Category: CDL pre-trip inspection

The CVSA Brake Inspection Blitz is Here

Posted on September 18, 2018 by Marcela De Vivo - CDL pre-trip inspection, Commercial vehicle out of service criteria, Commercial vehicle safety, CVS inspection, CVSA inspection, CVSA-certified inspectors

This week truck inspectors are ramping up enforcement, specifically on brakes, as part of the CVSA Brake Safety Week. This year is a return to normal for the CVSA after limiting last year’s inspection to a single day.

The CVSA has stated that the majority of inspections will be full Level I inspection. However, CVSA inspectors will have a particular interest on your brake components, including loose or missing parts, defective rotor conditions, air or hydraulic fluid leaks, pushrod travel, required brake-system warning devices, and other braking system components. All vehicles with defective or out-of-adjustment brakes will be removed from service until the issue is resolved.

The CVSA has stated that 14% of trucks inspected during the one-day inspection were placed out of service for brake-related violations.

The CVSA Level 1 Inspection

The CVSA (or Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance as many of you already know) uphold the commercial vehicle safety inspections in North America. They monitor the contravention, inspection, and accident information on your carrier profile. There are many inspection types but the level 1 is the most thorough and common. Click here to review the level 1 inspection list from the CVSA website. https://cvsa.org/inspections/inspections/inspection-procedures/

Performance-Based Brake Testing (PBBT)

In addition to the North American Standard Level I Inspection,12 jurisdictions will be using performance-based brake testing (PBBT) equipment to measure your vehicle’s braking efficiency. This will measure the total brake force for your entire vehicle and then divide it by the total vehicle weight to determine the overall vehicles braking efficiency.

“The minimum braking efficiency for trucks is 43.5 percent, required by 393.52 of the U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations and the CVSA North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria.”

-The Commerical Vehicle Safety Alliance

Again, keep in mind that vehicles with out-of-adjustment or defective brakes will be placed out of service. So that’s a headache you can easily avoid by taking the time to work on your brakes. Also, you should continue performing your pre- and post-trip inspections.

Be Prepared For CVSA’s Brake Safety Day

If you need to perform a little maintenance on your truck now is the time, because if you don’t pass the inspection, you will get parked! Also, please do what you can to spread awareness about brake safety to your fellow drivers to reduce the number of crashes out there.
Please share your thoughts about the CVSA’s Brake Safety Week in the comment section below and be sure to follow us on social media!

What You Need to Know About the Upcoming Road Inspections

Posted on July 17, 2018 by Marcela De Vivo - CDL pre-trip inspection, Commercial vehicle out of service criteria, Commercial vehicle safety, CVS inspection, CVSA inspection, CVSA-certified inspectors, CVSA's Brake Safety Day, Operation Safe Driver Week

Well, you survived the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) 31st 72-hour annual International Roadcheck congratulations. So you are done until next year, right? Sorry folks, that’s not the cause, and the next CVSA truck inspection is closer than you think. Here is what you need to know about the upcoming road inspections.

What You Need to Know About the Upcoming Road Inspections

Operation Safe Driver Week

July 15-21, 2018

First up is the Operation Safe Driver Week brought to you by the CVSA in partnership with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. This annual truck inspection was created to help reduce the number of deaths, crashes, and injuries involving heavy use vehicles. CVSA enforcement officers will not only be cracking down on commercial vehicles but also passenger vehicles with unsafe driving behaviors around CMV’s.

The CVSA has reported that driver behavior is the leading cause of accidents. The “Large Truck Crash Causation Study” from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) shows that dangerous driver behaviors cause 88 percent of large truck crashes and 94 percent of passenger vehicles crashes.

Authorized enforcement personnel will be targeting the following during Operation Safe Driver Week:

Distracted driving
Texting
Traffic violations
Seat belt usage
Speeding

Last year 39,000 citations and warnings were issued to drivers during the Operation Safe Driver Week.

Brake Safety Week

September 16-22, 2018

As part of the CVSA’s Brake Safety Week set for September 16-22, 2018, certified enforcement personnel will conduct roadside inspections. During this time heavy highway use vehicles with critical brake violations will be identified and placed out of service. Maintaining a functioning braking system is vital for any driver but most definitely for Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliances. However, if you are maintaining your braking system and performing your routine pre/post trip inspections, you should be fine.

CVSA certified inspectors will conduct a standard Level I 37 point inspection that includes you and your vehicle. The brake inspection of the inspection will consist of the following:

Identifying loose or missing parts
Air or hydraulic fluid leaks
Defective rotor conditions
Measurement of pushrod travel
Mismatched air chamber sizes across axles
Air reservoir integrity and mounting
Worn linens
Pads
Drums or rotors
Brake-system warning devices
Also, any other brake components

In 12 jurisdictions you will be using performance-based brake testing (PBBT) equipment to test your vehicle’s braking efficiency. For more information on this inspection visit the CVSA website.

2290 Tax Due Date

Not really an inspection, but definitely a point of concern is the impending Form 2290 filing deadline. However, thankfully at ExpressTruckTax, we make filing your IRS Form 2290 quick and easy. Spend less than 10 minutes following our user-friendly step-by-step filing guide to complete and transmit your IRS Form 2290 to the IRS and receive your stamped Schedule 1 in just a matter of minutes.

Need some help? Our 100% US-based bilingual support team is available to answer all of your questions via live chat, phone, and email.

File My Heavy Use Tax Now

The DOT Blitz 2018: Roadcheck Starts Today!

Posted on June 5, 2018 by Marcela De Vivo - CDL pre-trip inspection, Commercial vehicle out of service criteria, Commercial vehicle safety, CVS inspection, CVSA inspection, CVSA-certified inspectors, express truck tax, expresstrucktax

CVSA certified inspector checking a heavy Use vehicle

The Commerical Vehicles Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) 31st annual International Roadcheck starts today! This 72-hour inspection period will include trucks and buses across North America. This year’s focus will be on hours-of-service compliance since this is the first Roadcheck since the ELD mandate.

CVSA certified inspectors will perform full Level I inspections on heavy use vehicles during the DOT blitz 2018. You and your vehicle will undergo a thorough 37-point inspection. During this time you will be required to provide your motor carrier registration and commercial driver’s license.

All drivers on the road during the DOT blitz 2018 should be prepared with their AORBD or ELD for inspection. It is highly recommended that you also have troubleshooting guides on hand and at least eight days worth of blank paper logs just in case.

During Roadcheck 2017 15,000 vehicles and/or drivers were placed out-of-service. Be prepared and stay safe while driving during the DOT blitz 2018.

For more trucking news and information click HERE.

How to Prepare For The CVSA Roadcheck 2019

Posted on May 10, 2018 by Marcela De Vivo - CDL pre-trip inspection, Commercial vehicle out of service criteria, Commercial vehicle safety, CVS inspection, CVSA inspection, CVSA-certified inspectors, express truck tax, expresstrucktax

How to Prepare For The CVSA Roadcheck 2018

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) annual International Roadcheck will be June 4-6, 2019. During this 72-hour period, CVSA-certified inspectors will inspect both you and your vehicle. A 37- point inspection might sound slightly intimidating, but if you have been making your pre and post trip inspections, you have nothing to worry about. Here is how to prepare for the CSA Roadcheck 2019.

This year’s focus will be steering and suspension systems.

How to Prepare For The CVSA Roadcheck 2019

CVSA inspectors will perform a 37-step inspection on you and your trucks during the inspection. You will need to provide your commercial driver’s license and motor carrier registration. The CVSA inspector will be checking the maintenance and condition of your vehicle, including braking system, fuel and exhaust, suspension, and windshield wipers.

Braking System

Maintaining your brakes is essential for any vehicle, but the Roadcheck just drives this point home for truckers. You should constantly check your brakes for any damaged or missing parts, warning devices, leaks, and incorrect air pressure adjustment.

Cargo Securement

Roadcheck 2019 is all about safety. When you are hauling lads, making sure you have proper cargo securement is major. Check for improper tailboard security, damaged tie-down anchor points, unsecured end gates and rear doors, and faulty cargo securement devices.

Coupling Devices

When you’re checking your truck, you will need to look at your coupling devices. Check the secured mounting for your fifth wheel, the spaces between plates, and any damaged parts that can make a locking mechanism faulty.

Tires and Wheel

Check your tires for proper inflation and tread groove depth. Make sure your wheels and rims do not have any cracks or damaged parts. Your hubs should have no damages, leaks, and must be aligned.

Suspension Check

Sometimes you expect a bumpy ride, but you do not want to have a rough haul. First, check for cracked, crooked, or missing springs. Also, watch out for loose shackles and u-bolts, unsecured spring hangers, and a misaligned or damaged front axle.

What Happens if I Fail The Roadcheck Inspection?

If the CVSA does find significant violations, you or your vehicle may be placed out-of-service. Meaning you will not be able to operate your vehicle until the violation(s) are corrected.

Moving Forward

Since we are talking about proactivity you can start pre-filing HVUT Form 2290 here at ExpressTruckTax or file over the phone with our sister product, TSNAmerica.

When you pre-file your HVUT 2290 your return will be at the very top of the stack when the IRS begins processing returns on July 1. This means you will get your Stamp Schedule 1 before anyone else. After that, you are good to go until July of 2020! And when you pre-file your HVUT 2290 you have more time to amend your return if it is rejected or if there are any mistakes.

Are you ready for Roadcheck 2019? What do you do for your pre-trip inspections? Let us know on Facebook or in the comments below.

Category: CDL pre-trip inspection