Your 2022 Road Check Prep List
There were 40,000-plus commercial motor vehicle inspections conducted during 2021’s Road Check Inspection blitz. Nearly 9,000 vehicles and drivers had out-of-service violations and therefore removed. We don’t want you to be on that list! Make sure you are ready for inspection with this Road Check Prep List for 2022.
The Road Check Inspection is an annual event sponsored by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA). The event is an inspection and law enforcement initiative throughout the US and Canada. This year, the inspection focus will be on wheel ends.
DOWNLOAD YOUR 2022 ROAD CHECK CHECKLIST HERE
Where are Inspections Held?
CVSA-certified inspectors are often at weigh stations, inspection stations, roadside, and designated inspection sites in Canada, Mexico, and the US.
Inspectors examine commercial trucks and combination vehicles, those hauling hazardous materials/dangerous goods (HM/DG), non-cargo tank HM/DG, and motor coaches/buses during the International Road Check. Arm yourselves by conducting an Open Road Driver’s Plan review and securing CDL legal services that protect you if a violation occurs.
2021 Road Check Results
There are several levels of the Road Check Inspection. The first level inspection (Level I) is a 37-step thorough inspection of the vehicle and the driver. Last year, inspectors performed 19,786 Level I Inspections (the most comprehensive of the 6 levels) and removed 4,136 vehicles and 1,083 drivers.
Inspectors also conducted Level II, which are Walk-Around Driver/Vehicle Inspections; Level III, which covers Driver/Credential/Administrative Inspections; and Level V, which are Vehicle-Only Inspections.
- Brake Systems
- Tires
- Lights
- Brake Adjustments
- Cargo Securement
Of the 9,691 violations, 1,367 were for lighting. These violations included problems with headlamps, tail lamps, stop lamps, turn signals, and lamps on projecting loads.
Another 1,200 violations were for hours of service. In other words, 1,200 over the road drivers operated over the hour limit and rested for shorter periods of time than required. It’s important to realize these regulations are in place to help reduce the occurrence of driver fatigue – a common factor in accidents.
The top 5 driver violations were:
- Hours of Service
- Wrong Class License
- False Logs
- Suspended License
- Other
Remember, these violations, along with other infractions like CDL speeding tickets, can severely affect your CDL trucker score.
2022 Road Check: Wheel Ends
The 3-day event is coming up on May 17 and ends on May 19. It is the largest targeted enforcement program that can benefit trucking companies. During the 72-hour event, there will be 15 trucks or buses inspected every minute.
Since brake violations took a top spot in the number of 2021 violations, this year inspectors are focusing on wheel ends. As a result of previous inspections, it is determined that about 1/4 of all violations are with Wheel End components. It’s important to realize that wheel-end components support the heavy loads carried by commercial motor vehicles, maintain stability and control, and are critical for braking.
This year, inspectors are on the lookout for issues with:
- Locking rings, studs, or clamps
- Bent, cracked, or broken rims on the inside and outside wheel rims
- Loose, broken, missing, or damaged wheel fasteners and elongated stud holes
- Cracks across spokes and in the web area or slippage in the clamp areas
- Lubricant leaks, missing caps, or plugs
- Leaks in the inner wheel seal
- Leaks in the tire and valve stem
- Proper inflation, cuts, and bulges on all tires, including the inside tire on a dual set
- Re-grooved tires on the steering axle
- Wear on the tread and groove depth
- Sidewalls for improper repairs, such as tire plugs
- Exposed fabric or cord
- Tire touching each other or any part of the vehicle
- Tire marks that impact use on a steering axle
- Debris between the tires
Road Check Checklist
Because CDL truck drivers should already be in the habit of doing pre-trip inspections, most inspection items should be clear of any issues. However, during the inspection blitz, you want to be positive that you have your papers in order, your load secure, and a safe truck to drive. This is why having a road check prep list is crucial.
Make sure you have your:
- Driver’s License
- Medical Card or Driving History Report
- Hours-of-Service Records, including logs, electronic or paper exemption applies
- Proof of Annual inspection
- Vehicle Registration and Fuel Permit, if required
During your pre-trip inspection, double-check:
- Lights
- Breaks
- Windows, Windshield, Wipers, and Washer
- Fuel System
- Coupling Devices
- Tires, Rims, and Hubs
- Defroster
- Mirrors
- Horn
- Bumpers
- Emergency Equipment
- Cargo and Equipment Securement Frame
- Driveline/driveshafts
- Suspension Steering
DOWNLOAD YOUR 2022 ROAD CHECK CHECKLIST HERE
How to Handle the Inspection
Eventually, you will get pulled aside for an inspection. If and when that happens, stay calm. The officer will tell you what needs to happen so he or she can inspect safely. Although it may feel like a hassle, your attitude can affect how the officer handles the inspection. After all, the point of inspections is to keep the roads – and your loads – safe.
During the inspection, follow these tips to help get you back on the road as quickly as possible:
- Be honest, the officer will note inconsistencies between what you say and what they find.
- Be respectful, like you, the officer has a job to do.
- Be thankful, if the officer found three things wrong, but only cited for one, they cut you a break.
- Be forgettable, if the need to fight your ticket arises, it’s better to hear the word “No” when your CDL attorney asks an officer, “Do you recall our client?”
- Be orderly, if you get frustrated having to dig for paperwork, your attitude may frustrate the officer.
What to do if you have a violation
Before you get hit with CDL tickets or the dreaded out-of-service penalty, consider signing up for a CDL driver protection plan. The ORDP plan specifically provides CDL benefits, including a CDL attorney, so you have the best chance of getting the violation removed and your record clear.
Because the 2022 Road Check Inspection days are coming soon, refresh yourself on the rules and regulations of pre-trip inspections. It’s also a great time to review your truck driver benefits with an open road driver’s plan.
Over time, it’s easy to get complacent when performing scheduled maintenance, logbook procedures, and other protocols. In order to be ready for anything, explore our CDL Trucking Solutions.
Being a truck driver is not just a job, it’s a way of life. Protect that by signing on with our Open Road Drivers Plan, following the rules of the road, and maintaining courtesy for the rules of the road and other travelers.
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