The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) biggest truck inspection effort of the year is currently underway — here’s what you need to know.

International Roadcheck is taking place throughout the United States, Mexico, and Canada from May 4 through May 6. During last year’s Roadcheck, more than 50,000 inspections were conducted and the out-of-service rate in North America for Level I, II and V Inspections combined, was 20.9%.

This year, inspectors are paying special attention to hours of service and lighting.

During Roadcheck, most drivers will undergo a Level I Inspection — a 37-step process to confirm compliance with driver operating requirements and vehicle mechanical fitness. Inspectors can also choose to conduct the Level II Walk-Around Driver/Vehicle Inspection, Level III Driver/Credential/Administrative Inspection or Level V Vehicle-Only Inspection.

Four Possible Outcomes of a Level I or V Inspection

If you are selected to undergo a Level I or V inspection, there are four things that can happen following the completion of the inspection:

1. Vehicle passes inspection with no violations – If no violations are found, a CVSA decal may be applied to the vehicle, indicating the vehicle successfully passed inspection. In general, vehicles with decals are not re-inspected during the three-month period during which the decal is valid.
2. Violations are found, but they are not critical vehicle inspection item violations – When an inspector identifies vehicle violations, but they are not critical vehicle inspection item violations, the inspector will note those violations on the inspection report and the vehicle will be permitted to continue. Vehicles without critical vehicle inspection item violations are eligible to receive a CVSA decal. However, a decal will not be issued if violations are present on the rear impact guard.
3. Violations of critical vehicle inspection items are found, but they are not out-of-service conditions – When an inspector identifies a critical vehicle inspection item violation, the inspector will note those violations on the inspection report and the vehicle will be permitted to continue. Vehicles with critical vehicle inspection item violations are not eligible to receive a CVSA decal.
4. Out-of-service violations are discovered – If critical vehicle inspection item violations are found and the condition is identified in the North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria, the inspector will render the vehicle out of service, which means the vehicle cannot be operated until the identified violations have been repaired.

Inspectors will also be checking the driver’s operating credentials, hours-of-service documentation, seat belt usage, and for alcohol and/or drug impairment. Driver violations could result in an out-of-service order.

It’s important to remember that violations that are discovered that do not result in an out-of-service order can still affect a motor carrier’s Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) score.

The CVSA says that inspectors will follow safety protocols to avoid the spread of COVID-19. Drivers hauling COVID-19 vaccines will not be held up for inspection unless a major violation is detected.

After International Roadcheck is complete, the CVSA has several other major inspection events planned for the summer of 2021.