While international harmony among the United States, Mexico, and Canada may not have dominated headlines recently, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) annual International Roadcheck represents an approach to highway safety that works across borders. From May 13-15, this coordinated inspection initiative will deploy across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. 

This year’s Roadcheck will include thousands of inspections and regulatory compliance checks at weigh stations, temporary sites, and mobile patrols. For carriers and drivers, preparation is essential to avoid costly out-of-service violations and demonstrate a commitment to regulatory compliance and highway safety. 

In this blog, we’ll answer the critical questions about 2025 International Roadcheck, highlighting what fleets need to know about this year’s three-day inspection blitz. 

What does a normal inspection during Roadcheck look like? 

The primary inspection conducted during Roadcheck is the North American Standard Level I Inspection, which is a 37-step inspection that covers a driver’s credentials and fitness for operating the vehicle as well as the vehicle’s mechanical condition. 

Are there any areas of emphasis inspectors will be focusing on? 

Every year, CVSA picks a driver focus area and a vehicle focus area for inspectors to emphasize. Last year, CVSA focused on controlled substance and alcohol use for drivers and stressed the importance of tractor protection systems for vehicles.  

In 2025, inspectors will focus on driver hours of service (HOS) and proper tire maintenance. Additionally, CVSA has created a flyer outlining the specifics of what inspectors will be looking for as they concentrate on the two focus areas. 

Fleets and drivers should be aware that inspectors won’t just be looking for flat tires, low tire tread, and total hours. They’ll be looking for items on tires like improper repairs, objects lodged between dual tires, and sidewall bulges. For HOS compliance, areas of investigation include the use of ghost drivers and improper use of personal conveyance. 

What happens if a truck or driver fails the inspection? 

If a violation is deemed critical for vehicle or driver and meets the North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria, then the vehicle and/or driver fails the inspection and is placed out-of-service until the issue is fixed or corrected. Any out-of-service time hurts driver and carrier bottom lines alike and stands to harm relationships with shippers and brokers. 

However, with HOS being one of this year’s focus areas, it’s important to note that failure to record hours, complete or retain a log, or knowingly falsifying logs or reports, can leave a carrier or driver liable to prosecution. 

What do I get for passing the inspection? 

Vehicles that pass the Level I inspection qualify for a CVSA decal that remains valid for three months. In general, vehicles are not re-inspected within the three months unless they show obvious issues.  

What if a Level I inspection can’t occur due to inclement weather or other intervening circumstances? 

If a Level I inspection can’t be performed, a Level II or Level III inspection is typically undertaken. A Level II inspection is a walkaround vehicle inspection including items that can be inspected without getting under the vehicle, while a Level III check largely involves driver certification, HOS, and looking at vehicle inspection reports. If only a Level II or Level III inspection happens, the vehicle is not eligible for the CVSA decal. 

How can carriers best prepare for Roadcheck? 

Carriers should always be vigilant about having their drivers perform self-inspections, so fleets who already have stringent inspection and maintenance standards should be well-prepared for Roadcheck. Additionally, carriers should have no questions about their drivers’ credentials or medical status. 

As for the focus areas, drivers and fleet managers can spend extra time on tires weeks in advance, paying special attention to the items pinpointed by the CVSA focus flyer. Any possible tire defects should be repaired in advance of May 13. Similarly, fleets should ramp up supervision over HOS logs in the week before Roadcheck, being particularly mindful of breaks and personal conveyance.  

What did CVSA find during last year’s International Roadcheck? 

During International Roadcheck in 2024, inspectors conducted 48,761 inspections and found 13,567 vehicle out-of-service violations and 2,714 driver out-of-service violations. The overall vehicle out-of-service rate was 23%, while the driver rate was 4.8% 

Defective service brakes and tires were the top two vehicle out-of-service violation categories, making up 25% and 20.8% of total vehicle out-of-service violations, respectively. For driver out-of-service violations, the top two violations were hours of service at 32.1% and no commercial driver’s license at 25.4%. 

What else should drivers and fleets know about CVSA enforcement and events? 

Each April 1, CVSA adds to its out-of-service criteria, and announces the changes late in the previous year, so industry stakeholders won’t be taken by surprise. While the complete handbook of 2025 North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria is available for a fee from CVSA, the organization has published the changes free of change. 

This year’s changes mostly involve vehicle out-of-service criteria and concern brakes, tires, lighting, and suspension. However, one relevant driver item relates that it’s now an out-of-service violation for a prohibited driver to accompany a driver in training in the cab. 

Along with International Roadcheck, CVSA runs other inspection programs throughout the year. In 2025, CVSA will be holding Operation Safe Driver Week from July 13-19, Brake Safety Week from August 24-30, and an unannounced one-day brake safety initiative.  

During Operation Safe Driver Week, law enforcement will be looking out for risky driving among commercial and passenger vehicle drivers. Inspectors focus on brake systems for commercial vehicles and buses during Brake Safety Week and the one-day brake safety campaign. 

The right planning makes Roadcheck an easy ride 

With proper preparation beginning now—conducting thorough tire inspections, implementing HOS compliance reviews, and taking note of updated out-of-service criteria—carriers can navigate Roadcheck 2025 with confidence while positioning themselves for operational excellence throughout the remainder of the year.