Truck drivers across North America should expect extra attention this spring as inspectors roll out for International Roadcheck 2026, a 72-hour enforcement effort focused on two areas enforcement agencies say continue to drive violations nationwide: electronic logging devices and cargo securement. The inspection blitz runs May 12 through May 14, with roadside officers checking commercial vehicles at weigh stations and pop-up inspection sites throughout the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. This annual event is coordinated by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, and most inspections conducted during the blitz will be North American Standard Level I Inspections, the most comprehensive roadside inspection available.
What Happens During International Roadcheck
International Roadcheck is not a paperwork only stop. Inspectors follow a 37 step Level I inspection process that examines both the driver and the vehicle. Enforcement officers review driver credentials, hours of service records, and safety compliance while also conducting a full mechanical inspection of the truck and trailer. Data collected during the event is later released publicly and helps guide future enforcement priorities.
ELD Tampering Is the Driver Focus for 2026
Each year, Roadcheck highlights one primary driver violation category. For 2026, inspectors are placing special emphasis on electronic logging device tampering, falsification, or manipulation. Inaccurate ELD entries can result from misunderstanding federal regulations or exemptions. In other cases, records are intentionally altered to hide hours of service violations. Some logs have been manipulated to conceal driving time without showing required edit indicators under federal rules. ELD compliance has drawn increased scrutiny over the past year. In December, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration announced a proposal to overhaul the ELD vetting process. While the proposal stopped short of requiring third party certification, it highlighted growing concerns across the industry. Last year, falsification of record of duty status was the second most cited driver violation, totaling 58,382 violations. Five of the top ten driver violations were related to hours of service or ELD compliance.
Cargo Securement Is the Vehicle Priority
On the equipment side, cargo securement is the primary vehicle focus for International Roadcheck 2026. Improper or inadequate securement affects vehicle handling and creates serious safety risks when loads shift, leak, spill, or fall. Inspectors will closely examine tiedowns, dunnage, and load placement throughout the three day blitz. In 2025, 18,108 violations were issued for cargo not secured to prevent leaking, spilling, blowing, or falling. Another 16,054 violations were issued for vehicle components or dunnage that were not properly secured. Cargo securement has been a recurring concern for CVSA and was also a focus area during the 2023 Roadcheck.
What Inspectors Check on the Driver Side
During the driver portion of a Level I inspection, officers verify the driver’s license and qualifications, record of duty status, medical examiner’s certificate, seat belt use, skill performance evaluation certificate when applicable, and Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse status in the United States. Inspectors also watch for signs of alcohol or drug impairment. If an out-of-service violation is found, the driver is prohibited from operating the vehicle until the issue is corrected.
What Inspectors Check on the Vehicle Side
The vehicle inspection covers nearly every major system, including brake systems, cargo securement, coupling devices, driveline and driveshaft components, fuel and exhaust systems, frames, steering mechanisms, suspensions, tires, wheels, rims, hubs, lighting devices, windshield wipers, and the driver’s seat. If out of service violations are identified, the vehicle cannot be moved until those issues are properly addressed.
CVSA Decals and What They Mean
Vehicles that successfully pass a Level I or Level V inspection without critical violations may receive a CVSA decal valid for up to three months. A valid decal signals to enforcement officers that the vehicle was recently inspected and did not have out of service violations, which may reduce the likelihood of repeat inspections during that period.
Who CVSA Is and Why Roadcheck Happens
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance is a nonprofit organization made up of commercial motor vehicle safety officials and industry representatives from local, state, provincial, territorial, and federal agencies across Canada, Mexico, and the United States. CVSA’s mission is to improve commercial motor vehicle safety and enforcement through education, guidance, and collaboration between regulators and the trucking industry, with the goal of preventing crashes, injuries, and fatalities across North America.
Source: Heavy Duty Trucking
