The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) International Roadcheck will take place May 4–6, 2021. Commercial Motor Vehicle inspectors in jurisdictions throughout North America will conduct inspections of commercial motor vehicles and drivers. During this year’s 72-hour period, inspectors will focus on one driver operating requirement category (hours of service) and one vehicle mechanical fitness category (lighting).

During last year’s International Roadcheck, the top driver out-of-service violation category in North America was hours of service, accounting for 34.7% of all driver out-of-service conditions.

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the lighting violation “lamps inoperable” was the top violation in fiscal 2020, accounting for approximately 12.4% of all vehicle violations. One in four vehicles chosen for inspection was issued a lighting-related violation.

During International Roadcheck, inspectors will primarily conduct the North American Standard Level I Inspection, a 37-step procedure that includes an examination of both driver operating requirements and vehicle mechanical fitness. The vehicle inspection includes checking all of the following:

  • Brake systems
  • Cargo securement
  • Coupling devices
  • Driveline or driveshaft components
  • Exhaust systems
  • Frames and suspensions
  • Fuel systems
  • Lighting devices
  • Steering mechanisms
  • Tires, wheels, rims and hubs
  • Van and open-top trailer bodies
  • Windshield wipers

Additional items for buses include emergency exits, electrical cables and systems in the engine and battery compartments, and seating.

If no critical inspection item violations are found during a Level I Inspection, a CVSA decal will be applied to the vehicle, indicating that the vehicle successfully passed a decal-eligible inspection conducted by a CVSA-certified inspector.

If an inspector does identify critical inspection item violations, the driver or vehicle may be rendered out of service if the condition meets the North American Out-of-Service Criteria. This means the driver cannot operate the vehicle until the vehicle or driver qualification violations are corrected.

Preparing for a CVSA Roadcheck:

  • Lighting: Check the condition and location of reflectors and retroreflective sheeting, and check all required lamps and turn signals to ensure they are operative, properly mounted and not obscured in any way. Lighting devices include headlamps, tail lamps, clearance lamps, identification lamps, license plate and side marker lamps, stop lamps, turn signals and lamps on projecting loads. All required lighting devices are inspected for proper color, operation, mounting and visibility.
  • Hours of Service: Review HOS regulations with drivers so that they understand the various time limitations and duty statuses as well as any exemptions that they are utilizing. Drivers must understand how to present the HOS information to law enforcement with the Electronic Logging Device (ELD) they use. A copy of the instructions for the ELD must be in each truck cab and at least eight days of blank log sheets must be readily available to any driver that has an ELD.
  • Maintenance: Educate drivers on how to conduct effective pre- and post-trip inspections. Conduct safety lanes where maintenance personnel review critical safety systems such as tires and wheels, brakes, lights, engine, load securement and emergency devices before vehicles leave the facility. Review DVIR’s and online CVSA data to identify candidates for remedial maintenance training.
  • Drivers: Discuss with drivers what documentation they need to have at all times in their vehicles such as shipping papers (bills of lading, manifests and delivery schedules), hazardous materials information, and guidebook and vehicle registration and insurance information. Ensure that all driver’s licenses and medical cards are up to date and that each driver has them in their possession before leaving the facility.

For additional guidance on CVSA Roadcheck 2021 or commercial motor vehicle and driver compliance for your company, contact a HUB Fleet Risk Advisor today.