This year’s focus areas are especially important for carriers to get ahead of:

• ELD tampering and record accuracy
• Cargo securement

At Reliance Partners, we’re working closely with our clients to ensure they’re prepared—not just for Roadcheck, but for long-term compliance.

ELD Compliance: Expect a Deeper Review

Electronic Logging Devices were introduced to simplify hours-of-service compliance, but enforcement has evolved. Inspectors are no longer relying solely on what’s shown in the device.

Instead, they’re verifying records against multiple data sources, including fuel receipts, toll activity, and shipping documents. Any inconsistencies can quickly escalate into a full review.

Inspectors will also be reviewing up to eight days of logs, meaning issues from earlier in the week can still impact a driver during Roadcheck.

What carriers should be doing now:

• Review and audit driver logs across your fleet
• Confirm all ELDs are compliant and properly functioning
• Reinforce correct usage with drivers (especially personal conveyance)
• Address any discrepancies before inspections begin

In today’s enforcement environment, even small inconsistencies can lead to violations—and in some cases, drivers being placed out of service.

Cargo Securement: A Focus Across All Equipment Types

Cargo securement continues to be one of the most common inspection violations, and it’s a key focus for 2026.

While flatbeds often receive the most attention, enforcement applies to all types of equipment. Inspectors will be evaluating anything that could shift or come loose, including:

• Freight and load stability
• Chains, straps, and binders
• Tarps, load bars, and spare equipment

Key reminders for carriers:

• Ensure cargo is fully secured to prevent shifting or loss
• Understand and verify working load limits
• Remember that inspectors evaluate the entire system based on its weakest point

A simple rule to keep in mind: your securement system must meet at least half the weight of the load in total working load limit.

Best practices to reinforce with drivers:

• Take extra time to properly secure loads before departure
• Recheck securement throughout the trip
• Carry additional securement equipment when possible
• Use edge protection to prevent strap wear
• When unsure, add another point of securement

After the Inspection: Protecting Your CSA Score

Even with strong preparation, violations can happen. When they do, they can impact your CSA scores, insurance costs, and overall operational performance.

Carriers have the ability to challenge inaccurate inspection data through FMCSA’s DataQs system, which allows for review and potential correction of violations.

Our Safety Impact Team works directly with clients to navigate this process and improve outcomes, because managing risk doesn’t stop at the roadside.

Taking a Proactive Approach

International Roadcheck may last just three days, but the standards it enforces apply year-round.

The carriers who see the most success are those who treat this as an opportunity to:

• Strengthen internal processes
• Educate and support drivers
• Identify and correct issues before they become violations

A proactive approach today can help avoid disruptions tomorrow.

For a more in-depth look at what to expect during this year’s Roadcheck, we encourage you to read the full article from our friends at FreightWaves.

The post How Carriers Can Prepare for CVSA’s International Roadcheck 2026 appeared first on Commercial Transportation & Trucking Insurance - Reliance Partners.

As the CVSA International Roadcheck approaches, Reliance Partners gears up to equip drivers and carriers with essential insights for a seamless inspection process. Scheduled for May 14-16 across North America, this year’s Roadcheck emphasizes two critical areas: tractor protection systems and alcohol and controlled substances. Mark Barlar, Director of DOT Regulatory Compliance at Reliance Partners, sheds light on these focal points to ensure the most preparedness.

Barlar emphasizes the importance of adherence to regulations, emphasizing the need to eliminate any unauthorized items within the vehicle. “Drivers must ensure they are fit to drive, devoid of any prohibited substances, personal belongings, or alcohol,” he advises.

While alcohol and controlled substances might seem unconventional in safety inspections, the CVSA highlights their significance due to escalating concerns surrounding their possession and use among drivers. This underscores the broader safety implications for all motorists traversing North American roadways.

Additionally, Barlar delves into the inspection of tractor protection systems, a task requiring collaborative efforts. He stresses the necessity for thorough testing of air brakes and anti-bleedback systems, noting that such inspections necessitate the involvement of two individuals.

Aware of the extended inspection hours during Roadcheck, Barlar urges night drivers to proactively assess their tractor systems. Safety managers are encouraged to conduct pre-trip inspections meticulously, as issues with tractor protection systems can lead to costly out-of-service violations and potential towing expenses.

As the countdown to Roadcheck commences, Reliance Partners stands ready to support drivers and carriers in navigating these critical inspection areas. Prioritizing safety and compliance, we empower our partners to navigate regulatory landscapes with confidence.

For more insights on preparing for CVSA International Roadcheck, visit FreightWaves full article.

The post How to Prepare for CVSA International Roadcheck 2024 appeared first on Commercial Transportation & Trucking Insurance - Reliance Partners.

The post Enhancing Safety Through Comprehensive Driver Training Programs appeared first on Commercial Transportation & Trucking Insurance - Reliance Partners.

Read the full article on Freight Waves on insights into post-accident procedures and how to enhance preparedness in your supply chain.

Click here to read the full article on Freight Waves.

Discover more about how Reliance Partners can support your safety initiatives and optimize your risk management strategies.

The post The Crucial Steps After a Trucking Accident in the Supply Chain appeared first on Commercial Transportation & Trucking Insurance - Reliance Partners.

At Reliance Partners, we recognize the unique value proposition that B-1 drivers offer to cross-border carriers. While there has been hesitancy in the past surrounding insuring fleets with B-1 drivers, we’re witnessing a gradual shift in attitudes.

B-1 truck drivers from Mexico play a crucial role in facilitating cross-border trade. They are authorized to pick up loads in Mexico and deliver them to the U.S., before returning to Mexico with another load. However, navigating the complexities of cabotage laws and insurance requirements has posed challenges for many carriers.

Mark Vickers, our Executive Vice President and Head of International Logistics, highlights that while there have been limited insurance options for fleets with B-1 drivers, we’re seeing positive changes. “We have many of our standard insurance providers, insurtechs, and captives starting to play ball with us for the first time, and this timing is perfect,” says Vickers.

One of the primary concerns for insurers has been the disparity in driver performance tracking between the U.S. and Mexico. Unlike U.S. drivers who have Motor Vehicle Records (MVRs), Mexican drivers rely on PSP files, which offer less detailed insights into their driving history.

Stephanie Alegria, our Account Executive, acknowledges these challenges but also emphasizes the unique strengths of B-1 drivers. Despite the lack of comprehensive performance documentation, B-1 drivers often exhibit exceptional driving skills and a strong commitment to safety.

Alegria notes, “The extensive process to become a B-1 driver creates drivers that tend to be more cautious and more involved in operations, leading to fewer accidents and violations.”

The evolving technological landscape is also contributing to a shift in perceptions. With advancements in ELD data sharing, carriers can now monitor driver performance more effectively, easing concerns about driver accountability.

At Reliance Partners, we view the inclusion of B-1 drivers as a positive step towards enhancing safety and efficiency in the transportation industry. We’re committed to advocating for a better understanding of the value these drivers bring to cross-border operations.

While industrywide change takes time, we believe that opportunities for B-1 drivers will continue to expand as the transportation and insurance sectors embrace global perspectives and technological advancements.

To delve deeper into this topic, check out the full article from our friends at FreightWaves.

Additionally, mark your calendars for Reliance Partners’ 7th Annual Modernization of Cross-Border Trade Event in Laredo, Texas, on Aug. 6. Visit here for more details and registration.

The post Embracing the Potential of B-1 Drivers in Cross-Border Logistics appeared first on Commercial Transportation & Trucking Insurance - Reliance Partners.

In just a few weeks, law enforcement personnel across North America will be posted at roads, weigh stations and designated inspection areas, collectively conducting thousands of inspections of commercial vehicles during the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) 2023 International Roadcheck.

During the three-day event, which will take place from May 16 to 18, drivers for motor carriers may go through any of the various levels of inspections, including the most thorough 37-step level I inspection.

“Carriers need to take the proactive approach, warn their drivers and make sure they know exactly what these officers are looking for in a roadside inspection — and be checking for that in their pre-trip inspections,” advised Robert Kaferle, VP of safety at Reliance Partners, a trucking insurance agency and safety consultancy, during April 17’s WHAT THE TRUCK?!? episode.

Despite CVSA releasing exactly what it is looking for during inspections, including focus areas, thousands of drivers and vehicles receive out-of-service violations each year. Last year, out of the 59,026 inspections, 12,456 vehicles and 3,714 drivers were placed out of service, according to numbers released by CVSA.

This year’s focuses are on antilock braking systems (ABS) and cargo securement — areas that drivers should pay particular attention to during pre-trip inspections leading up to the blitz.

“The lights on the side of the trailer for the ABS are not there for show, they’re there for a reason. [Drivers] should make sure they’re working correctly and that their load securement devices are not frayed [and] that they are placed in the right places,” Kaferle advised.

Below are some specifics criteria inspectors will look for regarding ABS and cargo securement:

(Source: Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance)

While focus areas are of critical importance, they aren’t the only areas drivers and carriers should be concerned with. Officers will review other key areas of the vehicle during the various levels of inspections that can occur during Roadcheck.

According to CVSA’s “cheat sheet” for level I inspections, these areas include brakes; coupling devices; fuel and exhaust systems; frame, van and open-top trailers; lighting; securement of cargo; steering; suspension; and tires, wheels, rims and hubs.

Roadside inspections that result in violations can have numerous damaging consequences. Critical violations can land drivers or vehicles out of service, but any type of violation can mean costly fines as well as poor safety scores, which have a lingering effect, including pushing up insurance premiums.

Violations are a red flag that an organization needs to do something better internally, Kaferle said.

As Roadcheck rapidly nears, Kaferle reiterated the importance of training drivers, especially when it comes to pre-trip inspections. This will allow them to catch and repair any maintenance issues ahead of Roadcheck.

“This is the time that you need to focus on sharing knowledge with your drivers and making sure that they understand what the rules are and what the officers are going to be looking at,” Kaferle advised. “Drivers should be aware that it’s coming and that they’re going to be asked to pull over and have their straps evaluated, their load securement devices evaluated, their ABS. It’s no surprise.”

While fleet managers should refresh drivers now on this year’s focuses and other vehicle and driver compliance areas that will be looked at during a level I inspection, Kaferle recommends training drivers all year long.

After all, inspections can occur at any time.

“Talk to your insurance provider, talk to any safety organization — your state, national safety organizations — see what kind of information [and training materials are] out there,” Kaferle said.

Reliance Partners provides its clients with the resources they need to improve their safety programs, including informative material to train drivers on proper pre-trip inspections, which will ultimately help them achieve clean roadside inspections during International Roadcheck and throughout the year.

The post International Roadcheck just weeks away, but are your drivers ready? appeared first on Commercial Transportation & Trucking Insurance - Reliance Partners.

Though each company’s approach to driver coaching is different, one thing usually remains the same: When the safety office calls, the driver’s first thought is probably: “What did I do this time?”

If the only time drivers ever hear from the safety office, or a fleet manager for that matter, is when they’re being told they did something wrong, they will always associate that phone number with news that might ruin the rest of their day.

One of the first things you as a safety professional or fleet manager can do is to start calling drivers to congratulate them on their improvement rather than just when they’ve broken the rules.

The next step you can take should be to improve your coaching strategy in order to make these tough conversations more respectful and productive for both the driver and the company.

Brian Runnels, vice president of safety at Reliance Partners, an innovative risk management-minded trucking and logistics insurance company, offers the following tips for effective driver coaching:

1. Talk to drivers, don’t yell at them.

No one likes to be yelled at. One of the simplest forms of respect that should automatically be given to drivers when coaching is just to talk to them, not raise your voice.

“As soon as you yell at a driver, they shut down and they’re resistant to the coaching. That doesn’t work,” Runnels said.

2. Have all the facts.

Why is the coaching taking place? You need to be able to explain who, what, when and where an incident occurred that prompted coaching. Have facts to support your claim and provide the driver context why they’re being coached.

Additionally, use all the information at your disposal, including any statistics or industry news going on that might lend credence to the importance of the coaching.

3. Use coaching as an opportunity to teach.

According to the dictionary, coach means to “give instruction or advice.” Therefore, it shouldn’t be simply a conversation telling the driver what they did was wrong with no follow-up advice on how to improve. If a driver views coaching as chastising it’s unlikely they’re going to get much out of the conversation.

“If you’re retraining with video content, approach it as an opportunity for the driver to learn something new rather than it being a punishment. If they treat it as a punishment, they’re not really retaining information,” Runnels said.

4. Decide whether coaching is enough.

There are times when coaching is not enough and disciplinary action should begin. If coaching has already taken place in the past regarding the same issue, according to your company policy you may determine disciplinary action is needed.

“You have to think to yourself, ‘If this driver has something happen, and we have to go to court, and we’ve done coaching but there hasn’t been any improvement, can we still defend him in court?’” Runnels said. “If the answer is no, then you probably can’t keep that driver.”

5. Document all coaching sessions.

Verbal coaching needs written verification to support it. Documentation that coaching occurred can help defend the driver and the company in court or an audit. Insurance companies also tend to be more comfortable with carriers that document driver coaching sessions.

When insurance renewal time comes around, driver coaching, especially around technology, can make it easier to manage insurance costs if driver coaching produces good results.

“If you don’t have it in writing, it didn’t happen. Each driver should have a personnel file where this documentation goes,” Runnels said. “If you’re going to have a policy about coaching before disciplinary action, it needs to be consistent across the board and written.”

6. Know your stuff.

Most trucks are now outfitted with multiple telematics devices, such as an ELD or GPS, which companies use to gather data about a driver’s actions and habits. Companies can know exactly where their driver is, their hours of service, their speed, hard braking and more.

The person doing the coaching should be knowledgeable and ideally, have experience with the subject they’re coaching the driver on and any technology involved.

“You need to make sure whoever’s doing the coaching knows what the product is, how it’s used and understands the approach to take with it and the facts behind it,” Runnels said. “If the coaching is on a hard brake that occurred, and the person doing the coaching doesn’t know what the difference between a ‘minus 15’ and a ‘minus 25’ on a hard brake is, it’s not going to come across as effective.”

7. When possible, get face time.

Though at most trucking companies the majority of conversations happen over the phone, nothing beats face-to-face conversations. For safety professionals and driver managers, face-to-face coaching sessions are a way to build respect and get better results.

However, be aware that sometimes, if a driver goes into the office for coaching, it may have the opposite effect. It’s possible the driver could feel as though everybody else in the office knows what happened.

For the most effective results, coaching should be done on the driver’s turf, such as in the yard or by the truck. This levels the playing field and facilitates a more natural conversation.

“Now you’ve taken some of the sting out of the conversation,” Runnels said.

8. Listen to drivers.

Don’t shut down a driver when they’re explaining the circumstances around the subject they’re being coached on.

A driver may provide context around the situation or that can help you learn more about them and make determinations moving forward.

“A good safety professional isn’t always just a safety person. It’s possible to be one of the driver’s best allies, and if you have that sort of relationship with your driver, it makes the hard conversations much easier,” Runnels said.

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Weigh station inspections can take as little as thirty minutes or, if a driver is having a bad day, it can end up costing them 10 hours.

Of course, 10 hours is only if a driver receives a violation severe enough to put them out of service.

These violations cost drivers not just their time but could require them to pay fines and impact the Pre-Employment Screening Program (PSP) report, which might make it more difficult to get hired by another carrier in the future.

But passing an inspection isn’t complicated, according to Robert Kaferle and Brian Runnels, both vice presidents of safety at Reliance Partners. The two shared tips drivers can implement to successfully pass weigh station inspections, drawing on their years of experience both behind the wheel and in the safety office.

When it comes down to it, in most circumstances drivers can prevent violations. One of the best — and most basic — things drivers should do while at a scale is to ensure they’re obeying the rules.

Though it may seem obvious, simple regulations are often unintentionally broken at weigh stations because a driver is focused on gathering paperwork and speaking with a law enforcement officer.

“It’s as simple as keeping your hands on the steering wheel until the officer approaches, keeping your prescription glasses and seat belt on so the officer can see. Then, if you need to take off your seatbelt or remove your prescription glasses to read paperwork, you should verbally tell the officer what you’re going to do,” Kaferle said.

Inspections are classified from Levels 1 through 6, but most of the time drivers will experience a Level 3 inspection. The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance states that Level 3 inspections focus on an “examination of the driver’s license; medical examiner’s certificate and skill performance evaluation (SPE) certificate; driver’s record of duty status; hours of service; seat belt; vehicle inspection reports; and a carrier’s identification and status.”

Drivers should be careful of violating form and manner regulations, which can be overlooked but are easily avoidable, like forgetting to add a bill of lading number on logs, missing trailer and tractor numbers and unclaimed driving time.

These violations may be seen as a red flag that could lead to more rigorous Level 2 (walk-around) or Level 1 (full) inspections.

“Eliminating simple things will put you in a better position to successfully get through an inspection. If they do a Level 3 and there’s nothing there, then they may not do a Level 2 or a Level 1 inspection,” Kaferle said.

In addition to following all rules, keeping the truck clean and in working order with no mechanical issues helps to avoid inspections in the first place.

“Don’t let trash build up on the dash and don’t have broken pieces of equipment. Visible disorganization could signal to an officer that there may be other potential issues with the truck,” Runnels noted.

To truly be prepared, however, prep work should begin well in advance of the scales. This starts with self-accountability.

A driver shouldn’t, and doesn’t have to, guess at remembering his or her violation and crash history. Kaferle recommends drivers request a PSP report once a year to know for sure what details are viewable.

PSP reports contain the last three years of roadside inspections and five years of crash history.

“As a driver, you make your living off your license to drive a tractor-trailer, so it’s critical to make sure it’s in a good standing,” Kaferle said.

Drivers should ensure all necessary paperwork is in the vehicle; the best practice is for drivers to bring any letters or paperwork from the state confirming any updates affecting their licenses, such as after yearly physicals.

“If you do get pulled over and the officer says, for example, ‘the state doesn’t have a copy of your current medical card,’ you can show them the letter that says it does,” Kaferle said.

Finally, drivers should make sure any other unrelated issues are taken care of, especially any pending legal issues, which might come back to haunt them.

“We see a ton of violations for drivers that have their CDL suspended for non-safety-related issues and many times that’s something to do with a court — whether it’s child support or fines. The very first thing they’ll go after is the driver’s license,” Runnels said.

Drivers should also be aware of their employers’ Inspection Selection System score, which makes some carriers more likely to get pulled aside for an inspection than others.

For carriers, Runnels offers this advice: “Once they start pulling more and more of your trucks, there are more opportunities for violations to be found and you get into a pattern that makes it difficult to get out of. Make sure your drivers are doing pre-trips, that their logs are in order and they’re doing loads legally. That goes a long way of keeping everyone out of the crosshairs.”

The post How you can prepare to ace a weigh station inspection appeared first on Commercial Transportation & Trucking Insurance - Reliance Partners.

With the scarcity of new trucks and trailers nearly doubling auction prices for late-model used trucks, it might be best to make do with what you’ve got.

In February, the average sleeper tractor sold was 69 months old with 452,369 miles for $110,686. In fact, prices for every model year dating back to 2017 increased in February, as trucks 3 to 5 years old sold at prices averaging 6% more than the month prior.

“It’s very dramatic,” said Cindy Whitmer, marketing team leader at Reliance Partners. “I don’t see things changing anytime soon because of the supply and demand; inventories are low and the equipment just isn’t there.”

She warns those looking to keep their vehicles, especially older models, to beware of miscalculating market value when quoting or binding coverage. As insurance typically pays to repair or replace insured assets, Whitmer urges fleets and owner-operators to extensively research their equipment’s worth before signing on the dotted line.

“Don’t underinsure your equipment just to cut insurance costs,” Whitmer said. “You’ve got other options available, but you’ll have to talk with your insurance professional to figure out what those options are.”

Whitmer recalled a recent conversation with an adjuster who told her of an unfortunate scenario involving a 1998 Freightliner. The driver was involved in an accident that totaled the 24-year-old truck that he bought three years ago for $15,000. Unbeknownst to him, insuring the truck for what he paid for it proved to be a grave decision. If he had only researched its market value before signing, he would have seen that the truck’s value had doubled over $30,000 and it had over 2 million miles on it.

This didn’t surprise Whitmer, who said drivers and motor carriers often don’t realize this until after a collision — far too late to make policy adjustments.

“That can be a rude awakening, especially for some of these smaller carriers,” Whitmer said. “Something like that can put them out of business when they have a total loss with an underinsured value.” However, she elaborated that larger carriers make similar mistakes too.

“You need to read the exclusions and terms of your policy because those underlying exclusions may contain co-insurance penalties,” Whitmer said, adding that in the case of a total loss, not only won’t you recover your full investment, you might also incur penalties for improperly insuring your equipment.

Reliance Partners’ physical damage coverage offers collision and comprehensive, with collision providing physical damage insurance in the event of a collision while comprehensive offers coverage to repair a vehicle in non-collision incidents, including fire, theft and combined additional coverages, such as vandalism, hailstorm, windstorm, etc.

“We can help decipher the endorsements and terms and conditions on your policy, making sure you’re insured properly,” Whitmer said. “Reliance can write policies with downtime coverage; we can include towing, rental reimbursement and pretty much offer any kind of buyback that would supplement a regular comp and collision policy.

“As insurance agents, we don’t tell customers how much to insure their equipment for; we rely on them to know the market value of their equipment and what it would cost to replace it,” Whitmer added.

But estimating your equipment’s value isn’t as hard as it sounds. Whitmer directs her clients to truckpaper.com, an online marketplace for new and used trucks, trailers and other related equipment, to roughly gauge your truck or trailer’s market value.

The post Miscalculating your truck’s market value can have costly consequences appeared first on Commercial Transportation & Trucking Insurance - Reliance Partners.

What’s the point of a safety department if risk mitigation isn’t valued? That’s what Reliance Partners Director of Safety Robert Kaferle argues in a recent appearance on FreightWaves’ What the Truck?!?

Kaferle urges carriers to focus less on their CSA scores but instead aim to reduce violations. He reasons that safety scores only tell you where to look and that they’ll certainly drop if eliminating violations are your top priority.

He also stresses the importance of proactive safety measures. In other words, take steps to prevent violations before they occur.

However, the problem with many safety programs today is that they’re reactionary in nature. Rather than getting to the root of an issue before an incident arises, Kaferle said some programs take action only after the fact.

If you don’t know where to start, Kaferle suggests carriers consider safety consulting to uncover negligence or unidentified issues that may be hiding in plain sight.

“You have to figure out what the issue is,” he said. “Is it a dispatcher, operations or customer issue? Are they having issues with the maintenance department or are carriers not treating their drivers as the professionals that they should be?

“If they’re continuing to have maintenance issues, ELD issues where they don’t have manuals or they don’t have blank logs in the truck and they continue to get those violations, that’s a red flag,” Kaferle said, explaining that he’s always willing to help, but he’d like for his clients to roll up their sleeves too. After all, only your team knows the business best.

When fleets have nonchalant attitudes toward safety, Kaferle suggests it could be a sign that employee morale is low, which must be dealt with immediately.

He said that it doesn’t take much to boost recruiting and retention in this industry — a little can go a long way. Of the many methods Kaferle deploys on his visits with carriers to build and improve their human resources and safety departments, he said you’d be surprised by just how appreciative drivers are when given their own business cards.

“Everyone feels more important with a business card — it’s just the way it is,” Kaferle said. “It really sets your company apart. Plus, it’s a great recruiting tool.”

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