CVSA Roadcheck Prep: What Small Fleets Should Fix First

Week 6 · Compliance · CVSA

Every year, CVSA Roadcheck puts extra eyes on trucks and trailers across North America. For big carriers, there’s usually a full compliance department. For small fleets, it’s often the owner, a dispatcher, and whoever can grab a flashlight.

You don’t need a compliance team to get ready. You just need to focus on the items that most often put vehicles out of service.

1. Brakes and wheel-ends

Brake-related violations are a top out-of-service item during Roadcheck. Focus on:

• Air leaks you can hear at the glad-hands, lines, and chambers.
• Slack adjuster free-stroke and pushrod travel.
• Cracked, missing, or contaminated linings.
• Drums or rotors with deep scoring or cracking.

A quick on-site brake inspection ahead of Roadcheck can catch most issues before they’re written up on the side of the road.

2. Tires and wheels

Next, look at the parts that actually touch the road:

• Tread depth (especially inside duals and trailer positions).
• Sidewall bulges, cuts, and exposed cords.
• Matching tire sizes on duals.
• Obvious wheel damage or missing lug nuts.

Many small fleets run otherwise good trucks with one or two borderline tires. Roadcheck is not the time to roll the dice on those.

3. Lights and conspicuity

Lights are the easiest fix and one of the most visible issues to inspectors:

• Headlights, turn signals, brake lights, and marker lamps.
• License plate and clearance lights.
• Reflectors and reflective tape where required.

Have someone walk the lot at dusk with a notepad and a helper cycling the switches. Fix everything you can in one focused push.

4. Load security and body condition

Securement and basic body condition are also on the list:

• Straps, chains, and binders in good condition.
• Sidewalls, doors, and hinges that latch securely.
• No sharp edges or obvious hazards.

Even if you’re not moving heavy equipment, simple securement issues can still draw attention during Roadcheck.

5. Driver documentation and mindset

Finally, make sure your drivers:

• Know where to find registration, insurance, and inspection documents.
• Understand your pre-trip and post-trip expectations.
• Feel supported — not blamed — when they bring up equipment issues.

A calm, prepared driver paired with a safe vehicle is the best Roadcheck combo you can have.

Need help with a pre-Roadcheck inspection push?

We can schedule an on-site day ahead of CVSA Roadcheck to hit brakes, tires, lights, and basic documentation on multiple units at once. You keep your people home; we come to your yard.