The countdown has begun for the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) International Roadcheck. The three-day inspection and regulatory compliance enforcement initiative is scheduled for May 12-14, and motor carriers and commercial drivers should begin preparing now to ensure a smooth experience during Roadcheck 2026.
During the event, law enforcement officials throughout Canada, Mexico, and the United States will conduct inspections of commercial motor vehicles and drivers at weigh stations, temporary roadside locations, and via mobile patrols to ensure regulatory compliance. Most inspections will follow the North American Standard Level I Inspection—a comprehensive 37-step process that examines both driver qualifications and vehicle mechanical condition.
For the driver phase of the inspection, examiners will review the driver’s qualifications, license, record of duty status, medical examiner’s certificate, seat belt usage, skill performance evaluation certificate (if applicable), and, in the U.S., status in the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse. Officers will also be alert for signs of alcohol or drug impairment. Drivers found with out-of-service violations will be prohibited from operating their vehicles.
During the vehicle portion of the inspection, officers will assess brake systems, cargo securement, coupling devices, driveline/driveshaft components, the driver’s seat, fuel and exhaust systems, frames, lighting, steering mechanisms, suspension, tires, wheels, rims, hubs, and windshield wipers. For motorcoaches/buses and other passenger-carrying vehicles, inspectors will also examine emergency exits, seating, and electrical cables and systems within the engine and battery compartments.
Vehicles that pass inspection during International Roadcheck may receive a CVSA decal valid for up to three months. However, any vehicle identified with critical out-of-service violations, as defined in the North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria, will be sidelined until all deficiencies are corrected.
Each year, International Roadcheck highlights specific driver and vehicle violation categories to bring focused attention to key safety concerns.
For 2026, the driver emphasis is on electronic logging device (ELD) tampering, falsification, and manipulation. Inspectors will carefully examine records of duty status and check for inaccuracies, altered entries, and signs of tampering. While some discrepancies stem from misunderstandings of federal regulations or exemptions, others may be intentional attempts to conceal hours-of-service violations or unrecorded driving time — particularly when edits are not properly documented as required.
The vehicle focus for this year’s International Roadcheck is cargo securement. Improperly secured cargo can significantly compromise vehicle maneuverability or lead to loads shifting, falling, or becoming dislodged, creating serious roadway hazards and increasing the risk of crashes.
To help drivers and motor carriers prepare for the 2026 International Roadcheck, CVSA has released informational flyers outlining this year’s focus areas in English, French or Spanish. Additionally, the North American Standard Roadside Inspection Vehicle Cheat Sheet—available in English, French, and Spanish—details the components reviewed during a Level I Inspection. The North American Standard Roadside Inspection Driver Cheat Sheet, currently offered in English, provides a step-by-step overview of the driver inspection process.
Results from the 2026 International Roadcheck will be released later this summer, offering insight into inspection trends and compliance performance across North America.
