Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA)

Scope

The CVSA is a non-profit association of state, local, provincial, and federal officials responsible for the administration and enforcement of motor carrier safety laws and regulations in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Each year committees of the CVSA consider and recommend modifications to the roadside inspection procedures and out-of-service criteria, which are then accepted or rejected by a vote of the CVSA member jurisdictions. The North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria is published in handbook and electronic formats each year on April 1.

Regulatory citations

• 49 CFR 396.9 — Inspection of motor vehicles and intermodal equipment in operation

Key definitions

• North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria: The Out-of-Service Criteria is a list of violations which are so unsafe that they must be corrected before operations can resume. During roadside inspections, federal, state, and local safety inspectors use the Out-of-Service Criteria as a guide in determining whether to place a commercial motor vehicle out of service.

Summary of requirements

Roadside inspection procedures and inspector training courses are developed and maintained by the CVSA, including the North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria (Out-of-Service Criteria). Every special agent of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is authorized to enter upon and perform inspections of a motor carrier’s vehicles in operation and intermodal equipment in operation in accordance with 396.9.

If any out-of-service conditions exist, the driver will be advised of what needs to be done before driving again. (Refer to Roadside Inspections.)

Correction of other less severe violations can be deferred to a more convenient time and place. However, such defects must be repaired the day of the inspection or the driver must record the defect on a driver vehicle inspection report (DVIR) at the end of the day and submit the DVIR to the carrier.