The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance has rolled out its 2026 North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria, replacing the previous version used in inspections across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
These criteria are used by enforcement to determine whether a driver or vehicle poses an imminent hazard. If it does, that unit is placed out of service until the issue is corrected.
A total of 17 changes were approved for 2026. Here is the full breakdown.
Full List of 2026 Updates
- “Part I, Item 2. Operator’s/Chauffer’s License or Permit (Non-CDL) b. and c.” and “Part I, Item 3. Commercial Driver’s License, c. and d. Endorsements and Restrictions” were amended to separate endorsements and restrictions and clarify the violation codes.
- A note on intrastate restriction was added to “Part I, Item 3. Commercial Driver’s License, c. Endorsements and Restrictions.”
- “Part I, Item 8. Intoxicating Beverages, b. Be on Duty or Operate” was amended to state that when the driver has wine or beer with an alcohol content of 0.5% or more, or any distilled spirit, the driver is out of service.
- “Part I, Item 10. Driver’s Record of Duty Status – U.S., a. Property-Carrying Vehicles (6) and (7)” were amended to include situations where the inspector can determine actual driving or rest periods, even if records are false.
- A new out-of-service condition was added under “Part I, Item 10… (8)” for both property and passenger carriers when tampering makes it impossible to determine what events occurred.
- The reference to automatic onboard recording devices was removed from “Part I, Item 10… Footnote 6” due to regulatory changes.
- The note in “Part I, Item 11. Driver’s Record of Duty Status – Canada, h. No Daily Log” was moved to “i. No Previous 14 Days” for better alignment.
- Out-of-service conditions in “Part II, Item 1. Brake Systems” related to defective brakes and air brake hose or tubing were moved into the 20% defective brake threshold section. The term service gladhands was updated to service air connections.
- Hydraulic and electric brake lining measurement language was updated to better align with federal regulations.
- “Parking Brake” now reads “Parking or Emergency Brake” to reflect both functions.
- The ExTe Com90 securement system was added under cargo securement rules for logs.
- A new damage chart was added to the tiedown defect table for wire rope.
- A section specific to countersunk screws was added under upper coupler requirements, including kingpin.
- New language addresses missing pieces of rims, and the previous language about center holes between cracks was removed.
- “Part II, Item 14… Hubs (5)” was removed due to inconsistent enforcement.
- A new out-of-service condition applies when emergency exits are marked but do not include operating instructions.
- Language was added to clarify that missing placards for multiple divisions within the same class can result in an out-of-service condition.
- A new chart outlines seven types of federal out-of-service orders to improve enforcement clarity.
What This Means on the Road
These updates are not minor wording changes. They shape how inspections are handled and how quickly a situation can escalate into an out-of-service violation.
Areas like ELD accuracy, brake condition, and cargo securement continue to be a high focus. At the same time, clearer language around licensing, placards, and equipment standards removes some of the gray area that used to exist during inspections.
Staying Prepared
The full 2026 out-of-service criteria is available through the CVSA online store and as a mobile app.
Knowing these updates before the next inspection can be the difference between rolling through or sitting until a violation is cleared. Staying organized, keeping equipment in check, and understanding how inspectors apply these rules all play into keeping operations moving.
For questions about the criteria, contact Kerri Wirachowsky, CVSA’s director of inspection programs, at [email protected] or call 202-998-1650.
