It’s that time of year again! The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) has announced the details of their annual International Roadcheck program. The program is announced months in advance to give drivers and fleets time to prepare. However, hundreds are still caught off-guard, resulting in being fined and placed out-of-service (OOS). Don’t take the chance – read this post to learn how to prepare!
International Roadcheck 2018
The International Roadcheck program is the largest targeted enforcement program of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in the world. The program takes place as a ‘blitz’ over three days across North America with thousands of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) and drivers being inspected. An average of 17 trucks and buses are inspected every minute across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
International Roadcheck 2018 will taking place from June 5-8, 2018 – write this date down in your calendar to make sure you’re ready!
Special Area of Focus
Each year the CVSA selects a special area that inspectors will focus on during International Roadcheck inspections. With the electronic logging device (ELD) mandate going into hard enforcement on April 1, 2018, and the results from the 2017 International Roadcheck program, it’s no surprise what they focus will be on this year…hours-of-service (HOS) compliance! More information on hours-of-service rules and regulations can be found here.
What Happens During International Roadcheck?
During the three-day inspection blitz, inspectors primarily conduct North American Standard Level I Inspections. A Level I Inspection is a 37-step procedure that examines the commercial motor vehicle (CMV) and the driver. The vehicle inspection includes a review of operating and mechanical components including the following:
- Brake system
- Exhaust and fuel systems
- Frame, trailer bodies, and suspension
- Tires, wheels, rims, hubs, and steering mechanisms
- Driveline/driveshaft components
- Lighting devices
Additionally, the inspector will look to confirm that any cargo being transported is secure. In 2017, 40,944 Level I inspections were conducted with 9,398 vehicles being placed out-of-service for vehicle-related violations. In 2017, the special area of focus was placed on cargo securement. Despite knowing about the special area of focus months in advance, 15.7% of these violations were for cargo securement issues!
The driver will also be inspected to ensure that they are wearing a seatbelt and that they are not under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Additionally, the driver may be asked to produce the following:
- Their commercial driver license (CDL)
- Their medical examiner’s certificate
- Their hours-of-service documentation and record of duty status (RODS) in a compliant format – paper logbook, electronic logbook, automatic onboard recording device (AOBRD), or electronic logging device (ELD)
Passed or Failed Inspections
If no critical violations are found, a CVSA decal will be provided to the driver to display on their vehicle. This indicates that the vehicle has successfully passed a decal-eligible inspection conducted by a CVSA-certified inspector. If critical violations are found, the vehicle may be placed out-of-service if the condition meets the North American Out-of-Service Criteria. It’s important to note that if placed out-of-service, you are not able to continue operating until the vehicle and/or driver violations are corrected. This is way ensure you and your fleet are prepared for International Roadcheck is critical!
Where Can You Be Inspected?
International Roadcheck is operated by the CVSA in conjunction with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators (CCMTA), Transport Canada, and the Secretariat of Communications and Transportation (Mexico). Inspectors will be stopping vehicles across all three countries during the three-day blitz during all hours – it is not just limited to 9AM-5PM.
How BigRoad Can Help?
BigRoad makes hours-of-service (HOS) compliance easy with our BigRoad Mobile App and DashLink ELD. No matter what type of logging you’re required to do, BigRoad has a simple, affordable, and flexible way for you to achieve compliance. Sign-up for a demo now and see our solution in action.
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