The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) is holding the 2021 International Roadcheck for May 4th – May 6th. During these next three days, DOT inspectors will be stopping motor vehicles throughout the United States, Mexico, and Canada. This inspection is not to slow drivers down but instead to be proactive and ensure the safety of all drivers and trucks.
These inspections may be a little intimidating to new owner-operators. But these checks occur each year and are no different they any other inspection you may encounter during the rest of the year. The only difference between the regular inspection and the International Roadcheck has many inspectors out on the road are collecting data for violations. Whether you are a senior driver or a new owner-operator, you must be prepared and perform a pre-trip inspection before hitting the road.
CVSA Roadcheck Focus for 2021
Each year, the CVSA focuses on the International Roadcheck – and this year, the focus will be hours of service and lighting. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) noted that these were the two main violations during the 2020 inspection. Below are some things to ensure you are ready to get on the road and avoid any roadside violations:
Watch Your Hours of Service
When you are out on the road, you must ensure that you stay compliant with your hours of service by using your Electronic Logging Device (ELD). Your ELD will help keep track of your hours and can easily provide this report to any law enforcement officer when requested. Using your ELD can get you back on the road faster and reduce any violations.
Take Care of Any Maintenance Issues
Before hitting the road, it is best to ensure your truck is running its best. Preventive maintenance on all power units and trailers can help give you peace of mind when being stopped for an inspection. Some things you should check before getting out on the road include:
Exhaust systems
Frames
Fuel systems
Lightening devices
Steering mechanisms
Suspension
Tires
Windshield wipers
Van and open-top trailer bodies
Emergency exits
Electrical cables/systems in the engine and battery
Seating
Driver Documents
You must have all your documents in order before hitting the road. Inspectors can request to see different documents. If you do not have these readily available, you will receive a violation. Depending on the severity of the violation, you can receive an out-of-service sticker. This will put you off the road until you can provide these documents. Main documents that you should have on hand include:
Valid driver’s license and/or CDL
Medical Examiner’s Certificate
Skill Performance Evaluation Certificate
Driver’s record of duty status
Hours of service log
Prior vehicle inspections
Bills of landing if you are loaded
Safety and being compliant is not just solely the job of the driver. Still, it takes the whole fleet and organization. To prevent violations and out-of-service stickers, it is important to complete a pre-trip inspection before hitting the road. Drivers should pay close attention to the CVSA’s main focus and other parts of their truck that may be faulty. Completing a daily pre-trip inspection helps ensure you continue to run smoothly and get you back on the road quickly.