August 24–30, 2025 | CVSA Operation Airbrake

CVSA Brake Safety Week 2025 is set for August 24–30, and if you’re moving freight, it’s a date worth circling.

This annual event, led by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA), is a week-long inspection blitz focused on commercial truck brake systems.

During CVSA Brake Safety Week 2025, inspectors will be conducting roadside checks across North America. While it’s officially about safety, CVSA Brake Safety Week tends to shake up the entire freight market, affecting capacity, driver availability, and shipment timelines.

Here’s what freight agents need to know this year, and how to prepare.

What Is Brake Safety Week?

Brake Safety Week is part of CVSA’s ongoing Operation Airbrake campaign, a coordinated effort across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico to inspect commercial motor vehicles.

During this one-week period, certified inspectors conduct Level I and Level V inspections, placing a strong emphasis on the brake system, including:

• Brake hoses and tubing
• Brake lining wear
• Air leaks or low pressure
• Adjustment issues
• Missing or damaged components

The CVSA hasn’t yet announced this year’s primary focus area, but in previous years, they’ve zeroed in on lining/pad wear, air brake hose condition, and pushrod travel.

If a vehicle fails inspection, it can be immediately placed out of service, which impacts load coverage, transit times, and customer expectations.

How CVSA Brake Safety Week Impacts Freight Agents

If you’re brokering time-sensitive loads during CVSA Brake Safety Week, expect delays and be ready to pivot fast.

While it may sound like a carrier-only issue, CVSA Brake Safety Week affects agents in real-time, especially those coordinating time-sensitive freight or high-volume lanes. Here’s what you might see:

Reduced Driver Availability

Some drivers proactively take the week off or reduce their hours to avoid the risk of inspection. This shrinks available capacity, especially for sensitive lanes or expedited freight.

Last-Minute Load Drops

If a truck is flagged or taken off the road, you may need to rebook quickly, with fewer options available and higher spot market rates.

Delayed Deliveries

Even if a carrier is fully compliant, routine inspections take time. When every minute counts, those stops can impact tight delivery windows.

Rate Volatility

Expect premium pricing from carriers who are confident in their equipment and willing to take loads during this high-enforcement window.

How to Prepare Your Customers & Carriers

Now’s the time to plan, not panic! Here’s what agents can do to stay one step ahead:

• Book early in the week: Lock in capacity before enforcement picks up mid-week.
• Talk to your carriers: Confirm that their trucks are inspection-ready and ask if they plan to haul that week.
• Educate your customers: Let them know that delays and rate changes may occur, and that added buffer time is wise.
• Have backups in place: Keep trusted alternates on deck in case a carrier gets flagged.
• Avoid high-risk lanes: If you know a region is under heavy enforcement, it might be worth rerouting or delaying by a day.

Why It Matters

In 2024, over 12% of trucks inspected during Brake Safety Week were placed out of service, and brake violations consistently rank among the top five reasons for failed inspections.

This isn’t about micromanaging drivers, it’s about ensuring safe, predictable freight movement and keeping your reputation intact with shippers and carriers alike.

Final Takeaway

Brake Safety Week 2025 is more than just a compliance event, it’s a freight disruptor.
And the best agents are the ones who stay ready.

At Somerset, we’re already working behind the scenes to help agents and customers prepare—from load planning and carrier communication to proactive support when things shift unexpectedly.

Questions about how to prep your network for CVSA Brake Safety Week?

Your Somerset support team is here to help! Contact us today to discuss moving your freight agency to Somerset Logistics!