Every spring, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) coordinates its International Roadcheck — a 72-hour enforcement blitz conducted simultaneously across Canada, the United States, and Mexico. For Canadian carriers and owner-operators, this is one of the most important compliance events of the year. Inspectors from Transport Canada, provincial enforcement agencies, and other CVSA-certified officials take to weigh stations and roadside inspection sites across the country, checking commercial motor vehicles and their drivers for compliance with the National Safety Code and federal regulations.
Here at Verduyn Tarps, we make it a point every year to remind our customers: the Roadcheck is coming, and preparation is everything. A failed inspection doesn’t just cost you time — it can put your truck out of service and affect your safety rating.
This Year’s Focus Areas (2026)
Each year, CVSA designates specific focus areas for inspectors to pay extra attention to — above and beyond the standard 37-step North American Standard Level I Inspection. For 2026, the two focus areas are:
Driver Focus: ELD Tampering, Falsification or Manipulation
Inspectors will be scrutinizing Electronic Logging Device records for any signs of tampering, false entries, or manipulation — including edits made without proper annotation. Inaccurate logs may be the result of misunderstanding hours-of-service rules, but in some cases, they are used to conceal violations. Either way, your ELD records need to be accurate, up to date, and properly annotated before you hit the road.
Vehicle Focus: Cargo Securement
This is the one that directly hits home for Verduyn Tarps customers. Inspectors will be paying close attention to how loads are secured — straps, chains, binders, tarps, and all related equipment. In 2025, over 18,000 violations were issued for loads not secured to prevent leaking, spilling, blowing, or falling — and more than 16,000 violations were issued for unsecured vehicle components or dunnage.
An improperly secured load is a safety risk to your driver and every vehicle on the road. If an inspector finds your cargo isn’t properly secured, your truck can be placed out of service on the spot.
What Inspectors Check During Roadcheck
During the standard Level I Inspection, inspectors review two major areas:
Driver Requirements:
- Commercial driver’s licence (CDL) and medical certificate
- Record of duty status / ELD logs
- Seat belt usage
- Skill performance evaluation certificate (if applicable)
Vehicle Mechanical Fitness:
- Brakes and brake adjustment
- Tires and wheels
- Lights and reflectors
- Fuel systems
- Steering and suspension
- Cargo securement — tarps, straps, chains, load containment
Vehicles that pass a Level I or Level V inspection without critical violations may receive a CVSA decal, valid for up to three months — a clear signal to inspectors that your rig has recently been cleared.
How to Get Ready: A Pre-Roadcheck Checklist
Before May 12th, walk through these essentials:
Cargo Securement — the 2026 vehicle focus:
- Inspect all tarps for tears, worn grommets, or broken bungees
- Check straps, ratchets, and chains for wear or damage
- Verify tiedown anchor points are secure and undamaged
- Ensure your load is properly blocked, braced, and immobilized
- Confirm your tarp covers and contains the load fully — no exposed edges blowing free
Driver & Hours of Service:
- Review and audit your ELD records for any errors or unresolved unassigned driving time
- Ensure all log edits are properly annotated with reason codes
- Confirm your medical certificate and CDL are current and will not expire during the inspection window
General Vehicle:
- Check brake adjustment and condition
- Inspect tires for pressure, tread depth, and visible damage
- Test all lights — headlights, brake lights, markers, and clearance lights
- Check for fuel or fluid leaks
40 Years of Keeping Canadian Loads Covered
Verduyn Tarps has been manufacturing and supplying quality tarping systems and cargo securement equipment to Canadian carriers for 40 years. We know what inspectors look for — and we know what equipment holds up under real-world conditions. Whether you run flatdeck, step-deck, or end-dump, having the right tarps, straps, and load securement gear on board is your first line of defence during any roadside inspection.
This May, we want to help you get inspection ready.
SAVE 10% on your next online order in May 2026 with code: 40YEARS at www.verduyntarps.ca (One-time use code, online only. Restrictions apply.)
Stock up on replacement tarps, straps, bungee cords, ratchets, and load securement accessories before May 12th. Do not wait until you’re pulled over to find out your gear doesn’t pass.
Stay Safe. Stay Compliant. Stay Rolling.
International Roadcheck only runs for 72 hours — but the violations it generates can follow you for years. A little preparation now means you cross those scales with confidence and keep your truck earning, not sitting at the side of the road.
From all of us at Verduyn Tarps — drive safe out there, and we’ll see you on the road.
Shop: Cargo Equipment – Verduyn Tarps – Canada
