International Roadcheck kicks off May 12. For three straight days, inspectors across North America will be pulling over and inspecting commercial motor vehicles at a pace of nearly 15 trucks per minute. While this year’s spotlight is on cargo securement and ELD compliance, most Roadcheck inspections are full Level I inspections. This 37-step process evaluates everything from the driver’s documentation to the condition of critical safety components throughout the vehicle. Understanding exactly what inspectors evaluate at each step is the best way to ensure your drivers and equipment are ready.
The Driver Inspection Process (Steps 1-13)
Before the inspector ever looks at the vehicle, your driver and their documentation need to be in order. The first 13 steps cover:
- Choosing a safe inspection site and approaching the vehicle
- Greeting the driver and observing their general condition for signs of fatigue, illness, or impairment
- Interviewing the driver about the trip (starting location, destination, load description, time traveled, most recent stop)
- Collecting and reviewing the driver’s documents, including CDL, medical examiner’s certificate, record of duty status, shipping papers, and supporting documents like bills of lading and fuel receipts
- Checking for the presence of hazardous materials and verifying proper placarding
- Identifying the carrier
- Reviewing the driver’s daily vehicle inspection report to confirm that any listed defects have been certified as corrected
- Confirming the vehicle has a current periodic inspection on file
- Preparing the driver for the vehicle inspection (transmission in neutral, engine off, key in the “on” position, all brakes released, driver at the controls)
With ELD compliance as one of this year’s Roadcheck focus areas, carriers should expect especially close scrutiny of hours-of-service records and supporting documentation.
The Vehicle Walk-Around (Steps 14-27)
The inspector then works systematically around the entire vehicle, starting at the front of the tractor and moving down the left side, around the rear, and back up the right side. At each zone, they’re checking:
- Front of tractor: headlamps, turn signals, required lamps, windshield wipers
- Front wheels and sides of tractor: wheels, rims, hubs, tires
- Saddle tank areas: fuel tank condition, exhaust system
- Trailer front: air and electrical lines, driveline/driveshaft
- Rear tractor area: wheels, rims, hubs, tires, fifth wheel (lower, upper, and sliding), required lamps
- Sides of trailer: frame and body condition, hose condition, cargo securement
- Trailer wheels: wheels, rims, hubs, tires, sliding tandem
- Rear of trailer: tail, stop, and turn signal lights, ABS malfunction lamp, cargo securement
- Doubles, triples, and full trailers: safety devices, chains/wire rope, pintle hook, eye and drawbar
With cargo securement as this year’s other focus area, the trailer inspections will be looked at even more closely during Roadcheck.
Under-Vehicle and Brake Testing (Steps 28-36)
This portion of the inspection is the most technical, and also where carriers most often run into trouble. The inspector goes under the vehicle to examine:
- Steering system, front suspension, front axle, frame assembly, and front brake components (both sides)
- Driveline/driveshaft, suspension, frame, and brake components on all remaining axles
From there, the inspector runs a series of brake and system tests:
- Brake adjustment check at 90-100 psi with a full application, measuring all pushrod travel
- Tractor protection system test (this also tests the emergency brakes)
- ABS malfunction lamp and low air pressure warning device function tests
- Air loss rate test
- Steering wheel lash measurement
- Fifth wheel movement check
Step 37: Completing the Inspection
The inspector completes all documentation and wraps up with the driver. If the vehicle passes, a CVSA decal is issued. If the inspector finds any violations, they may issue out-of-service orders that keep the driver or vehicle off the road until the violations are corrected.
The best way to avoid that outcome is to walk through this checklist before your drivers hit the road during Roadcheck. If you need help reviewing driver qualification files, vehicle documentation, or overall inspection readiness before May 12, 2026, US Compliance Services can help. Contact us to get started.
