Preparing for International Roadcheck 2025

Per tradition, the CVSA plans to spot-check thousands of vehicles this spring as part of the organization’s directive to keep commercial vehicles and their drivers compliant with established safety standards.

This year’s 72-hour inspection blitz, termed International Roadcheck week (or DOT week) takes the form of widespread roadside audits starting Tuesday, May 13th and running through Thursday, May 15th. The event — which carried out nearly 49,000 inspections last year across the U.S., Mexico and Canada — serves as a reminder of the benefits of year-round preventative maintenance, as well as other safety and compliance tools which can make Roadcheck week a mere blip on the map.

Here’s how fleets can prepare now to make sure Roadcheck 2025 goes over smoothly:

What to expect when they’re inspecting: 2025 Roadcheck focus areas

This year’s Roadcheck event places special emphasis on two key areas — tire conditions and records of duty status (RODS).

Tires: Damaged tires were tabbed as the second-most common vehicle violation in last year’s Roadcheck results, which is probably why the CVSA elected to conduct thorough examinations for signs of wear and tear during this year’s audits.

Expect officers to be on the lookout for inadequate tread depth, underinflation and other signs of tires in poor condition (cuts, bulges, exposed cords, tread separation and/or improper repairs) — any of which can trigger an out-of-service order.

Tip: Use pre-trip inspection logs to document tire conditions and set up alerts for maintenance thresholds to help prevent violations. 

Record of Duty Status (RODS): After accounting for nearly a third of last year’s driver violations, RODS are likewise under the Roadcheck spotlight this spring. Any indicators of false logs (incomplete or falsified duty status entries, ELD tampering and manually edited logs without proper annotations, to name a few) are bound to be flagged.

Tip: Train drivers on what false log violations look like and review log accuracy daily; violations in this area can result in significant fines and impact your fleet’s safety rating.

While these are the focus points of this year’s inspections, fleets should also be prepared for a thorough audit that covers the following:

• Valid CDL and medical card
• HOS documentation
• Motor carrier registration
• Company insurance certification
• Company hazmat certification (if applicable)
• Permit book
• Charged and secured fire extinguisher
• Required emergency equipment
• Proof of annual inspection
• Shipping papers
• Placards
• Vehicle brakes & brake systems
• Lights
• Cargo securement

Preparing your fleet for Roadcheck 2025

As much as a 15-20 minute roadside audit might seem inconvenient, it shouldn’t be a cause for panic. The Roadcheck event exists only to enforce standards that should be followed year-round — and as motivation to get things in order if any documentation or maintenance practices have somehow begun to slip.

Here’s a sample schedule for keeping the essentials tidy and ready at all times for a potential inspection:

Year-round practices:

• Drivers should be conducting pre- and post-trip inspections and reporting any potential issues. That includes a proper examination of tires and braking systems. Careful monitoring of the vehicle and basic preventative maintenance will catch most potential issues you might run into with an inspector.
• Train drivers to keep a clean cab. An inspection could include a cab search, and the more clean and organized the cab, the faster it will go.
• Gather all essential paperwork — including licenses, certifications and proof of past inspections — and keep it organized in one place (like a binder).
• Certify logs at the end of every shift. If using an ELD, know the process behind transferring logs to a DOT officer. Also, keep blank logbooks on hand in case of an electronic issue.

Two weeks before the inspection window:

• Run a full tire inspection of your own. Check for pressure and wear, and arrange replacement tires if necessary.
• Audit driver logs and retrain drivers on compliance.
• Refresh drivers on roadside inspection procedures.
• Ensure paperwork like medical cards, CDLs and cab cards are up-to-date.

Remember, CVSA’s aim is to keep roads safe and shareable for commercial and personal commuters. Making preventative maintenance part of your routine and cooperating with inspectors is the best way to get safely back on the road.

Consequences of bad inspections

Poor performance during Roadcheck week impacts more than just your inspection report. It can make it more difficult to book loads, cause you to endure more DOT audits, and elevate your CSA BASIC score (remember, elevated in this case is bad). It can also result in higher insurance premiums or even make it difficult to find coverage at all depending on the severity of the violation(s).

However, fleets that consistently show clean inspections, low CSA scores, and safe driving behaviors supported by telematics may qualify for insurance discounts and customized safety support through commercial insurance companies like HDVI.

If you’re already using Linxup’s GPS tracking to monitor driver behavior, log trips accurately, and stay on top of maintenance, HDVI can help you turn that data into even more value for your fleet—especially when it comes to compliance and insurance savings.

Linxup helps you prepare for the road ahead

Compliance isn’t just about passing a single inspection, it’s about protecting your business every day. Linxup gives you the tools to stay organized, catch safety issues before they become problems, and keep critical data at your fingertips. From GPS tracking and ELD logs to maintenance alerts, Linxup helps your fleet stay ready for Roadcheck and whatever else the road brings.

FAQ

Can we get shut down for something small?

Yes — but don’t panic. It’s true that one bad brake light can get a truck sidelined by an inspection; that’s what makes pre- and post-trip self-inspections so crucial! To avoid scenarios where vehicles could be placed OOS, make a habit of self-inspecting and keeping to a strict vehicle maintenance schedule.

Do they really check every truck?

No, Roadcheck’s massive annual audit doesn’t check literally every truck — but it does check an average of about 15 trucks per minute over a 3-day span, which is enough to warrant being prepared no matter the odds.

Can my guy be fined more than once during this week?

Yes, though it’s worth noting different fines are associated with different violations. A driver or vehicle with major violations may be subject to further auditing until the issue is remedied.

CVSA does issue decals to vehicles that pass certain levels of inspections without any issues, which when displayed generally keep a vehicle free from re-inspection (though it’s still within an inspector’s rights to do so).