2025 Brake Safety Week Scheduled for August 24–30
Following International Roadcheck and Operation Safe Driver Week, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA’s) third major enforcement campaign of 2025 is approaching fast. Scheduled for August 24-30, 2025, Brake Safety Week means intensified inspections across North America—and immediate out-of-service orders for any CMV with critical brake violations.
With almost 1 in 8 trucks placed out of service during last year’s Brake Safety Week, the compliance of your trucks and drivers is worth paying attention to. Out-of-service orders can sideline vehicles for hours or even days. In addition to an average penalty amount of $7,155 for the violations themselves, carriers face additional costs for towing, emergency repairs, driver downtime, missed deliveries, and more.
This Year’s Focus: Drums and Rotors
Each year, CVSA selects a specific brake-related component to spotlight. While last year’s inspections emphasized brake pad and lining violations, 2025’s focus will be on brake drums and rotors.
When these components are cracked, worn, or damaged, they can lead to:
- Reduced braking efficiency
- Detached fragments that pose serious safety risks to other drivers
In addition to identifying vehicles with critical violations, inspectors will gather data on the condition of the drums and rotors they inspect.
To help carriers prepare, CVSA has published a tip sheet outlining eight key drum and rotor inspection practices. From checking for heat cracks to inspecting pad-to-rotor contact surfaces, the guide offers valuable pointers for pre- and post-trip inspections.
What to Expect Based on Previous Results
CVSA also conducted an unannounced Brake Safety Day in April. Inspectors conducted 4,569 CMV inspections that day, with 8.7% placed out of service due to critical brake violations.
By comparison, 12.8% of vehicles inspected during last year’s Brake Safety Week were placed out of service. In total, 16,725 CMVs were inspected during the week-long event across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
More Than Just Brakes
Although Brake Safety Week emphasizes braking systems, inspectors are authorized to review other aspects of compliance. These may include driver qualifications, hours-of-service records, and general vehicle condition.
A common (and costly) violation involves driver credentials. If a driver’s CDL has been suspended or downgraded, the driver will be placed out of service on the spot.
While most inspections during this event are Level IV (special/emphasis inspections), officers can and often do expand the scope of those inspections if they notice any red flags.
Make Sure Your Vehicles and Drivers Are Inspection-Ready
It’s always a good idea to verify the safety and compliance of your vehicles and drivers. But with Brake Safety Week only six weeks away, it’s even more reason to ensure there are no holes in your compliance program. In addition to regular vehicle inspections, a continuous MVR monitoring program can help you spot some of the most serious driver violations:
- Expired medical cards
- License suspensions or disqualifications
- Recent drug or alcohol violations
Don’t wait for a roadside inspection to uncover a preventable issue. At US Compliance Services, our MVR monitoring program gives you real-time visibility into your drivers' license status and safety record, so you can take corrective action before enforcement officers do. And if you do face an out-of-service situation, our team can help you navigate your compliance challenges and get your drivers back on the road as quickly as possible.
Contact us today to learn more about our comprehensive compliance solutions.