Roadcheck 2022: The nation’s biggest truck inspection blitz starts TOMORROW

This year’s Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) International Roadcheck enforcement effort is hours away— here’s what you need to know to be ready.

This year, International Roadcheck will take place May 17 — 19 at weigh and inspection stations, on roving patrols, and at temporary inspection sites throughout Canada, Mexico and the U.S.

Each year, the CVSA selects an area of emphasis for the 72 hour Roadcheck campaign. Last year, inspectors focused on Hours of Service violations and lighting violations.

Roadcheck 2022 to focus on wheel ends

This year, CMV inspectors will focus on wheel ends.

According to the CVSA, violations involving wheel end components historically account for about one quarter of the vehicle out-of-service violations discovered during International Roadcheck, and past International Roadcheck data routinely found wheel end components in the top 10 of vehicle violations.

During inspection of wheel ends on a commercial motor vehicle, inspectors will:

• Check for cracks or unseated locking rings, studs or clamps.
• Check for bent, cracked or broken rims on the inside and outside wheel rims.
• Check for loose, broken, missing or damaged wheel fasteners and elongated stud holes.
• Check spoke wheels for cracks across spokes and in the web area or slippage in the clamp areas.
• Check the hub for lubricant leaks, missing caps or plugs.
• Check the inner wheel seal for leaks.
• Check the tire and valve stem for leaks.
• Check for proper inflation, cuts and bulges on all tires, including the inside tire on a dual set.
• Check for regrooved tires on steering axle.
• Check tread wear and measure major tread groove depth.
• Inspect the sidewall for improper repairs, such as tire plugs.
• Check for exposed fabric or cord.
• Check for tire contact with any part of the vehicle.
• Check for markings on the tire that would exclude its use on a steering axle.
• Check for debris between the tires.
• Check for tires touching one another or any part of the vehicle.

Four Possible Outcomes of a Level I or V Inspection

During Roadcheck, most drivers will undergo a Level I Inspection — a 37-step process to confirm compliance with driver operating requirements and vehicle mechanical fitness. Inspectors can also choose to conduct the Level II Walk-Around Driver/Vehicle Inspection, Level III Driver/Credential/Administrative Inspection or Level V Vehicle-Only Inspection.

If you are selected to undergo a Level I or V inspection, there are four things that can happen following the completion of the inspection:

1. Vehicle passes inspection with no violations – If no violations are found, a CVSA decal may be applied to the vehicle, indicating the vehicle successfully passed inspection. In general, vehicles with decals are not re-inspected during the three-month period during which the decal is valid.
2. Violations are found, but they are not critical vehicle inspection item violations – When an inspector identifies vehicle violations, but they are not critical vehicle inspection item violations, the inspector will note those violations on the inspection report and the vehicle will be permitted to continue. Vehicles without critical vehicle inspection item violations are eligible to receive a CVSA decal. However, a decal will not be issued if violations are present on the rear impact guard.
3. Violations of critical vehicle inspection items are found, but they are not out-of-service conditions – When an inspector identifies a critical vehicle inspection item violation, the inspector will note those violations on the inspection report and the vehicle will be permitted to continue. Vehicles with critical vehicle inspection item violations are not eligible to receive a CVSA decal.
4. Out-of-service violations are discovered – If critical vehicle inspection item violations are found and the condition is identified in the North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria, the inspector will render the vehicle out of service, which means the vehicle cannot be operated until the identified violations have been repaired.

CVSA Roadcheck Level I Inspection Cheat Sheet

In the “cheat sheet” below, the CVSA details the vehicle components an inspector will check when conducting a Level I Inspection.

BRAKES Check for missing, non-functioning, loose, contaminated or cracked parts on the brake system. Check for S-cam flip over. Be alert for audible air leaks around brake components and lines. Check that slack adjusters are the same length (from center of S-cam to center of clevis pin) and the air chambers on each axle are the same size. Ensure the air system maintains air pressure between 90-100 psi (620-690 kPa). Inspect for non-manufactured holes (e.g., rust holes, holes created by rubbing orfriction, etc.) and broken springs in the spring brake housing section of the parking brake. Measure pushrod travel. Inspect required brake system warning devices, such as ABS malfunction lamp(s) and low air pressure warning devices. Inspect tractor protection system, including the bleedback system on the trailer. Ensure the breakaway system is operable on the trailer.

COUPLING DEVICES Safety Devices – Full Trailers/Converter Dolly(s): Check the safety devices (chains/wire rope) for sufficient strength,missing components, improper repairs and devices that are incapable of secure attachment. On the lower fifth wheel, check for unsecured mounting to the frame or any missing or damaged parts, or any visible space between the upper and lower fifth wheel plates. Verify that the locking jaws are around the shank and not the head of the kingpin and that the release lever is seated properly and the safety latch is engaged. Check the upper fifth wheel for any damage to the weight bearing plate (and its supports), such as cracks, loose or missing bolts on the trailer. On the sliding fifth wheel, check for proper engagement of locking mechanism (teeth fully engaged on rail); also check for worn or missing parts. Ensure the position does not allow the tractor frame rails to contact the landing gear during turns. Check for damaged or missing fore and aft stops.

FUEL AND EXHAUST SYSTEMS Check your fuel tanks for the following conditions: loose mounting, leaks, or other conditions; loose or missing caps; and signs of leaking fuel below the tanks. For exhaust systems, check the following: unsecured mounting; leaks beneath the cab; exhaust systemcomponents in contact with electrical wiring or brake lines and hoses; and excessive carbon deposits around seams and clamps.

FRAME, VAN AND OPEN-TOP TRAILERS Inspect for corrosion fatigue; cracked, loose or missing crossmembers; cracks in frame; missing or defective body parts. Look at the condition of the hoses and check the suspension of air hoses on vehicles with sliding tandems. On the frame and frame assembly, check for cracks, bends, sagging, loose fasteners or any defect that may lead to the collapse of the frame; corrosion; fatigue; cracked or missing crossmembers; cracks in frame;missing or defective body parts. Inspect all axle(s). For vans and open-top trailer bodies, look at the upper rail and check roof bows and side posts for buckling, cracks or ineffective fasteners. On the lower rail, check for breaks accompanied by sagging floor, rail or cross members; or broken with loose or missing fasteners at side post adjacent to the crack.

LIGHTING Inspect all required lamps for proper color, operation, mounting and visibility.

SECUREMENT OF CARGO Make sure you are carrying a safe load. Check tail board security. Verify end gates are secured in stake pockets. Check both sides of the trailer to ensure cargo is protected fromshifting orfalling. Verify that rear doors are securely closed. Where load is visible, check for proper blocking and bracing. It may be necessary to examine inside of trailer to ensure large objects are properly secured. Check cargo securement devices for proper number, size and condition. Check tiedown anchor points for deformation and cracking.

STEERING Check the steering lash by first turning the steering wheel in one direction untilthe tires begin to pivot. Then, place amark on the steering wheel at a fixed reference point and turn the wheel in the opposite direction until the tires again start to move. Mark the steering wheel at the same fixed reference point and measure the distance between the two marks. The amount of allowable lash varies with the diameter of the steering wheel.

SUSPENSION Inspect the suspension for: indications of misaligned, shifted, cracked or missing springs; loose shackles; missing bolts; unsecured spring hangers; and cracked or loose U-bolts. Also, check any unsecured axle positioning parts and for signs of axle misalignment. On the front axle, check for cracks, welds and obvious misalignment.

TIRES, WHEELS, RIMS AND HUBS Check tires for proper inflation, cuts and bulges, regrooved tires on steering axle, tread wear and major tread groove depth. Inspect sidewalls for improper repairs, exposed fabric or cord, contact with any part of the vehicle, and tire markings excluding it from use on a steering axle. Inspect wheels and rims for cracks, unseated locking rings, and broken or missing lugs, studs or clamps. Check for rims that are cracked or bent, have loose or damaged lug nuts and elongated stud holes, have cracks across spokes or in the web area, and have evidence of slippage in the clamp areas. Check the hubs for lubricant leaks, missing caps or plugs, misalignment and positioning, and damaged, worn or missing parts.

Be prepared for the world’s largest targeted enforcement program on commercial motor vehicles

“We want every vehicle on our roadways to be in proper working order for the safety of the driver operating that vehicle and everyone traveling on our roadways,” said CVSA President Capt. John Broers with the South Dakota Highway Patrol.

International Roadcheck is the largest targeted enforcement program on commercial motor vehicles in the world, with nearly 15 trucks or buses 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 numbered more than 1.4 million. Roadcheck also provides an opportunity to educate industry and the general public about the importance of safe commercial vehicle operations and the roadside inspection program.