Occupation Details
Transportation Vehicle, Equipment and Systems Inspectors, Except Aviation
Inspect and monitor transportation equipment, vehicles, or systems to ensure compliance with regulations and safety standards.
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Interests
Realistic
Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Investigative
Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Conventional
Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Work Values
Achievement
Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Working Conditions
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Support
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Salary & Job Outlook
Starting Salary
$72,850.00
New York StateMedian Salary
$86,020.00
New York StateExperienced Salary
$89,450.00
New York StateNational Average for Comparison
New York State Job Market Outlook
Jobs Right Now (2018)
25,590
professionals in NYFuture Job Growth (2030)
37,210
+1,162 jobs/yearNew Jobs Every Year
5,554
new opportunities yearlyGrowth Rate
0.5%
projected increasePreparation: Experience, Training, and Education
The list below outlines the prior educational experience required to perform in this occupation.
Some Training - Certificate or hands-on training
Experience Requirements
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
Education Requirements
These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Training Details
Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Transferrable Skills and Experience
These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include orderlies, counter and rental clerks, customer service representatives, security guards, upholsterers, tellers, and dental laboratory technicians.
School Programs
School Programs information is not available for this occupation.
Licensing & Certification
New York State requires workers in this occupation to hold a license or certification.
Certified Motor Vehicle Inspector
Learn MoreApprenticeship
Contact your regional representative to learn more about apprenticeships available in your area by visiting Apprenticeship Contacts.
Skills
The list below includes the skills required by workers in this occupation; skills are what allow you to learn more quickly and improve your performance.
Quality Control Analysis
Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Operations Monitoring
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Skill level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Knowledge
The list below includes knowledge items, the principles and facts required by this occupation.
Mechanical
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Transportation
Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Public Safety and Security
Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Administration and Management
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Computers and Electronics
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Knowledge level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Work Environment
The list below includes the physical and social factors that influence the nature of work in this occupation.
Hover over or tap each factor to see its description.
Work Styles
Included in the list below are the personal work style characteristics that can affect how well a worker is likely to perform in this occupation.
Adaptability/Flexibility
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Concern for Others
Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Independence
Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Initiative
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Self-Control
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Stress Tolerance
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
Tools & Technology
This list below describes the machines, equipment, tools, software, and information technology that workers in this occupation will use.
Tools
- Adjustable wrenches
- Barcode scanners
- Battery charge testers
- Battery test hydrometers
- Computer data input scanners
- Decelerometers
- Desktop computers
- Dial indicators
- Digital cameras
- Digital timing lights
- Distance measuring wheels
- Dynamometers
- Exhaust analyzers
- Flammable gas detection meters
- Floor jacks
- Go/no-go gauges
- Handheld computers
- Hydraulic automobile lifts
- Kingpin gauges
- Laptop computers
- Locking pliers
- Measurement calipers
- Micrometers
- Onboard diagnostics OBD scanners
- Opacity meters
- Passenger cars
- Personal computers
- Platform scales
- Precision rulers
- Rotor gauges
Technology
- Commercial driver's license information system CDLIS
- Diagnostic scanner software
- Law enforcement database software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
- Vehicle inspection databases
Duties
Duties are job behaviors describing activities that occur on multiple jobs. The generalized and detailed work activities described in the list below apply to this occupation.
- recommend personnel actions, such as promotions, transfers, and dismissals
- sell products or services
- maintain records, reports, or files
- prepare reports
- prepare safety reports
- prepare technical reports or related documentation
- prepare reports for management
- prepare reports of inspections
- evaluate performance of employees or contract personnel
- monitor worker performance
- communicate technical information
- direct and coordinate activities of workers or staff
- test electrical/electronic wiring, equipment, systems or fixtures
- recommend action to ensure compliance
- maintain safe work environment
- monitor public transportation system operation
- monitor operations to verify conformance to standards
- monitor traffic conditions or motorists
- verify investigative information
- investigate complaints, disturbances, or violations
- mark items for acceptance or rejection, according to conformance to specifications
- judge terrain conditions for vehicle or equipment operation
- use local or regional geographical knowledge to transportation
- use oral or written communication techniques
- use knowledge of investigation techniques
- operate precision test equipment
- use electrical or electronic test devices or equipment
- record test results, test procedures, or inspection data
- repair commercial transportation equipment
- test mechanical products or equipment
- examine vehicle to detect malfunctions, damage, or maintenance needed
- understand technical operating, service or repair manuals
- recognize characteristics of metals
- recognize public safety hazards
- recognize characteristics of alloys
- signal directions or warnings to coworkers
- inspect products or systems for regulatory compliance
- perform safety inspections in industrial, manufacturing or repair setting
- perform safety inspections in transportation setting
- gather physical evidence
- study time, motion, or work methods of workers
- review traffic routing or control plans
- conduct performance testing
- inspect commercial vehicles
- inspect transportation equipment for damage or defects
- inspect manufactured products or materials
- examine products or work to verify conformance to specifications
- examine locomotives or cars to detect damage or structural defects
- inspect equipment or vehicles for cleanliness or damage
Tasks
The list below outlines specific tasks that a worker in this occupation is called upon to do regularly.
- 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.
- Perform low-pressure fuel evaluative tests (LPFET) to test for harmful emissions from vehicles without onboard diagnostics (OBD) equipment.
- 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.
- Monitor or review output from systems, such as Thermal Imaging Units (TIU) or roadside imaging tools, to identify high-risk commercial motor vehicles for follow-up inspections.
- Issue notices and recommend corrective actions when infractions or problems are found.
- Compare emissions findings with applicable emissions standards.
- Evaluate new methods of packaging, testing, shipping, or transporting hazardous materials to ensure adequate public safety protection.
- Investigate and make recommendations on carrier requests for waiver of federal standards.
- Conduct visual inspections of emission control equipment and smoke emitted from gasoline or diesel vehicles.
- Conduct vehicle or transportation equipment tests, using diagnostic equipment.
- Identify emissions testing procedures and standards appropriate for the age and technology of vehicles.
- 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.
- Negotiate with authorities, such as local government officials, to eliminate hazards along transportation routes.
- Attach onboard diagnostics (OBD) scanner cables to vehicles to conduct emissions inspections.
- Investigate complaints regarding safety violations.
- Examine carrier operating rules, employee qualification guidelines, or carrier training and testing programs for compliance with regulations or safety standards.