The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) has set its annual Brake Safety Week for August 23–29, 2026. The seven-day inspection and enforcement initiative is conducted across the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
CVSA-certified inspectors will conduct roadside inspections — primarily Level IV inspections focused on brake systems, visually checking brakes, and, at some sites, using performance-based Brake Testers (PBBT).
As in last year, inspectors will place special emphasis on brake drums and air disc brake rotors, in addition to standard brake system checks (adjustments, air/hydraulic leaks, hoses and tubing, low-air warning devices, tractor protection systems, and the 20% out-of-service brake criterion).
Last year’s campaign produced the following results across 52 jurisdictions. According to reports, key findings included that nearly 84.9 percent of inspected vehicles had no brake-related out-of-service (OOS) violations.
The most-cited reason for an OOS order was CVSA’s 20% criterion, which means that 20% or more of a vehicle’s (or combination’s) service brakes were found defective. The 2025 OOS rate (15.1%) was essentially unchanged from 2024’s 13%–15% range, indicating that brake violations remain among the most persistent categories of roadside OOS findings. There were 113 drum and rotor violations identified during the week (the special focus for the campaign), with 39 vehicles placed out of service specifically for drum/rotor defects.
Of course, fleets should treat brake readiness as a year-round posture, not a one-week event, since the unannounced day can occur at any time. Motor carriers and drivers are encouraged to perform thorough pre- and post-trip inspections and ensure all brake components are in proper working condition before operating their vehicles. Brake Safety Week serves as an important reminder that safety is a shared responsibility among drivers, motor carriers, inspectors, and the broader transportation community.
How to Ace Your Inspection, Avoid Downtime.
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Complete pre-emptive brake inspections now, with specific attention to drums, rotors, and pad/lining wear — not just standard adjustment checks.
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Verify air system integrity: hoses, tubing, connections, and low-air warning devices.
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Review driver pre-trip/post-trip inspection documentation for brake-related defects flagged but not yet resolved.
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Address any open brake-related maintenance items before the campaign window to reduce OOS exposure and avoid compounding CSA Vehicle Maintenance BASIC scores.
For more information, visit OperationAirbrake.org
