The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) International Roadcheck is scheduled for May 12-14, 2026.
International Roadcheck is a high-visibility, high-volume commercial motor vehicle inspection and regulatory compliance enforcement initiative. It takes place over three days in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
What to Expect: 2026 International Roadcheck
During the Roadcheck, inspectors at weigh/inspection stations and pop-up inspection sites primarily conduct the Standard Level I Inspection. This is a 37-step procedure that includes two major parts: 1) an examination of the driver’s operating requirements and 2) an assessment of the vehicle’s mechanical fitness.
The driver focus will be on electronic logging device (ELD) tampering, falsification or manipulation. Last year, falsification of record of duty status was the second most-cited driver violation, at 58,382 violations.
Additionally, inspectors will check the driver’s:
- Qualifications
- License
- Medical examiner’s certificate
- Seat belt usage
- Skill performance evaluation certificate (if applicable)
- Status in the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse (in the U.S.).
Inspectors will also look for signs of alcohol or drug impairment. If an inspector identifies driver out-of-service violations, they will place the driver out of service, restricting that driver from operating their vehicle.
This year’s vehicle focus is cargo securement. Improper cargo securement poses a serious risk by adversely affecting the vehicle’s maneuverability, causing unsecured loads to fall or become dislodged. This can obviously result in roadway hazards and/or crashes. In 2025, 18,108 violations were issued because cargo was not secured. 6,054 violations were also issued for vehicle components or dunnage not being secured.
Inspectors will also assess the vehicle’s:
- Brake systems
- Coupling devices
- Driveline/driveshaft components
- Driver’s seat
- Fuel and exhaust systems
- Frames
- Lighting devices
- Steering mechanisms & suspensions
- Tires, wheels, rims, and hubs,
- Windshield wipers.
If out-of-service violations are found during an inspection, the vehicle will be placed out of service and restricted from movement until all out-of-service violations have been properly addressed.
CPG Shippers: Prepare for Tight Capacity Around Roadcheck
Failed inspections can result in fines or other penalties for the drivers, such as out-of-service orders. These require a driver to stop driving by order of the CVSA until their equipment is brought up to standard.
In the face of these penalties, many drivers will opt to stay parked during this week to avoid the risk of failing an inspection. A combination of drivers opting out of a week of work plus another percentage being ordered off the road will result in shippers having fewer options in choosing who hauls their freight.
Fewer trucks mean tighter capacity, rising rates, and other difficulties for shippers. One of Zipline’s mid-sized carrier partners reported 30-40% of their drivers elected to not drive during inspection week in previous years. In fact, those numbers are standard for the industry.
Shippers should prepare for higher rates and increased transit times on loads shipped during or close to the third week of May. Service failures are also probable if you are not partnered with an experienced transportation provider.
Zipline Knows Market Fluctuations
Zipline Logistics has years of experience dealing with capacity fluctuations of all sorts.
Reach out to us today to get help preparing for CVSA inspection week!
