MARCH 28, 2018 – Few issues have generated as much buzz in the trucking industry this year as the ELD mandate and hours of service compliance. With the final compliance deadline just days away, it’s probably no surprise that hours of service will take the spotlight in another annual event: the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA’s) annual Roadcheck.
Roadcheck will take place from June 5-7, 2018. During that 72-hour timeframe, carriers will be subject to roadside inspections in the United States, Canada and Mexico. According to the CVSA, inspectors will mainly conduct the North American Standard Level 1 Inspection, with a focus on hours of service violations. “The top reason drivers were placed out of service during 2017 International Roadcheck was for hours-of-service violations,” said CVSA President Capt. Christopher Turner of the Kansas Highway Patrol. “Thirty-two percent of drivers who were placed out of service during last year’s three-day International Roadcheck were removed from our roadways due to violations related to hours-of-service regulations. It’s definitely an area we need to call attention to this year.”
In addition to hours of service compliance, the inspection will include a thorough look at both the driver’s operating requirements and the vehicle’s mechanical condition. During the 37-step process inspectors will look at:
- Brake systems
- Cargo securement
- Exhaust systems
- Lighting devices
- Tires
- Driveline/driveshaft components
- Windshield wipers
- Driver’s seatbelt usage
- Evidence of drug/alcohol usage by the driver
If violations are found, drivers could be placed out of service. Those who pass will have a CVSA decal applied to their vehicle.
“Although the electronic logging device (ELD) rule that went into effect on Dec. 18, 2017 does not change any of the underlying hours-of-service rules or exceptions, the ELD mandate placed a spotlight on hours-of-service compliance,” said Capt. Turner. “We thought this year would be a perfect opportunity to focus on the importance of the hours-of-service regulations.”
We’ll dive into the specifics of hours of service compliance – and what inspectors will be looking for – in an upcoming article.
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