A portable inspection apparatus (1, 33, 40, 50, 60, 72, 90, 150, 170, 190, 200) for placement in an inspection area and for inspection of vehicles passing through the inspection area, the portable inspection apparatus (1, 33, 40, 50, 60, 72, 90, 150, 170, 190, 200) comprising: a support structure (2, 34, 41, 51, 61, 73, 91, 159, 172, 191, 202) arranged to extend away from a surface of the inspection area; a base (3, 62, 74, 156, 205) for disposal on the surface; an inspection field generator comprising an emitter and a detector for generating an inspection field, a first one of the emitter and the detector being supported by the support structure (2, 34, 41, 51, 61, 73, 91, 159, 172, 191, 202), a second one of the emitter and the detector supported by the base and a ramp (4, 35, 42, 52, 63, 75, 92, 151, 192, 201) arranged to pivot relative the surface between a stowed position and a deployed position in which the ramp (4, 35, 42, 52, 63, 75, 92, 151, 192, 201) extends away from the base (3, 62, 74, 156, 205) for allowing a vehicle to pass over the ramp (4, 35, 42, 52, 63, 75, 92, 151, 192, 201) and the base (3, 62, 74, 156, 205) through the inspection field; and wherein the first one of the emitter and the detector supported by the support structure (2, 34, 41, 51, 61, 73, 91, 159, 172, 191, 202) is configured to move between a first position at a first distance from the base (3, 62, 74, 156, 205) and a second position at a second distance from the base (3, 62, 74, 156, 205); wherein the support structure (2, 34, 41, 51, 61, 73, 91, 159, 172, 191, 202) includes an upper section (10, 36, 46, 69, 80, 97, 195, 207) and a lower section (11, 37, 47, 71, 81, 98, 197, 208), wherein the upper section (10, 36, 46, 69, 80, 97, 195, 207) is movable relative to the lower section (11, 37, 47, 71, 81, 98, 197, 208) between the first position and the second position in which a first one of the upper section (10, 36, 46, 69, 80, 97, 195, 207) and the lower section (11, 37, 47, 71, 81, 98, 197, 208) houses a part of the second one of the upper section and the lower section (11, 37, 47, 71, 81, 98, 197, 208), and characterized by further comprising a sensor disposed adjacent the ramp (4, 35, 42, 52, 63, 75, 92, 151, 192, 201) configured to detect presence of an object on the ramp (4, 35, 42, 52, 63, 75, 92, 151, 192, 201), and a controller configured to receive a signal corresponding to the detected object on the ramp (4, 35, 42, 52, 63, 75, 92, 151, 192, 201) and to deactivate movement of the support structure (2, 34, 41, 51, 61, 73, 91, 159, 172, 191, 202) and movement of the ramp (4, 35, 42, 52, 63, 75, 92, 151, 192, 201) to the stowed position. a support structure (2, 34, 41, 51, 61, 73, 91, 159, 172, 191, 202) arranged to extend away from a surface of the inspection area; a base (3, 62, 74, 156, 205) for disposal on the surface; an inspection field generator comprising an emitter and a detector for generating an inspection field, a first one of the emitter and the detector being supported by the support structure (2, 34, 41, 51, 61, 73, 91, 159, 172, 191, 202), a second one of the emitter and the detector supported by the base and a ramp (4, 35, 42, 52, 63, 75, 92, 151, 192, 201) arranged to pivot relative the surface between a stowed position and a deployed position in which the ramp (4, 35, 42, 52, 63, 75, 92, 151, 192, 201) extends away from the base (3, 62, 74, 156, 205) for allowing a vehicle to pass over the ramp (4, 35, 42, 52, 63, 75, 92, 151, 192, 201) and the base (3, 62, 74, 156, 205) through the inspection field; and