required regardless of parking time
• Lights, tires, structure visible from outside should be checked weekly

Trailer ownership scenarios

• Owned trailer — carrier is responsible for inspection
• Leased trailer — depending on lease, lessor may be responsible (read the lease)
• Hired trailer (drayage, intermodal) — operator/owner responsible

Trailer maintenance records

Required per § 396.3:

• Last annual inspection
• Last preventive maintenance event
• Last repairs
• Hub lubrication
• Lighting and electrical work

Inspection at non-traditional times

• Before long-term storage (180+ days inactive)
• After unusual wear pattern noticed
• Following accident or impact event
• When carrier identifies trailer in trouble pool

Compass Vehicles tracking

• Trailer fleet visible in main vehicle inventory
• Annual inspection due tracked per VIN
• Coupling event auto-logs pre-trip
• Inactivity flag for trailers inactive 180+ days

CFR citations

• 49 CFR § 396.17
• 49 CFR § 393
• FMCSA Appendix G

How Compass surfaces this

Searchable in Compass Ask. Runs against carrier fleet data when invoked from the relevant tracker. Read-only; no actions without explicit user approval.

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