Blitz
It is that time of year again. The Commercial Vehicle Safety Administration is holding its annual IQ test. Every year about this time they tell us that this is coming. The industry works itself into a panic. Drivers schedule time off. They tell us what they are specifically looking for. Then the time comes and goes. The dust settles and we all go on our merry way.
It is not a bad thing. Anything that gets drivers and equipment into inspection shape is a good thing. It peaks awareness. Some equipment that has been neglected get attention. Heck, it is probably good for the economy. Brakes and tires get replaced. New mudflaps, or any mudflaps would be nice. As a bit of a side note – it simply amazes me how often I see trailers on the road missing a mudflap. That has to be the easiest thing for even the laziest inspection officer to see.
I try to avoid getting inspected. Back in the day, I feared them. Now, I just find them to be an annoyance. My 
truck is in great shape. The disc brakes might throw an officer into a state of befuddlement, but that would only be a good thing. My tires are shiny new. Paper Transport does a good job of keeping their trailers inspection ready. Then they have to pass my inspection. We are regularly getting new trailers and the older ones are used locally. My notebook contains my medical card (they will be checking) and all of my current “stuff”. Over the years, I have gotten better at throwing out any of my expired “stuff”. There is not anything bad in my notebook, but I do not like giving the inspector an excuse to go through it. Keep your registration, insurance, and med card on top.
If you don't want to get inspected, don't be a magnet. A cluttered dashboard is a sign of disorganization. Keep your lack of organization private. Having a light out, any light out draws suspicion of “What else is wrong?”. If it is a sunny day inspectors will be standing alongside the scale watching you go by. Light, dashboards, tires, and mudflaps are the easiest things to see. This might be a good time for a truck wash. Dirty trucks attract attention too. They can't inspect every truck. It is natural on their part to get the easy targets. They tend to get more bang for their buck that way.
Prevention is always the best route. If you can, get a mechanic to do a DOT inspection and put a new sticker on. TA/Petro is offering free inspections. The repairs aren't free. I am betting though getting a problem fixed in the shop prior to a roadside inspection will be better than getting it fixed after a roadside inspection.
Be professional. Don't go in looking for an argument. Do your job. Show them what they need to see. Getting into a long conversation is unnecessary and unwise. Let them go onto the next driver as soon as possible. That way you can keep your money and get back to earning more.