Rear Impact Guards Now Part of Annual Inspection

Rear impact guard on tractor trailerBeginning December 9, enforcement officers will begin inspecting rear underguards on trailers as part of a new federal requirement. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) said examples of the type of rear impact guard damage that would result in the vehicle failing to pass the annual inspection would include visible cracks in the welds or missing bolts at the attachment point to the trailer. 

While trucks that fail to pass will not be placed out of service (OOS) FMCSA says each violation could result in a maximum fine of $15,876 for carriers and $3,969 for drivers. We strongly advise ICSA members to be aware of and take action to avoid being penalized for damaged or faulty real impact guards.

In-Cab Coaching with Cameras

11 February 2026

In-cab audio, produced by cameras, is designed to provide real-time feedback to drivers when a potentially unsafe situation is detected.

Top Out-of-Service Violations of 2025

11 February 2026

Out-of-service (OOS) violations continue to impact carriers across the country, leading to costly downtime. In 2025, the average driver OOS rate reached 12.68%, while the vehicle OOS rate climbed to 29.13%.

The Importance of a Pre-Trip Inspection

15 January 2026

Planning a safe trip as a professional truck driver requires thoughtful preparation before every journey. These are key practices to keep in mind throughout each stage of your trip.