§FMCSR.com
Historical textIn force on Oct. 1, 1998Source: annual CFR edition 1998

§ 396.19 Inspector qualifications.

Wording in the annual edition revised as of Oct. 1, 1998, superseded by the 1999 annual edition.

govinfo, 1998 edition ↗
Before Jan. 1, 2017 the record is one snapshot per annual CFR edition, revised as of October 1. This is the 1998 edition's wording. An amendment that took effect between Oct. 1, 1998 and Oct. 1, 1998 would not appear until the next edition, so check the citations below and the Federal Register for exact effective dates.
What changedOct. 1, 1996 wording → Oct. 1, 1998 wording+37 added−67 removedHide

(a) It shall be the motor carrier's responsibility to ensure that the individual(s) performing an annual inspection under § 396.17 (d) or (e) is qualified as follows:
(1) Understands the inspection criteria set forth in 49 CFR part 393 and appendix G of this subchapter and can identify defective components;
(2) Is knowledgeable of and has mastered the methods, procedures, tools and equipment used when performing an inspection; and
(3) Is capable of performing an inspection by reason of experience, training, or both as follows:
(i) Successfully completed a State or Federal-sponsored training program or has a certificate from a State or Canadian Province which qualifies the person to perform commercial motor vehicle safety inspections, or
(ii) Have a combination of training and/or experience totaling at least 1 year. Such training and/or experience may consist of:
(A) Participation in a truck manufacturer-sponsored training program or similar commercial training program designed to train students in truck operation and maintenance;
(B) Experience as a mechanic or inspector in a motor carrier maintenance program;
(C) Experience as a mechanic or inspector in truck maintenance at a commercial garage, fleet leasing company, or similar facility; or
(D) Experience as a commercial vehicle inspector for a State, Provincial or Federal Government.
(b) EvidenceA ofdriver thatwho individual'sreceives qualificationsdocuments underin thisaccordance sectionwith shallparagraph be(a) retainedof bythis thesection motormust carriersign fora thereceipt period during which that individual is performing annual motor vehicle inspections for the motor carrier, and for one year thereafterthem. However,The motor carrierscarrier doshall not have to maintain documentationthe ofreceipt inspector qualifications for thosea inspectionsperiod performed either as part of aone Stateyear periodicfrom inspection program or at the roadsidedate as part of a random roadside inspection programsignature.
[53 FR 49410, Dec. 7, 1988; 53 FR 49968, Dec. 12, 1988; 63 FR 33280, June 18, 1998]

49 CFR § 396.19 — Inspector qualifications.. Text in force on October 1, 1998. This wording effective October 1, 1998 to October 1, 1999. Source: govinfo, 1998 edition, https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/CFR-1998-title49-vol4/CFR-1998-title49-vol4-sec396-19. Retrieved from FMCSR.com, https://fmcsr.com/reg/396.19?asof=1998-10-01, on October 26, 2026. Unofficial compilation; verify against the official source.

(a) It shall be the motor carrier's responsibility to ensure that the individual(s) performing an annual inspection under § 396.17 (d) or (e) is qualified as follows:

(1) Understands the inspection criteria set forth in 49 CFR part 393 and appendix G of this subchapter and can identify defective components;

(2) Is knowledgeable of and has mastered the methods, procedures, tools and equipment used when performing an inspection; and

(3) Is capable of performing an inspection by reason of experience, training, or both as follows:

(i) Successfully completed a State or Federal-sponsored training program or has a certificate from a State or Canadian Province which qualifies the person to perform commercial motor vehicle safety inspections, or

(ii) Have a combination of training and/or experience totaling at least 1 year. Such training and/or experience may consist of:

(A) Participation in a truck manufacturer-sponsored training program or similar commercial training program designed to train students in truck operation and maintenance;

(B) Experience as a mechanic or inspector in a motor carrier maintenance program;

(C) Experience as a mechanic or inspector in truck maintenance at a commercial garage, fleet leasing company, or similar facility; or

(D) Experience as a commercial vehicle inspector for a State, Provincial or Federal Government.

(b) A driver who receives documents in accordance with paragraph (a) of this section must sign a receipt for them. The motor carrier shall maintain the receipt for a period of one year from the date of signature.

[53 FR 49410, Dec. 7, 1988; 53 FR 49968, Dec. 12, 1988; 63 FR 33280, June 18, 1998]

Amendment history

6 distinct wordings on file since Oct. 1, 1996
  1. Jan. 1, 2017 → presenteCFR, day-precisediff vs. previous
    [73 FR 76825, Dec. 17, 2008, as amended at 81 FR 47732, July 22, 2016; 86 FR 57077, Oct. 14, 2021]
  2. Oct. 1, 2016 → Jan. 1, 2017annual edition 2016diff vs. previous
    [73 FR 76825, Dec. 17, 2008, as amended at 81 FR 47732, July 22, 2016]
  3. Oct. 1, 2009 → Oct. 1, 2016annual editions 2009–2015diff vs. previous
    [73 FR 76825, Dec. 17, 2008]
  4. Oct. 1, 1999 → Oct. 1, 2009annual editions 1999–2008diff vs. previous
    [53 FR 49410, Dec. 7, 1988; 53 FR 49968, Dec. 12, 1988]
  5. Oct. 1, 1998 → Oct. 1, 1999annual edition 1998diff vs. previousviewing
    [53 FR 49410, Dec. 7, 1988; 53 FR 49968, Dec. 12, 1988; 63 FR 33280, June 18, 1998]
  6. Oct. 1, 1996 → Oct. 1, 1998annual edition 1996
    [53 FR 49410, Dec. 7, 1988; 53 FR 49968, Dec. 12, 1988]

A new entry appears whenever the regulatory words change between government snapshots. Day-precise from the eCFR (2017 onward); before that, one snapshot per annual CFR edition (revised as of October 1). Bracketed citations are the Federal Register history printed with the section.