International Roadcheck 2025: Date & Focus Areas

Every spring, commercial drivers across North America prepare for one of the calendar's most significant safety enforcement events — International Roadcheck. 

This year, it is scheduled to occur from May 13 to 15, 2025. This three-day inspection involves thousands of CVSA-certified inspectors stationed at weigh stations, inspection sites, and mobile patrol points across Canada and Mexico.

If you're operating a commercial vehicle during those days, be ready: your vehicle and documentation will be under inspection.

What Is the DOT 72-Hour Blitz?

Sponsored by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA), International Roadcheck is a coordinated safety initiative involving local, state, provincial, and federal transportation authorities across North America. Participating agencies include the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Transport Canada, the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators, and Mexico’s Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications, and Transportation.

The goal of International Roadcheck is to improve road safety through targeted compliance checks, roadside inspections, and educational outreach. 

Inspectors primarily conduct the North American Standard Level I Inspection, a comprehensive 37-step process that evaluates both driver credentials and vehicle mechanical fitness. These DOT checkpoint stops are among the most detailed truck inspections you'll encounter all year.

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Focus Area: Driver Compliance and Hours-of-Service

Fatigue remains one of the most preventable causes of commercial vehicle crashes. To help reduce this risk, Hours-of-Service (HOS) regulations place limits on driving time and mandate rest periods to ensure drivers are alert and rested.

To remain compliant, drivers must accurately track their activity using a Record of Duty Status (RODS), whether through paper logs or electronic logging devices (ELDs). These records must be complete, accurate, and readily available for inspection.

Falsifying logs, failing to maintain required documentation, or disregarding rest rules can also result in driver out-of-service violations, fines, and legal consequences for both the driver and carrier.

During International Roadcheck, inspectors will pay special attention to several key areas, including:

- A valid and appropriate commercial driver’s license (CDL)

- An up-to-date medical examiner’s certificate

- The accuracy and completeness of the RODS

- Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse status (for U.S. drivers)

- Evidence of impairment or fatigue

Drivers who fail to meet these standards may be removed from service immediately, pending correction of the violation.

In fact, during the 2024 International Roadcheck, 2,297 drivers were placed out of service due to violations uncovered during inspections. 

Those numbers reflect broader trends in driver violations. Inspectors across North America consistently see the same types of driver-related issues rise to the top during enforcement events like International Roadcheck.

Below are the statistics recorded during the 2024 event.

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Focus Area: Tire Safety and Maintenance

Tire failure while in motion poses serious risks to all road users. A blowout at highway speeds can cause loss of control, cargo damage, and multi-vehicle accidents. That’s why tires are under special scrutiny during International Roadcheck.

Inspectors will evaluate several key aspects of tire condition, including:

- Tread depth and wear patterns

- Proper inflation levels

- Signs of air leaks, cuts, bulges, or tread separation

- Improper repairs or mismatched tires

Proactive tire maintenance not only improves safety but also reduces downtime and repair costs. Preventative care before a trip is far less expensive than dealing with an in-transit breakdown.

Beyond tires, inspectors will examine braking systems, suspension components, lighting, coupling devices, and emergency equipment, especially on passenger-carrying vehicles like motorcoaches.

The importance of these checks is clear from last year’s data. During the 2024 International Roadcheck, 48,761 truck checks were conducted, uncovering 13,567 vehicle violations, which led to 9,345 commercial vehicles being placed out of service due to critical safety issues.

Among those, certain types of vehicle violations occurred most frequently.

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What is the CVSA Decal?

Vehicles that pass without critical violations during a DOT checkpoint may receive a CVSA decal, valid for up to three months, as proof of compliance. The color of the sticker indicates the quarter in which the inspection was performed:

- Green for inspections completed in January, February, or March

- Yellow for inspections completed in April, May, or June

- Orange for inspections completed in July, August, or September

- White for inspections completed in October, November, or December

Vehicles with out-of-service violations must be repaired before returning to the road.

In cases of severe weather or other limiting conditions, inspectors may opt to perform a Level II Walk-Around Inspection or Level III Driver/Credential Inspection instead of a full Level I. While these still ensure compliance, they do not qualify for a CVSA decal.

Why International Roadcheck Matters

International Roadcheck reflects the industry’s commitment to safety. The data collected during these three days helps shape policy, influence training programs, and guide future enforcement efforts.

For drivers, it’s a chance to demonstrate professionalism and diligence. For carriers, it reinforces best practices across the fleet. For the public, it provides reassurance that commercial vehicles on the road meet the highest safety standards.

There’s no hiding during International Roadcheck. With thousands of trained eyes watching, now is the time to make sure your logs are accurate, your tires are well-maintained, and your vehicle is in top condition. Because when May 13 hits, you won’t get a second chance to make a first impression.

So, prepare!

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