What vehicles must be inspected?

Minnesota Statute 169.781 requires commercial motor vehicles to be inspected annually and display an annual inspection decal. For purposes of the annual inspection, a commercial motor vehicle is one of the following: 

• a vehicle or combination of vehicles having a gross vehicle weight greater than 26,000 pounds; 

• a bus 

• a vehicle, regardless of size, that transports a quantity of hazardous materials requiring the vehicle to display placards 

• a self-propelled special mobile equipment mounted on a commercial motor vehicle chassis with a gross vehicle weight more than 26,000 pounds 

Minnesota-registered vehicles housed in other states 

A Minnesota-registered commercial motor vehicle housed and maintained in another state that has been inspected in accordance with federal regulations may be eligible for a certificate of compliance. Note: All Certificate of Compliance requests must be reviewed by Minnesota State Patrol inspectors. They are not available for same-day pick up. 

• Certificate of compliance requirements 

• Form: Statement of vehicle housed and maintained outside of Minnesota ​​ 

Covered farm vehicles 

A covered farm vehicle (CFV) is not required to be inspected or display an annual inspection decal. However, if requested by the owner, a certified inspector may conduct an inspection and affix an official annual inspection decal.​ 

A covered farm vehicle means a single unit or articulated commercial motor vehicle that meets the following criteria: 

• Displays a farm license plate or other designation* issued by a state  

• Is operated by a farmer, or a family member or employee of the farmer 

• Transports agricultural commodities, livestock, machinery or supplies to or from a farm 

• Is not used in for-hire carrier operations 

• Does not transport hazardous materials in a quantity requiring the vehicle to display placards 

• When the gross vehicle weight (GVW) is 26,001 pounds or less, is operated anywhere in the United States 

• When the GVW is greater than 26,001 pounds, is operated wholly within its state of registry, or when crossing state lines, is operated within 150 miles of the farm 

*Vehicles displaying Minnesota apportioned, truck class or passenger class license plates, and meeting all other qualifications for a CFV, may complete, print and carry a CFV self-designation form. The form must be carried in the vehicle and displayed upon demand by enforcement personnel. 

Who may perform an annual inspection?​

A required inspection may be performed only by the following: 

• An employee of the Department of Public Safety (DPS) or Transportation (MnDOT) who has been certified by the commissioner of public safety after having received training provided by the State Patrol 

• Another person who is not an employee of DPS or MnDOT certified by the commissioner if the person is: 

• An owner, or employee of the owner, of one or more commercial motor vehicles that are power units 

• A dealer licensed under section 168.27 and engaged in the business of buying and selling commercial motor vehicles, or an employee of the dealer 

• Engaged in the business of repairing and servicing commercial motor vehicles 

• Employed by a governmental agency that owns commercial vehicles 

How do I become a certified inspector? 

The Minnesota State Patrol partners with several technical colleges and the Minnesota Trucking Association to provide inspector certification and re-certification courses. To register for a class, see the current certification course schedule. 

How often do I need to get re-certified? 

Inspectors are required to re-certify every two years. You must complete re-certification before the expiration date of your certification. Once your certification expires, you are no longer able to perform inspections. If you do not successfully complete a recertification course within six months following the expiration of your certification, you must successfully complete the full certification course to be reinstated.  

How do I get re-certified? 

To register for recertification, contact the approved course provider on the training provider page. 

I have additional questions. Whom can I ask  questions about annual inspections, certification or re-certification? 

For answers to your MIP or certification/re-certification questions, call 651-350-2000, option 2, or contact Lt. Dave Hanson at david.hanson@state.mn.us or call 651-247-6468.​​​​​   

MIP resources and updates

Certified Inspector Handbook 

The 2024 Certified Inspector Student Handbook is available. If you are a certified inspector, we recommend that you have download a cop​y of the handbook​. 

Updates from the previous year’s handbook are noted on the MIP updates webpage.