Get Roadcheck-Ready: How to Prepare for the 2025 CVSA International Roadcheck

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) has announced that its annual International Roadcheck is scheduled for May 13–15, 2025, and commercial drivers across North America—listen up—this is not the week to roll the dice on your logbook or those questionable tires.

Every year, the CVSA Roadcheck brings a surge of inspections across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Think of it as the Super Bowl of commercial vehicle inspections—only with less confetti and more clipboard tapping.

For 2025, the focus areas are Hours-of-Service (HOS) compliance and tire safety—two make-or-break categories that can instantly sideline drivers and rigs if something’s not up to snuff.

If you're a driver or fleet manager looking to ace this year’s inspection, stay with us. We’ll break down what to expect, why it matters and, most importantly, how to prepare like a pro.

What Is the CVSA International Roadcheck?

The CVSA International Roadcheck is a 72-hour blitz during which inspectors conduct a high volume of North American Standard Level I Inspections—this is the full 37-step check of both driver and vehicle compliance.

Law enforcement and DOT officials are out in full force, setting up at:

• Weigh stations
  
• Inspection sites
  
• Roadside mobile patrols
  

While all inspections follow the same standardized procedure, each year the CVSA selects focus areas to help spotlight common or rising violations. These are often the biggest culprits in crashes and out-of-service (OOS) orders.

Focus Area #1: Hours-of-Service (HOS) Compliance

Let’s be honest—fatigue is a killer on the road, and HOS violations are one of the most common reasons drivers get benched during Roadcheck. This year, inspectors are zeroing in on:

• Record of Duty Status (RODS) accuracy
  
• Incomplete or falsified logs
  
• Missing or outdated Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs)
  
• Signs of driver fatigue or impairment
  

How to Prepare for an HOS Inspection:

1. Review Your ELD Data: Double-check that it’s logging accurately. No gaps, no backdating, no funny business.
2. Know the Rules Cold: 11-hour driving limit, 14-hour window, 30-minute breaks, and 10-hour off-duty rules—memorize them.
   
3. Professional Appearance: Present a professional appearance and demeanor when interacting with inspectors.
4. Prepare Your Paperwork: Confirm all drivers have required items such as CDL, ELD instruction card, blank logs, vehicle registration, insurance card, necessary permits and can access them quickly when inspectors ask for them. Make sure trailer numbers, shipping information, and the driver’s signature are noted on any paper logs.

Pro Tip: If you know your logs are sketchy—fix them now. An HOS violation may put you out of service immediately and can land your company in hot water too.

Focus Area #2: Tire Safety

Tire blowouts are not just expensive—they’re straight-up dangerous. That’s why this year’s vehicle spotlight is on tire condition, inflation, and damage.

How to Pass the Tire Portion of the Inspection:

1. Check Tread Depth: Minimum tread depth is 4/32" on front tires and 2/32" on other positions. Don’t eyeball it—use a gauge.
2. Inflation Matters: Underinflated tires can be flagged even if the tread is good. Check PSI daily, and keep records if possible.
3. Look for Visible Damage: Sidewall bulges, cuts, tread separation, and exposed cords are all red flags. Replace tires before they’re a problem.
   
4. Verify Tire Matching: Inspectors also look at dual tire pairing—make sure they’re the same type and similarly inflated.
5. Avoid Improper Repairs: Plugging a sidewall? Nope. That’ll get you benched faster than you can say “patch kit.”

Pro Tip: Keep a tire gauge and a small air compressor in your cab. A quick inflation check at a truck stop could be the difference between a clean pass and an OOS order.

What Does a Level I Inspection Include?

A North American Standard Level I Inspection is the full monty. You’re getting checked from head to hitch:

Driver Checks:

• CDL and endorsements
  
• Medical Examiner’s Certificate
  
• Skill performance evaluation (if needed)
  
• HOS records and ELD
  
• Drug/alcohol impairment signs
  
• Seat belt usage
• Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse status (U.S.)

Vehicle Checks:

• Tires
  
• Brakes
  
• Lights and signals
  
• Windshield wipers
  
• Steering system
  
• Fuel system and leaks
  
• Suspension
  
• Frame integrity
  
• Cargo securement
  
• Emergency equipment
• Coupling devices

A vehicle that passes with no critical violations gets a shiny new CVSA decal, which says “this rig’s good to go” for the next three months.

If there’s an issue? That truck (and possibly the driver) goes out of service until it’s fixed.

How to Prep Your Fleet (and Yourself)

For drivers:

• Run a mock inspection this week. Check tires, logs, paperwork, and lights.
  
• Keep all required documents easily accessible.
  
• Get enough rest leading up to the week—fatigue shows.
  
• Ask questions! Inspectors may be open to helping you understand tire or HOS issues better during the blitz.
  
  

For fleet managers:

• Schedule preventative maintenance NOW, not on May 12th.
  
• Conduct internal audits of driver logs and HOS data.
  
• Use telematics and dash cams to spot patterns in behavior that might trigger an inspection.
• Ensure dispatchers aren’t pushing drivers into HOS violations with unrealistic delivery timelines.

Why This Roadcheck Matters (More Than You Think)

If you're thinking, "It's just one week; I'll risk it,” think again. CVSA Roadcheck isn’t just about citations—it’s a snapshot of safety that gets published and distributed across the industry. Your inspection results impact:

• CSA scores
  
• Insurance rates
  
• FMCSA compliance audits
  
• Future DOT inspections
  
• Your company's reputation
  

And yes, violations follow you—not just the truck.

Final Thoughts: Play It Safe, Not Sorry

The 2025 CVSA International Roadcheck is coming up fast, and with extra attention on HOS compliance and tire safety, now is the time to tighten things up—not panic the night before.

1. Know your hours.

2. Check your tires.

3. Bring your A-game.

Because let’s face it—if you’ve got your act together, you’ve got nothing to worry about. And if you don’t? You’ve still got time to fix it.

Want to help your drivers pass Roadcheck with flying colors?
Share this blog, conduct mock inspections, and make sure your team knows what’s coming May 13–15.