What You'll Do

  • Inspect vehicles or other equipment for evidence of abuse, damage, or mechanical malfunction.
  • Inspect vehicles or equipment to ensure compliance with rules, standards, or regulations.
  • Conduct vehicle or transportation equipment tests, using diagnostic equipment.
  • Inspect repairs to transportation vehicles or equipment to ensure that repair work was performed properly.
  • Prepare reports on investigations or inspections and actions taken.
  • Issue notices and recommend corrective actions when infractions or problems are found.
  • Investigate complaints regarding safety violations.
  • Examine carrier operating rules, employee qualification guidelines, or carrier training and testing programs for compliance with regulations or safety standards.
  • Review commercial vehicle logs, shipping papers, or driver and equipment records to detect any problems or to ensure compliance with regulations.
  • Investigate incidents or violations, such as delays, accidents, and equipment failures.

Essential Skills

Quality Control Analysis 3.5/5
Operations Monitoring 3.25/5
Active Listening 3.12/5
Reading Comprehension 3.0/5
Speaking 3.0/5
Critical Thinking 3.0/5
Operation and Control 3.0/5
Troubleshooting 3.0/5
Monitoring 2.88/5
Time Management 2.88/5
Active Learning 2.75/5
Social Perceptiveness 2.75/5

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to sense whether the day to day rhythm and focus of this path line up with what energizes you.

Top passions

  • Maker: Building and fixing energizes you. You like tangible results and practical tools.
  • Organizer: Bringing order to data and processes satisfies you.
  • Analyst: Investigating problems and finding patterns keeps you engaged.

Common styles

Independence, Integrity, Cooperation, Attention to Detail, Concern for Others

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Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Near Vision 3.88/5
Problem Sensitivity 3.75/5
Oral Comprehension 3.62/5
Flexibility of Closure 3.12/5
Arm-Hand Steadiness 3.12/5
Oral Expression 3.0/5
Deductive Reasoning 3.0/5
Inductive Reasoning 3.0/5

Technologies & Tools

ASPEN Commercial driver's license information system CDLIS Diagnostic scanner software Inspection Selection System ISS Law enforcement database software Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Word Past Inspection Query PIQ Structured query language SQL Vehicle identification number VIN database Vehicle inspection databases Word processing software

Work Environment & Style

Common Styles for This Career

  • Independence (High importance: 4.12/5)
  • Integrity (High importance: 3.91/5)
  • Cooperation (High importance: 3.88/5)
  • Attention to Detail (High importance: 3.85/5)
  • Concern for Others (High importance: 3.82/5)

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How to Become One

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful but is usually not required. Training is often provided on the job.

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Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

Air Brake Tester Air Brakes Inspector Auto Damage Auction Inspector (Automotive Damage Auction Inspector) Auto Inspector Automobile Tester Automotive Damage Field Inspector Automotive Damage Inspector Automotive Field Inspector Automotive Inspector Automotive Vehicle Inspector Brakes Inspector Bus and Trolley Inspecting Dispatcher Bus Inspector Car Body Inspector Car Examiner Car Inspector Carman Certified Automotive Technician (Certified Auto Tech) Detector Car Operator Emissions Inspector Emissions Testing and Repair Technician Emissions Testing Technician Engine Inspector Equipment Inspector Field Auto Inspector Inspection Technician Inspector Journal Box Inspector Locomotive Inspector Maintenance Inspector Motor Carrier Safety Specialist Motor Vehicle Inspector Motor Vehicle Specialist Motor Vehicles Inspector New Car Inspector Operations Inspector Public Transportation Inspector Quality Assurance Inspector Rail Flaw Detector Operator Railroad Car Inspector Railroad Inspector Railroad Safety Inspector Railroad Shop Inspector Railroad Track Inspector Safety Engineer Safety Inspector Safety Officer Signal Inspector Smog Technician Station Inspector Street Car Inspector Tank Car Inspector Tank Inspector Track Inspector Traffic Inspector Train Inspector Transit Vehicle Inspector Transportation Inspector Transportation Security Inspector Truck Safety Inspector Tunnel Inspector Vehicle Inspector Visual Inspector Watch Inspector Way Inspector Wheel and Axle Inspector Wheel Inspector