International Roadcheck Slated for June 5-7

With the electronic logging device (ELD) mandate going into effect in December 2017 and being fully enforced since the beginning of April, it’s no surprise that the focus of this year’s International Roadcheck is hours-of-service compliance. The annual Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) 72-hour inspection blitz will take place June 5-7, 2018.

The International Roadcheck is the largest targeted enforcement program of commercial motor vehicles in the world, with nearly 17 trucks or buses inspected, on average, every minute in the United States, Canada, and Mexico over the three-day period.

During last year’s Roadcheck, thirty-two percent of drivers who were placed out of service were removed from the roadways as a result of violations related to hours-of-service regulations.

"Although the electronic logging device rule that went into effect on Dec. 18, 2017 does not change any of the underlying hours-of-service rules or exceptions, the ELD mandate placed a spotlight on hours-of-service compliance," said CVSA President Capt.

Christopher Turner of the Kansas Highway Patrol. “We thought this year would be the perfect opportunity to focus on the importance of the hours-of-service regulations.”

The inspections are performed in conjunction with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and 10,000 CVSA-certified local, state, provincial, territorial and federal inspectors across North America.

Inspectors will primarily conduct the North American Standard Level I Inspections, a 37-step procedure that includes an examination of both driver operating requirements and vehicle mechanical fitness.

The vehicle inspection will include checking braking systems; cargo securement; coupling devices; driveline/driveshaft components; exhaust systems; frames; fuel systems; lighting devices; steering mechanisms; suspensions; tires; van and open-top trailer bodies; wheels; rims and hubs; and windshield wipers.

Buses will also be inspected for emergency exits, electrical cables and systems in the engine and battery compartments, and seating.

Commercial vehicle drivers will need to provide all operating credentials such as their driver’s license and endorsements, medical examiner’s certificate, hours-of-service documentation and record of duty status (RODS) per Part 395, 49 CFR 395.8(a) – [ELD, automatic onboard recording device (AOBRD), paper logbook or electronic logbook].

Additionally, drivers will be checked for seat belt usage, and enforcement officers will be looking for any signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment. 

If an inspector finds no critical inspection item violations during an inspection, a CVSA decal will be applied to the vehicle, indicating that the vehicle successfully passed a decal-eligible inspection.

If critical inspection items violations are found, an inspector may render the driver or vehicle out of service if the condition meets the North American Out-of-Service Criteria. This means that the driver cannot operator the vehicle until the violation(s) are corrected.

For more information on hours-of service regulations, visit the FMCSA website.

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