The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) has announced significant updates to its Out-of-Service Criteria, which will be enforced starting April 1, 2025. For owner-operators and small fleet managers, these changes could impact your daily operations, inspections, and overall compliance with regulations. This year, the focus is on brakes, tires, suspensions, and important updates regarding driver eligibility. Failing to prepare could lead to inspection delays or costly fines.
Here’s what you need to know.
Driver Out-of-Service Updates
1. Prohibited Drivers Cannot Train CLP Holders
Under the new rule, if you have a driver with a commercial learner’s permit (CLP) in training, the accompanying CDL holder must be fully authorized to drive. A CDL holder with an active suspension, disqualification, or unresolved violation in the FMCSA Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse is not permitted to train a CLP holder.
For example, if your trusted driver, who’s training a new hire with a CLP, has a failed drug test and hasn’t completed the return-to-duty process, they cannot legally act as a trainer. This violation could result in the truck being placed out of service immediately during an inspection, causing major delays and revenue loss.
2. Medical Certificates Are a Must
Drivers without a valid DOT medical card will be immediately placed out of service, regardless of whether they are transporting freight or passengers. This rule eliminates previous distinctions based on the type of vehicle being operated. To stay compliant, ensure that your drivers' medical certificates are up-to-date.
What You Can Do:
- Check that all drivers' medical certificates are valid well ahead of expiration dates.
- Keep digital and physical copies of these certificates in your compliance files.
- Set calendar reminders to renew certificates to avoid last-minute rushes.
Vehicle Out-of-Service Updates
1. Brake System Violations
Brake-related issues continue to be among the top reasons for out-of-service orders. A major update this year is the introduction of a broad violation for inoperative brakes due to issues like unplugged electrical cables or disconnected service gladhands. Previously, each inoperative brake would be documented separately; now, a single disconnect can result in a complete out-of-service order.
What You Can Do:
- Before each trip, inspect electrical cables and gladhands.
- Ensure all connections are secure to avoid being sidelined during roadside inspections.
2. Tire Rules
Tires are a key focus for CVSA’s 2025 inspections. New rules include:
- Tires with noticeable tread leaks and no automatic tire inflation system (ATIS) are now considered out of service.
- Any tire with a sidewall leak is automatically out of service, regardless of whether it has an ATIS.
- The distinctions between radial and bias-ply tires have been combined into one rule.
- If a mud flap only touches the rubber part of a tire, this is no longer considered an out-of-service condition.
For example, if you’re hauling a refrigerated load and one of your drive tires has a slow leak without an inflation system, a DOT officer may immediately place your truck out of service.
3. Suspension Violations
Cracked or broken U-bolt bottom plates are now explicitly listed as out-of-service conditions. CVSA has also provided updated diagrams to help inspectors correctly identify suspension issues, minimizing the chance of errors.
What You Can Do:
- Regularly inspect U-bolts and bottom plates as part of your vehicle maintenance routine.
- If your truck has older suspension components, consider replacing or upgrading them before they cause a compliance issue.
What These Updates Mean for Small Carriers and Owner-Operators
These changes underscore the importance of compliance, driver training, and preventive maintenance. Missing just one of these updates could result in your vehicle being placed out of service, causing significant downtime and financial loss.
Key Takeaways:
- Ensure that CDL holders accompanying CLP trainees are fully authorized to drive.
- Drivers without valid medical certificates will face immediate out-of-service orders.
- A single electrical cable or gladhand issue can lead to a complete brake system violation.
- Tires with leaks, especially in the sidewall, will result in out-of-service orders.
- Cracked U-bolt bottom plates are now clearly listed as out-of-service violations.
How to Get Prepared
To avoid being caught off guard when these changes take effect, familiarize yourself with the updated rules now. The CVSA’s Out-of-Service Criteria Handbook offers comprehensive guidance on preparing for roadside inspections and preventing unnecessary downtimes.
Taking proactive steps to stay ahead of these changes will ensure that your operations remain compliant and your business stays on track. Consider joining training sessions, such as a consultation with our specialists, to stay up to date on these topics and maintain operational readiness.
