Thousands of Trucks Placed Out of Service in 2025 Inspection Blitz
The annual International Roadcheck, a large-scale inspection event led by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA), took place from May 13–15, 2025, across North America. Over the 72-hour period, inspectors checked more than 56,000 commercial vehicles, putting nearly one in five out of service for safety violations.
The overall vehicle out-of-service rate dropped to 18.1%, showing slight improvement from last year’s 23%. However, the driver out-of-service rate increased to 5.9%, up from 4.8% in 2024.
When a truck or driver is placed out of service, they can’t continue operating until the issue is fixed — and this year’s inspections revealed that the biggest problems still come down to the basics.
Brake Systems Top the List of Violations
Once again, brake problems were the most common reason trucks were taken off the road. Inspectors found:
- 3,304 brake system violations, making up 24% of all vehicle out-of-service cases.
- Another 2,257 violations for trucks with 20% or more defective brakes, which is considered a critical safety failure.
In total, brake-related issues accounted for 41% of all vehicle out-of-service violations.
Following brakes, tire problems were the second most common issue at 23%, with lighting defects (14%) and cargo securement issues (11%) rounding out the top categories. These numbers remain consistent with 2024, showing that basic maintenance continues to be a challenge for many fleets.
Driver Violations: Hours of Service Lead the Way
On the driver side, the most common reason for being placed out of service was hours-of-service (HOS) violations, which made up nearly 32% of all driver-related cases. When combined with false logbook entries (another 9%), over 40% of driver violations were connected to HOS compliance.
Other top violations included:
- No commercial driver’s license (CDL) – 26%
- Suspended license – 5%
- Missing or expired medical card – 16%, an increase from 12% in 2024
These findings highlight ongoing challenges with driver documentation and fatigue management.
Focus Areas for 2025: Tires and Logbook Accuracy
Each year, CVSA emphasizes specific inspection areas. In 2025, inspectors focused on tire safety and false records of duty status (RODS).
Tires accounted for 2,899 out-of-service violations, or 21% of all vehicle-related issues. Common problems included low inflation, worn tread, bulges, and improper repairs. Meanwhile, 10% of all driver violations were tied to false logbooks, continuing a pattern seen in past years.
What This Means for Fleets
While the overall out-of-service rate improved slightly, the message from CVSA is clear: maintenance and compliance matter more than ever. Brake systems, tire care, and accurate recordkeeping remain the top priorities for keeping trucks on the road — and out of the inspection station penalty zone.
Fleets that invest in preventive maintenance and regular compliance training will have the best shot at passing next year’s inspection with flying colors.
Source:
https://www.truckinginfo.com/10248737/brakes-top-roadcheck-out-of-service-violations
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