Four Tips to Help You Survive Brake Safety Week 2025

Brake Safety Week is just around the corner!

If you’re unfamiliar with Brake Safety Week, it’s part of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) Operation Airbrake, a comprehensive program in partnership with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators. 

Brake Safety Week 2025 is from August 25th through August 30th. Throughout the week, commercial motor vehicle inspectors will be conducting inspections of commercial motor vehicle brake system components and removing commercial motor vehicles that have brake-related out-of-service violations from the roadways.

Maintaining your brake system isn’t just about compliance—it’s essential for safety. Brake-related issues consistently make up the highest percentage of out-of-service violations issued during roadside inspections.

During Brake Safety Week 2024, inspectors placed 12.8% of vehicles out of service due to brake violations. That’s more than one in ten trucks pulled off the road, costing fleets time, money, and operational downtime. A poorly maintained braking system directly reduces stopping power and increases the risk of collisions—putting drivers, cargo, and others on the road in danger.

To help you avoid those risks and pass inspection with confidence, we’ve outlined four practical tips for preparing your brake system ahead of Brake Safety Week 2025.

Each year, the CVSA selects a focus area for inspections. For 2025, inspectors will pay special attention to brake drums and rotors. Of course, the entire brake system will still be evaluated, but these components will receive closer scrutiny due to their critical role in overall braking performance and history of wear-related issues. See the eight brake drum and rotor tips for drivers/operators to avoid violations.

We recommend brushing up on what inspectors are trained to assess. The CVSA provides guidance on how inspections are conducted and what constitutes a violation. Getting familiar with the process and reviewing technician tips can go a long way in avoiding surprises.

When an inspector asks for documentation, being prepared helps everything go smoother. Avoid scrambling through glove compartments or stacks of paper at the worst possible moment. Have all your documents organized and easy to access.

Be sure to carry:

Not only does this make the inspection process easier, it also shows that your fleet takes compliance seriously.

Every trip should start with a detailed pre-trip inspection, especially in the days and weeks leading up to Brake Safety Week. A proper inspection gives drivers a chance to catch small issues before they become costly violations—or worse, safety hazards.

During your pre-trip, pay close attention to:

The CVSA’s Brake Inspection Checklist is an excellent tool to guide your team through these steps and ensure nothing critical gets overlooked.

Routine maintenance not only saves you money in the long run, but it can help your vehicle stay as safe as possible. If a highly skilled diesel technician regularly has eyes on your vehicle, they will be able to spot any issues with the brakes and bring the problem to your attention.

Need help preparing? TEC Equipment is here to support you with expert inspections, top-tier brake service, and parts you can count on. Contact your local TEC Equipment location today to schedule a brake system check before the CVSA arrives.

With these tips, we hope you pass inspection during Brake Safety Week 2025 with flying colors.