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 2026 runs from August 23rd through August 29th. Throughout the week, commercial motor vehicle inspectors across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico will conduct roadside inspections of brake system components, pulling any vehicle with a brake-related out-of-service violation off the road until it's repaired.
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, and the numbers keep climbing.
During Brake Safety Week 2025, inspectors placed 15.1% of inspected vehicles out of service for brake violations — up from 12.8% the year before. That's roughly 1 in 7 trucks pulled off the road, costing fleets time, money, and operational downtime. Brake issues aren't limited to the announced inspection week, either: during CVSA's unannounced Brake Safety Day in April 2026, inspectors flagged 574 of 4,021 vehicles (14.3%) for brake-related violations. And during the 2025 International Roadcheck, brake violations accounted for nearly 24% of all out-of-service violations across every inspection category — more than any other single system.
A poorly maintained braking system directly reduces stopping power and increases the risk of collisions, putting drivers, cargo, and everyone else on the road at risk.
To help you avoid those risks and pass inspection with confidence, here are four practical tips for preparing your brake system ahead of Brake Safety Week 2026.
Each year, the CVSA selects a focus area for inspections. For the second year in a row, inspectors will pay special attention to brake drums and air disc brake rotors. The entire brake system will still be evaluated, but these components are getting closer scrutiny due to their critical role in stopping performance and their history of wear-related violations.
Back-to-back focus years on the same components is a signal worth taking seriously — it means drum and rotor issues are still showing up often enough that CVSA hasn't moved on. Review the CVSA's brake drum and rotor inspection tips with your drivers and techs, and brush up on what inspectors are trained to assess so nothing catches your fleet off guard.
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 everything organized and easy to access.
Be sure to carry:
Not only does this make the inspection process faster, it also shows inspectors 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 make sure nothing critical gets overlooked.
Routine maintenance doesn't just save you money in the long run — it keeps your vehicle as safe as possible year-round. When a skilled diesel technician regularly has eyes on your equipment, they'll catch brake wear and drum or rotor issues long before they become a violation, or a roadside breakdown.
Need help preparing before August 23rd? TEC Equipment's truck service team offers expert brake inspections, and our parts department stocks the drums, rotors, and components to get repairs done fast. 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 2026 with flying colors.
Brake Safety Week 2026 runs August 23–29, and takes place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico as part of CVSA's Operation Airbrake program.
For the second consecutive year, CVSA inspectors are giving special attention to brake drums and air disc brake rotors, though the full brake system is still evaluated during every inspection.
A vehicle with a brake-related out-of-service violation is removed from the road until the issue is repaired. In 2025, 15.1% of inspected vehicles were placed out of service for brake violations during Brake Safety Week.
No. CVSA also runs unannounced brake safety enforcement days throughout the year. During one such day in April 2026, inspectors flagged 14.3% of inspected vehicles for brake-related violations.
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