The upcoming Brake Safety Week, scheduled for August 23-29, 2026, focuses on commercial vehicle maintenance across North America.
Specifically, the Truckee Weigh Station on Donner Pass in Nevada County, CA, will be a hot spot for commercial driversheaded to the Los Angeles and Oakland Ports crossing I-80 from Nevada and points east.
The CVSA will also conduct an unannounced one-day brake safety enforcement initiative, which could happen at any time. Because the CVSA trains the CHP in California, drivers should expect rigorous inspections.
The CVSA Statistics for Brake Safety Week
Brake issues are a contributing factor in nearly 30% of truck accidents and 53% of all rear-end collisions by commercial vehicles.
This high crash involvement rate is why the CVSA will prioritize brake systems.
“Brake-related violations comprise the largest percentage of all out-of-service violations cited during roadside inspections. Improperly installed or poorly maintained brake systems can reduce the braking capacity and stopping distance of trucks and buses, which poses a serious risk to driver and public safety.”—CVSA article, Brake Safety Campaigns.
During the August 2025 CVSA Brake Safety Week, 15.1% of inspected vehicles were placed out-of-service (OOS). These brake-related violations immediately resulted in an OOS Order, and the vehicle was prohibited from further movement until the corrections were made.
Since the overhaul of the Compliance, Safety, and Accountability (CSA) Safety Measurement System (SMS) methodology, receiving an OOS order has become potentially more damaging to a driver’s career.
The New CSA SMS Methodology
The FMCSA recently overhauled the Compliance, Safety, and Accountability (CSA) Safety Measurement System (SMS) methodology. Now, any serious offense, major offense, or OOS Order is assessed two CSA severity points.
All other violations receive one CSA point. These points remain on your PSP for three years, affecting your career.
Other changes, include the former seven Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories (BASICs) have been changed to more accurately reflect "Compliance Categories."
- The Controlled Substances/Alcohol category will now fall under the Unsafe Driving paragraph.
- Violations will reset after one year for carriers, and recent convictions for their drivers will hold more weight under the new system.
- Vehicle Maintenance is now split into standard maintenance and Vehicle Maintenance: Driver Observed. This category targets items that should be caught during pre-trip or post-trip inspections.
Therefore, properly reporting defects on your Driver’s Vehicle Inspection Report (DVIR) is more crucial than ever. Consistent DVIR documentation proves the fleet and driver are proactive about vehicle maintenance.
Understanding the OOS Order
A brake-related OOS Order is issued when safety defects meet specific criteria. For instance, if 20% or more of the vehicle’s service brakes are defective, the vehicle is placed in an OOS condition. The vehicle cannot be moved until the corrections are made.
Operating while under an OOS Order is a “major offense” under DOT FMCSA safety categories. A conviction for major offenses carries a minimum one-year disqualification from interstate commercial driving, and a second will lead to a lifetime ban for the CDL holder.
Contact Bigger & Harman About Contesting Brake Safety Week Violations in Truckee, CA
Our team provides legal assistance for commercial drivers facing moving violations, and FMCSA penalties due to OOS orders, serious offense, or major offense charges in Nevada County, CA.
If you were cited for commercial vehicle maintenance violations during the CVSA Brake Safety Week or any moving violation in a CMV, call Bigger & Harman, APC, at (661) 349-9300—859-1177 para Español.
Bigger & Harman regularly defends clients in the Truckee Courthouse. Call for a free, no-obligation consultation.
We have assisted more than 30,000 California drivers, many of whom were commercial drivers, in resolving their traffic tickets.
Use our secure website contact form to arrange a free consultation or email us at attorney@biggerharmanlaw.com.
Download our e-book, Protecting Your Commercial Driver License.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Section
Q: What is the focus of Brake Safety Week 2026?
A: The focus is on brake lining and pad health and overall system maintenance. If 20% or more of service brakes are found defective, an OOS Order could be issued.
Q: Who conducts the inspections at the Truckee Weigh Station?
A: The CVSA-trained CHP conduct the inspections at the Donner Pass weigh station near Truckee, CA. The CHP are authorized to issue traffic tickets for many of these violations. Ask a CDL traffic attorney about contesting those.
Q: How long do brake and vehicle safety violations stay on my PSP?
A: Vehicle maintenance violations and OOS Order records remain on your PSP for three years. A conviction for operating a CMV while it is under an OOS Order is a major offense, which will result in a minimum one-year disqualificationfrom interstate commercial driving.
References:
The DOT FMCSA 49 CFR Part 383.51, Paragraph 6.2.5, Disqualification of Drivers.
The DMV Portal CA Commercial Driver Handbook.
The CVSA article, Brake Safety Campaigns.