Brake Safety Week 2025: How to Prepare Your Fleet for Inspections

Brake Safety Week 2025 is coming up August 24–30, and if you're a fleet leader, now’s the time to make sure your team - and your vehicles - are ready.

Every year, this enforcement initiative spans the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, with law enforcement conducting roadside inspections focused on one of the most critical safety systems in any vehicle: the brakes.

This year’s focus? Brake drums and rotors.

Whether you’re operating a local fleet or running long-haul routes, faulty brakes can lead to dangerous outcomes and costly downtime. Here’s what you need to know about Brake Safety Week 2025 and how to prepare your team.

What Is Brake Safety Week?

Brake Safety Week is part of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) ongoing efforts to reduce accidents caused by brake system failures. During this week, inspectors across North America will:

• Conduct roadside inspections of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs)

• Educate drivers and technicians on brake system maintenance

• Enforce compliance by placing vehicles with out-of-service violations out of operation

What Inspectors Will Be Looking For

Inspectors will conduct a Level I or Level V inspection, checking critical brake system components, including:

• Brake drums and rotors: Cracks, heat damage, or contamination

• Linings and pads: Worn, missing, or contaminated

• Air systems: Leaks, pressure levels, and warning signals

• Brake adjustment: Pushrod travel and slack adjuster performance

• ABS function: Malfunction lamps and system response

• Missing or cracked parts: Calipers, chambers, hoses, and other hardware

• Trailer protection systems: Including breakaway systems

How to Prepare Your Fleet

Getting ahead of inspections is not just about compliance;  it’s about protecting your drivers, your assets, and everyone else on the road. Here are some ways to get ready:

1. Inspect Drums and Rotors Now

Don’t wait for Brake Safety Week. Check your entire fleet for signs of wear, cracks, scoring, or contamination. Drums and rotors are under extra scrutiny this year.

2. Train Your Technicians and Drivers

Make sure your team knows what inspectors are looking for and how to spot warning signs early. Brief them on slack adjusters, air pressure checks, and pushrod travel procedures.

3. Stay on Top of Maintenance

Use your maintenance software to track scheduled brake services. Set alerts for inspections and ensure work orders are closed out properly with notes and documentation.

4. Document Everything

Have records on hand for brake repairs, inspections, and component replacements. Well-documented history shows you're proactive, not reactive.

5. Use Smart Tools to Track Compliance

With fleet maintenance software like Squarerigger, you can automate preventive maintenance schedules, track inspection results, and flag at-risk vehicles before they hit the road.

Why It Matters

Brake-related violations are among the top reasons CMVs are placed out of service during roadside inspections. During last year’s campaign:

• Over 10% of vehicles were removed from service due to brake violations

• Many were cited for out-of-adjustment brakes or defective brake components

• ABS violations remain a consistent issue, often due to overlooked maintenance

Pro Tip: Make Brake Safety a Year-Round Priority

Brake Safety Week is a reminder, not a one-time checklist. By treating brake health as a year-round priority, you’ll minimize violations, extend component life, and most importantly, keep your team and others safe on the road.

Let Squarerigger Help You Stay Inspection-Ready

Our software helps you stay ahead of compliance deadlines with:

• Automated PM scheduling

• Inspection tracking

• Safety alerts and reminders

• Work order documentation

• Historical brake service reporting

Don't scramble during inspection week. Stay ready all year long.

Need help getting inspection-ready?
Explore Squarerigger’s Safety & Compliance Tools →