Navigating DOT week 2025: FAQs to help you prepare
With 2025’s International Roadcheck just around the corner, it’s time for shippers to finalize their plans. This annual safety event can bring unexpected challenges, from delays to less truck availability, and even the most seasoned shippers can face disruptions if they aren’t prepared.
In the following FAQs, we’ll help you navigate what to expect and how to get ready for the busy time ahead.
What is it?
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) International Roadcheck, also known as DOT Week or DOT Blitz Week, is a 72-hour event where inspectors across North America (Canada, Mexico and the U.S.) conduct detailed inspections of trucks, trailers and drivers.
DOT Week is the largest targeted enforcement program for commercial motor vehicles worldwide.
When is it?
The 2025 DOT week inspections begin the morning of Tuesday, May 13th, and end the evening of Thursday, May 15th.
What's the focus in 2025?
2025’s focus areas will be tire safety and false records of duty status. Let's break down what these entail:
Tire safety
Tires are a leading cause of vehicle out-of-service violations, and this year, inspectors will be paying extra attention to:
- Air leaks
- Low tire tread
- Underinflated tires
- Sidewall or tread separation
- Bulges, cuts or improper tire repairs
Records of duty status (RODS)
Records of duty status (RODS) are logs maintained by drivers that are updated each time they change their status, such as driving or stopped. Accurate RODS are essential for preventing driver fatigue and maintaining overall road safety.
During DOT week, inspectors will be scrutinizing drivers’ logs to ensure compliance with hours-of-service regulations. Key areas will be:
- Electronic logging device (ELD) tampering
- Driving without being logged on
- Recording off-duty time while performing work
- Improper use of personal conveyance
How can this impact my supply chain?
Stops during the DOT blitz typically take drivers off the road for a minimum of 45-60 minutes, even if there are no issues. While the stops themselves shouldn’t impact shipments, any violations could cause delays.
Last year, inspectors conducted over 48,000 inspections between May 14th and 16th for the 2024 DOT week. The overall vehicle out-of-service rate was higher than in previous years, at about 23%, or almost one in four stops. This helps to underscore the importance of vehicle maintenance and compliance checks to ensure vehicles and drivers meet safety standards.
Between the possibility of inspection and out-of-service violations, some drivers will choose to sit this time out. Fewer trucks are available when drivers aren’t on the road, which can make it harder to find one for your load. Because of this, shipping prices may rise as capacity tightens.
Learn more about current events impacting shippers.
How can I avoid disruption?
If you have loads on the board that can't be avoided during blitz week, here are a few things you can do to set yourself up for success:
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Work with a trusted provider. Always partner with carriers that have strong safety records and well-maintained equipment. This will make it less likely that inspection infractions will occur.
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Plan shipments early. Try to schedule shipments before or after DOT week to avoid delays altogether. If you must ship during this period, book trucks in advance to get better options and avoid last-minute rate increases.
-
Build in extra time. Add some buffer time to your pickup and delivery schedules to accommodate potential inspection stops. This will give you room to adjust expectations and deadlines if delays occur.
-
Budget for possible rate increases. Because of the tighter capacity that DOT week has historically produced, adjust your budget ahead of time to avoid surprise costs and higher rates that tighter capacity produces.
If you have loads on the board that can't be avoided during blitz week, here are a few things you can do to set yourself up for success:
-
Work with a trusted provider. Always partner with carriers that have strong safety records and well-maintained equipment. This will make it less likely that inspection infractions will occur.
-
Plan shipments early. Try to schedule shipments before or after DOT week to avoid delays altogether. If you must ship during this period, book trucks in advance to get better options and avoid last-minute rate increases.
-
Build in extra time. Add some buffer time to your pickup and delivery schedules to accommodate potential inspection stops. This will give you room to adjust expectations and deadlines if delays occur.
-
Budget for possible rate increases. Because of the tighter capacity that DOT week has historically produced, adjust your budget ahead of time to avoid surprise costs and higher rates that tighter capacity produces.
The reduced capacity and delays during the inspection blitz can create temporary challenges, but ArcBest is here to help you avoid them. With our experience, strong carrier network and proactive updates, we can work with you to create a plan that reduces disruptions and keeps your costs down.
Tell us about your shipments to see how we can help you during DOT week this year.
