Roadcheck Puts Medical Cards Back on Fleet Radar
CVSA's 2026 International Roadcheck placed 3,184 drivers and 10,350 vehicles out of service. Medical-card violations led the driver list, while English-proficiency violations appeared as a new enforcement item in the U.S.
Driver Violations Shifted in 2026
Medical-card violations became the leading driver out-of-service issue during the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance's 2026 International Roadcheck, while English-language proficiency appeared among U.S. driver out-of-service violations for the first time.
The three-day inspection blitz ran May 12-14 across the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Inspectors conducted nearly 55,000 driver and vehicle inspections, placing 10,350 commercial motor vehicles and 3,184 drivers out of service.
Medical Cards Moved to No. 1
Medical-card violations accounted for 28% of driver out-of-service violations this year, up from 18% in 2025. Hours-of-service violations moved the other direction, dropping to 23% from 36% last year. Drivers operating without a CDL fell to 16%, down from nearly 30%.
The medical-card increase comes as states, drivers and motor carriers continue adjusting to FMCSA's electronic medical-certification process. A temporary exemption lets interstate CDL and commercial learner's permit holders, along with motor carriers, keep using a paper medical examiner's certificate as proof for up to 60 days after issuance. That exemption runs from April 11 through Oct. 11, 2026.
English-Proficiency Enforcement Enters the Data
English-language proficiency was not an out-of-service condition during last year's Roadcheck. FMCSA made it one through agency guidance in June 2025, and the agency has since proposed codifying the requirement in federal regulations.
For fleet teams, the result is a broader compliance checklist. Medical certification status, CDL validity, ELD integrity and driver communication requirements all need to be visible before a roadside inspection makes them visible for you.
