International Roadcheck Is Coming Soon

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) International Roadcheck (Roadcheck) is scheduled for May 14-16, 2024. Roadcheck is an annual high-visibility, high-volume commercial motor vehicle inspection and regulatory compliance enforcement initiative that takes place over three days across North America. CVSA is a nonprofit organization comprised of local, state, provincial, territorial, and federal commercial motor vehicle safety officials and industry representatives. CVSA’s goal is to prevent commercial motor vehicle crashes, injuries and fatalities.

Law enforcement personnel conduct inspections on commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) and drivers at weigh/inspection stations, temporary sites and mobile patrols to verify compliance with federal, state, provincial, or territorial regulations. Data from the Roadcheck will be collected and the results will be released in Summer 2024.

During 2023’s Roadcheck, there were over 53,847 Level I, II and III Inspections conducted in the U.S. The total vehicle out-of-service rate in the U.S. was 19.3% and 5.8% of drivers inspected in the U.S. were placed out of service.

Over the 72-hour Roadcheck period, inspectors will conduct their routine North American Standard Level I Inspection, which is a thorough 37-step inspection procedure consisting of the examination of vehicle components and driver documentation and requirements. The inspectors will utilize the CVSA North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations in the U.S., the National Safety Code in Canada, and the Official Mexican Standards in Mexico.

This year, International Roadcheck will have two focus areas: Controlled Substance and Alcohol Possession, and Tractor Protection and Anti-Bleed Back Systems.

Controlled Substance and Alcohol Possession

CVSA, states that “(t)his year’s International Roadcheck will serve as a reminder to motor carriers to establish and strictly enforce clear policies to prevent controlled substance and alcohol possession or use in the workplace.” Inspectors will be vigilant in the detection and interdiction of such driver violations during every inspection.

Drivers will be inspected for operating credentials, such driver’s license and medical status, hours-of-service documentation, 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, such as not possessing a valid or necessary operating license, the inspector will restrict that driver from operating their vehicle.

Tractor Protection and Anti-Bleed Back Systems

By focusing on the tractor protection systems, inspectors will examine equipment such as the tractor protection valve, trailer supply valve and anti-bleed back valve.  

Vehicle components inspected during a Level I inspection include 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. Inspections of motorcoaches, passenger vans and other passenger-carrying vehicles will also include the examination of emergency exits and seating. 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 three months. If out-of-service violations are found during an inspection, the vehicle will be will not be allowed to operate all out-of-service violations have been corrected.

Motor carriers are reminded to prepare their drivers and equipment for the Roadcheck. Inspections are a valuable tool in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Compliance, Safety and Accountability (CSA) program. A motor carrier’s CSA scores have a direct impact on whether the FMCSA investigates the motor carrier’s safety program. Some steps a motor carrier can take to prepare for Roadcheck include:

• Keep equipment clean and maintained, with up-to-date annual inspections,
• Have drivers conduct a thorough pre-trip inspection and post-trip inspection,
• Weigh the vehicle,
• Ensure drivers obey the speed limit and drive safely,
• Have proper ELD documentation in the vehicle,
• Have drivers wear their seatbelt, and
• Have drivers be courteous and cooperative to inspectors.

Benesch’s renown Transportation & Logistics Practice advises on Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulation (FMCSR) compliance and operational best practices every single day. Our deep bench of former in-house counsel, safety staff, and other industry veterans bring real-world experience to bear when building and improving transportation practices or when defending enforcement actions and audits.

Jonathan R. Todd is the Vice Chair of Benesch’s Transportation & Logistics Practice Group and may be reached at 216.363.4658 and jtodd@beneschlaw.com.