There is no single nationwide formula that determines whether an individual truck will be inspected. States use different roadside screening systems and selection procedures, while inspectors can also identify vehicles based on visible defects or established inspection-selection criteria.

Behind many of those decisions, however, is a federal tool designed to help enforcement determine where inspection resources may be most useful.

ISS Helps Prioritize Carriers for Inspection

FMCSA’s Inspection Selection System, or ISS, is used at roadside inspection locations to help enforcement personnel identify and prioritize motor carriers for safety inspections.

For carriers with sufficient safety data, the system draws on FMCSA safety information, including roadside violations and state-reported crashes. ISS then assigns an inspection value from 1 to 100 along with one of three recommendations: Inspect, Optional or Pass.

An Inspect recommendation represents the highest inspection priority, while Optional falls into the next level. A Pass recommendation indicates that available safety information does not suggest inspection resources should be prioritized toward that carrier.

Those recommendations are not guarantees. A Pass does not give every truck operated by that carrier an automatic bypass, just as an Inspect recommendation does not mean every vehicle will receive a full inspection each time it encounters enforcement.

ISS is one source of information used in the selection process, not the entire process.

Carriers With Limited Inspection History Can Still Receive Attention

A carrier does not need a long history of violations to receive a higher inspection priority.

FMCSA uses a separate ISS calculation when there is not enough safety information available to evaluate a carrier through the usual process. That calculation considers the size of the carrier and how many inspections it has received during the previous two years.

The purpose is to encourage inspections that provide enough information to eventually evaluate the carrier based on its actual safety performance.

That means a newer carrier, or one with relatively little roadside inspection history, can receive an Inspect recommendation because FMCSA needs more information about its operations rather than because the carrier already has a poor safety record.

Electronic Screening Adds More Information Before the Truck Arrives

ISS becomes one part of a larger decision at locations using electronic screening.

FMCSA’s e-screening framework allows participating states to identify an approaching commercial vehicle, retrieve information about the carrier and vehicle and determine whether it should stop or bypass the facility.

The information considered can extend beyond safety history. Electronic systems may check operating credentials and other compliance information, while locations equipped with weigh-in-motion technology can screen vehicle weight before the truck reaches a static scale.

The technology used to identify a truck also varies. Electronic screening can involve transponders and other wireless systems, and some locations use license-plate or USDOT-number readers as part of their roadside setup.

Once the available information has been checked against the state’s screening criteria, the truck can receive instructions to continue or pull in.

As a result, a carrier’s safety record may favor a bypass while another issue, such as a credential or weight concern, still results in the truck being directed into the facility.

Random Selection Is Still Part of the System

Even when the safety information, credentials and other electronic checks are clear, a bypass is not guaranteed.

FMCSA’s electronic-screening model specifically includes random inspection selection. A vehicle that would otherwise qualify to continue can still receive instructions to stop because it was selected randomly.

That helps explain why a driver who routinely receives bypasses can suddenly be called in without any known change to the carrier’s safety record.

It also means drivers should be careful about drawing conclusions from a single pull-in. Being directed to a station does not by itself indicate that a carrier’s ISS recommendation has changed or that enforcement has identified a violation.

Inspectors Are Not Limited to What the Screening System Says

Electronic screening does not replace what enforcement personnel can see on the road.

FMCSA’s guidance for state motor carrier safety programs recognizes both established inspection-selection criteria and visible defects as ways commercial vehicles are identified for inspection.

That leaves room for an inspector to direct attention toward a truck when there is an observable reason to do so, regardless of whether electronic information would otherwise make the carrier a lower inspection priority.

This is also one reason the process can differ between locations. A fixed facility with electronic identification and weigh-in-motion equipment has different screening capabilities from a roadside inspection operation without the same technology.

The underlying goal remains the same: use available information and enforcement resources to identify commercial vehicles and carriers that warrant a closer look.

States Do Not All Screen Trucks the Same Way

FMCSA provides national safety information and supports the systems states use to exchange commercial vehicle data, but roadside enforcement remains a state and local function.

The agency’s Innovative Technology Deployment program specifically supports states in using safety and credential information to determine which commercial vehicles should be pulled in and which can bypass.

The equipment behind those decisions continues to vary. Some sites rely primarily on carrier identification and safety information, while newer projects are combining several screening technologies.

For example, FMCSA has funded an e-screening project at Maine’s Pittsfield Weigh Station that includes license-plate and USDOT readers, weigh-in-motion equipment and flat-tire detection. A separate South Dakota project on Interstate 90 is intended to expand electronic screening so compliant carriers can bypass the weigh station.

Those projects illustrate why a driver’s experience can change from one state, corridor or inspection site to another. The data available to enforcement and the technology used to evaluate it are not identical everywhere.

A Pull-In Does Not Tell You Why You Were Selected

From the driver’s seat, there may be no way to know which part of the process resulted in a particular instruction.

The carrier’s ISS information may have contributed. The truck may have been selected randomly, a credential may have required verification, weight screening may have triggered the stop or an inspector may have identified a visible reason to take a closer look.

That also explains why trucks from the same carrier do not necessarily receive the same instruction every time they encounter a weigh station.

ISS is designed to help prioritize inspection resources, while electronic screening gives states additional information to use before a truck reaches an inspector. Neither creates a permanent pass for carriers with stronger safety records.

The result is a selection process that can combine federal safety information with state screening criteria and conditions involving the individual vehicle. The green light or pull-in signal a driver sees is simply the final instruction from a process that may have started well before the truck reached the station.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do the ISS recommendations mean?

FMCSA assigns Inspect, Optional or Pass recommendations. Under the documented ISS algorithm, values from 75 to 100 correspond to Inspect, 50 to 74 to Optional and 1 to 49 to Pass.

Can a driver look up a carrier’s ISS value?

ISS values are not available to the general public. FMCSA states that a motor carrier can access its own ISS information by signing into the FMCSA Portal.

Can a carrier with a Pass recommendation still be pulled in?

Yes. An ISS recommendation is only one component of inspection selection. Electronic-screening systems can use additional criteria, and FMCSA’s screening model allows random selection.

Can a carrier be prioritized because it has very little inspection history?

Yes. FMCSA uses an insufficient-data calculation for carriers without enough information for the normal safety-based ISS calculation. Carrier size and the number of inspections during the previous two years are among the factors considered.

Can weigh-in-motion affect whether a truck is directed into a station?

At locations equipped with the technology, yes. Weigh-in-motion systems can screen a commercial vehicle’s weight while it is approaching the facility, allowing a potential weight issue to be identified before the truck reaches a static scale.

The TDUSA editorial team creates practical, driver focused content covering trucking news, industry updates, safety, regulations, and career information for professional truck drivers across the United States. Each article is built to reflect real world experience, industry developments, and information drivers can use on and off the road.

Last Updated: September 11, 2026

The post Why Some Trucks Get Pulled in for Inspection While Others Get the Bypass appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

Streamlining Inspections with Innovative Technology

“We’re thrilled to announce this industry-first capability, starting with Nevada,” said Shay Demmons, CPO at Fleetworthy. “Our PreClear weigh station bypass customers can activate Expedited Inspection through their ELD, and once done, they’re set with Nevada and any new states as they come on board.”

The service is currently available at weigh stations in Nevada, supported by Geotab and Platform Science ELDs, with plans for expansion into additional states soon.

Redefining Roadside Inspection Efficiency

Expedited Inspection securely automates the transfer of fleet and vehicle registration data to pre-fill inspection forms. Additionally, the solution delivers a driver’s Electronic Record of Duty Status (eRODS) directly to enforcement officers, reducing manual data entry and accelerating inspection times. The process not only lowers driver stress but also minimizes time spent at inspection sites and decreases risks, particularly violations related to Hours of Service data, one of the most common violations.

According to Nevada Highway Patrol Lieutenant Tappan Cornmesser, “By partnering with Drivewyze by Fleetworthy on Expedited Inspection, we’re empowering our officers with tools that reduce manual tasks and speed up inspections. Automating the secure transfer of Hours of Service records and pre-filling inspection forms allows us to focus on enforcement rather than paperwork, saving time for drivers, boosting accuracy, and keeping commerce flowing.”

Aligning Technology with Fleet Performance

Fleetworthy is using its Drivewyze PreClear network, North America’s largest bypass network, to deliver additional value to fleets. Although random inspections still occur, Expedited Inspection offers significant benefits by automating traditionally time-consuming manual tasks, saving fleets and inspectors time, resources, and stress.

“Our focus is on fleet performance, which means providing top-tier safety, automation, and a better driver experience,” said Emilie Campbell, Senior Director of Partner Management at Platform Science. “By now offering Expedited Inspection in our ELD, we are continuing to be at the forefront of the next generation of compliance technology. We look forward to offering this new feature to our industry-leading customers who expect cutting-edge innovation and operational excellence from us.”

Demmons underlined the importance of this innovation to the transportation sector, stating, “By removing the manual handoff of HOS data and automating the inspection workflow, we’re helping fleets get back on the road faster while giving enforcement tools to keep highways safe.”

Fleetworthy’s Expedited Inspection is poised to redefine roadside compliance, creating smoother, more efficient processes for both drivers and inspectors.

Image Source: DriveWyze
Source: The Trucker

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The emergency declaration is designed to expedite the delivery of vital resources, such as heating fuel, to communities struggling with the storm’s aftermath. Governor Beshear emphasized the importance of this measure, noting that the severity of the storm could disrupt supply chains and endanger public health and safety. “Remember, this is a significant snow and ice event, so the roadways are still dangerous. You might be able to still see the pavement but that does not mean it is not still dangerous. A half inch of ice is very hard to treat especially when it coats everything,” Beshear cautioned during a press briefing.

Key Provisions of the Waiver

The temporary regulations grant truck drivers additional flexibility during this emergency period, including:

• Suspension of HOS restrictions for drivers hauling essential items such as heating fuel, food, water, medical supplies, and livestock feed.
• Authorization to bypass weigh stations for those transporting critical goods.
• Support for the movement of livestock, poultry, and crops ready for harvest.
• Assistance in restoring transportation and utility infrastructure.

These adjustments aim to streamline the delivery process and ensure essential supplies reach affected areas without unnecessary delays.

Duration and Safety Considerations

The waiver will remain in effect for 14 days unless it is rescinded earlier. While these temporary measures support faster transport of goods, the governor urged all drivers to exercise caution. Ice-covered roads and power outages have created hazardous conditions, even where pavement remains visible.

Staying Informed

Truckers and logistics providers are encouraged to review the waiver’s details and stay updated on road and weather conditions. By balancing safety with efficiency, Kentucky is working to mitigate the storm’s impact and prioritize community well-being during this challenging time.

Source: Truckers News

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