The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) International Roadcheck is scheduled for May 13-15, 2025, and this year’s focus is on tire safety and false records of duty status (RODS).

This 72-hour inspection and enforcement blitz aims to strengthen safety compliance across North America by targeting key areas that directly impact vehicle performance and road safety. This emphasizes the need for proper tire maintenance and accurate, honest RODS documentation both crucial in preventing crashes, avoiding costly out-of-service orders, and ensuring smooth operations for carriers and drivers.

Tire Inspection Essentials- Inspectors will examine commercial vehicle tires for common issues that can quickly lead to violations or downtime, therefore prioritize these items:

• Ensure tread depth meets or exceeds legal limits
• Inspect for audible air leaks or slow leaks
• Identify and address flat or underinflated tires
• Look for belt material or casing ply exposed through the tread or sidewall
• Spot any tread or sidewall separation
• Check for bulges, cuts, or improper repairs
• Remove debris lodged between dual tires

Routine pre-trip and post trip inspections are the first line of defense. Investing in consistent tire monitoring and maintenance now will pay off during Roadcheck and help prevent costly roadside failures. 

RODS (Records of Duty Status) and Hours-of-Service Accuracy - Inspectors will also zero in on Electronic Logging Device (ELD) data to detect false or manipulated records of duty status. Be sure to:

• Avoid ghost driver logs (listing co-driver who aren't present) 
• Eliminate unassigned drive time or improper edits
• Use personal conveyance and adverse condition exemption appropriately
• Never log off-duty time while performing carrier work (even for another employer)
• Confirm ELDs are connected, functioning, and showing tamper-free
  
   

Accurate compliant logs do not just prevent fines, they protect your operations CSA score and credibility during audits.

Why it Matters - In past years, CVSA inspections have resulted in tens of thousands of vehicle and driver violations. The most common out-of-service reasons include: 

• Tire defects
• Brake issues
• Hours-of-service violations
  

Failing to meet compliance standards can result in immediate roadside OOS orders, fines, delays in freight movement, and damage to your company's safety record.

Fleet Readiness Checklist

• Perform daily pressure and tread inspections on all tires
• Ensure ELD records are current, complete, and accurate
• Train drivers on proper log annotations and inspection expectations
• Schedule mock DOT inspections
• Confirm all required documentation is in-cab and accessible
  

The 2025 CVSA International Roadcheck is more than a regulatory checkpoint. It is an opportunity to prioritize safety, integrity, and preparedness. Focusing on tire maintenance and log book accuracy helps fleets not only avoid penalties but lead by example in the industry. 

Make every inspection a success story and drive the road to compliance with confidence!