Inspectors across North America conduct inspections on commercial vehicles to ensure compliance with safety regulations. The International Road Check is a three-day event held annually and sponsored by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Association (CVSA). It is the world’s largest targeted enforcement program for commercial motor vehicles, with approximately 15 trucks and motorcoaches being inspected on average every minute throughout a 72-hour period.
Inspectors travel to locations across North America to conduct random inspections of commercial vehicles to ensure that they operate safely. This is to identify vehicles that do not comply with federal motor vehicle safety requirements and address those violations so that these vehicles function safely and safeguard the public.
Since its founding in 1988, the International CVSA Road Check has conducted over 1.8 million roadside inspections. The 2023 International Roadcheck is scheduled for May 16 to 18th.
Passing the inspection is essential for any commercial vehicle operator. You should ensure your delivery truck for sale or work van for sale is in good working order and compliant with all relevant regulations. Here are some tips on how to pass the 2023 International Road Check with flying colors.
Conduct Pre-Trip Inspections
Before embarking on any journey, conducting a thorough pre-trip inspection is essential to identify any potential issues that may arise during the trip. A well-maintained vehicle is less likely to fail inspection than a poorly maintained one.
Keep Records Organized
During the inspection, the inspector may ask to see the vehicle’s documentation, such as its registration, insurance, and maintenance records. Ensure that all documents are up-to-date, organized, and easily accessible.
Follow Hours of Service Regulations
One of the most common violations during the International CVSA Road Check is related to hours-of-service regulations. These regulations are in place to prevent fatigue-related accidents and limit the hours a driver can operate a commercial vehicle.
Communicate with Inspectors
During the inspection, it is essential to remain calm and polite and to communicate openly with the inspector. If the inspector identifies any issues, take the time to understand the problem and work to resolve it promptly. A cooperative attitude can go a long way in resolving any problems that may arise during the inspection.
In addition, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance has produced a guide to boost your chances of passing the inspection.
Here’s a summary of the cheat sheet provided by the CVSA.
Brakes
Inspect for missing, non-functioning, loose, contaminated, or cracked braking system parts. Check for S-cam flip-over. Listen for air leaks around brake lines and components. Verify that slack adjusters and axle air chambers are the exact sizes. Maintain 90–100 psi air pressure (620-690 kPa). Check the parking brake spring brake casing for non-manufactured holes and broken springs. Measure pushrod travel. Check ABS malfunction lamp(s) and low air pressure warning devices. Check tractor protection and trailer bleed back. The trailer breakaway system must operate.
Coupling devices
Inspect safety equipment for strength, missing components, bad repairs, and failure to secure attachments. Check the lower fifth wheel for loose attachment to the frame, missing or broken pieces, and the gap between the upper and lower fifth wheel plates. Ensure that the locking jaws are around the shank and not the kingpin’s head, the release lever is seated, and the safety latch is engaged. Cracks, loose bolts, and missing bolts on the upper fifth wheel’s weight-bearing plate and supports should be checked. Check for damaged or missing parts and the appropriate locking mechanism on the sliding fifth wheel. The tractor frame rails should not touch the landing gear during turns. Fore and aft stops should be checked.
Fuel and Exhaust Systems
Inspect your fuel tanks for loose mounting, leaks, missing lids, and fuel spilling underneath them. Check for loose installation, leaks under the cab, exhaust system components touching electrical wires or brake lines and hoses, and excessive carbon deposits around seams and clamps.
Frame, Van, and Open Top Trailers
Check for corrosion fatigue, frame fractures, missing body parts, and cross members. On vehicles with air hoses, examine their condition and suspension slides. Check the frame and frame assembly for cracks, bends, sagging, loose fasteners, or any issue that might cause the frame to collapse. Check every axle (s). For work vans for sale and open-top trailer bodies, inspect the upper rail, roof bows, and side posts for buckling, cracks, or ineffective fasteners. Check the lower rail for breaks, sagging floor, rail, cross members, or loose or missing fasteners at the side post next to the fracture.
Lighting
Check all essential lamps for color, operation, positioning, and visibility.
Securement of Cargo
Cargo securement is a crucial aspect of commercial vehicle safety, and it is essential to ensure that the cargo is loaded and secured correctly before embarking on the journey. The load should be evenly distributed and secured using appropriate restraints to prevent shifting or falling off the vehicle during transit. If you have a delivery truck for sale, it’s crucial to ensure that the vehicle has all the required equipment and safety features. Inspectors use their expertise to determine if a vehicle is safe to operate.
Steering
Turn the steering wheel one way until the tires pivot to check the steering lash. Then, mark the steering wheel at a fixed reference point and turn it in the other direction until the tires move again. Measure the distance between two markers on the steering wheel. The steering wheel diameter determines permissible lash.
Suspension
Examine the front axle for cracks, welds, and misalignment. Check the suspension for misaligned, displaced, cracked, or missing springs; loose shackles; missing bolts; unsecured spring hangers; and cracked or lose U-bolts. Check unsecured axles alignment and axle misalignment.
Tires, Wheels, Rims, and Hubs
Inspect tires for proper inflation, cuts, bulges, regrooved steering axle tires, tread wear, and main groove depth. Check sidewalls for incorrect repairs, exposed fabric or cable, vehicle contact, and tire marks prohibiting steering axle usage. Check wheels and rims for cracks, unseated locking rings, broken lugs, studs, and clamps. Inspect for cracked or twisted rims, loose or broken lug nuts, extended stud holes, cracks across spokes or in the web, and clamp slippage. Inspect hubs for lubrication leaks, missing caps or plugs, misalignment and placement, and broken, worn, or missing parts.
Conclusion
Passing the 2023 CVS International Road Check with flying colors requires attention to detail, proper maintenance, and adherence to safety regulations. By conducting all the necessary pre-trip inspections, organizing records, following hours of service regulations, maintaining cargo securement, and communicating with inspectors, commercial vehicle operators can ensure that they pass the inspection with ease.
