The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) recently announced that this year’s International Roadcheck is scheduled for May 13-15, 2025. The International Roadcheck (72-hour blitz) is an annual, three-day enforcement initiative that emphasizes the importance of commercial motor vehicle and driver safety through a blitz of high-visibility roadside inspections across North America.
During this event, an influx of CVSA-certified professionals take to the roads to conduct the following North American Standard (NAS) inspections on vehicles:
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Level I inspections consist of 37 steps, including an examination of commercial motor vehicles’ (CMV) mechanical fitness and drivers’ operating requirements. This is the most common type of inspection during the event.
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Level II inspections generally include everything that can be checked without physically getting under the vehicle.
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Level III inspections include a review of driver requirements, such as a commercial driver’s license, vehicle documentation, cargo, a record of duty status and other requirements.
For annual inspections, the CVSA also puts emphasis on specific categories of driver and vehicle violations. Last year’s focus was on alcohol and controlled substance possession and tractor protection systems. This year’s focus is on driver operating requirements, hours of service (HOS), and CMV mechanical fitness, specifically vehicle tires.
HOS Inspections
HOS inspections aim to ensure compliance with regulations, verifying that drivers accurately record their logs and duty statuses in their records of duty status (RODS). Failure to log, complete or retain records—or knowingly falsifying logs or related reports—can result in a driver out-of-service violation.
While checking a driver’s RODS for hours-of-service compliance, inspectors will also check for:
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Electronic logging device tampering, including driving while not logged in, disconnected devices and improper edits
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Ghost drivers (claiming there is a codriver when there is no codriver present)
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Improper use of the personal conveyance special driving category
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Improper use of other exceptions, including adverse driving conditions
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Recording off-duty time while performing work for a motor carrier or nonmotor carrier
CMV Mechanical Fitness Inspections
As part of the CMV mechanical fitness inspection, inspectors will assess the tires for proper tread depth and inflation, as well as:
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Tread depth
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Audible air leaks
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Flat tires
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Belt material or casing ply exposed in the tread or sidewall tread or sidewall separation
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Bulges in the sidewall
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Improper repairs, such as rubber-coated plugs in the sidewall Items lodged between dual tires
Employers should ensure their drivers and CMVs comply with all regulations to prepare for the International Roadcheck.
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