Roadcheck coming up May 17-19

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) says the 2022 International Roadcheck will be held on May 17-19 with a focus on wheel ends. Wheel ends include all components found at the end of each axle, including tires, wheels, rims, hubs, etc., and have been a common problem area in previous inspections. CVSA reports that wheel ends are often in the top 10 list of violations and that problems with wheel ends have accounted for about 25 percent of vehicle out-of-service violations discovered during Roadcheck in the past.

For the 72-hour event, inspectors in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada will perform inspections on CMVs at weigh stations and inspection sites as well as on roving patrols. After passing an inspection, a CVSA decal is placed on the vehicle, which is valid for three months and generally prevents CVSA from performing another inspection on that vehicle during that time period.

FMCSA continues COVID-19 relief

FMCSA once again extended the exemption to 49 CFR 395.3 that was enacted in response to the pandemic. The exemption was due to expire on February 28, but because supply chain disruptions continue and threaten to slow down a response to variants and potential rises in infections, the agency is extending the exemption, this time until May 31, unless modified or revoked sooner. Motor carriers that use the exemption must log in to their FMCSA Portal account within five days after the end of each month to report their use of the exemption.

The agency also issued an enforcement policy that says drivers may continue to operate with an expired commercial learners’ permit or CDL and/or medical card until no later than April 15, 2022, if their license expired after Feb. 29, 2020, or their medical card expired after Nov. 30, 2021. States may enact their own enforcement standards, however, so check with your state.

For more information, visit FMCSA Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information & Resources webpage.

New OOS criteria takes effect April 1

The latest North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria takes effect April 1, 2022. This year’s version replaces and supersedes all previous versions. Roadside enforcement personnel use the criteria to place drivers and vehicles out of service (OOS). Among the changes, amendments relate to home jurisdiction verification, drugs and other substances, brake systems, lighting devices, tires, vehicle markings, and definitions for OOS and imminent hazard. To read the letter, search the Internet for CVSA OOSC changes letter 2022. Also visit bit.ly/3JeB0Q7.