Your RoadCheck 2025 Safety Debrief: Takeaways for Professional Drivers

The results are in from the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) 2025 International Roadcheck, a three-day inspection blitz conducted across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico on May 13-15. This initiative, which involved 56,178 commercial motor vehicle, driver, and cargo inspections, is a vital snapshot of our industry’s commitment to safety.

While the good news is that most vehicles (81.6%) and drivers (94.1%) passed without an Out-of-Service (OOS) violation, the statistics clearly highlight where our collective attention needs to be focused.

The Bottom Line: Vehicles and Drivers Placed Out-of-Service

During the inspections, thousands of violations were found, leading to:

• 10,148 vehicles placed Out-of-Service (an OOS rate of 18.1%).
• 3,342 drivers placed Out-of-Service (an OOS rate of 5.9%).

Being placed OOS means the vehicle or driver cannot continue operating until the critical violations are corrected.

The Top 5 Vehicle Violations: Where Pre-Trip Inspections Failed

The top vehicle-related violations across North America centered on systems that are critical to safe operation: brakes, tires, lights, and cargo securement.

1. Brake Systems: This category and the related “20% Defective Brakes” were the leading causes of vehicle OOS orders
2. Tires: Inspectors found 2,899 tire-related OOS vehicle violations, making this the second most-cited vehicle OOS violation
3. Tire violations accounted for 21.4% of all vehicle OOS violations
4. Lights
5. Cargo Securement

Action Item for Drivers: Don’t just kick the tires! The focused inspection area this year was specifically on tires. A thorough Level I or V inspection—which results in a CVSA decal if passed—confirms your vehicle does not have critical vehicle inspection item violations, so make sure your pre-trip is meticulous. Pay extra attention to tread depth, air pressure, and visible damage.

The Top 5 Driver Violations: Logbook and Paperwork Errors Lead the List

The driver OOS violations showed that while mechanical issues are common, documentation and compliance remain major roadblocks.

1. Hours of Service (HOS): HOS violations led the list of top five driver violations across the U.S. and Canada.
2. No Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).
3. No Medical Card.
4. False Records of Duty Status (RODS): This was the driver focus area for 2025.
   • False logs/RODS accounted for 10% (332) of all driver OOS violations.

Action Item for Drivers: Your commitment to accurate logs is vital for safety and compliance. The focus on false records of duty status highlights the seriousness of concealing actual on-duty or driving hours. Additionally, keeping your CDL and medical card current is a non-negotiable step to staying on the road.

Conclusion: The 2025 Roadcheck results reinforce a timeless truth: safety and compliance are continuous responsibilities. By focusing on robust pre-trip inspections, especially for your brakes and tires, and ensuring 100% accuracy in your hours-of-service documentation, you not only avoid costly OOS orders but also contribute to a safer environment for everyone on the road. Drive safe and stay compliant!

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