CVSA’s International Roadcheck Is Scheduled for May 12-14
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) International Roadcheck is scheduled for May 12–14. International Roadcheck is a high-visibility, high-volume commercial motor vehicle inspection and regulatory compliance enforcement initiative that takes place over three days in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
CVSA-certified law enforcement personnel will inspect commercial motor vehicles and drivers at weigh/inspection stations, temporary inspection sites, and through mobile patrols to verify compliance with federal, state, provincial, or territorial regulations. Data from the 72 hours of International Roadcheck will be collected, and the results will be released this summer.
Each year, International Roadcheck places special emphasis on certain categories of violations. This year, International Roadcheck will focus on
two areas of concern: a driver focus and a vehicle focus.
The driver focus for this year’s International Roadcheck is electronic logging device (ELD) tampering, falsification, or manipulation. During an inspection, the inspector will review the driver’s record of duty status as usual and check for false or manipulated entries, with a focus on ELD tampering.
Inaccurate ELD entries may result from a driver’s lack of understanding of federal regulations and exemptions. However, in some cases, inaccurate entries are intentionally used to conceal hours-of-service violations, and some records are manipulated to conceal driving time without indicating that the record was edited, as required by federal regulations.
Last year, falsification of record of duty status was the second most-cited driver violation, totaling 58,382 violations. Additionally, five of the top ten driver violations were related to hours-of-service regulations or ELDs.
For the driver portion of the inspection, inspectors check the driver’s qualifications, license, record of duty status, medical examiner’s certificate, seat belt usage, skill performance evaluation certificate (if applicable), and status in the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse (in the U.S.). Inspectors also look for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment. If an inspector identifies driver out-of-service violations, the driver will be placed out of service and restricted from operating the vehicle.
This year’s vehicle focus for International Roadcheck is cargo securement. Improper or inadequate cargo securement poses a serious risk to the driver and other motorists by adversely affecting the vehicle’s maneuverability and/or causing unsecured loads to fall or become dislodged, resulting in roadway hazards or crashes.
In 2025, 18,108 violations were issued because cargo was not secured to prevent leaking, spilling, blowing, or falling, and 16,054 violations were issued for vehicle components or dunnage not being properly secured.
For the vehicle portion of the inspection, inspectors assess the vehicle’s 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, buses, and other passenger-carrying commercial motor vehicles also include examination of emergency exits, seating, and electrical cables and systems in the engine and battery compartments.
If out-of-service violations are found during an inspection, the vehicle will be placed out of service and restricted from movement until all violations have been properly addressed.
Over the three days of International Roadcheck, 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.
For additional information on Roadcheck 2026:
CVSA’s International Roadcheck Scheduled for May 12–14 – CVSA (Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance)
How to Properly Mark a Commercial Motor Vehicle
A common question I receive from customers is:
“What size do the letters and numbers need to be on the placard or marking on the side of my commercial vehicle?”
Ironically, there is no specific size designation by measurement. Keep reading to learn how the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) addresses vehicle marking requirements.
Every self-propelled commercial motor vehicle (CMV), as defined in CFR 390.5, with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) greater than 10,000 lbs, must be marked with the following information:
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The legal name or a single trade name of the motor carrier operating the self-propelled CMV, as listed on the Motor Carrier Identification Report (Form MCS-150) and submitted in accordance with CFR 390.19.
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The motor carrier identification number issued by the FMCSA, preceded by the letters “USDOT.”
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The city and state of the motor carrier are no longer required to be displayed.
The Marking Must:
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Appear on both sides of the self-propelled CMV.
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Be in letters that contrast sharply in color with the background on which the letters are placed.
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Be readily legible during daylight hours from a distance of 50 feet (15.24 meters) while the CMV is stationary.
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Be maintained in a manner that preserves legibility in accordance with the above requirements.
Construction and Durability
The marking may be painted on the CMV or may consist of a removable device, provided the device meets the identification and legibility requirements listed above.
Marking of Rented CMVs from Idealease
A motor carrier operating a self-propelled Idealease CMV under a rental agreement with a term not exceeding 30 calendar days meets the requirements of this section if:
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The Idealease CMV is marked in accordance with the marking requirements stated above.
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The legal name or a single trade name of the Idealease location is displayed.
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The Idealease location identification number, preceded by the letters “USDOT,” is displayed.
The Idealease rental agreement, entered into by the Idealease location and the customer renting the motor carrier, must conspicuously contain the following information:
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The name and complete physical address of the principal place of business of the Idealease customer renting the CMV.
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The identification number issued to the Idealease customer by the FMCSA, preceded by the letters “USDOT,” if the Idealease customer has been issued such a number.
In lieu of the identification number, the following may be shown in the rental agreement:
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Information indicating whether the Idealease customer is engaged in interstate or intrastate commerce.
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Information indicating whether the Idealease customer is transporting hazardous materials in the rented CMV.
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The following sentence must also appear in the rental agreement:
“That Idealease cooperates with all federal, state, and local law enforcement officials nationwide to provide the identity of Idealease customers who operate the Idealease rental CMV.”
The rental agreement between Idealease and the customer must be carried in the rental CMV for the full term of the rental agreement.
Saint Patrick’s Day Drunk Driving Prevention – March 17
St. Patrick’s Day is one of the deadliest holidays on our nation’s roads. During the 2017–2021 St. Patrick’s Day holiday period (6:00 p.m.
March 16 to 5:59 a.m. March 18), 272 lives were lost due to drunk-driving crashes.
Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving
Daylight Saving Time Begins Sunday, March 8
Daylight Saving Time will begin on Sunday, March 8, at 2:00 a.m. local time, when clocks move forward one hour as part of the twice-annual time change that affects millions of Americans.
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Start now by ensuring all drivers are aware of the upcoming time change.
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Caution route drivers that daylight conditions may change depending on their schedules and stops.
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Remember to replace batteries in smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.
Most sleep experts recommend a minimum of seven hours of sleep per night. Many people sleep an average of 40 minutes less on the Sunday night following the time change. Plan ahead to avoid fatigue by getting adequate rest and allowing time to adjust to the schedule change.
Not all states observe Daylight Saving Time. Hawaii and most of Arizona (except the Navajo Nation) do not observe daylight saving time. The territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands also do not participate.
