CVSA International Roadcheck and what you need to know

Are you ready for the CVSA International Roadcheck?

 

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s International Roadcheck will take place on June 5-7, 2018.  Over the 3-day period, commercial motor vehicle inspectors in jurisdictions throughout North America will conduct inspections of commercial motor vehicles and drivers.  This year they will focus on hour-of-service compliance.

According to the CVSA, the top reason drivers were placed out of service during the 2017 International Roadcheck was for hours-of-service violations.  Thirty-two percent of drivers who were placed out of service during last year’s three-day Roadcheck were removed from the highways because of violations related to hours-of-service regulations.

 

The ELD rule went into effect on Dec. 18, 2017 but it did not change any of the hours-of-service rules or exceptions.

In addition to having an approved ELD, the driver must also have the following five items:

  • A user’s manual for the driver describing how to operate the ELD
  • An instruction sheet describing the data transfer mechanisms supported by the ELD
  • Step-by-step instructions to produce and transfer the driver’s hours-of-service records to an authorized safety official
  • An instruction sheet for the driver describing ELD malfunction reporting requirements and record keeping procedures during ELD malfunction
  • A supply of blank driver’s records of duty status graph-grids sufficient to record the driver’s duty status and other related information for a minimum of 8 days

During this year’s International Roadcheck, inspectors will primarily conduct the North American Standard Level 1 Inspection, this is a 37-step process that includes an examination of both driver operating requirements and vehicle maintenance.

How do I prepare for the Roadcheck?

Drivers should be prepared to be stopped and have a comprehensive inspection of not only the vehicle, but the driver’s documents as well.  Your driver’s license, medical card and all supporting documentation will be reviewed during the stop.  The comprehensive vehicle inspection will include checking brake 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.  Additional items for buses include emergency exits, electrical cables, and systems in the engine and battery compartments, and seating. Seat belts are always a hot topic during Roadcheck along with securement of fire extinguishers, a spare fuse for every type of fuse in the truck, and emergency triangles.

While supporting documentation, good maintenance, and hours-of-service are the key components of a clean inspection, a clean truck and good attitude goes a long way too. CVSA officers have stated for years that will take a deeper dive if a truck is dirty.

If no critical inspection item violations are found during the Level 1 Inspection, a CVSA decal will be applied to the vehicle, indicating that the vehicle successfully passed a decal-eligible inspection conducted by a CVSA-certified inspector.

Be sure that you do a very comprehensive Pre-Trip Inspection every day to maintain not only your own safety, but that of the motoring public.

For more information on driver compliance and ELD software, visit our website or give us a call at 865-888-6920