CVSA Brake Safety Week 2026: Everything You Need to Know
Be prepared for inspection as Brake Safety Week runs from August 23rd through August 29th, 2026.
Brake Safety Week 2026 is upon us! This annual event, put on by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA), aims to bring awareness to critical issues surrounding brake systems for semi trucks and other commercial vehicle haulers.
Starting August 23rd, inspectors across the United States, Canada, and Mexico will conduct inspections and remove commercial motor vehicles from the roads with any out-of-service violations until they are resolved. These inspectors will also compile data from these roadside checks and produce results to be published later this fall to determine how effective their efforts were and where the next campaign's efforts should be directed.
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- Learn more about this event from our Brake Safety Week 2022 blog post!
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Read on to learn more about Brake Safety Week 2026 and what to expect from inspectors this year.
Focus Area for Brake Safety Week 2026
Each year, the campaign narrows in on a focus area generally predetermined by the data from the previous year. The Brake Safety Week campaign continues to focus on the condition of brake drums and brake rotors.
Issues with the brake drum and rotors cause brakes to be inefficient. Broken pieces of the brake drum can become dislodged and damage other vehicles on the road. For more info on how to inspect your brake drum and rotors, see the CVSA's Brake Safety Week flyer.
Brake Safety Week Results in 2025
For last year's Brake Safety Week campaign results, 15,175 inspections occurred, with 15.1% of commercial motor vehicles placed out-of-service for brake-related critical vehicle inspection violations. Examples of brake-related violations include 20% defective brakes violations, issues with brake hoses or tubes, and steering axle violations.
Table provided by CVSA 2025 Brake Safety Week Results.
Additionally, there were 113 drum and rotor violations of various types, giving the CVSA data for this year's focus. 39 vehicles were placed out of service due to these violations.
Table provided by CVSA 2025 Brake Safety Week Results.
Besides removing commercial motor vehicles from operation, 2026 Brake Safety Week aims to promote education around brake systems and maintenance. The campaign serves as a reminder to both drivers and fleet operators about the importance of regular vehicle maintenance and adherence to safety protocols. Fully operational brakes help to reduce the risk of accidents, protecting not only the drivers but everyone on roadways.
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- Browse through our Vehicle Safety Supplies today!
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Brake Safety Week 2026: Inspection List
During this week, brake inspectors will be conducting checks for components of the vehicle's brake systems. Typically, these checks include criteria set by the Level I North American Standard Inspection, along with the Level IV Special Instruction checklist. For this year's focus, inspectors will specifically be looking for components such as:
- Brake drums
- Brake rotors
In addition, inspectors will be looking at other parts of your brake system to ensure everything runs smoothly. These components include:
- Loose or missing parts
- Air or hydraulic fluid leaks
- Issues with brake tubes or hoses
- Anti-lock braking system (ABS) indicator lights
- Other faulty brake-system components
For all components inspected during a check, view the Inspection Checklist document.
How to Prepare for Brake Safety Week 2026
It's important to always stay ahead of the curve, regardless if Brake Safety Week is coming up or not. Performing pre- and post-trip inspections keeps your commercial motor vehicle compliant, as well as ensuring safety for yourself and others on the road.
The CVSA provided 8 tips on inspecting and maintaining brake lining and brake pads, listed below:
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Inspect visible portions of the drum or rotor as part of your pre- and post-trip inspections.
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Look for signs of cracked or broken pieces in the friction surface of the rotors.s
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Look for cracks that run through to the outer portion of the drum or missing pieces, where visible.
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On disc brakes, pay attention to the condition of the rotor. Heavily rusted rotors across the entire friction surface indicate an inoperative brake.
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If the rotor is grooved, indicating metal-to-metal contact, that means the brake pads are worn, and the shoe is making contact with the rotor.
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Ensure the rotor is not worn to the extent that the center vents are exposed.
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Make sure all repairs are consistent with the brake manufacturer's requirements and guidelines.
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Note any issues in your driver vehicle inspection reports and report them to the motor carrier.
2026's Brake Safety Week campaign focuses on the importance of regular maintenance and repair of brake systems - specifically for brake drums and rotors. Trucking companies and drivers are encouraged to prepare for the event by inspecting and maintaining their vehicles regularly. Together, we can make our roads safer and contribute to a secure and reliable transportation network for everyone.
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