It’s nearly that time of year again! The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) International Roadcheck is an annual three-day event when CVSA-certified inspectors conduct compliance, enforcement and educational initiatives targeted at various elements of motor carrier, vehicle and driver safety. It is happening from June 4-6, 2019.

What is Roadcheck?
Per CVSA, International Roadcheck is the largest targeted enforcement program on commercial motor vehicles in the world, with nearly 15 trucks or buses inspected, on average, every minute across North America during a 72-hour period. Since its inception in 1988, roadside inspections conducted during International Roadcheck have numbered more than 1.4 million.

What is being inspected?
The North American Standard Level I Inspection will be conducted on any commercial motor vehicles that are chosen at random throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico during this 72-hour long inspection blitz. The inspection is a 37-step examination of the vehicle and driver and is essentially the same exact inspection that occurs at roadside inspection stations at any other time during the year. Check out this handy cheat sheet from CVSA to brush up on inspection areas. The image to the right shows each of the 37 steps in the inspection.

What are the most common reasons for failed inspections?
Despite this inspection occurring every year, drivers can still be caught unaware. During 2018’s inspection blitz, the most common reason placing vehicles out of service were brake violations. The most common reason for putting drivers out of service were hours of service (HOS) violations. Violations must be corrected before the driver and/or vehicle can return to service. If inspections are passed, a decal is issued and the driver is on their way.

Anything else to look out for?
We expect ELD compliance to be another big-ticket item this year that inspectors will focus on – especially with full ELD compliance scheduled for December 16, 2019. Shippers might anticipate delayed shipments in instances where drivers are pulled from service due to violations during this inspection blitz.

Even though Roadcheck is only a 72-hour inspection period, it is important that commercial motor vehicles remain compliant, are in good condition, and are driven safely every day of the year. Beyond affecting CSA scores and supply chain deadlines, the safety of those on the road is most vital.