Brakes, tires, and driver paperwork caused more trouble during this year’s CVSA International Roadcheck than the two issues inspectors were asked to focus on: cargo securement and ELD tampering.
During the three-day event in May, inspectors completed 54,575 inspections across North America. According to the CVSA 2026 International Roadcheck results, 10,350 vehicles and 3,184 drivers were placed out of service. They could not continue operating until the problems were addressed.
Most passed without an out-of-service violation: 81% of vehicles and 94.2% of drivers. The findings still offer a useful checklist for carriers long after Roadcheck ends.
Brakes Were the Biggest Vehicle Issue
Brake problems accounted for nearly four in ten vehicle out-of-service violations. Inspectors recorded 3,379 brake-system violations and another 2,072 involving vehicles where at least 20% of the brakes were defective. Tires were the second most common vehicle violation category, with 2,914 violations.
For a carrier, that points to a clear priority. Give brakes and tires careful attention during pre-trip inspections, and address reported problems before the next load. A roadside repair costs more than the repair alone if it also delays a delivery or takes a truck out of service.
Cargo Securement and ELDs Still Matter
Cargo securement was the vehicle focus for International Roadcheck 2026. Inspectors found 1,724 out-of-service violations in this category, making it the fourth most common vehicle issue. Before pulling away, check that tiedowns are in good condition, the load is properly restrained, and any required checks are completed along the route.
Inspectors also focused on ELD tampering and issued 146 out-of-service orders for it. Accurate driving records matter every day. Review unidentified driving time and log edits, and make sure drivers know how to show their records during an inspection.
Missing Medical Cards Led Driver Violations
The leading driver out-of-service violation was no medical card, with 1,072 violations. That is more than twice the 493 violations recorded during Roadcheck 2025. Hours-of-service violations were the second most common driver issue in 2026, with 929.
An up-to-date truck is only part of being ready for the road. Before dispatch, confirm that the driver’s medical qualification and license are current and that their hours-of-service records are accurate. For owner-operators, a reminder before a document expires can help prevent an avoidable interruption.
What Should Carriers Do with These Results?
The practical takeaway from the CVSA Roadcheck results is straightforward: maintain brakes and tires, secure each load properly, and check driver records before dispatch. If the same issue shows up repeatedly, look at why it keeps happening rather than treating each violation as an isolated repair.
The consequences can last beyond a delayed load. Violations recorded during a roadside inspection can affect more than a carrier’s CSA safety measures, insurers and brokers may consider its inspection history.
Roadcheck lasts three days, but roadside inspections happen year-round. Building those checks into your regular routine can help protect your drivers, deliveries, and income.
Maintenance also takes cash, often before a broker pays for a completed load. Summar Financial’s freight factoring helps carriers turn invoices from delivered loads into same-day working capital. That gives small fleets more flexibility to cover planned repairs, fuel, and other operating expenses when they come due. Carriers also have a dedicated account representative to help with their funding needs.
Need more predictable cash flow to stay ahead of maintenance and keep your trucks moving? Talk to our team about whether freight factoring fits your operation.
