It’s time again for another annual International Roadcheck for semi-trucks and trailers. The next one is scheduled for May 13th – May 15th and will be a Level One Inspection with two specific focuses. This is a 72-hour blitz of regulatory enforcement that is scheduled by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA). During this event, DOT/law enforcement will be out in multitudes, performing inspections at weigh stations, mobile stops, and temporary check sites. This is an international event that will take place in the US, Canada, and Mexico. Once you pass the inspection, you will be given a decal to place on your truck that is good for 3 months.
Each year, this event focuses on two specific items: a specific type of driver violation and a specific vehicle violation. During this round of inspections in May, the driver’s focus will be on hours of service, and the vehicle’s focus will be on tires. Below is more in-depth information about what they will be looking for in May.
DRIVER VIOLATION (Hours):
Drivers will be asked to show proof of how many hours they have driven. DOT checks this to prevent drivers from driving too long and becoming tired. Under the Federal Hours of Service (HOS), drivers are allowed 11 hours of driving time in a 14-hour workday. Tired drivers can lead to reckless driving and even fatalities. Trucking companies and owner operators use ELDs (electronic logging devices) to track hours driven. These devices are installed on the semi-truck’s engine, tracking the truck’s motion. They help drivers be compliant with federal regulations. You should still carry a manual (paper) logbook with you (the prior way to track hours) in the event your ELD goes out. That way, you will have a backup way to track hours. You can only log so many days in a 30-day time period on paper, so it is best to check the mandates for what rules pertain to you.
VEHICLE VIOLATION (Tires):
The person completing the inspection will walk around and check all of the tires—not only your semi-truck tires but also your semi-trailer (dry van, flatbed, or reefer) tires. They will look for these items.
- Tread Depth – Do the tires meet the mandatory requirements? 4/32” for truck tires and 2/32” for semi-trailers?
- Are any of your tires flat?
- Can you see any belt or casing ply showing through on any tires?
- Is the tread separated on any of the tires, or are there any cuts in them?
- Do the sidewalls of the tires have any bulges or damage?
- Are there any incorrect plug repairs made?
- Can they hear any air leaks?
Make safety your number one priority when driving for yourself and others around you.
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