Truckers across North America proved once again that safety and professionalism are alive and well in the industry. During the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) 2025 International Roadcheck, inspectors in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico performed 56,178 inspections over three days — and a whopping 94% of drivers passed without any out-of-service (OOS) violations.
According to CVSA, 81.6% of vehicles and 94.1% of drivers made it through clean. “Conversely, inspectors discovered 13,553 vehicles, 3,317 drivers, and 177 hazardous materials/dangerous goods (HM/DG) out-of-service violations and placed 10,148 commercial motor vehicles and 3,342 drivers out of service,” CVSA said. “The vehicle out-of-service rate was 18.1% and the driver out-of-service rate was 5.9%.”
That means the overwhelming majority of truckers and fleets are running safe, compliant operations — a testament to the hard work drivers put in to keep their rigs road-ready.
Focus Areas: Tires and Log Accuracy
Each year, International Roadcheck spotlights specific safety areas. In 2025, inspectors zeroed in on tires and false records of duty status (RODS).
Inspectors found 2,899 tire-related violations, making tires the second most common vehicle issue behind brakes. Problems ranged from flat tires and low tread depth to improper repairs and overloading. Tire violations made up 21.4% of all vehicle OOS issues.
Tires are one of the simplest things to check and one of the easiest ways to get hit with a violation. Daily pre- and post-trip inspections remain key to staying compliant and safe on the road.
False Logs Still a Problem
When it comes to driver violations, false logs stood out. “Ten percent (332) of all driver out-of-service violations were for false logs/RODS,” CVSA said. “Falsifying logs is a serious violation. It conceals the real hours a driver has been driving or on duty, which directly impacts safety, compliance, and trust.”
Hours of service and accurate ELD records continue to be among the top inspection priorities for enforcement officers. Keeping clean, truthful logs protects drivers, their companies, and everyone else on the highway.
Brakes Lead the Pack in Vehicle Violations
Out of 44,435 Level I, II, and V inspections, 13,553 vehicle OOS violations were discovered. Brakes topped the list again, with 3,304 brake system issues — about 24.4% of all OOS violations. Another 2,257 violations came from trucks with 20% or more defective brakes. Together, that’s 41.1% of all vehicle OOS citations.
It’s another reminder for drivers to stay on top of brake maintenance — and to speak up when equipment isn’t right.
Common Driver Issues: Hours and Licensing
Of 54,953 driver inspections, 3,342 drivers (6.1%) were placed out of service. Hours-of-service violations were the biggest culprit, making up 32.4% (1,076) of all driver OOS citations. Other issues included licensing problems, false logbooks, and DUI violations.
Even small recordkeeping errors can raise red flags, so attention to detail remains critical for professional drivers.
Seat Belts and Safety
“During International Roadcheck, 726 seat belt violations were issued. According to FMCSA, 14% of commercial motor vehicle drivers do not wear their seat belt,” CVSA reported. Seat belts remain one of the simplest and most effective ways to prevent serious injury or death in a crash.
Hazmat Checks
Hazardous materials inspections focused mainly on loading and securement, which accounted for 28.8% of all hazmat OOS violations. Inspectors emphasized that proper loading and labeling prevent leaks, spills, and serious safety risks — not just for the driver, but for the public and environment too.
The Big Picture
Across North America, inspectors applied 16,521 CVSA decals to trucks and trailers that passed clean inspections. Since the first International Roadcheck in 1988, CVSA has conducted over 1.8 million roadside inspections. This year alone, roughly 13 vehicles per minute were inspected.
The bottom line? Most truckers are doing things right. The annual blitz highlights just how much effort drivers put into staying compliant, keeping equipment in shape, and making sure they and everyone around them make it home safe.
To read the full CVSA report, click here.
Image Source: CVSA
Source: The Trucker
