CVSA Roadcheck 2026: What You Need to Know
The Commercial Safety Vehicle Alliance's (CVSA) International Roadcheck event is officially upon us! Each year, the alliance hosts this event where certified inspectors across North America conduct inspections of commercial motor vehicles and drivers at weigh stations, designated inspection areas, and along roadways.
This year, inspectors are focusing on electronic logging device (ELD) tampering, falsification, and manipulation, and proper cargo securement. Read on to learn more about this high-volume, 72-hour-long inspection event expected to take place May 12-14 and what you can do to best prepare for the imminent inspection.
CVSA Roadcheck 2026: Overview
Since the event's inception back in 1988, CVSA's International Roadcheck event continues to enforce, promote, and educate commercial vehicle and driver safety. It is still the largest targeted enforcement campaign on commercial vehicles in the world, with over 1.8 million commercial vehicle inspections completed across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
Certified inspectors conduct these roadside checks following the North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria, as well as provide valuable data based on both the commercial vehicles and the drivers themselves. The data is then used to provide examination results from the current year and determine focus areas for the following year's campaign.
Focus Areas for CVSA Roadcheck 2026
The two focus areas for this year's campaign include electronic logging device (ELD) tampering/falsification and cargo securement. In 2025, ELD falsification was the second most-cited driver violation, at 58,382 total violations. While some inaccurate entries may be a result of not understanding federal regulations, others are an attempt to conceal hours of service violations. Inspectors will be keeping a closer eye out for false or manipulated entries in the driver portion of Roadcheck this year.
Secondly, CVSA Roadcheck 2026 will emphasize the importance of proper cargo securement. Poor load securement poses a serious risk to everyone on the road. Make sure to brace and block cargo effectively and immobilize loose cargo (including debris like gravel and sand). Flatbed cargo should be positioned against a front-end structure or attached with multiple tie downs to prevent forward movement. Check your tie-downs for signs of wear and replace any items showing signs of damage.
For more information on the areas of emphasis for 2026, check out CVSA's flyer.
CVSA Roadcheck 2026 Inspection
All inspections conducted during CVSA Roadcheck 2026 will follow the North American Standard Inspection Level 1 criteria. Upon passing this examination, you can receive a CVSA decal and continue operating your commercial vehicle safely on the roads. Failure to meet any of the requirements during the inspection will likely result in your vehicle being placed OOS until the identified conditions are corrected and all inspection criteria are met.
The inspection involves two components: vehicle safety and driver safety. If you've never undergone a certified inspection during the CVSA Roadcheck event, then here's what you can expect.
Vehicle Safety Inspection
For the vehicle safety portion, the components inspectors will be looking at include:
- Vehicle's brake systems
- Cargo securement
- Coupling devices
- Driveline and Driveshaft components
- Driver's seat
- Fuel and Exhaust Systems
- Frames
- Lighting devices
- Steering parts
- Suspensions
- Tires, wheels, rims, hubs
- Windshield wipers
Other elements for passenger-carrying vehicles, such as motor coaches and passenger vans include:
- Emergency exits
- Seating
- Electrical cables
- Systems in the engine and battery compartments
Driver Safety Inspection
Besides vehicle safety, inspectors will also check on driver safety regulations, which include the driver's:
- Operating credentials
- Hours of service
- Status in the drug and alcohol database
- Seat belt usage
- Alcohol/Drug impairment
For other resources, check out the CVSA's Vehicle Inspection Cheat Sheet so you can best prepare for imminent roadside inspections during this time.
Quality Equipment from U.S. Cargo Control
While cargo securement is a focal point for CVSA Roadcheck 2026, having proper cargo equipment should be your focus, no matter what. We provide high-quality truck and transportation equipment to keep your cargo safe and secure during transit. Whether you haul cargo with a flatbed trailer or an enclosed van trailer, we carry the supplies fitted for your specific needs.
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