Occupations · Transportation and Material Moving

Transportation Vehicle, Equipment and Systems Inspectors, Except Aviation

Inspect and monitor transportation equipment, vehicles, or systems to ensure compliance with regulations and safety standards.

O*NET 30.3 Database (USDOL/ETA) · occupation code 53-6051.07

What people in this job actually do

Ordered by how important the work is rated.

Inspect vehicles or other equipment for evidence of abuse, damage, or mechanical malfunction.
Identify modifications to engines, fuel systems, emissions control equipment, or other vehicle systems to determine the impact of modifications on inspection procedures or conclusions.
Conduct remote inspections of motor vehicles, using handheld controllers and remotely directed vehicle inspection devices.
Prepare reports on investigations or inspections and actions taken.
Inspect vehicles or equipment to ensure compliance with rules, standards, or regulations.
Inspect repairs to transportation vehicles or equipment to ensure that repair work was performed properly.
Issue notices and recommend corrective actions when infractions or problems are found.
Conduct visual inspections of emission control equipment and smoke emitted from gasoline or diesel vehicles.
Conduct vehicle or transportation equipment tests, using diagnostic equipment.
Investigate incidents or violations, such as delays, accidents, and equipment failures.
Review commercial vehicle logs, shipping papers, or driver and equipment records to detect any problems or to ensure compliance with regulations.
Attach onboard diagnostics (OBD) scanner cables to vehicles to conduct emissions inspections.

O*NET 30.3 task ratings, importance scale

Skills that matter most

Importance, rated 1 to 5.

Active Listening3.1

Speaking3.0

Reading Comprehension3.0

Critical Thinking3.0

Monitoring2.9

Active Learning2.8

Writing2.6

Science2.4

Learning Strategies2.0

Mathematics2.0

O*NET 30.3 skills, importance scale

Software and tools

A dot marks what O*NET flags as in demand.

Microsoft Excel●Microsoft Office software●Microsoft Outlook●Microsoft PowerPoint●Microsoft Word●Structured query language SQL●ASPENCommercial driver's license information system CDLISDiagnostic scanner softwareInspection Selection System ISSLaw enforcement database softwarePast Inspection Query PIQVehicle identification number VIN databaseVehicle inspection databases

O*NET 30.3 software skills · hot-technology flag

What this work is actually like

Conditions rated against the average across all occupations — only what makes this job different is listed.

2 / 5Some preparation — a school diploma and a few months of on-the-job training.

O*NET 30.3 Job Zones

Working conditions that stand out

Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings+1.7 above average

Exposed to Hazardous Conditions+1.6 above average

E-Mail−1.5 below average

Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled+1.5 above average

Spend Time Sitting−1.5 below average

Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable+1.5 above average

In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment+1.3 above average

O*NET 30.3 work context, frequency scale · observed 2015-07

How people actually get in

Share of workers by the education they hold.

High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)58%

Less than a High School Diploma13%

Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)13%

Some College Courses10%

O*NET 30.2 education, training and experience · observed 2015-07

What kind of person the work suits

Occupational interest profile, rated 1 to 7.

Realistic7.0

Conventional5.1

Investigative3.7

O*NET 30.2 occupational interests (RIASEC)

What you take with you

Skills rated for how well they transfer into other occupations.

Quality Control Analysis3.5

Operations Monitoring3.2

Operation and Control3.0

Troubleshooting3.0

Time Management2.9

Social Perceptiveness2.8

Equipment Maintenance2.8

Judgment and Decision Making2.8

O*NET 30.3 transferable skills, importance scale

Knowledge the work draws on

MechanicalTransportationEnglish LanguagePublic Safety and SecurityAdministration and ManagementComputers and Electronics

Abilities it leans on

Near VisionProblem SensitivityOral ComprehensionFlexibility of ClosureArm-Hand SteadinessSpeech Clarity

O*NET 30.3 abilities and knowledge, importance scale

How this job is advertised

The same work is posted under many titles — this is what to search for.

CarmanInspectorCar ExaminerCar InspectorBus InspectorWay InspectorSafety OfficerAuto InspectorTank InspectorTrain InspectorSmog TechnicianWheel InspectorTrack InspectorSafety Engineer

O*NET 30.3 job titles reported for this occupation

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What changed since 2015

Comparing O*NET release 20.1 (2015-10-01) with 30.3 (2026-05-01). Signs, not colour alone, carry the meaning. 1 entries that were only relabelled between releases are left out.

Now listed 6

+Microsoft Outlook+Microsoft Word+Structured query language SQL+Microsoft Excel+Microsoft PowerPoint+Microsoft Office software

Diff across the O*NET releases held here in full since October 2015, following occupations through merges and retirements. O*NET re-surveys occupations on a rolling cycle, so “no change” can also mean “not re-surveyed”.

O*NET 30.3 related occupations

Also called

CarmanInspectorCar ExaminerBus InspectorWay InspectorCar InspectorAuto InspectorTank InspectorSafety OfficerTrain InspectorSafety EngineerWatch Inspector

O*NET 30.3 alternative titles

The same work in Europe

ESCO occupation	ISCO	Match
rolling stock inspector	3115.1.19	broader
motor vehicle assembly inspector	7543.7.5	broader
rolling stock engine inspector	3115.1.17	broader
vessel assembly inspector	7543.7.7	broader
vessel engine inspector	3115.1.20	broader

Official ESCO ↔ O*NET crosswalk (ESCO Secretariat with USDOL/ETA)

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