CVSA Trucking Inspections
It’s that time of year when the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) conducts its annual safety inspection blitz across North America. While Level 1 inspections are ramping up, there’s no reason a driver’s blood pressure should be also. Let’s cover all of the points, so you’ll know what to expect next week if you’re selected.
Which drivers are being inspected and who is the CVSA?
All drivers in control of a commercial vehicle, including passenger buses, are open for trucking inspection.
The CVSA is a nonprofit organization of local, state, and federal commercial vehicle safety officials across Mexico, Canada, and the United States. Their mission is to maintain a level of uniform safety and expectations for drivers and vehicles across the three countries.
When is International Roadcheck 2018?
The safety inspections run a 72-hour blitz every year at the beginning of June. This year’s dates are June 5-7.
What are they inspecting?
Each year, road agents have a different focus to highlight new mandates and safety compliance areas. This year’s road check is focusing on hours of service regulations. Our Dynamic drivers should be sitting pretty because our trucks have already been converted and everybody has been doing a great job. However, road agents will be conducting Level 1 inspections of any truck and driver they pull over. We do not expect for our drivers to have any issues, but here are some of the types of checks you can expect from this 37-point trucking inspection:
- Driver credentials (license, medical examiner’s certificate)
- Alcohol/drug use
- Hours of service records
- Lights
- Brake systems
- Cargo securement
- Coupling devices
- Fuel systems
- Driveline components
- Exhaust systems
- Frames
- Steering mechanism
- Suspension
- Tires
- Trailer bodies
- Wheels
- Windshield wipers
If you pass all of these points, the officer will provide you with an inspection sticker to notify others that you and your rig are safe and secure.
What if they find something wrong?
Last year, the CVSA Roadcheck placed around 15,000 commercial vehicles and drivers out of commission until the mechanical or driver issues could be remedied. Again, we are not anticipating any issues from or for our drivers on this matter. If you have been keeping your shop schedules and carry the recommended papers on you, you’re going to be in good shape if you’re selected.
Should there be any problems, contact your driver manager and our home staff will do our part to help you through.
Have a safe drive, truckers, and we’ll see you at home soon.