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  • ASE’s new effort aims to connect repair industry with schools

    ASE’s new effort aims to connect repair industry with schools

    The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence Tuesday announced the launch of ASE Connects, a new initiative to bring shops, dealerships and schools together to tackle some of the industry’s most pressing issues.

    ASE Connects is a nationwide partnership with WrenchWay.

    “There are many groups out there doing great work to help with issues like the technician shortage. ASE Connects is meant to supplement, not replace those efforts. Certain aspects simply work better when all parties involved are on one platform rather than individual silos for automotive, diesel or dealer versus independent,” said Dave Johnson, president and CEO of ASE. “ASE is uniquely positioned to lead this effort. We proudly serve the automotive, diesel and collision repair industries and work with businesses of every type, from independent repair shops and dealerships to fleets, manufacturers and schools. ASE Connects brings all these groups together to strengthen the workforce pipeline for the entire industry.”

    Connecting industry with schools and gathering useful data are two areas where a centralized approach makes the biggest difference. These two priorities form the foundation of ASE Connects’ initial rollout:

    Connecting Industry with Schools

    ASE Connects will build upon the existing School Assist solution to streamline how shops, dealerships and schools work together. Today, more than 3,200 high schools and post-secondary programs are already participating, and ASE’s long-term goal is to bring on every school in the country. Members gain easy access to updated instructor contacts, school support requests and direct communication channels to offer help and connect with students. These tools reduce the barriers that often limit effective school–industry collaboration.

    Providing Useful Industry Data

    ASE Connects will also introduce the Industry Data Exchange, a new effort that builds upon the Voice of Technician report, technician pay data and ASE’s school data. The Exchange will provide a comprehensive view of workforce trends across the automotive, diesel and collision industries by gathering data rarely shared publicly, including pay, benefits and labor rates.

    Shops will be able to look at numbers on a national level as well as filter based on location, shop type and more. ASE’s independence ensures data stays anonymous yet useful for each participating entity.

    ASE Connects memberships are free for schools, while businesses pay a small annual fee. This fee not only supports the broader industry mission, strengthening technician programs, improving data accuracy and building a healthier workforce pipeline, but also delivers clear, measurable value back to each participating shop.

    ASE will continue partnering with WrenchWay to leverage its technology and online platform tooperate the network.

    “We are excited to take this next step with ASE,” said Mark Wilson, co-founder and CEO of WrenchWay. “WrenchWay’s mission has always been to promote and improve technician careers. By combining ASE’s industry leadership with our technology, we are able to focus even more on that mission and make a bigger impact together.”

    ASE Connects will be introduced during a webinar taking place on Jan. 15 at 12 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. CT. Click here to register to attend.

  • California instructor named Mitchell 1 / ASE Master Technician of the Year

    California instructor named Mitchell 1 / ASE Master Technician of the Year

    An instructor for a  college in Southern California and professional technician recently received one of the industry’s top awards.

    Mariano Rubio of Covina, California, was named the 2025 Mitchell 1 / National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence Master Technician of the Year during the ASE Service Professionals Awards banquet, held recently in Savannah, Georgia. He is an instructor at Citrus College, a community college located about 27 miles east of Los Angeles.

    “Mitchell 1 is proud to recognize Mariano Rubio as this year’s ASE Master Technician of the Year,” said Cami Hermann, director of marketing at Mitchell 1. “Mariano’s exemplary performance each and every day makes him an outstanding example of excellence in the automotive industry.”

    As the award recipient, Rubio received an all-expense paid trip to attend the ASE awards banquet, including airfare and hotel, and a $1,000 cash prize.

    For the past 15 years, Rubio has been an automotive instructor at Citrus College in Glendora. He teaches automatic transmission and HVAC repair in the Toyota T-TEN program, drivetrain and advanced vehicle electrical systems in the medium and heavy-duty truck program and standby generator repair, including diesel engine repair, AC generator inspection and AC electrical fundamentals. Rubio also heads the engineering program, where he teaches classes in engineering graphics, mechanics of materials and engineering numerical computations.

    In addition to his instructor roles, Rubio serves as an advisor to the Citrus Automotive, Physics and Engineering (CAPE) design team, where he is helping students build a gasoline and electric high-mileage vehicle to compete in the Shell Eco-marathon. He is also the advisor to the college’s engineering club.

    When he’s not at Citrus College, Rubio works as a diagnostic technician at Young’s Automotive in Covina, California and as a crash accident investigator for Peter R. Thom & Associates Inc. He is also pursuing a doctoral degree in mechanical engineering at the Viterbi School of Engineering at the University of Southern California (USC). In addition, Rubio has coauthored papers on transient pulsed plasma ignition sources for internal combustion engines, extreme-lean hydrogen mixtures and single fuel ammonia combustion engines.

    Rubio holds ASE certifications in A1-A9, T1-T8, L1, L2, L3, F1, C1, G1 and X1. He has also earned certifications in GSA Apprentice, NFPA 70-E High Voltage Safety, MACS Section 609 and SOLIDWORKS CAD Design Associate.

    Rubio credits his father, Mariano Rubio Sr., who has been an ASE certified technician since the late ‘70s, with inspiring him to follow in his footsteps. He also recognizes his high school automotive teacher, Brad Walsh, for guiding him through his auto shop classes and encouraging his first job at a Toyota dealership.

    To qualify for the Technician of the Year award, the winner must achieve the status of ASE Master Certification, pass one or more of the A1-A8 automotive tests with the highest scores within the past 12 months and maintain the highest average passing score across all automobile tests within the past five years.

  • Aviation and marine technicians win TechForce grand championships

    Aviation and marine technicians win TechForce grand championships

    TechForce Foundation recently named Sabrina Marrero, a student technician from the Aviation Institute of Maintenance in Hasbrouck Heights New Jersey, and Mia Jackson, a professional marine-systems technician at Hinckley Yachts in Chesapeake Easton Maryland, as the Grand Prize Winners of the 2025 Techs Rock Awards.

    The announcement was made at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas where both winners were recognized for their skill, leadership and impact on the technician workforce.

    Nearly 6,000 public votes were cast to determine this year’s grand prize winners. Marreno and Jackson were chosen from a group of 12 national finalists who had been named category winners by a panel of celebrity and industry judges.

    Each grand prize winner received a prize package valued at more than $10,000, including roundtrip airfare for two to Las Vegas, a hotel stay on the Las Vegas Strip, full access and front-row placement for the SEMA Show main-stage awards, a 580 piece Carlyle Master Tool Set and equipment package, a week-long rental of a cutting-edge electric vehicle from Hertz Electrifies, and a Carrier Air Quality Monitor, Air Purifier and a $1,500 Visa gift card provided by Carrier.

    “This vote is about more than recognition,” said Jennifer Maher, CEO of TechForce Foundation. “This year’s winners are both women rising in aviation and marine which are fields where representation still lags far behind demand. Sabrina and Mia show exactly why that must change. Their skill and purpose are what the future of the transportation workforce looks like and the industry is lucky to have them.”

    ”The SEMA Show is all about celebrating innovation, skill and the people who drive our industry forward,” said SEMA Vice President of Marketing RJ de Vera.  ”Technicians like Sabrina and Mia represent the next generation of talent that will keep transportation thriving across every sector. We’re proud to spotlight their achievements on a national stage and honor the dedication that powers our future.”

    Since launching the awards in 2018 TechForce Foundation and its partners have recognized 79 students and working techs. The program was built to highlight individuals who not only excel technically but also lead with purpose and integrity.

    “We are proud to support these individuals,” Maher added. “And proud to show the country what the future of the workforce looks like.”

    Working Techs category winners were:

    • Automotive and Motorsports: David Borer, Penske Family Dealership
    • Diesel: Cristian Trasandes, San Diego Miramar College
    • Collision, Restoration and Welding: Jose Caballero, Team Toyota
    • Emerging Tech: Trevor Burgin, Pinnacle Career Institute
    • HVAC Home and Buildings: Bryan Baker, Cool Breeze Heating and Air

    Future Techs category winners were:

    • Automotive and Motorsports: Marcello Dean, McPherson College
    • Diesel: Nathaneal Watkins: Big Sandy Community and Technical College
    • Collision, Restoration and Welding: William Morrison, Northwood University
    • Emerging Tech: Caleb Marc, Lincoln Technical Institute, Union Campus
    • HVAC Home and Buildings: Dylan Matjazic, Lincoln Technical Institute, Canton Campus
  • ASE president issues urgent call in response to Trump executive order

    ASE president issues urgent call in response to Trump executive order

    The president of the leading organization overseeing professional technician testing and certification is urging the industry to get involved with efforts ensure its accreditation and certification are “clearly and formally recognized as essential components of federally funded workforce development in the transportation sector.”

    In fact, Dave Johnson, president and CEO of the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), says in his letter “the future of our industry depends on it.”

    In a spirited letter to the industry made public today, Johnson responded to an executive order issued by President Donald Trump in conjunction with a government study setting priorities for the future of skilled trade jobs and the federal funds to support them.

    Johnson’s letter says:

    The future of workforce development in America is being reshaped, and we need to be at the table.

    In response to the Trump Administration’s executive order focused on “High-Paying Skilled Trade Jobs of the Future,” the Departments of Labor, Commerce, and Education recently released a comprehensive national strategy. This strategy is not just a roadmap, it is a signal of where federal policy, priorities, and funding are headed.

    At the heart of this strategy are principles that emphasize accountability, measurable outcomes, industry-driven standards, and credentials that hold true value in the labor market. These are principles ASE has upheld for decades.

    The strategy’s direction aligns powerfully with what ASE already provides:

    • ASE Education Foundation’s Program Accreditation ensures measurable accountability and rigorous quality standards for Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs.
    • ASE service professional certifications are the recognized, industry-developed credentials that employers rely on, and workers strive to earn. They carry proven value for individuals and the businesses that hire them.

    To put it simply, ASE is the standard the federal government is asking for, right now.

    The strategy document makes clear that taxpayer dollars will increasingly be directed toward education and training programs that:

    • Are industry-driven and aligned with employer needs
    • Issue credentials that matter in the real world
    • Deliver measurable results, linking public investment to outcomes and workforce impact

    This is a pivotal moment. I believe we have a short window to ensure that ASE Accreditation and Certification are clearly and formally recognized as essential components of federally funded workforce development in the transportation sector.

    This matters because the policy decisions made in Washington will dictate how grants and other resources are allocated to community colleges and technical schools across the country. If ASE standards are embedded in this policy, it ensures:

    • Schools that receive funding are truly preparing students for today’s and tomorrow’s jobs
    • Instructors are teaching current, industry-relevant material
    • Students are graduating with credentials that employers value, leading to real, high-wage careers

    This is not about lobbying for narrow interests. It is about securing a future where our entire industry benefits from smart policy that rewards proven excellence and prepares a pipeline of talented, qualified technicians. We cannot afford to have fragmented efforts where individual companies or associations each push for their own agendas. That risks a patchwork of standards that weakens our industry’s credibility.

    Rallying behind ASE as the standard gives us collective influence and a seat at the table when policies are being written. We will continue engaging with policymakers, advocating for:

    • ASE Education Foundation’s Program Accreditation as the benchmark for accountability in CTE programs
    • ASE Certifications as the credential standard recognized and rewarded by federal policy

    I do not pretend to know every outcome of engaging in this process. But I do know this, the stakes are too high for us to sit on the sidelines. We have the chance to shape the direction of workforce development in our industry for decades to come. That means better schools, better-trained students, and a stronger, more resilient transportation service workforce.

    Please join us in this effort, get involved, and support ASE and the ASE Education Foundation. The future of our industry depends on it.

  • Jailed diesel tech gets presidential pardon

    Jailed diesel tech gets presidential pardon

    A diesel tech and shop owner serving a prison sentence foir violating federal environmental regulations has been freed.

    Troy Lake recently received a pardon from President Donald Trump, ending his year and a day sentence. He was among six people included in Trump’s latest round of pardons, which included former major league baseball star Darryl Strawberry, who served 11 months in federal prison for tax evasion.

    Lake, who owned and operated Elite Diesel Service Inc. in Windsor, Wyoming last year was sentenced to a year and a day in a Colorado federal prison and fined a total of $50,000. He was charged with violating Clean Air Act by dismantling emission control mechanisms on numerous heavy-duty trucks.

    In April of 2022 federal prosecutors accused Lake’s Elite Siesel Service and several other shops with on-board computer monitoring systems on over 344 commercial vehicles. He eventually pleaded guilty to one count of consipracy to violate the Clean Air Act.

    Lake’s case last month inspired Wyoming Senator Cynthia Lummis to introduced legislation aimed at eliminating emissions control on diesel engines. Provisions in Lummis’ proposed The Diesel Truck Liberation Act include:

    • Prohibits the federal government from requiring manufacturers to install or maintain emissions control devices or onboard diagnostic systems
    • Removes EPA authority to enforce Clean Air Act requirements related to vehicle emissions controls
    • Individuals cannot be prosecuted or sued under federal law for tampering or improving emissions equipment
    • Vacates existing prison sentences for emissions-related violations and expunges criminal and civil records related to these offenses

    Seven other repair shops cooperated with federal investigators and were fined and avoided any jail time. The investigation covered mechanical alterations made brtween 2017 and 2020.

  • TA Petro halts highway repair calls; research shows many motorists do not slow down and move over

    TA Petro halts highway repair calls; research shows many motorists do not slow down and move over

    Citing safety concerns, one of this country’s leading travel center operators has decided temporarily not respond to roadside breakdowns.

    Travel Centers of America, which operates TA, Petro and TA Express, this week said it is looking at how to improve the safety of technicians making repairs alongside busy highways.

    A statement issued by the company said, “We have paused Emergency Roadside Assistance (ERA) work on the highways until further notice. Roadside ERA will not resume until we have a better understanding of what improvements may be needed to support the safety of our employees. Our ERA teams are still responding to non-highway calls.” 

    A social media post making the rounds of trucking related accounts added, “During this time we will continue to provide services in parking lots, rest areas, and other non-highway or highway locations where it is safe for our team members to do so.”

    Travel Centers of America provides a variety of truck service repairs and maintenance at 245 Truck Service locations. According to its website, TA Petro maintains its own 24-hour Emergency Roadside Assistance network of 600 roadside assistance trucks and more than 3,000 service technicians. It also relies on qualified third-party providers to respond to roadside repair requests.

    Travel Centers of America is owned by BP Products of America, part of the London-based energy company formerly known as British Petroleum. bp finalized the purchase of TA Petro in 2023 for $1.3 billion.

    At about the same time TA Petro made its decision to pause on-highway service responses, AAA issued new research that shows that many motorists are not observing laws which require them to slow down and move over when passing first responders and repair personnel working on the side of the highway.

    When AAA researchers reviewed real-world footage of drivers passing roadside incidents, they found only 64% of vehicles either slowed down or moved over. The remaining 36% did neither. Changing lanes was far more common than reducing speed, suggesting that many drivers are missing half the law’s intent. 

    “Slow Down, Move Over laws exist to protect roadside heroes, first responders, and the stranded motorists who they serve. However, as these statistics demonstrate, drivers do not always follow the law, all too often resulting in preventable tragedies,” said Dr. David Yang, President and Executive Director of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. 

    While every state and the District of Columbia has a “Slow Down, Move Over” law, many drivers don’t fully understand what those laws require. AAA’s national survey found two-thirds of drivers said they’ve heard of SDMO laws, but many couldn’t say whether their state has one or what the law entails. Drivers are far less likely to move over or slow down for tow trucks or stranded vehicles than for police, revealing a widespread misconception about who the laws protect. 

    The research reveals several troubling trends: 

    • Tow truck operators face the greatest risk. Only 58% of drivers witnessed in surveillance footage slowed down or moved over when a tow truck was stopped at the roadside, compared to 66% who slowed down or moved over for police vehicles. 
    • Intentions don’t match actions. Most drivers say they comply with SDMO laws, but roadside video shows otherwise—especially when it comes to reducing speed.
    • Weak enforcement reduces deterrence. Drivers perceive little risk of being ticketed, and penalties vary widely—from $30 in Florida to $2,500 in Virginia. 

    AAA is encouraging policymakers, enforcement agencies, and safety partners to strengthen and align their approaches to “Slow Down, Move Over” laws—making them clearer, more consistent, and easier for drivers to follow. 

    AAA’s recommendations include:  

    • Clarify and align SDMO laws across states, including a consistent definition of what it means to “slow down.”
    • Raise public awareness through emotionally compelling, visually clear campaigns that humanize the impact of noncompliance and showcase all vehicles covered by the laws.
    • Increase enforcement visibility with coordinated, high-visibility efforts and education-first use of emerging technologies like dashcams and automated enforcement systems. 

    Last year, 46 emergency responders never made it home, according to the Emergency Responder Safety Institute. They were police officers, firefighters, EMTs, and tow truck operators—struck while assisting others on the roadside.

    “Every responder working on the roadside deserves to make it home safely,” said AAA Director of Traffic Safety Advocacy and Research Jake Nelson. “We need clear, consistent laws, visible enforcement, and education that resonates with drivers. When everyone understands what ‘slow down, move over’ really means, we can make our roads safer for those who protect us every day.” 

  • Diesel technician shortage once again not on trucking’s top issues list

    Diesel technician shortage once again not on trucking’s top issues list

    After appearing on the trucking industry’s list of critical issues in the past, the shortage of diesel technicians did not appear on this year’s recently-released survey results.

    In the 2021 edition of the American Transportation Institute’s annual Critical issues in Trucking, the lack of diesel technicians was rated number 10. The shortage has not made the list since then, and was not in the current version, which was released today. In fact, the 2021 edition was the only time in the past 19 years the tech shortage was mentioned.

    This year’s top 10 list included:

    1. The economy
    2. Law suit abuse reform
    3. Insurance cost/availability
    4. Truck parking
    5. Driver compensation
    6. Compliance safety accountability
    7. English language proficiency for drivers
    8. Diesel emissions regulations
    9. Driver training standards
    10. Artificial intelligence in trucking

    The new study was released Sunday at the opening day of the American Trucking Association’s annual Management Conference and Exhibition going on in San Diego.

  • Jailed diesel tech prompts bill to eliminate emissions control devices

    Jailed diesel tech prompts bill to eliminate emissions control devices

    The story of a jailed diesel technician has inspired a Wyoming senator to introduced legislation takes aim at eliminating emissions control devices on diesel engines. 

    Senator Cynthia Lummis, a Republican from Wyoming, last week introduced The Diesel Truck Liberation Act, legislation to end what she called “the Obama and Biden EPA’s war on truck owners and mechanics.”

    The bill has no co-sponsors and no companion bill in the House.

    In specific, Lummis said her proposed legislation:

    • Prohibits the federal government from requiring manufacturers to install or maintain emissions control devices or onboard diagnostic systems
    • Removes EPA authority to enforce Clean Air Act requirements related to vehicle emissions controls
    • Individuals cannot be prosecuted or sued under federal law for tampering or improving emissions equipment
    • Vacates existing prison sentences for emissions-related violations and expunges criminal and civil records related to these offenses

    Lummis said in a statement her bill was “inspired by Wyoming resident Troy Lake’s weaponized prosecution and imprisonment.” 

    Troy Lake is a 65-year-old diesel mechanic now in a Colorado federal prison after being convicted of violating EPA clean air regulations by performing numerous so called “deletes” on the diesel engines of heavy-duty truck and other vehicles. Such procedures deactivate an engine’s particulate filter that traps soot and other contaminants in diesel exhaust, and are illegal under federal law.

    Lake was convicted late last year and sentenced to a year and a day in prison and fined $52,500. His family is appealing to President Donald Trump for a pardon.

    “The Biden EPA threw Troy Lake and other mechanics in prison for keeping school buses, fire trucks, and ambulances running in cold, harsh climates,” said Lummis in a statement about the bill. “When Washington bureaucrats can make you a criminal without Congress ever voting on it, we have a huge problem. I want this overreach to end. Democrats weaponized the EPA to wage war on rural America, and we cannot let that happen again. This legislation is the first step toward justice and sanity.” 

    Troy’s case is explained in a detailed story by Clair McFarland in the Cowboy State Daily.

  • There’s been a slew of new shop openings & Aquisitions

    There’s been a slew of new shop openings & Aquisitions

    A number of auto repair companies have recently announced either opening new locations or adding existing business to their fold.

    New Plaza Tire in Illinois

    Sun Auto Tire & Service recently announced the opening of a new Plaza Tire Service location in Fairview Heights, Illinois, further extending the brand’s presence in the Greater St. Louis Metro area. The new store is Plaza Tire Service’s 83rd location overall and 11th in Illinois.

    Like other Plaza Tire Service locations, the new facility features over 6,500 square feet of space with eight service bays, outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment for tire installations, repairs, alignments, and comprehensive vehicle maintenance.

    “St. Louis has been a hub for Plaza Tire Service for almost as long as we’ve been open,” said Rob Kingery, Regional Vice President. “Extending our reach further into Illinois allows us to provide exceptional service to even more guests in the Midwest.”

    The compamny said in a statement the expansion reflects its broader strategy of growing its national network through a combination of organic development and acquisition, positioning the company as one of the largest independent tire and automotive service providers in the U.S.

    Telle Tire adds 2 stores in Missouri

    Telle Tire & Auto Centers recently opened a store in Ballwin, Missouri, and another in Chesterfield, Missouri.

    The openings give the Webster Groves, Missouri-based dealership 16 Telle Tire-branded locations in the St. Louis, area. Telle Tire & Auto Centers also operates three stores in the St. Louis market under other names.

    The Ballwin store has five service bays and six Telle Tire & Auto Centers associates. The Chesterfield store has seven associates and 10 service bays. Both locations were former Tire Choice outlets owned by Monro Inc.

    Telle Tire & Auto Centers now has 67 overall locations.

    Southern Tire @ Pilot expanding

    Southern Tire Mart at Pilot said it is opening six locations during the third quarter, giving the joint venture more than 90 stores nationwide.

    “We’re expanding and renovating our network across the country as we work to help provide professional drivers nationwide with a quick and efficient truck repair experience,” said John Boynton, president of STMP. “The work that drivers do is instrumental and we’re working to help keep them safe and on the move, no matter where they are.”

    The new locations are located in Houston; Burleson, Texas; Sulphur, Kentucky; Salt Lake City; Sayre, Colorado; and Hudson, Colorado.

    STMP plans to have 100 locations by the end of 2025.

    VIP Tires opening in Connecticut

    Auburn, Maine-based VIP Tires & Service recently said it will open its Wallingford, Connecticut store Oct. 21.

    The five-bay outlet is a former Wallingford Tire & Auto store that VIP Tires & Service acquired. The location has been “a 41-year-old staple in New Haven County,” according to VIP Tires & Service officials.

    The acquisition was finalized earlier this year and the grand opening event will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony that features VIP leadership and members of the Wallingford community, the company said in a statement.

    “VIP is thrilled to officially open our new Wallingford location, a community staple in a wonderful Connecticut town with nearly 45,000 residents,” says VIP Tires & Service CEO Tim Winkeler. “Wallingford Tire & Auto has served this community for over four decades, and we look forward to serving the local customers in the years ahead, building on a legacy of success. VIP’s Wallingford store not only grows our footprint in Connecticut, but also carries on the tradition of helping people in this great town that Wallingford Tire & Auto started.”

    Auto Care Plus acquires Ronnie’s

    Auto Care Plus, a Straightaway brand, recently announced the acquisition of Ronnie’s Car Care in Tewksbury, Massachusetts.

    Auto Care Plus, emphasized the role the acquisition will play in expanding its presence in the northern Massachusetts market.

    “This acquisition is another exciting step forward for Auto Care Plus,” said John Manelas, brand president of Auto Care Plus. “We are thrilled to welcome the Ronnie’s Car Care team into the Auto Care Plus family. With additional resources and support, we know this team will continue delivering the best-in-class service customers have trusted for years.”

    “For decades, our customers have trusted us to keep them on the road, and I’m confident Auto Care Plus will carry that same legacy forward,” said Ronnie McNulty, owner of Ronnie’s Car Care. “They’re not only keeping our team intact but also investing in renovations to provide an even better experience for the Tewksbury community.”

    This becomes Auto Care Plus’ 18th location.

  • Brakes, tires, lights lead violations during 3-day inspection blitz

    Brakes, tires, lights lead violations during 3-day inspection blitz

    Equipment problems topped the list of violations that led to 10,148 commercial vehicles being place placed out of service during a recent three-day inspection blitz in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

    International Roadcheck, which is conducted by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Administration, was held May 13-15.

    Last year, inspectors placed 9,345 commercial motor vehicle combinations out of service.

    Of the vehicle violations that led to out of service declarations in the U.S., Canada and Mexico :

    • 3,304 were for brake problems
    • 2,899 were for tires
    • 2,257 were for 20% defective brakes
    • 1,737 for lights
    • 1,549 for cargo securement

    Combined, there were 5,561 brake-related out-of-service violations, accounting for 41.1% of out-of-service vehicle violations.

    Inspectors conducted 56,178 Level I, II, III and V Inspections during the three days of International Roadcheck.

    Since its inception in 1988, more than 1.8 million roadside inspections have been conducted during International Roadcheck. For this year’s initiative, approximately 13 vehicles per minute were inspected throughout North America.