How Long Does a CVSA Test Take?

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance is an international organization that assists agencies, such as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association, in conducting inspections and implementing effective safety protocols. You might block time on your schedule to take a CVSA exam sometime in your trucking career, but how long does a CVSA test take? 

Federal Motor Carrier Authority Filings helps companies and truckers like you obtain custom decal stickers for trucks and comply with strict industry requirements. We provide some insight into a CVSA test duration below. 

What Is a CVSA Test?

The CVSA exam length depends on the inspection level. The CVSA defines the following eight inspection levels:

1. North American Standard Inspection: These examinations explore most or all aspects of your truck, documents, and driving capabilities. It may have a longer CVSA test time than other inspections because of its thoroughness.
2. Walk-Around Driver and Vehicle Inspection: An officer will determine if you, the driver, have used any substances recently. They will also check outside truck components and may request to look at your certificates. 
3. Inspection of Drivers, Credentials, and Administratives: The officer will review your files, including medical certificates, license, and Skill Performance Evaluation. 
4. Special Inspections: An officer might choose you to participate in these checks as part of an overarching study. These studies generally focus on one topic and may boast the shortest time for CVSA tests.
5. Vehicle-Only Inspections: The officer only checks vehicle components listed under the Level I inspection. 
6. Transuranic Waste and Highway Route Controlled Quantities of Radioactive Materials: You will only undergo a Level VI inspection if you haul radioactive or otherwise potentially hazardous materials. 
7. Jurisdictional Mandated Commercial Vehicle Inspection: These inspections focus on specific sectors within the transportation industry, like buses, taxis, and other ride-share vehicles. 
8. North American Standard Electronic Inspection: You won’t likely know when a Level VIII inspection occurs as it happens while you drive. It has the lowest CVSA exam time of all since it doesn’t require that you interact with an officer. 

How International Roadchecks Work

The CVSA conducts annual International Roadchecks. These roadchecks last three days, during which safety officers will examine specific areas targeted by the CVSA. It is the biggest global enforcement event designed to protect roadways and help drivers take appropriate safety precautions. 

CVSA-certified officers work to meet three main objectives during each annual event:

• Ensure safety compliance: Like most other inspection varieties, officers use roadchecks as opportunities to ensure drivers follow basic compliance mandates.
• Educate commercial motor vehicle operators: CVSA tests help raise awareness about a particular topic. Drivers who stay in the loop about these checks might put more effort into ensuring their vehicles, health, and documents stay in order. 
• Bring more awareness regarding the roadcheck targets: It’s easy to forget some safety aspects when you already pay attention to so many details. Annual roadchecks focus on specific subjects, increasing industry awareness about potential problems. 

So, how long does a CVSA test take? The overall duration of a CVSA test depends on the roadcheck’s focus for the year. 

The Focus of 2024’S Roadchecks

Take 2024 as an example. The CVSA declared in February that the checks would hone in on two areas: alcohol and controlled substance possession and tractor protection systems. An officer might check for alcohol and other controlled or illicit substances with field sobriety tests or by searching the inside of your vehicle. 

They can check tractor protection systems by listening for airflow when from the trailer service line. They will instruct you to perform operations that enable them to listen to specific noises. The focus and time frames may change year after year. In 2024, the CVSA conducted these roadchecks from May 14 through 16.

Why Are The CVSA Tests Important?

International Roadchecks raise industry awareness about topics that may fly under the radar otherwise. For example, many drivers focus on breaks, light signals, and tires. However, they might forget to self-inspect tractor safety systems.

Similarly, many vehicle operators already know that using alcohol and other substances can negatively impact their transportation careers. However, they might forget the specifics about transporting or keeping these substances nearby, even if they don’t consume them. 

How Long Does a CVSA Test Take?

There is no average test duration since International Roadcheck targets change yearly. However, you can estimate the time it might take by determining which inspection levels the focuses fall under. The 2024 targets may fall under Inspection Levels I through V. 

Simplify Your Compliance From Any Location With FMCA Filings

How long does a CVSA test take? The time frame depends on the inspection level you undergo. Some levels only take 30 minutes, while others can last an hour. When you pass CVSA tests, you might obtain needed decals for trucks, helping you avoid future in-depth inspections.

FMCA Filings can help you comply and stay in the know about safety assessments. Check your compliance or create a portal on our site.