EFFECTIVEFederalDec 9, 2021✓ Human reviewed

Annual commercial vehicle inspections must now check rear impact guards

FMCSA's final rule (86 FR 62105, Nov. 9, 2021), effective December 9, 2021, added rear impact guards to the items examined during the required annual (periodic) inspection of commercial motor vehicles under 49 CFR 396.17 and Appendix A. It also updated guard labeling rules and exempted road-construction-controlled horizontal discharge trailers.

FMCSAannual inspectionrear impact guardstrailers
What to check

Shops and qualified inspectors doing annual DOT inspections on trailers and trucks should inspect rear impact guards and their labels against Appendix A and record the results.

Official evidence

Source and verification

Verified
Sep 21, 2026
Applies to
General mechanical, Mixed services, Tire shop
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