The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance will deploy inspectors across North America to conduct inspections on commercial motor vehicles and drivers to ensure they are meeting vehicle maintenance and driver readiness standards as part of the annual inspection program.

This year, Roadcheck will focus on checking hours-of-service documentation and paying close attention to vehicle lighting during inspections. Each year, CVSA chooses a focus in order to capture and report data on a specific category of violations. Last year, that was driver violations.

In fiscal year 2020, inoperable lamps were the No. 1 vehicle violation, accounting for about 12% of all vehicle violations discovered that year, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. During last year’s Roadcheck, the top driver out-of-service violation category was hours of service, accounting for nearly 35% of all driver out-of-service conditions.

Inspectors will also be looking for critical vehicle inspection item violations outlined in the North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria. If such violations are found, the vehicle will be placed out of service, which means that vehicle cannot be operated until the identified out-of-service conditions have been corrected.

As part of the program, inspectors will ensure the vehicle’s brake systems, cargo securement, coupling devices, driveline/driveshaft components, driver’s seat, exhaust systems, frames, fuel systems, lighting devices, steering mechanisms, suspensions, tires, van and open-top trailer bodies, wheels, rims, hubs and windshield wipers are compliant with regulations.

Vehicles that successfully pass a Level I or Level V Inspection during the blitz will receive a CVSA decal. In general, vehicles with a CVSA decal are not re-inspected during the three-month period during which the decal is valid.

Also, during an inspection, inspectors will check the driver’s operating credentials, hours-of-service documentation, seat belt usage, and for alcohol and/or drug impairment. A driver will be placed out of service if an inspector discovers driver-related out-of-service conditions.

In consideration of COVID-19, every effort will be made to get vaccine shipments to their destination, quickly and safely, CVSA officials said. COVID-19 vaccine shipments will not be held up for inspection, unless there is an obvious serious violation that is an imminent hazard.

International Roadcheck is a CVSA program with participation by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators, Transport Canada, and Mexico’s Ministry of Communications and Transportation and its National Guard.

Understand Level I and Level V Inspections: see North American Standard Inspection Program for an overview of all the details.

Examine Your Cargo: Checks include safe load assessment, tail board and end gate security, cargo shifting/falling safeguards, blocking and bracing for visible cargo, and tie-down anchor points.

Check Tires Closely: Inspectors measure tread depth and pressure and check for items lodged between dual tires and deep cuts or bulges in sidewalls.

Prepare Your Drivers: Make sure driver can provide valid licenses, medical cards and current hours-of-service records.

Inspect Your Vehicles: Other general systems to check include brakes, fuel, exhaust, coupling, frames, and safety items such as windshield wipers and lights.

Element has programs designed to assist with vehicle and driver DOT Compliance, ELDs, Maintenance, and Consulting.

For more information or assistance with the 2021 International Roadcheck, please contact your Element account representative.