Out of service not enforceable until April on ELD’s

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) is pushing back enforcement on the out-of-service criteria for the new Electronic Logging Device (ELD) mandate in the United States. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's (FMCSA) new congressionally mandated ELD regulations will still take effect on Dec. 18, 2017 as planned, and will still be enforceable from that date, however the CVSA announced this morning that inspectors will not be putting vehicles out of service until April 1, 2018. Until the April 1 deadline inspectors will be noting violations and roadside inspection reports, and issuing citations to drivers at the inspector's discretion. The announcement will not affect the enforcement of out-of-service criteria for Hours of Service.

3,000 driver violations flagged in CVSA blitz

GREENBELT, MD - Nearly 3,000 drivers and 12,000 trucks were placed out-of-service by local law enforcement in Canada and the United States during the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance's (CVSA) annual road check blitz. June 6-8, 2017 marked the 30th anniversary of the annual enforcement event, called International Roadcheck. More than 62,000 large trucks and buses were given Level I, II, and III inspections over three days.

Kennedy top Canadian at inspection championships

ORLANDO, FL - Darren Kennedy of the British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure earned the top Canadian honor at the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance's 25th annual inspector championships, making him the first to hold a trophy remembering contributions of long-time contributor Sean McAlister. Sean McAlister's wife, Beverly Spencer, spoke at the awards ceremony and helped present the first Sean McAlister High Points Canada Award to winner Darren Kennedy.The competition was held in Orlando, Florida, from August 7-11, testing participants on inspections covering everything from North American Standard Level 1 procedures to hazardous materials and dangerous goods, cargo tank and bulk packaging, and passenger carrier vehicles, and out-of-service criteria. Kennedy placed third overall in the category covering North American Standard Level 1 inspections. Lance Skoog of Alberta Justice and Solicitor General placed third in the North American Standard hazardous materials, dangerous goods, cargo tank, and bulk packagings inspection.

Brake safety blitz results revealed

GREENBELT, MD - About 12% of the 9,500 vehicles inspected during a surprise Brake Safety Day on May 3 were placed out of service because of brake defects, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance says.

Jurisdictions investigating IT for electronic inspections

GREENBELT, MD - Several jurisdictions are beginning to investigate the information technology needed to introduce recently defined Level VIII Electronic Inspections, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance reports.

New inspection procedures for intermodal containers

GREENBELT, MD - The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA), which sets the standards for roadside inspections across North America, has issued a new bulletin for securing intermodal containers on container chassis.

Ep 5: The Front of the Truck

Did you know the time of day can make a difference in whether a lighting problem is a major or minor defect? Editor John G. Smith and Samantha Sarasin, Ontario Ministry of Transportation enforcement officer and provincial Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) instructor, answer these questions and more when stopping at the front of a truck during a CVSA Level 1 inspection.

Ep 1: An Introduction

Editor John G. Smith and Samantha Sarasin, Ontario Ministry of Transportation enforcement officer and provincial Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) instructor, introduce the video series that will explain every step in a CVSA inspection. And it answers a key question: What does a CVSA decal actually tell inspectors?

Ep 6: Wheel Ends

Ontario currently has zero tolerance for wheel-related defects. But wherever you operate, wheels will be a part of a roadside inspection. Editor John G. Smith and Samantha Sarasin, Ontario Ministry of Transportation enforcement officer and provincial Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) instructor, explore what inspectors are looking for when they stop at a wheel end during a Level 1 inspection.

Ep 20: A Clean Inspection

Samantha Sarasin, Ontario Ministry of Transportation enforcement officer and provincial Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) instructor, presents driver Brad Barton of JG Drapeau a clean bill of health for the equipment inspected during our video series. Today's Trucking offers special thanks to Brad Barton, JG Drapeau, Sarasin, and the Ontario Ministry of Transportation for sharing all the steps in a Level 1 inspection.

Ep 7: The Fuel Tank

Every driver needs to monitor their fuel, but they also need to keep a watchful eye on fuel and DEF tanks. Editor John G. Smith and Samantha Sarasin, Ontario Ministry of Transportation enforcement officer and provincial Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) instructor, explore what inspectors are looking for when they visit fuel tanks, steps, and air system gladhands.

Ep 19: Fifth Wheel

Tractors and trailers connect at the fifth wheel, and the so-called tug test is used to ensure there is no excessive play in the connection. Editor John G. Smith and Samantha Sarasin, Ontario Ministry of Transportation enforcement officer and provincial Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) instructor, explore the steps taken to ensure a secure connection.

Ep 8: The Duals

Editor John G. Smith and Samantha Sarasin, Ontario Ministry of Transportation enforcement officer and provincial Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) instructor, stop at a dual wheel assembly during a Level 1 inspection. There, they search for potential issues involving tire condition, spring hangers, fifth wheels and more.

Ep 18: In-Cab Inspection

A Level 1 inspection does not limit itself to components outside the truck. Enforcement teams will stop in the cab to review gauges, warning lights, steering wheels, seats and more. Editor John G. Smith and Samantha Sarasin, Ontario Ministry of Transportation enforcement officer and provincial Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) instructor, discuss the difference between the major and minor defects.

Ep 9: Trailer Sides

Editor John G. Smith and Samantha Sarasin, Ontario Ministry of Transportation enforcement officer and provincial Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) instructor, show what inspectors are looking for when they look down the sides of a typical van trailer.