What To Expect From Upcoming Truck Inspections

One thing we like to say around here is "stay ready, so you don't have to get ready".

We are halfway through 2019 and there are still a couple truck inspections and important dates, like the 2019 Form 2290 filing deadline, you have to make it through.

The CVSA's Operation Safe Driver Week 2019 and the CVSA's Brake Safety Week are approaching.

If you're still operating your rig, it is safe to say you survived the CVSA Roadcheck 2019.

If you have been in the industry you know that the truck inspections don't stop there. Here are a few upcoming truck inspection dates you need to be aware of.

Upcoming Truck Inspection Dates

CVSA's Operation Safe Driver Week 2019 (July 14-20, 2019)

The first truck inspection date you should remember is the CVSA's Operation Safe Driver Week 2019. This inspection will last from July 14th to July 20th.

 Each year this inspection focusses on some form of dangerous driver behavior and this year there is an emphasis on speeding. 

During this week, North American jurisdictions will be promoting and endorsing the message: "Late won't kill you, speeding will"

Speeding is the one thing we have all been found guilty of from time to time, so this comes as a forewarning to every trucker with a led foot, who may get stopped.

The CVSA will partner with law enforcement personnel to issue warnings and/or citations to drivers operating a commercial vehicle or passenger vehicle, driving at unlawful speeds.

Previous Operation Safe Driver Week Results
During the CVSA's Operation Safe Driver Week last year, there was nearly 17,000 passenger vehicle pulled over alone for speeding and almost 2,000 commercial vehicles. In addition to those, 17 commercial vehicles were given a citation for driving too fast for the weather conditions.


CVSA's Brake Safety Week 2019: (September 15-21, 2019)

The CVSA's Brake Safety Week will be taking place from September 15th through 201th. Roadside safety truck inspections will be conducted on commercial vehicles throughout North American jurisdictions. 

During this truck inspection, any vehicle found with critical brake violations, or other critical violations, will not be able to travel until they are up to protocol.  

Any commercial vehicle that passes the truck inspection during the CVSA Brake Safety Week 2019 will receive a CVSA decal to identify them as such. 

Alongside the truck inspection, law enforcement will also be doing outreach and bringing awareness to the importance of proper brake safety.

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Upcoming Truck Inspection Dates You Need To Know

Just when you think we are out of the woods, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) announces another inspection. If your rig is still operational, it is safe to assume you survived the CVSA Roadcheck 2018 last month. Here are the upcoming truck inspection dates you need to know.

Upcoming Truck Inspection Dates You Need To Know

CVSA’s Operation Safe Driver Week

July 15-21, 2018

During this weeklong trucking blitz, enforcement personnel will be on the lookout for unsafe commercial and passenger vehicle drivers. Meaning the focus this year will be on traffic violations, seat belt enforcement, driver roadside inspections, and driver regulatory compliance.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) “Large Truck Crash Causation Study” states that “driver behavior is the critical reason for more than 88 percent of large truck crashes and 93 percent of passenger vehicle crashes.”

Driving behaviors that will be targeted during this blitz will include speeding, distracted driving, texting, failure to wear a seat belt, following too closely, lane change violations, failure to obey traffic lights, and more.

Last year 39,000 citations and warnings were issued to drivers during the Operation Safe Driver Week.

CVSA’s Brake Safety Week 

Sept 16-22, 2018

CVSA enforcement officers will conduct roadside Level I inspections on commercial motor vehicles during this weeklong blitz. Inspectors will focus on brake components, including loose or missing parts; air or hydraulic fluid leaks, rotor conditions, pushrod travel, air chamber sizes, air reservoirs, and other brake components. If the officer finds critical brake violations, your rig will be placed out of service immediately.

The CVSA stated in a press release, “Properly functioning brake systems are crucial to safe CMV operation. Brakes must be routinely inspected and carefully and consistently maintained, so they operate and perform to the manufacturer’s specifications throughout the life of the vehicle. Improperly installed or poorly maintained brake systems can reduce braking efficiency, posing a serious risk to public safety on our roadways.”

Last year 14% of trucks inspected during the one-day brake safety blitz were placed out of service for critical brake violations.

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Get Ready for CVSA Roadcheck 2016!

That time of the year for truckers is fast approaching, and no I’m not talking about tax season -- well, not yet anyway. The dates for the 29th annual CVSA International Roadcheck are set, and the 72-hour program will begin on June 7, 2016, and run through June 9, 2016.

We know, it can be a pretty big hassle for truckers. But remember, it’s not just for the safety of four wheelers on the road, it’s for your safety, too. So keep reading and we’ll make sure you’re ready for anything the CVSA may throw your way this year.

What is the CVSA International Roadcheck?

International Roadcheck is a program aimed to educate both the trucking industry and the general public about the importance of safe commercial vehicle operations. The inspections are performed by over 10,000 CVSA-certified local, state, provincial, and territorial inspectors in jurisdictions across the US, Mexico, and Canada.

The inspectors will administer the North American standard Level I inspection, which is an oddly thorough 37-step inspection that takes about an hour. During the inspection, drivers will be tested for seat belt usage as well as for the use of drugs or alcohol during vehicle operation.

Drivers also will need to provide their:

• Driver’s License
• Endorsements
• Hours-of-Service Documentation
• Medical Examiner’s Certificate
• Skill Performance Evaluation (If Applicable)

The truck will also be inspected (obviously) which includes an examination of the vehicle’s:

Braking System, Coupling Devices, Driveline, Exhaust System, Fuel System, Frame, Lights, Safe Loading Ability, Steering Mechanism, Suspension, Tires, Van and Open-Top Trailer Bodies, Wheels & Rims, and Windshield Wipers.

2016 CVSA Roadcheck Point of Emphasis

Every year, the CVSA selects a special category of violations for both inspectors and drivers to focus on, and this year the emphasis is being placed on tire safety. Meaning they’ll be measuring your tire depth, checking the tire pressure, and examining the condition of the tires overall.

And if you’re wondering why exactly the CVSA decides to put you truckers through this mess, it’s because the International Roadcheck has been wildly successful since its inception in 1988. The Roadcheck has inspected over 1.4 million vehicles in its 28 years of operation, and those inspections have saved an estimated 300 lives and prevented nearly 6,000 accidents.

Not to mention that on average, having your truck put out of service by an inspector will cost you $861, and that doesn’t even include the cost of fines or repairs as a result of the inspection. So in save yourself some time and money by making sure you have all the proper documentation, and have taken all the proper precautionary measures to ensure that you pass inspection.

If you have any questions about the roadcheck, give us a call at 803.386.0320 or email us at support@TSNAmerica.com. Not only can we answer any questions you may have about International Roadcheck, but we also help with HVUT Form 2290, quarterly IFTA filings, and even your HazMat Certificate of Registration.

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Get Ready for CVSA Roadcheck 2015

That dreaded time of the year for truckers is fast approaching, and no I’m not talking about tax season. Well, not yet anyway. The dates for the 28th annual International Roadcheck have officially been set, and the 72-hour roadcheck sponsored by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) will begin on June 2, 2015, and run through June 4, 2015.

Though it may seem like a hassle, the International Roadcheck is actually a huge benefit to truckers and civilians alike. And as long as you’re prepared, you should be able to pass without a hitch–which is why TSNAmerica is here to make sure you have all of the information you need to make it through Roadcheck 2015 with ease.

What is the International Roadcheck?

Over the years, the program has helped educate both the trucking industry and the general public about the importance of safe commercial vehicle operations. The inspections will be done by over 10,000 CVSA-certified local, state, provincial, and territorial inspectors in jurisdictions across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Every minute during this year’s roadcheck, an estimated 17 trucks and buses will be inspected, so be sure to prepare so that your truck isn’t one of the nearly 19 percent of trucks put out of service every year.

Driver Requirements:

The inspectors will be administering the North American standard Level I inspection, which is an incredibly thorough 37-step inspection that takes roughly an hour to complete. During the inspection, drivers will be tested for seatbelt usage as well as for the use of drugs or alcohol during vehicle operation. Drivers will also be required to provide their:

• Driver’s License
• Endorsements
• Hours-of-Service Documentation
• Medical Examiner’s Certificate
• Skill Performance Evaluation (If Applicable)

Vehicle Requirements:

The truck itself will also be checked, which will include inspection of the vehicle’s:

• Braking System, Coupling Devices, Exhaust System, Frame, Fuel System, Lights, Safe Loading Ability, Steering Mechanism, Drive Line, Suspension, Tires, Van and Open-Top Trailer Bodies, Wheels & Rims, Windshield Wipers

Point of Emphasis for 2015

Every year, the CVSA selects a special category of violations for both inspectors and drivers to focus on, and this year the emphasis is being placed on cargo securement. The reason is because CVSA has deemed that proper cargo securement in carrier vehicles is a matter of public safety.

Here are some ways to be sure you are adequately prepared to have your cargo securement inspected:

• After traveling the first several miles of the trip, be sure to stop and re-check the tie downs and all other load security equipment. This is actually a legal requirement for all truck drivers carrying loads of any type. 

• Brace and block the cargo being carried as cargo can often slide during transport even if secured properly. Oftentimes an extra block or brace is all that is needed to keep the cargo from shifting too much during shipment. 

• Inspect tie downs for wear or damage before use. Often the reason for cargo moving during transport is because the tie downs meant to keep it in place are worn and therefore break. Proper inspection before use can prevent this from ever becoming an issue during transport. 

Why Should I Prepare for Roadcheck 2015?

Overall, the International Roadcheck has been wildly successful since its inception in 1988. The program has seen over 1.4 million vehicles inspected in its 27 years of operation, and those inspections have saved an estimated 318 lives and prevented 5,840 accidents.

Not to mention that on average, having your truck put out of service by an inspector will cost you $861, and that doesn’t even include the cost of fines or repairs as a result of the inspection. So in addition to potentially saving lives, save yourself some time and money by making sure you have all the proper documentation, and have taken all the proper precautionary measures to ensure that you pass inspection.


If you have any questions to help ensure that you are informed and safe for the International Roadcheck, give TSNAmerica a call at 803.386.0320 or email them at support@tsnamerica.com. Not only can they answer any questions you may have about International Roadcheck, but they also help their clients with their HVUT, quarterly IFTA filings, and even their HazMat Certificate of Registration. 

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UCR Enforcement Date Extended

2013 UCR (Unified Carrier Registration) Renewals were due December 31, 2012.  If you have not already done so, you will want to renew or register now to avoid possible fines/penalties.  The original enforcement date of January 1, 2013, has been extended until February 1, 2013, so you still have time.

States collect fees from motor carriers, motor private carriers, freight forwarders, brokers and leasing companies, based on the number of qualifying commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in their fleets. The revenues generated will be used for enforcement of motor carrier safety programs.

Who is Subject to UCR?  

All motor carriers (for-hire, private and exempt) – as well as brokers, freight forwarders, and leasing companies operating in interstate or international commerce are subject to the new UCR.   Entities based in Canada and Mexico that are involved in interstate or international commerce in the United States are also subject to UCR.  

From the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) Inspection Bulletin released on January 1, 2013:

It should be noted that SAFER (www.safersys.org) only displays three years of UCR registration information, therefore beginning February 1, 2013, roadside enforcement should only involve the 2011, 2012 and 2013 UCR registration years. No UCR Credential is required to be carried in the commercial motor vehicle, but you can carry a copy of your UCR receipt if you choose to.

As a premier processing agency, Truck Services of North America can assist you in obtaining your UCR.  TSNA takes the paperwork out of your way. Contact us to file your UCR today to avoid possible fines and/or penalties. For more details contact us at TSNAmerica.com or call 803.386.0320.

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