The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) International Roadcheck is scheduled for May 13-15. International Roadcheck is a high-visibility, high-volume commercial motor vehicle inspection and regulatory compliance enforcement initiative that takes place over three days in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
CVSA-certified law enforcement personnel will inspect commercial motor vehicles and drivers at weigh stations, inspection sites, temporary locations, and mobile patrols to verify compliance with federal, state, provincial, or territorial regulations. Data from the 72-hour International Roadcheck will be collected, and the results will be released this summer.
Each year, International Roadcheck places special emphasis on a specific category of violations. This year, the focus areas will be tires and false records of duty status (RODS).
Proper tire maintenance is critical to road safety. Tire failure while in transit poses a hazard to all motorists, causes significant delays, and results in costly repairs for motor carriers.
During the tire inspection of a commercial motor vehicle, inspectors will check for:
- Low tread depth
- Audible air leaks
- Flat tires
- Exposed belt material or casing ply in the tread or sidewall
- Tread or sidewall separation
- Bulges in the sidewall
- Improper repairs, such as rubber-coated plugs in the sidewall
- Items lodged between dual tires
Hours-of-service regulations are in place to limit driving hours and mandate rest breaks to prevent commercial motor vehicle drivers from operating while fatigued. However, these regulations are only effective when drivers accurately record their work hours and duty statuses in their RODS.
When inspecting a driver’s RODS for hours-of-service compliance, inspectors will check for:
- Electronic logging device (ELD) tampering, including driving while not logged in, disconnected devices, and improper edits
- "Ghost drivers" (claiming a co-driver when no co-driver is present)
- Improper use of the personal conveyance special driving category
- Improper use of other exceptions, including adverse driving conditions
- Recording off-duty time while performing work for a motor carrier or non-motor carrier
Inspectors will be available to answer questions about tire maintenance, violations, and hours-of-service regulations to help drivers and motor carriers navigate compliance in their jurisdictions.
Over the three days of International Roadcheck, inspectors will conduct routine North American Standard Level I Inspections, a comprehensive 37-step procedure that includes an examination of vehicle components, driver documentation, and regulatory requirements.
For additional information on Roadcheck 2025, visit:
CVSA’s International Roadcheck Scheduled for May 13-15 - CVSA (Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance)
How to Properly Mark a Commercial Motor Vehicle
A common question I receive from customers is, “What size do the letters and numbers need to be on the placard or marking on the side of my commercial vehicle?” Ironically, there is no size designation by measurement. Keep reading to determine how the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) addresses the marking of a vehicle.
Every self-propelled CMV, as defined in CFR 390.5, with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) greater than 10,000 lbs must be marked and display the following information:
- The legal name or a single trade name of the motor carrier operating the self-propelled CMV, as listed on the motor carrier identification report (Form MCS-150) and submitted in accordance with CFR 390.19.
- The motor carrier identification number issued by the FMCSA, preceded by the letters “USDOT.”
- The city and state of the motor carrier are no longer required to be displayed.
The marking must:
- Appear on both sides of the self-propelled CMV.
- Be in letters that contrast sharply in color with the background on which the letters are placed.
- Be readily legible during daylight hours from a distance of 50 feet (15.24 meters) while the CMV is stationary.
- Be kept and maintained in a manner that retains the legibility of the above requirements.
Construction and Durability:
The marking may be painted on the CMV or may consist of a removable device, as long as that device meets the identification and legibility requirements listed above.
Marking of Rented CMVs from Idealease:
A motor carrier operating a self-propelled Idealease CMV under a rental agreement of 30 days or less meets the requirements of this section if:
• The Idealease CMV is marked in accordance with the marking requirements stated above.
• The legal name or single trade name of the Idealease location is displayed.
• The Idealease location identification number, preceded by “USDOT,” is displayed.
• The Idealease rental agreement, signed between the Idealease location and the customer, conspicuously contains the following information:
- The name and complete physical address of the principal place of business of the Idealease customer renting the CMV.
- The FMCSA-issued identification number of the Idealease customer, preceded by “USDOT,” if applicable. If the customer has not been issued a USDOT number, the rental agreement must include:
• Information indicating whether the Idealease customer is engaged in interstate or intrastate commerce.
• Information indicating whether the Idealease customer is transporting hazardous materials in the rented CMV. - The following statement:
“Idealease cooperates with all Federal, State, and local law enforcement officials nationwide to provide the identity of Idealease customers who operate the Idealease rental CMV.”
The rental agreement must be carried in the Idealease rental CMV for the entire duration of the rental period.
St. Patrick's Day Drunk Driving Prevention - March 17
St Patrick’s Day is one of the deadliest holidays on our nation’s roads. During the 2017-2021 St Patrick’s Day holiday period (6 pm March 16 to 5:59 am March 18), 272 lives were lost due to drunk-driving crashes.
Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving
FHWA Gives NYC Until March 21 to End Congestion Pricing
A letter from the Executive Director of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to New York transportation officials states that the FHWA will terminate the Value Pricing Pilot Program Agreement, effective March 21, 2025. This agreement had previously authorized the implementation of tolls for entering Manhattan below 60th Street.
The letter directs the City and State of New York to discontinue the collection of tolls on federal-aid highways in NYC as of March 21, 2025.
However, New York Governor Kathy Hochul has vowed to challenge the rescission of authority in court. Additionally, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has already filed a lawsuit in federal court.
Frost Laws in 16 States and 9 Provinces!
Spring weather often creates driving challenges. Specifically, the change in ground
temperature can damage roads and vehicles and result in "roller coaster" rides from "wavy roads."
Consequently, motor carriers need to monitor the many state and provincial spring weight restrictions or risk damage to the road and/or the rig.
Be ready for an alternate route.
To preserve the integrity of the roadways, many states impose seasonal weight restrictions as early as late February, with some lasting into May.
As drivers travel through regions experiencing spring thaws, they need to watch for posted signs indicating allowable weights. Signs may also indicate a reduced speed limit.
Trip planning may involve visiting state websites to determine if a specific highway is accessible to your vehicles. In addition, if a driver encounters a weight restriction, he or she will need to find an alternative route, possibly contacting dispatch for assistance.
Ignoring posted restrictions may result in more than just fines. It could lead to damage to the roads, your vehicle, and/or cargo and could result in an accident if the roadway is difficult to maneuver.
To view the laws in states and provinces, go to:
https://oversize.io/regulations/frost-laws-by-state
Daylight Savings Time Begins Sunday March 9th!
Daylight saving time will begin for 2025 on Sunday, March 9, at 2 a.m. local time, when our clocks will go ahead one hour. This is part of the twice-annual time change that affects millions, but not all, Americans.
• Start now to ensure that all your drivers are aware of the change to daylight saving time in two weeks. Caution route drivers especially that the amount of daylight will change according to their stops with the time change.
• Also, remember to change the batteries in smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors as well.
Most sleep experts recommend a minimum of seven hours of sleep per night. Many people sleep an average of 40 minutes less on Sunday night, March 9, after daylight saving time returns. Plan ahead to avoid feeling sleepy. Sleep in on Sunday morning and take a nap Sunday afternoon.
Not all states observe daylight saving time. Hawaii and Arizona (except for the Navajo Nation) do not observe daylight saving time, nor do the territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
International Roadcheck 2025 May 13-15
International Roadcheck is an annual three-day event during which CVSA-certified inspectors conduct compliance, enforcement, and educational initiatives targeted at various elements of motor carrier, vehicle, and driver safety.
International Roadcheck is the largest targeted enforcement program on commercial motor vehicles in the world, with nearly 15 trucks and motorcoaches inspected, on average, every minute across North America during a 72-hour period.
Since its inception in 1988, roadside inspections conducted during International Roadcheck have totaled more than 1.8 million. International Roadcheck also provides an opportunity to educate the industry and the public about the importance of safe commercial motor vehicle operations and the roadside inspection program.
CVSA sponsors International Roadcheck with participation from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators, Transport Canada, and Mexico’s Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications, and Transportation.
