Federal inspection data also shows an important distinction between common violations and out-of-service conditions. Lighting and paperwork issues may generate citations, while serious brake, tire or cargo securement defects can prevent a truck from returning to the road until repairs are completed.

Hours-of-Service Records Draw Close Review

False or inaccurate records of duty status remain among the violations most often identified during roadside inspections. ELDs have removed much of the handwritten work, but they have not eliminated incorrect duty selections, unidentified driving time, missed certifications, or edits that conflict with supporting documents.

A driver should be able to account for the current day and the previous required days when an officer reviews the log. Any malfunction also requires an immediate shift to the approved backup process, which may include paper logs and reconstructed records.

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance placed added attention on ELD tampering and falsification during its 2026 International Roadcheck campaign. That focus reflects continuing concern about devices or practices used to conceal hours-of-service violations.

CDL and Inspection Documents Can Stop a Trip

An otherwise clean inspection can still produce violations when the driver or vehicle records are not current.

Officers may verify the CDL class, endorsements, restrictions and medical certification status. A downgraded license, missing endorsement, or expired credential can prevent a driver from legally operating the vehicle assigned to the trip.

Proof of the truck’s periodic inspection also must be available. Federal rules generally require covered commercial vehicles to pass that inspection at least once every 12 months. The work may have been completed, but an unavailable or expired document can still create a roadside problem.

Lighting Defects Remain Easy to Find

A failed lamp is one of the simplest violations for an officer to identify before speaking with the driver.

Brake lights, turn signals, headlamps, clearance lamps and identification lights all deserve attention during the pre-trip. The trailer connection matters too. A tractor may pass its initial lighting check, then develop a problem after coupling to a different trailer.

Reflective material can also draw scrutiny when it is damaged, missing, or obscured. Those defects may look minor in daylight but reduce the visibility of the combination at night.

Brake and Tire Problems Carry Greater Consequences

Brake defects continue to account for a substantial share of commercial vehicle out-of-service violations. Inspectors look for worn or damaged components, air leaks, improper adjustment, and other conditions that reduce braking performance.

Tires receive similar attention. Exposed cords, sidewall damage, inadequate tread depth and audible air loss can lead to immediate restrictions, particularly when the defect affects a steering axle.

These problems are not always obvious from the driver’s seat. Changes in air pressure, pulling during braking, vibration or unusual tire wear should be reported before the next roadside inspection confirms the defect.

Cargo Securement Requires More Than a Pickup Check

A load that was secure when it left the shipper may not remain that way for the full trip. Straps can loosen, chains can shift, and freight can settle after the truck begins moving.

Federal securement rules require drivers to inspect certain loads again after departure and at prescribed points during the trip. Open-deck freight receives particular attention, but enclosed cargo can also become a concern when movement affects vehicle stability or damages the trailer.

Tie-down condition matters as much as placement. Cut straps, damaged chains, and defective binders may no longer provide the working load limit required for the freight.

The Violations Most Likely to Be Prevented

Some roadside defects develop without warning, but several common violations leave clear signs before the inspection begins. The log contains an unresolved event. A lamp fails during a trailer swap. A license or annual inspection date is approaching. A strap begins to loosen after the load settles.

A careful pre-trip cannot guarantee a clean inspection, but it can remove many of the issues that repeatedly appear in enforcement data. Accurate records, current documents, and a complete walk-around give drivers the best chance of addressing those problems before an officer records them.

The TDUSA editorial team creates practical, driver-focused content covering trucking news, industry updates, safety, regulations, and career information for professional truck drivers across the United States. Each article is built to reflect real-world experience, industry developments, and information drivers can use on and off the road.

Last Updated: August 11, 2026

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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

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What is the International Roadcheck?

The CVSA International Roadcheck is an annual initiative designed to enhance road safety. This large-scale operation involves thousands of commercial vehicles and drivers being inspected at weigh stations, inspection sites, and even through mobile units. These inspections focus on verifying adherence to safety regulations, with results collected and shared publicly during the summer.

Each year, the Roadcheck focuses on specific areas of compliance, and this year, the spotlight is on drivers’ records of duty status (RODS) and vehicle tire safety.

What to Expect During the Inspections

CVSA-certified inspectors will primarily conduct the North American Standard Level I Inspection, a comprehensive 37-step procedure. This process ensures compliance with both drivers’ operational requirements and vehicles’ mechanical standards. Additionally, inspectors may vary their approach depending on circumstances, such as weather, using less stringent Level II or Level III inspections if needed.

Spotlight on Driver Safety

For drivers, inspections will include a thorough review of essential documents and compliance checks. Here are some specific areas inspectors will evaluate:

• Licenses and Certificates: Inspectors will review the validity of your license, commercial driver’s license (CDL), medical examiner’s certificate, and skill performance certificate (if applicable).

• Record of Duty Status (RODS): Your hours of service and compliance with the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse (in the U.S.) will be closely examined.

• Physical Condition: Inspectors will check for proper seat belt use and signs of drug or alcohol impairment.

Violations in these areas may result in the driver being declared out of service until issues are corrected.

Spotlight on Tires and Vehicle Safety

Inspectors will pay close attention to a vehicle’s tires, as proper maintenance is critical to overall safety. Areas of inspection include:

• Tread Depth

• Inflation Levels

• Visible Damage such as bulges, cuts, or sidewall issues

• Air Leaks or Tread Separation

Beyond tires, the Level I Inspection also evaluates a vehicle’s brake systems, lights, windshield wipers, coupling devices, cargo securement, and more. Additional checks for passenger-carrying vehicles include emergency exits, seat conditions, and electrical systems.

What Happens After an Inspection?

Vehicles that pass Level I or V Inspections without any serious safety violations earn a CVSA decal, valid for three months.

However, if serious violations are discovered, fleet operators and drivers must address these issues before the vehicle can return to service. These violations are classified within the North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria and must be corrected immediately.

Alternate Inspection Levels

When weather or other conditions make full inspections challenging, inspectors may conduct a Level II Walk-Around or Level III Driver Credential and Administrative Inspection instead. Note, however, that only Level I and V inspections qualify for a CVSA decal.

Source: Truckers News

Image: CVSA

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