The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s International Roadcheck is scheduled for May 13-15. International Roadcheck is a high-visibility, high-volume commercial motor vehicle and driver inspection and regulatory compliance enforcement initiative that takes place over three days in Canada, Mexico, and the U.S.
Each year, International Roadcheck places emphasis on a driver violation category and a vehicle violation category. During International Roadcheck, inspectors will primarily conduct the North American Standard Level I Inspection, a 37-step procedure that includes an examination of driver operating requirements and vehicle mechanical fitness. While all 37 steps will be completed, inspectors will also pay close attention to the driver’s record of duty status and the vehicle’s tires.
What will be International Roadcheck’s driver focus area this year?
Hours-of-service regulations are in place to safeguard transportation safety by limiting driving hours and mandating adequate rest breaks to ensure drivers get the rest they need, thereby preventing crashes and incidents caused by fatigue.
To ensure compliance with HOS regulations, drivers must accurately reflect their times and duty statuses in their record of duty status, a log that a commercial motor vehicle driver must maintain to record their driving activity. Failure to record, complete, or retain the log, or knowingly falsifying logs or other related reports, is not only a driver out-of-service violation, it also makes the driver and/or carrier liable to prosecution.
During the driver portion of an inspection, inspectors check the driver’s documents, license or commercial driver’s license, medical examiner’s certificate and skill performance certificate (if applicable), record of duty status, Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse status (in the U.S.), seat belt usage, and alcohol and/or drug impairment. If an inspector identifies driver out-of-service violations, they place the driver out of service, restricting that driver from operating their vehicle.
See also: Rohlwing: Essential inspections ensure safety
What will be International Roadcheck’s vehicle focus area this year?
The importance of proper tire maintenance cannot be overstated. Tire failure while in transit is a hazard to all motorists. It is also more expensive and time consuming for motor carriers to repair an in-transit tire failure versus maintaining tire health and addressing tire issues before the vehicle is on the road.
During International Roadcheck, inspectors will check tires’ tread depth and proper inflation. They will also be on the lookout for tire damage, such as air leaks, tread separation, cuts, bulges, sidewall damage, and improper repairs.
During the vehicle portion of the Level I Inspection, inspectors ensure the vehicle’s brake systems, cargo securement, coupling devices, driveline/driveshaft components, driver’s seat, fuel and exhaust systems, frames, lighting devices, steering mechanisms, suspensions, tires, wheels, rims, hubs, and windshield wipers are compliant with applicable regulations. Inspections of motorcoaches, passenger vans, and other passenger-carrying vehicles also include the examination of emergency exits, seating, and electrical cables and systems in the engine and battery compartments.
A vehicle that successfully passes a Level I or V Inspection without any critical vehicle inspection item violations may receive a CVSA decal, which is valid for up to three months.
If out-of-service violations are found during an inspection, the vehicle is restricted from operating until all out-of-service violations have been properly addressed.
What was the outcome of the 2024 International Roadcheck?
According to CVSA, 9,299 vehicles were placed out of service in North America during International Roadcheck. A total of 3,387 of these were placed out of service for defective service brakes, the top vehicle violation in North America over the course of the event.
“Defective service brakes can prevent a driver from stopping quickly and/or completely,” CVSA said on its website. “When brakes fail, the results can be catastrophic, not only for the driver but for everyone on our roadways."
Additionally, part of CVSA’s focus in last year's Roadcheck was on tractor protection systems, which safeguard the tractor’s air supply and prevent air loss. During International Roadcheck, 564 TPS violations were discovered.
According to CVSA, 2,290 commercial motor vehicle drivers were placed out of service during International Roadcheck in North America. Thirty-two percent of these cases were for hours-of-service violations, equaling 870 drivers.
“Hours-of-service regulations state the maximum amount of time commercial motor vehicle drivers are permitted to be on duty, including driving time, and specify the number and length of rest periods,” CVSA said on its website. “These regulations are in place to prevent crashes caused by driver fatigue; to protect drivers’ quality of life, health and wellbeing; and to ensure road safety.”
During 2024’s Roadcheck, CVSA focused on alcohol and controlled-substance possession for drivers. Overall, 78 drug and 26 alcohol possession/use out-of-service violations were discovered. Additionally, 63 drivers were placed out of service for operating vehicles despite being listed in FMCSA’s Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse.
