8 CVSA International Roadcheck Tips for 2023

This year's Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance's (CVSA) International Roadcheck is scheduled for May 16-18, 2023. During the annual three-day event, CVSA-certified inspectors will conduct compliance, enforcement and educational initiatives that are critical to carriers, vehicles and drivers.¹

The CVSA sponsors the event with participation by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators, Transport Canada and the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation (Mexico). It's the largest program of its kind, with nearly 15 trucks and motorcoaches inspected, on average, every minute across North America during the three days.¹

The impact of inspections

Every year, International Roadcheck places special emphasis on a category of violations to bring awareness to specific areas of roadside inspection. The 2023 Roadcheck event focus is anti-lock braking systems (ABS) and cargo securement. Just over 10% of all vehicle out-of-service violations in 2022 were attributed to improper or inadequate cargo securement. While ABS violations are not considered out-of-service violations, the anti-lock braking system is crucial to reducing collisions and allowing a driver to maintain control while braking.²

According to the CVSA, more than 59,000 inspections were conducted throughout Canada, Mexico and the U.S in total during last year’s Roadcheck. Inspections placed 8,718 vehicles out of service resulting in a 23.1% vehicle out-of-service rate for North America. In the U.S. and Canada, 3,118 drivers, or 6.4%, were placed out of service.³ 

In the U.S. alone, 19,786 Level I Inspections were conducted, with 4,136 vehicles and 1,083 drivers removed from roadways due to the discovery of critical vehicle inspection items, out-of-service violations or unsafe out-of-service driver conditions. Of the vehicles inspected, 77.2% did not have out-of-service violations and 93.6% of drivers inspected also did not incur out-of-service violations.³ 

The top five vehicle out-of-service violations in 2022 were³:

• Brake system – 4,592
• Tires – 3,374
• Defective Service Brakes – 2,309
• Lights – 2,219
• Cargo securement – 1,934

Inspections can also include identifying the carrier, collecting and verifying the driver’s documents and examining the driver’s license or commercial driver’s license (CDL), checking record of duty status and reviewing periodic inspection report(s). Drivers should always wear their seatbelt, avoid fatigue by getting enough sleep, and never drive under the influence.⁴

It is key for trucking companies to confirm if their vehicles need maintenance ahead of this year’s Roadcheck, especially the ABS and cargo securement components. During the inspection, inspectors will determine if ABS is required on the vehicle, ensure the ABS lamp cycles on and off during a diagnostic check and check for ABS malfunction. They will also check if spare tires, loads, cargo and dunnage are secured, confirm there are enough tie downs, check for defective securement devices, inspect anchor points for damage, and verify commodity-specific cargo is secured in accordance with regulations.⁵ 

Download this free eBook for a checklist to prepare your staff and drivers for roadside inspections.

Tips for a successful International Roadcheck experience:

1. First and foremost, make sure your truck drivers always wear their seat belts, and that they always maintain a positive and professional attitude with the law enforcement and inspectors.

2. During vehicle safety inspections, enforcement officials will check a number of systems and components, including:

• Brake systems
• Cargo securement
• Fuel and exhaust systems
• Lighting devices
• Tire, wheel, rim, and hub condition
• Suspension and more

3. Drivers should be prepared to provide the following items to inspectors:

• Valid CDL
• Valid Federal Medical Examiner's Certificate
• HOS documentation
• Motor carrier registration
• Shipping papers/documentation

4. Drivers should also have at the ready:

• A copy of the company’s Insurance Certificate in the tractor
• A copy of the company’s Hazardous Materials Certificate in the tractor (if applicable)
• A current, up-to-date permit book
• A charged and secure fire extinguisher in the tractor
• The required emergency equipment in the tractor (three reflective triangles)
• Proof of annual inspection for all equipment, including tractor/trailer

5. For Hours of Service, make sure drivers understand:

• What type of Electronic Logging Device (ELD) is installed and how to operate it
• How to provide the Inspector instructions
• How to display required and requested information

6. Prepare your equipment:

• Keep your vehicle as neat and clean as possible
• Conduct proper and thorough pre-trip vehicle inspection reports

7. Pay particular attention to:

• ABS and cargo securement
• Wheels and tires
• Vehicle lighting
• Brakes
• Any observable defects

8. And for hazmat situations, make sure that:

• Placards are not damaged or missing and are on all four sides of the vehicle
• A current Emergency Response Guide (ERG) is present in the cab
• Your shipping paper is accurate and contains:
• UN or NA Identification Number
• Proper shipping name
• Hazard class/division
• Packing group

How proactive maintenance can help keep fleets inspection-ready

Staying on top of preventive maintenance can help keep your vehicles out of service bays and ready for any Roadcheck event. GPS fleet tracking technology with built-in asset tracking provides advanced engine diagnostics and instant mileage reporting, as well as vehicle service alerts based on distance traveled, hours worked or predetermined dates. This can help you form proactive maintenance plans and only pay for repairs when they’re necessary, while keeping your vehicles in good shape.

The right GPS fleet management system can also help you:

• Control repair costs by identifying small maintenance problems before they become big ones
• Reduce breakdowns by sending you reminders via text or email when vehicles are due for tire rotations, tune-ups, or other preventive maintenance
• Eliminate mechanic guesswork by providing you with Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) that pinpoint specific maintenance issues

A GPS fleet management system from Verizon Connect can help fleets stay on top of vehicle maintenance. Fleets use GPS fleet tracking technology’s maintenance data to help reduce unexpected costs and boost efficiency with increased up time.

¹ https://www.cvsa.org/programs/international-roadcheck/ 

² https://www.cvsa.org/programs/international-roadcheck/focus-area/ 

³ https://www.cvsa.org/news/2022-roadcheck-results/

⁴ https://cvsa.org/wp-content/uploads/Roadcheck-Checklist-for-Drivers.pdf and https://www.cvsa.org/inspections/all-inspection-levels/ 

⁵ https://www.cvsa.org/wp-content/uploads/2023-International-Roadcheck-Focus-Areas-Flyer.pdf