The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) has released the results of its 2026 International Roadcheck, providing agricultural retailers with a useful look at the violations inspectors are finding most often on North American roadways.
During the three-day enforcement initiative, inspectors conducted 54,575 commercial motor vehicle and driver inspections across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Overall, 81% of vehicles and 94.2% of drivers inspected had no out-of-service violations. However, inspectors still placed 10,350 commercial motor vehicles and 3,184 drivers out of service because of conditions serious enough to make continued operation unsafe.
Brakes Remain a Major Concern
Vehicle condition continues to be an important area for fleet operators to address. Inspectors conducted 44,047 inspections that included a vehicle inspection and identified 13,924 vehicle out-of-service violations.
Brake systems were the leading vehicle out-of-service violation, accounting for 24.3% of violations. When combined with violations involving 20% or more defective brakes, brake-related issues represented 39.1% of all vehicle out-of-service violations.
The five most common vehicle out-of-service violations were:
- Brake systems – 24.3%
- Tires – 20.9%
- 20% defective brakes – 14.9%
- Cargo securement – 12.4%
- Lights – 11.9%
Cargo securement was a special focus of the 2026 Roadcheck. Inspectors found 1,724 out-of-service cargo securement violations. Improperly secured freight can shift or fall from a vehicle, increasing the potential for rollovers, jackknifes and roadway debris.
Driver Qualifications and Hours of Service
Driver compliance was another significant part of the inspection effort. Of the 53,271 inspections involving drivers, 3,184 drivers were placed out of service.
The most common driver out-of-service violation was no medical card, followed by hours-of-service violations and operating without a commercial driver’s license. The top five driver violations across North America were:
- No medical card – 27.0%
- Hours of service – 23.4%
- No commercial driver’s license – 15.6%
- English proficiency – 9.1%
- False records of duty status – 6.7%
Electronic logging device (ELD) tampering was the year’s driver violation focus. Inspectors issued 146 out-of-service orders related to ELD tampering, falsification or manipulation. Inspectors also issued 667 seat belt violations during the Roadcheck.
Hazardous Materials Compliance
The results are particularly relevant for agricultural retailers transporting regulated hazardous materials. Inspectors conducted 2,590 hazardous materials/dangerous goods inspections and identified 141 HM/DG out-of-service violations.
Placarding was the leading HM/DG violation, accounting for 28.4% of the total, followed by loading, shipping papers, training certification and markings.
What Ag Retailers Can Take Away
International Roadcheck may last only three days, but the results provide a valuable checklist for year-round fleet safety. Ag retailers should use these findings to review preventive maintenance programs, pre- and post-trip inspections, driver qualification files, hours-of-service compliance, cargo securement practices and hazardous materials transportation procedures.
The results also reinforce the importance of addressing small problems before a truck leaves the facility. Worn tires, defective brakes, lighting problems, missing paperwork or an improperly secured load can quickly turn into an out-of-service order—and potentially a much more serious safety issue.
Regular inspections, effective driver training and consistent preventive maintenance can help keep vehicles compliant, drivers safe and agricultural operations moving.