What’s actually new about X‑ray inspections?
A fresh round of headlines has truckers asking if roadside X‑ray scans are coming to every weigh station. Not quite. The latest concrete move came north of the border: Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation (MTO) said this week it is rolling out X‑ray units to strengthen cargo inspections, a change the Ontario Trucking Association says is aimed at faster, more effective detection of undocumented or illegal loads. U.S.-based carriers that run into Ontario should expect to see these units in use during cargo checks.
Border checkpoints: high‑throughput scanning continues to scale
In the U.S., the most visible X‑ray activity remains at and near the border. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has deployed Multi‑Energy Portal systems at key checkpoints—such as the I‑35 checkpoint north of Laredo—that can scan more than 150 containers per hour, expediting commercial vehicle examinations while enhancing contraband detection. CBP has also been installing low‑energy portal systems at certain bridge approaches in Laredo to pre‑screen vehicles before primary inspection.
Congress has pushed CBP to scan a larger share of inbound traffic. A bipartisan bill advanced in the Senate sets targets to scan at least 90% of commercial vehicles at land ports by the end of fiscal 2026—important context for fleets that regularly cross the border.
Will drivers be scanned in the cab?
Policies vary by site and equipment. CBP documentation notes that for certain low‑energy portals in “pre‑primary” areas, drivers may request an opt‑out and be routed to alternate inspection methods; for higher‑energy commercial scans, officers typically position drivers clear of the beam as a standard safety practice. Separately, CBP has highlighted that some newer screening concepts can speed processing when drivers remain in the cab—primarily for lower‑energy systems—though implementation depends on location and risk. If you’re unsure, ask the officer on scene about local procedures and whether an alternative inspection is available.
No, this isn’t rolling out at every weigh station
Inside the U.S. interior, state enforcement continues to lean on tools like weigh‑in‑motion sensors, license plate readers, brake/thermal arrays and electronic data transfers to speed inspections—not X‑ray portals. Even in tech‑forward states (for example, Texas), recent enforcement changes have focused on streamlining inspection programs and modernizing facilities, not on deploying X‑ray systems at weigh stations.
FMCSA leadership: who’s steering policy right now?
Separately, drivers may be hearing about a “new administrator.” FMCSA has seen rapid leadership turnover since Administrator Robin Hutcheson’s departure on Jan. 26, 2024. Vinn White served as acting administrator in mid‑2024, followed by a brief March 7, 2025 appointment of Adrienne Camire as acting administrator—she left the agency two weeks later, according to multiple industry outlets and FMCSA communications at the time. As of late July 2025, FMCSA’s leadership page lists senior officials (including Chief Counsel Jesse Elison) but does not clearly identify a sitting acting administrator; an agency spokesperson previously described Elison as FMCSA’s senior political official. Expect policy continuity through the career ranks and ongoing rulemaking calendars despite the churn.
What this means for your operation
- Cross‑border into Ontario: plan for X‑ray cargo checks. Ensure bills of lading, manifests and seals align—undeclared cargo is a priority target for these scans.
- U.S. border corridors (e.g., Laredo/I‑35): budget time for portal screening. Follow officer instructions on whether to stay in or exit the cab; ask about alternatives if you have health concerns.
- Radiation and safety: modern systems are designed to keep exposures extremely low for bystanders and operators, and procedures keep drivers out of higher‑energy beams. When in doubt, request clarification or an alternate inspection path if offered.
- Compliance fundamentals still matter most: CVSA’s 2025 out‑of‑service updates emphasize brakes, tires, suspension and lighting. Clean Level I results remain your best ticket to quick enforcement encounters—X‑ray or not.
Bottom line
X‑ray technology is expanding—but in targeted ways. Expect more screening capacity at border crossings and, for Canada‑bound carriers, in Ontario inspections. For most U.S. roadside enforcement, the focus remains on traditional safety checks and data‑driven screening tools. Keep paperwork tight, equipment shipshape and train drivers on what to expect at portals so surprises don’t derail schedules. On the policy front, FMCSA leadership changes continue, but day‑to‑day compliance obligations haven’t. Stay tuned for formal updates from the agency as the leadership picture evolves.
Sources Consulted: FMCSA; U.S. Customs and Border Protection; Trucking Dive; FleetOwner; Overdrive; Transport Topics; PrePass Safety Alliance; Truck News.
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