DOT compliance is key to passing roadside inspections during the annual enforcement event.
With the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) annual International Roadcheck coming up in just under a month (yes, already!), now is the time to check on your vehicle maintenance, driver files, and FMCSA hours of service compliance. The 72-hour enforcement event will be taking place Tuesday, May 14 through Thursday, May 16, 2024.
Keep in mind that Roadcheck inspections are meant to evaluate truck parts and DOT compliance you should already check and maintain regularly. Failing an inspection will result in time off the road and money lost for your company. To help you avoid violations, expensive fines, and potential out-of-service (OOS) orders, we'll answer the following questions to make sure you are prepared for this year’s event:
- What should I expect during Roadcheck 2024?
- What paperwork should my drivers have for Roadcheck inspectoins?
- How can I prepare for hours-of-service (HOS) and electronic logging device (ELD) checks?
- What happens after a Roadcheck inspection?
What Should I Expect During Roadcheck 2024?
If you’ve been through a Roadcheck inspection before, you probably know what to expect by now. But if this is your first one, it’s even more important to take note of all the elements you should be checking and get to know the different CVSA inspection levels. Most roadside inspections are Level One inspections, which involve a 37-step process of checking all areas of the tractor and trailer, along with important driver paperwork.
Most of the truck parts that will be inspected during a Level One inspection include:
- Under the hood (engine, wiring, hoses)
- Tires, wheels, rims, and hubs
- Brakes
- Suspension
- Lights
- Windshield wipers
- Seatbelts
- Load securement
You can learn more about all the CVSA North American inspection levels here.
Drivers should check most of these elements during their pre-trip inspection before they get behind the wheel.
Over 4,400 OOS brake violations and over 3,300 tire violations were cited during Roadcheck 2023 inspections — don't let your fleet be a part of them this year!
As a helpful side note, drivers should make sure their trucks are neat and clean before the enforcement event begins! A DOT officer is more likely to look closely for potential violations when they see the truck has been neglected.
What Paperwork Should Drivers Have Ready for Roadcheck 2024?
To be prepared for Roadcheck 2024, you will need to make sure your drivers have the appropriate DOT compliance documentation. Inspectors will closely analyze driver operating credentials and requirements, such as whether they have a valid CDL and an updated medical certificate.
A few of the documents your drivers should have ready are:
- Driver’s License/CDL
- Medical Examiners Certificate
- Record of Duty Status (RODS)
- Daily Vehicle Inspection Report
- Periodic Inspection Reports
- Shipping Papers
- Vehicle Inspection Certificate
- Skill Performance Evaluation Certificate
Your drivers having these documents in their possession is just as important as ensuring their trucks and trailers are in order. If your drivers don’t have them with them during the inspection, or any of them are expired, they may be placed out of service.
A DOT compliance software solution can easily manage these documents for you by automatically tracking expiration dates and incomplete driver files. It will also alert you to missing documents and outdated medical cards.
How Can I Prepare for HOS & ELD Checks?
During Roadcheck 2023, over 41% of driver violations were due to hours of service (HOS) issues. This is surprising considering the ELD records your HOS information automatically, and the rules are readily available to any CMV driver. Learning about how specific HOS rules apply to you and if you qualify for any HOS exemptions can help you steer clear of these DOT compliance violations yourself.
Foley has numerous resources to help you brush up on FMCSA hours-of-service compliance:
- What You Need to Know About Spring Storms & the Adverse Driving Conditions Exception
- Hours of Service: Reviewing Changes to the 100-Air-Mile Exemption
- Compliance Review: FMCSA Hours-of-Service Rules
We also advise you to make sure your ELDs are working properly before Roadcheck 2024 begins. If they're not, you’ll need to report a malfunctioning device and have a copy of the user manual, instruction sheet, and a supply of blank “records of duty” sheets for your drivers to use in each vehicle.
What Happens After a Roadcheck Inspection?
Once your driver's inspection is completed, they will find out if they/their CMV passed or failed. If they passed, this means the officer did not find any critical violations, and they will receive a CVSA decal to display on their CMV.
If they fail, this means critical violations were found, and their vehicle will be placed out of service until you can prove the issues have been resolved. Their freight will be left at the inspection site until you arrange for another driver to pick it up and complete the route.
Now is Your Last Chance to Prepare for Roadcheck 2024
More than 59,000 inspections were conducted throughout North America during last year’s International Roadcheck, and the CVSA inspection levels varied. The top vehicle violations cited braking systems, tires, lights, and cargo securement. In terms of top driver violations, hours of service issues, having revoked licenses, falsifying logs, and lack of medical cards were cited.
Time is running out to ensure you and your drivers are running compliantly before International Roadcheck 2024. If you need help, take our quiz to see how Roadcheck-ready you are, or click here to request a demo of our DOT compliance software solution that will help cover your bases for the annual roadside inspections.
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