The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) has officially approved 17 changes to the 2026 North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria (OOSC) following the 2025 fall issues ballot.

Under CVSA bylaws, proposed OOSC changes must receive majority approval from Class I member jurisdictions. In 2025, 51 of 70 jurisdictions voted, and the Alliance approved 17 amendments that will take effect April 1, 2026.

These changes impact driver qualification enforcement, alcohol thresholds, ELD tampering, brake measurements, cargo securement, wheels and rims, hazardous materials placarding, and federal out-of-service orders.

The 2026 edition will:

Be printed on green paper

Denote changes with an asterisk (*)

Be effective throughout North America beginning April 1, 2026

Be available in English, French, and Spanish

Launch in the CVSA OOSC mobile app on April 1

Be available for purchase (print and electronic) in February 2026

Key Driver-Related Changes (Part I)

1. CDL and Non-CDL Endorsements & Restrictions

Endorsements and restrictions are now separated and clarified, particularly regarding proper violation codes.

Important clarification:
A valid CDL with a restriction violation does not invalidate the license. It does not automatically trigger violations of 383.23 or 391.11(b)(5). Enforcement will rely on state authority for the out-of-service action.

Why it matters: Safety departments must ensure drivers understand restrictions (e.g., air brake, intrastate) and that compliance staff document violations correctly.

2. Intrastate (K) Restriction Clarification

A new note clarifies that drivers with an intrastate (K) restriction are only placed out of service if operating outside their home state at the time of inspection.

FMCSA indicated the restriction is meant to keep drivers within their state of issuance — not to prohibit the intrastate leg of an interstate movement.

Operational takeaway: Verify dispatch routing aligns with driver restriction status.

3. Alcohol Threshold Clarification

The OOSC now aligns with federal thresholds:

Wine or beer at 0.5% alcohol content or more

Any distilled spirits

Possession while on duty now clearly meets the OOS threshold.

4. False RODS & ELD Tampering

Language was expanded to address:

Situations where inspectors can determine falsification. 

Situations where ELD tampering prevents determination of duty status

A new OOS condition applies if tampering makes it impossible to determine events.

This is significant. If hours cannot be reconstructed, enforcement action will follow.

5. AOBRD References Removed

With the removal of 49 CFR 395.15, references to automatic onboard recording devices (AOBRDs) were removed from the OOSC.

Vehicle-Related Changes (Part II)

Brake System Revisions

Several notable updates include:

Service gladhands terminology changed to “service air connections”

Clarification that disconnected trailer air lines only trigger OOS if the 20% defective brake threshold is met

Hydraulic and electric brake lining thickness standardized to less than 1/16” (1.6 mm)

“Parking brake” updated to “parking/emergency brake”

Fleet implication: Ensure maintenance teams understand measurement standards and documentation reflects updated terminology.

Cargo Securement

Added OOS criteria for the ExTe Com90 hydraulic log securement system

Added a wire rope damage chart to the tiedown defect table

Coupling Devices

New language addresses countersunk screws in upper couplers. All present bolts must be tight.

Wheels, Rims & Hubs

Missing rim pieces over 3 inches now OOS

Cracks from center hole to stud hole removed as imminent hazard

Clear hubcap OOS condition removed due to enforcement inconsistency

Passenger-Carrying Vehicles

Emergency exits marked as such must now include operating instructions — even if the exit is not a required one.

Hazardous Materials (Part III)

If a vehicle is missing placards for multiple divisions within the same hazard class, the vehicle must be placed out of service.

Administrative (Part IV)

A chart outlining the seven types of FMCSA out-of-service orders has been added to assist inspectors with proper application.

What Safety Leaders Should Be Doing Now

Schedule review of updated criteria before April 1, 2026

Update internal audit checklists

Review driver restriction tracking processes

Reinforce anti-tampering policies regarding ELDs

Verify brake measurement standards with maintenance vendors

Register for the February 10 CVSA webinar

The OOSC changes are not academic updates — they directly impact roadside outcomes, CSA exposure, and audit defensibility.

As always, preparation before April 1 is significantly less expensive than explanation after.

Make it Safe. Make it Personal. Make it Home.