Don’t Fear the Blitz: How Truckers Can Own CVSA’s International Roadcheck
International Roadcheck 2026 to Target ELD Tampering and Cargo Securement
What fleets need to know about CVSA’s 72-hour inspection blitz and this year’s enforcement priorities.

During Roadcheck, inspectors at weigh/inspection stations and pop-up inspection sites primarily conduct the North American Standard Level I Inspection.
HDT Graphic. Photos Jim Park, CVSA
- The 2026 International Roadcheck will focus on identifying and preventing electronic logging device (ELD) tampering.
- Cargo securement will also be a major area of inspection during the 72-hour blitz conducted by CVSA.
- Fleets should prepare for increased scrutiny and ensure compliance with these enforcement priorities.
*Summarized by AI
This year's International Roadcheck 72-hour inspection blitz will focus on ELD tampering and cargo securement.
From May 12 to 14, enforcement personnel throughout North America will inspect commercial motor vehicles and their drivers for compliance with vehicle, cargo, and driver regulations.
Electronic logging device tampering and falsification has become a front-burner issue in the past year. In December, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration announced a proposal to overhaul the vetting process for electronic logging devices that track truck driver hours-of-service compliance, but stopped short of requiring third-party certification.
Many in the industry say there are growing problems with unscrupulous motor carriers (often chameleon carriers) and unscrupulous ELD providers who edit driver logs to allow them to violate hours-of-service limits.
What is International Roadcheck?
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance event is a 72-hour inspection, enforcement, and data-collection initiative.
During Roadcheck, inspectors at weigh/inspection stations and pop-up inspection sites primarily conduct the North American Standard Level I Inspection, a 37-step procedure that includes two major parts – an examination of the driver’s operating requirements and an assessment of the vehicle’s mechanical fitness.
Data will be collected during Roadcheck and the results will be released later this year.
ELD Falsification Focus
Each year, International Roadcheck places special emphasis on a driver violation category and a vehicle violation category to highlight those aspects of an inspection.
This year’s driver focus is on electronic logging device tampering, falsification or manipulation.
Inaccurate ELD entries may result from a driver’s lack of understanding of the federal regulations and exemptions. However, in some cases, inaccurate entries are purposefully used to conceal hours-of-service violations, and some records are manipulated to conceal driving time (with no indication the record was edited as required by federal regulations).
Last year, falsification of record of duty status was the second most-cited driver violation, at 58,382 violations. And five out of the top 10 driver violations were related to hours of service or ELDs.
Cargo Securement Focus
This year’s International Roadcheck vehicle focus is cargo securement.
Improper or inadequate cargo securement can affect the vehicle’s maneuverability. Unsecured loads can fall or become dislodged, resulting in roadway hazards or crashes.
In 2025, 18,108 violations were issued because cargo was not secured to prevent leaking/spilling/blowing/falling. Another 16,054 violations were issued for vehicle components or dunnage not being secured.
CVSA also focused on cargo securement during the 2023 Roadcheck.
More Details About CVSA’s Level 1 Inspection
For the driver portion of the inspection, inspectors check the driver’s qualifications, license, record of duty status, medical examiner’s certificate, seat belt usage, skill performance evaluation certificate (if applicable), and status in the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse (in the U.S.).
Inspectors also look for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment. If inspectors identify driver out-of-service violations, they will place the driver out of service, restricting that driver from operating their vehicle.
For the vehicle portion of the inspection, inspectors assess brake systems, cargo securement, coupling devices, driveline/driveshaft components, driver’s seat, fuel and exhaust systems, frames, lighting devices, steering mechanisms, suspensions, tires, wheels, rims, hubs, and windshield wipers.
If out-of-service violations are found, the vehicle will be placed out of service and restricted from movement until all out-of-service violations have been properly addressed.
A vehicle that successfully passes a Level I or V Inspection without any critical vehicle inspection item violations may receive a CVSA decal, which is valid for up to three months. A valid decal signals to commercial motor vehicle enforcement personnel that the vehicle was recently inspected and did not have out-of-service violations.
What is CVSA?
CVSA is a nonprofit organization composed of local, state, provincial, territorial and federal commercial motor vehicle safety officials and industry representatives in Canada, Mexico and the U.S.
Its mission is to improve commercial motor vehicle safety and enforcement by providing guidance, education and advocacy for enforcement and industry across North America.
The Alliance aims to prevent commercial motor vehicle crashes, injuries and fatalities. It believes collaboration between government and industry improves road safety and saves lives.
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