Your fleet of commercial vehicles should always be up to date on safety and maintenance to make sure they’re running the way they should be, but you might be wondering how you can prepare your fleet for the coming road check inspection of 2019. Here’s a easy to follow guide to help you pass the inspection, and make sure there’s no delay to delivering your cargo on time.

When is it?

This year, the international road check inspection will happen from June 4 – 6, and it will take place at random places across North America.

Why do I need to participate?

These road check inspections help to ensure all drivers are complying with all the laws of the road, and are operating each motor vehicle safely while driving. Every time you head on the road, you should be prepared for the possibility that you may be stopped for a road check so your truck will always need to be compliant with safety standards. If you, or your drivers, fail a road check inspection it could mean time and money lost as your trucks could be pulled off the road.

What can I expect during the inspection?

Most inspections done during this time will be what are considered a level one inspection. If you’ve never been through an inspection before, here’s what will be looked at

• Tires, wheels, rims and hubs
• All sides of your tractor and trailer
• Lights
• Brakes
• Major safety components
• Proper load securement

What else will they look at?

While a lot of the inspections will be surrounding the physical nature and safety of your commercial vehicle, you will need some additional information to pass the inspection. Drivers must have the following information available

• Drivers Licenses/CDL
• Medical Examiner’s Certificate
• Record of Duty Status
• Daily Vehicle Inspection Reports
• Periodic Inspection Reports
• Shipping Papers
• Vehicle Inspection Certificate
• Skill Performance Evaluation Certificate

These documents are just as critical to passing a road check as the physical motor vehicle inspection is, and if your driver does not have the proper documentation available the truck and driver could be pulled from the road.

How to keep your motor vehicle ready for inspection

If you’ve been through a road check before, you’ll know what to expect and there’s an easy way to ensure you avoid any violations during the next inspection. By keeping up on the following areas, you’ll be sure to pass inspection and always stay safe on the road

• Engine, hoses and wiring (all under the hood)
• Tread depth (making sure they aren’t too worn)
• Brakes
• Tires
• Tire Pressure

What happens after an inspection?

If the inspectors have determined you and your vehicle have passed the inspection, they will provide you with a decal to display on your truck. Passing doesn’t mean you don’t have any violations, but it does mean you don’t have any critical violations so there may still be some issues you’ll need to address in the near future.

If you fail the inspection, your vehicle has some critical violations. After the inspection both the driver and the truck will be pulled from the road until the violations have been corrected.