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Mobile DOT Annual Inspection
DOT Annual Inspection in Charleston, SC — Done at Your Yard.
We perform the FMCSA 396.17 annual inspection on-site for your commercial trucks and trailers. Our mechanic comes to your yard or terminal, works through the full inspection checklist, and issues the annual sticker when the unit passes — so your fleet stays legal without a trip to a shop.
- Full FMCSA 49 CFR 396.17 inspection with sticker/decal issued on pass
- Trucks, tractors, and trailers inspected where they are parked
- Serving Charleston, North Charleston, Summerville, Goose Creek, Mount Pleasant
What Gets Inspected
The 396.17 systems we check on every unit
Brakes & air system
Brake components, linings, drums, chambers, slack adjusters, air lines, low-air warning, and parking brake checked against DOT standards.
Steering & suspension
Steering box, linkage, tie rods, kingpins, springs, U-bolts, hangers, and shocks inspected for wear and out-of-service defects.
Tires, wheels & frame
Tread depth, sidewall condition, wheel and rim integrity, lug security, and frame, cross-members, and coupling devices verified.
Lighting & more
All required lamps, reflectors, wiring, exhaust, fuel system, windshield, wipers, mirrors, horn, and emergency equipment confirmed.
Why Inspect On-Site
Stay compliant without pulling trucks out of service
Every commercial vehicle needs a periodic inspection at least once every 12 months under FMCSA 396.17, and an expired sticker is an easy CSA violation and an out-of-service risk at a roadside stop. Sending each unit to a shop for that means lost driving time and juggling schedules across the fleet.
Lowcountry Diagnostics brings the inspection to you. We work through the full 396.17 checklist at your location, document the results, and issue the annual decal on units that pass. Because we are diesel mechanics, minor defects can often be corrected on the spot so the truck is compliant the same day.
Why operators call us
- Mobile service where the truck is sitting
- Testing before parts replacement
- Clear written findings and next steps
- Commercial diesel and fleet-focused support
- 24/7 Charleston-area availability
How the Inspection Works
What to expect on inspection day
1. Tell us the units
Give us the trucks and trailers due, their locations, and any known issues so we can plan the visit and bring the right equipment.
2. We come to your yard
We inspect at your terminal, yard, or jobsite across the Charleston area — no need to route units to a shop.
3. Full 396.17 walkthrough
Each unit is inspected against every required item in the federal annual inspection standard, top to bottom.
4. Repair defects on-site
Failed items such as lights, brakes, or leaks can often be fixed the same visit so the unit passes without a second trip.
5. Sticker & documentation
Passing units get the annual inspection decal, and you keep the completed inspection report for your DOT file.
6. Keep the fleet on schedule
Repeat and fleet customers get reminders and grouped inspection visits so stickers never lapse across the line.
Need a DOT annual inspection in the Charleston area?
Call or text Lowcountry Diagnostics and we will inspect your units on-site.
Common DOT annual inspection questions
What does the DOT annual inspection cover?
We inspect your unit to FMCSA 396.17 requirements: brakes and brake components, steering, suspension, frame, tires and wheels, lighting and reflectors, coupling devices, exhaust, fuel system, and windshield wipers. If it passes, we issue the annual inspection sticker.
Do you perform DOT inspections at my yard?
Yes. We come to your yard, terminal, or jobsite in the Charleston area and perform the annual inspection on-site, so your trucks and trailers do not have to leave the property or wait in a shop line.
Do you issue the inspection sticker or decal?
Yes. When a unit passes the 396.17 inspection, we complete the inspection report and apply the annual inspection decal, and you keep the documentation for your DOT compliance file.
What happens if my truck fails the inspection?
You get a clear list of what failed and why. Because we are diesel mechanics, we can often repair the defects on-site and complete the inspection the same visit instead of sending you elsewhere.
Request a DOT Annual Inspection
Tell us how many units are due and where they are parked. We will schedule an on-site 396.17 inspection for your fleet.
Sticker expiring soon? Call or text (843) 310-0995 to get on the schedule.
Recent Repair Photos
A look at the repairs we make
Real field photos from Lowcountry Diagnostics — from engine diagnostics and electrical to hydraulic, HVAC, and heavy-duty truck service, handled on-site across the Charleston area.
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