International Roadcheck 2025: everything you need to know

The CVSA International Roadcheck will take place from May 13 to 15, learn more about it and be prepared.

Truck safety checks and annual inspections begin in May and extend over several months. In 2025, as every year, they start with the CVSA International Roadcheck, which will take place from May 13 to 15. This initiative by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) involves inspecting commercial vehicles, their drivers, and compliance with regulations. The inspection takes place over three days in Mexico, Canada, and the United States.

Each year, the inspection focuses on a specific category of violations. During the 2025 International Roadcheck, inspectors will primarily conduct a Level I inspection under the North American standard, a 37-step procedure that includes an examination of the driver’s operational requirements and the vehicle’s mechanical fitness, with a special emphasis on tires. In addition, inspectors will also pay particular attention to the driver’s Record of Duty Status (RODS), according to the CVSA.

Areas to evaluate during Roadcheck 2025

Tires

This year, the inspection areas will be divided into two. The first area of interest for the Roadcheck will be tires, so staying on top of their maintenance is crucial to ensure safety and pass inspections. Elements that may compromise safety, such as punctures, low pressure, and others, will be carefully evaluated by inspectors.

The CVSA’s focus on tire maintenance aims to raise awareness of the dangers and costs associated with repairing a tire issue during transport. Emphasis is placed on the importance of routine, proactive tire maintenance to prevent issues from escalating and creating safety risks. Inspectors will be reviewing the following aspects of the tires:

Insufficient tread depth.

Audible air leaks.
Punctured tires.
Exposed belt or casing material on the tread or sidewall.
Tread or sidewall separation.
Bulges in the sidewall.
Improper repairs, such as rubber plugs in the sidewall.
Objects lodged between two tires.

It is important to note that a single violation of any of the above will result in the vehicle being placed out of service.

False Records of Duty Status (RODS)

On the other hand, this year the CVSA has decided to focus on FMCSA’s Hours of Service (HOS) regulations as the second area of interest. Drivers will need to demonstrate compliance with these regulations by completing a RODS log with their driving and non-driving times, as well as their duty status for each 24-hour work period. The records will be inspected for completeness; failing to have a complete record, not recording, or falsifying records will be considered a violation, which could result in the driver and/or carrier being liable for prosecution.

Inspectors will review each driver’s RODS to verify compliance with HOS, checking for the following elements in their logs:

Manipulation of the electronic logging device.
Phantom drivers.
Improper use of the special category for personal vehicle operation.
Improper use of other exceptions.
Logging off-duty time while working for a motorized or non-motorized carrier.

How to be prepared?

With the information provided, preparing is quite simple. Take note of the aspects that will be inspected and take immediate action on any necessary maintenance for your truck. Additionally, CVSA offers cheat sheets to help drivers and fleets identify and correct violations before international inspections.

It is recommended to perform preventive maintenance to ensure that all vehicle components are in optimal condition. Remember that the criteria for Out-of-Service (OOS) vehicle violations are updated every year on April 1, so it is essential to review the changes for 2025.