The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) International Roadcheck will be from 17-19 May 2022. However, roadside inspections occur at weigh stations and along the freeway across California and the USA every day.

The best way to prepare for the CVSA International Roadcheck, which has led to tens of thousands of out-of-service (OOS) orders for truckers, is to do a detailed daily vehicle inspection report (DVIR) and another at the end of the day or a post-trip inspection. What’s more, it safer for you and the other drivers on the road.

Prepare for the CVSA International Roadcheck with the DMV Handbook

No matter how thorough you are, you won’t catch everything. A tractor-trailer has too many things to check. However, if you use the inspection checklist in the 2019-2021 CA Commercial Driver Handbook, in Section 11, Vehicle Inspection Test, and inspect the same way the DMV tests, you’ll catch nearly everything. Unless your trucking fleet has an inspection sheet of their own, and they mandate you to use that.

However, if you’re still working on your commercial driver’s license (CDL), you should use the DMV checklist, as that is how you will be tested. Having a system, in particular, using their system, will help you catch everything and pass your CDL hands-on test the first time.

However, if you’re still working on your commercial driver’s license (CDL), you should use the DMV checklist as that is how you will be tested. Having a system, in particular using their system, will help you catch everything and pass your CDL hands-on test the first time.

The following items must be checked during every inspection to ensure you’re ready for the CVSA International Roadcheck, and more importantly, catch those things that could cause an accident or get you an OOS Order at weigh station in Truckee, CA, and others:

• Tire tread 
• Brakes
• Lights, reflectors & fuses
• Emergency kit
• Trailer

Those five items are the components that typically lead to an OOS order. Therefore, the bulk of your pre-trip inspection should focus on those items. If you get pulled into a weigh station or roadside inspection, brakes and tires will often delay your trip until the deficiency is corrected. Plus, taking care of these items before a long trip could keep you rolling rather than sitting roadside due to a blown tire or brake failure.

Remember, just because your last trip went well doesn’t mean this one will. You can increase your chances of a successful trip by doing a thorough pre-trip inspection. Make sure you keep a copy of the inspection, and any shortcoming you noted that the mechanic didn’t fix is signed by them as not a necessary repair.

Doing a proper pre-trip inspection can help ensure a safe trip and that you meet the deadline for delivery. Missed deadlines give your fleet manager a black eye, and they won’t like that. That could mean you get fewer trips.

Don’t Forget the Post-Trip Inspection

In many ways, the post-trip inspection is as crucial as the pre-trip inspection because if you find shortcomings, the mechanic can correct those before your next trip. Tire tread and brake adjustment checks are essential to finish while you take a much-needed rest with your family or just relax before your next trip. Be sure to check these things after a trip:

• Tires—schedule necessary rotations or replacements.
• Brakes—drain the air tank and schedule adjustments if necessary.
• Lights
• Engine fluid levels
• Windshield wipers

Not conducting a post-trip inspection might mean unnecessary delays when you conduct your pre-trip inspection because of worn tires or brakes out-of-adjustment. 

When you have shortcomings at the weigh station or roadside inspection and get ticketed, you should consult a CA traffic attorney to resolve the ticket. 

Call Bigger & Harman for Legal Advice When You Receive a Roadside Inspection Violation at the Weigh Station in Truckee, CA 

The CVSA and the CHP work in unison at the Truckee, CA, weigh station on the Donner Pass on I-80. The Bakersfield Traffic Ticket Team of Bigger & Harman, APC, can be reached at (661) 349-9300. 

We handle only traffic law issues. We offer CDL holders a free initial consultation by email or phone to discuss their circumstances. Whether you need assistance with a traffic ticket or a DMV NOTS Hearing, give us a call.

Se habla Español (661) 349-9755.

Email: attorney@biggerharmanlaw.com. 

References:

The 2019-2021 CA Commercial Driver Handbook.pdf.

The CVSA website page, International Roadcheck.