Every year, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) holds a three-day long International Roadcheck. This year’s event will go from June 5-7 and will focus on hours-of-service compliance. This should not come as a surprise given all of the excitement surrounding the recent electronic logging device (ELD) mandate and its ability to enforce HOS regulations better. However, the driving force behind the HOS focus came from last year’s International Roadcheck results. The number one reason inspectors placed drivers out of service was HOS violations.

Understanding Inspections

Drivers and fleets with high Inspection Selection System (ISS) scores probably dread the International Roadcheck event. High scores almost always mean an elevated level of inspection. However, drivers do not need to fear inspections. In fact, if drivers embrace inspections as a vital part of their job, they can take proactive steps to improve their score. Drivers should avoid the following if they do not want to see their score number increase:

  • Missing or expired medical cards
  • Visible or obvious defects such as a cracked windshield or failing to wear a seatbelt
  • Moving violations such as running red lights, speeding, and other reckless behaviors
  • Broken or burnt out lights—this accounts for almost a third of roadside violations
  • Red flag violations

Red Flag Violations

The final point is one of the most significant. Red flags encompass the most serious violations a driver can perform, and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) will always focus on companies who hire drivers with a history of red flag violations. There are 12 red flag violations in total, including:

  1. Driving a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) with more than one driver’s license
  2. Driving a CMV without a commercial driver’s license (CDL)
  3. Driving a CMV while disqualified (CDL license revoked, suspended, canceled, or otherwise disqualified)
  4. Driving a CDL with an unsuitable CDL group
  5. Driving a CMV as an unqualified driver
  6. Driving a CMV without the appropriate license type
  7. Driving a CMV after receiving an FMCSA disqualification for operating a CMV
  8. Driving a CMV while disqualified (non-CDL license revoked or suspended)
  9. Driving a CMV while using or under the influence of drugs
  10. Driving a CMV while using or under the influence of alcohol four hours or less before duty
  11. Driving a CMV after receiving an out-of-service order
  12. Driving an out of service (OOS) CMV (vehicle maintenance issue)

While it is up to carriers and fleets to ensure their drivers do not perform any of the above red flag violations, DriverCheck can help. Our How’s My Driving? Program can be your fleet’s eyes and ears when your drivers are on the road. This program can help your fleet identify unsafe drivers and correct risky driving behaviors. Contact us today to learn more.