How to Avoid the Most Common Violations from the 2024 CVSA Roadcheck
For nearly forty years, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) has held fleets accountable through their “International Roadchecks.” Across three days and three nations (the United States, Canada, and Mexico), the annual safety blitz sees law enforcement personnel conduct about 15 vehicle inspections per minute. At weigh stations, temporary sites, and roadsides, vehicles and drivers found in violation of the North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria are suspended from operating until their infractions are resolved.
After each International Roadcheck, the CVSA publishes a summary of their enforcement actions that shines a light on compliance issues where fleets are consistently falling short. By understanding just how prevalent (and preventable) the most frequent out-of-service violations are, you can take measures to ensure your vehicles aren’t sidelined during this year’s event occurring from May 13-15, 2025.
Here were the most common violations found during the 2024 International Roadcheck:
The Top Five Vehicle Out-of-Service Violations
#1 Defective Service Brakes (3,387 OoS Violations)
Defective service brakes have been the leading violation at International Roadchecks for more than a decade, and 2024 was no exception. Because of how critical they are to the safe operation of any vehicle, federal regulations on brake conditions leave little wiggle room. If an inspector finds that 20% or more of a vehicle or combination’s brakes have an issue, they’re obligated to take it off the road.
To avoid this pitfall, fleets need to regularly check all their possible points of failure—this means inspecting your trailers just as thoroughly as your vehicles. Verify that all of your brakes are aligned, free of oil contamination, and operating as intended. If you find signs of excessive wear or metal-to-metal contact, take immediate action.
#2 Tires (2,821 OoS Violations)
In dangerous situations on the road, every inch of stopping distance matters. That’s why federal tire regulations exist and, subsequently, why almost three thousand commercial vehicles were benched by CVSA-certified inspectors last May. From shallow treads and splitting sidewalls to subpar pressure values and audible leaks, a litany of different tire defects can render a vehicle unsafe.
Tires are among the most convenient vehicle components for your drivers to examine, so there’s no excuse for not knowing their condition. Make tire inspections a standard part of your pre- and post-trip inspections to maximize safety for your drivers and others. With the right training (on what to look for) and the right tools (i.e. reliable pressure gauges), your personnel should be able to spot most signs of tire trouble before they become a significant safety concern.
#3 Other Brake Violations (2,486 OoS Violations)
When you consider how complex brake systems are, it makes total sense they would appear twice on this list. “Other brake violations” refers not to brake-specific defects (that are often isolated enough to remain below the crucial 20% threshold) but rather problems that compromise an entire brake system’s reliability, such as a leaking brake hose.
Thorough inspections are your best bet for ensuring brake system compliance. Make sure your tractor protection valve and your breakaway emergency systems are fully operational, as well as any warning indicator lights. And if you’ve had to splice any hoses, verify they follow best practices.
#4 Lights (1,569 OoS Violations)
Lights are a bit dual-natured in that it’s obvious when they’re defective at night but, on a sunny day, they can be fairly easy to misevaluate. Train your drivers to be mindful of mistaking a light catching the sun for a light being on, and proper inspections should catch faulty lights with near total consistency.
#5 Cargo Securement (1,303 OoS Violations)
While often neglected because it doesn’t directly impact vehicle performance, proper cargo securement is vital to the safety of your drivers and others on the road. Add tie down anchors, straps, and chains to your list of routine inspection items. And, perhaps more importantly, train your drivers on cargo securement best practices so they choose the right securement methods for each load.
The Top Five Driver Violations
#1 Hours of Service (870 OoS Violations)
Nearly a third of all driver-related infractions from the 2024 Roadcheck had to do with hours of service (HoS), and to veterans of the fleet industry, that’s probably not a surprise. An alarming number of fleets and operators aren’t up to date on the latest HoS rules and drivers often find themselves in situations where it’s difficult to not exceed their allotted hours (especially when trying to find parking).
That being said, HoS rules exist to improve road safety and it’s important that fleets comply with them to avoid fines, revoked licenses, and other penalties. If there’s any aspect of HoS rules you’re unsure of, visit the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) website. They have a library of educational resources to get you up to speed.
#2 No CDL (688 OoS Violations)
While the majority of drivers can be relied on to always have a valid CDL within reach on the road, it’s not a bad idea to include “Confirm you have your CDL” on a pre-trip checklist.
#3 No Medical Card (304 OoS Violations)
Commercial drivers of vehicles that cross state lines and have a maximum gross vehicle weight exceeding 10,000 pounds are required to keep a valid Medical Examiner’s Certificate (MEC) on them whenever they’re behind the wheel. Just like CDLs, having your drivers confirm on a checklist that they have their medical card before they hit the road can help avoid mistakes due to forgetfulness.
#4 False Logs (297 OoS Violations)
For good reason, virtually every fleet is unwilling to compromise on the matter of driver integrity. During the training process, drive home the point that your organization won’t tolerate misreporting, no matter the justification.
#5 Suspended DL/CDL (138 OoS Violations)
Before you bring on any new driver, you should always check the Commercial Driver’s License Information System (CDLIS) to confirm their CDL is in good standing. And for your current drivers, make sure to keep tabs on the expiration dates for their CDLs in a spreadsheet or tracking software.
Alex Borg is a fleet content specialist at Fleetio, a provider of solutions that enable organizations to run, repair and optimize their vehicles and assets.