DOT increases fines for federal trucking violations across the board
This week, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced that they will be increasing fines for all commercial vehicle violations.
On Monday, November 26, DOT announced that they will be raising fines for all federal trucking related violations, effective immediately.
The fine increase is intended to keep up with inflation and is required by the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015. The percent change of the fine increase is 1.02041, which means that truckers will be paying hundreds of dollars more for most violations than they paid last year.
You can take a look at the updated penalty schedule below.
| Description | Citation | Existing penalty | New penalty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Failure to obey Subpoena (minimum) | $1,045 | $1,066 | |
| Failure to obey Subpoena (maximum) | 49 U.S.C. 525 | 10,450 | 10,663 |
| Out-of-service order (operation of CMV by driver) | 49 U.S.C. 521(b)(7) | 1,811 | 1,848 |
| Out-of-service order (requiring or permitting operation of CMV by driver) | 49 U.S.C. 521(b)(7)) | 18,107 | 18,477 |
| Out-of-service order (operation by driver of CMV or intermodal equipment that was placed out of service) | 49 U.S.C. 521(b)(7) | 1,811 | 1,848 |
| Out-of-service order (requiring or permitting operation of CMV or intermodal equipment that was placed out of service) | 49 U.S.C. 521(b)(7) | 18,107 | 18,477 |
| Out-of-service order (failure to return written certification of correction) | 49 U.S.C. 521(b)(2)(B) | 906 | 924 |
| Out-of-service order (failure to cease operations as ordered) | 49 U.S.C. 521(b)(2)(F) | 26,126 | 26,659 |
| Out-of-service order (operating in violation of order) | 49 U.S.C. 521(b)(7) | 22,957 | 23,426 |
| Out-of-service order (conducting operations during suspension or revocation for failure to pay penalties) | 49 U.S.C. 521(b)(2)(A) and (b)(7)) | 14,739 | 15,040 |
| Conducting operations during suspension or revocation | 49 U.S.C. 521(b)(7) | 22,957 | 23,426 |
| Recordkeeping—maximum penalty per day | 49 U.S.C. 521(b)(2)(B)(i) | 1,214 | 1,239 |
| Recordkeeping—maximum total penalty | 49 U.S.C. 521(b)(2)(B)(i) | 12,135 | 12,383 |
| Knowing falsification of records | 49 U.S.C. 521(b)(2)(B)(ii) | 12,135 | 12,383 |
| Non-recordkeeping violations | 49 U.S.C. 521(b)(2)(A) | 14,739 | 15,040 |
| Non-recordkeeping violations by drivers | 49 U.S.C. 521(b)(2)(A) | 3,685 | 3,760 |
| Violation of 49 CFR 392.5 (first conviction) | 49 U.S.C. 31310(i)(2)(A) | 3,034 | 3,096 |
| Violation of 49 CFR 392.5 (second or subsequent conviction) | 49 U.S.C. 31310(i)(2)(A) | 6,068 | 6,192 |
| Commercial driver’s license (CDL) violations | 49 U.S.C. 521(b)(2)(C) | 5,479 | 5,591 |
| Special penalties pertaining to violation of out-of-service orders (first conviction) | 49 U.S.C. 31310(i)(2)(A) | 3,034 | 3,096 |
| Special penalties pertaining to violation of out-of-service orders (second or subsequent conviction) | 49 U.S.C. 31310(i)(2)(A) | 6,068 | 6,192 |
| Employer violations pertaining to knowingly allowing, authorizing employee violations of out-of-service order (minimum penalty) | 49 U.S.C. 521(b)(2)(C) | 5,479 | 5,591 |
| Employer violations pertaining to knowingly allowing, authorizing employee violations of out-of-service order (maximum penalty) | 49 U.S.C. 31310(i)(2)(C) | 30,337 | 30,956 |
| Special penalties pertaining to railroad-highway grade crossing violations | 49 U.S.C. 31310(j)(2)(B) | 15,727 | 16,048 |
| Financial responsibility violations | 49 U.S.C. 31138(d)(1), 31139(g)(1) | 16,169 | 16,499 |
| Violations of Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMRs) and Safety Permitting Regulations (transportation or shipment of hazardous materials) | 49 U.S.C. 5123(a)(1) | 78,376 | 79,976 |
| Violations of Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMRs) and Safety Permitting Regulations (training)—minimum penalty | 49 U.S.C. 5123(a)(3) | 471 | 481 |
| Violations of Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMRs) and Safety Permitting Regulations (training)—maximum penalty | 49 U.S.C. 5123(a)(1) | 78,376 | 79,976 |
| Violations of Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMRs) and Safety Permitting Regulations (packaging or container) | 49 U.S.C. 5123(a)(1) | 78,376 | 79,976 |
| Violations of Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMRs) and Safety Permitting Regulations (compliance with FMCSRs) | 49 U.S.C. 5123(a)(1) | 78,376 | 79,976 |
| Violations of Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMRs) and Safety Permitting Regulations (death, serious illness, severe injury to persons; destruction of property) | 49 U.S.C. 5123(a)(2) | 182,877 | 186,610 |
| Operating after being declared unfit by assignment of a final “unsatisfactory” safety rating (generally) | 49 U.S.C. 521(b)(2)(F) | 26,126 | 26,659 |
| Operating after being declared unfit by assignment of a final “unsatisfactory” safety rating (hazardous materials)—maximum penalty | 49 U.S.C. 5123(a)(1) | 78,376 | 79,976 |
| Operating after being declared unfit by assignment of a final “unsatisfactory” safety rating (hazardous materials)—maximum penalty if death, serious illness, severe injury to persons; destruction of property | 49 U.S.C. 5123(a)(2) | 182,877 | 186,610 |
| Violations of the commercial regulations (CR) (property carriers) | 49 U.S.C. 14901(a) | 10,450 | 10,663 |
| Violations of the CRs (brokers) | 49 U.S.C. 14916(c) | 10,450 | 10,663 |
| Violations of the CRs (passenger carriers) | 49 U.S.C. 14901(a) | 26,126 | 26,659 |
| Violations of the CRs (foreign motor carriers, foreign motor private carriers) | 49 U.S.C. 14901(a) | 10,450 | 10,663 |
| Violations of the CRs (foreign motor carriers, foreign motor private carriers before implementation of North American Free Trade Agreement land transportation provisions)—maximum penalty for intentional violation | 49 U.S.C. 14901note | 14,371 | 14,664 |
| Violations of the CRs (foreign motor carriers, foreign motor private carriers before implementation of North American Free Trade Agreement land transportation provisions)—maximum penalty for a pattern of intentional violations | 49 U.S.C. 14901note | 35,929 | 36,662 |
| Violations of the CRs (motor carrier or broker for transportation of hazardous wastes)—minimum penalty | 49 U.S.C. 14901(b) | 20,900 | 21,327 |
| Violations of the CRs (motor carrier or broker for transportation of hazardous wastes)—maximum penalty | 49 U.S.C. 14901(b) | 41,801 | 42,654 |
| Violations of the CRs (HHG carrier or freight forwarder, or their receiver or trustee) | I49 U.S.C. 14901(d)(1) | 1,572 | 1,604 |
| Violation of the CRs (weight of HHG shipment, charging for services)—minimum penalty for first violation | 49 U.S.C. 14901(e) | 3,146 | 3,210 |
| Violation of the CRs (weight of HHG shipment, charging for services) subsequent violation | 49 U.S.C. 14901(e) | 7,864 | 8,025 |
| Tariff violations | 49 U.S.C. 13702, 14903 | 157,274 | 160,484 |
| Additional tariff violations (rebates or concessions)—first violation | 49 U.S.C. 14904(a) | 314 | 320 |
| Additional tariff violations (rebates or concessions)—subsequent violations | 49 U.S.C. 14904(a) | 393 | 401 |
| Tariff violations (freight forwarders)—maximum penalty for first violation | 49 U.S.C. 14904(b)(1) | 787 | 803 |
| Tariff violations (freight forwarders)—maximum penalty for subsequent violations | 49 U.S.C. 14904(b)(1) | 3,146 | 3,210 |
| Service from freight forwarder at less than rate in effect—maximum penalty for first violation | 49 U.S.C. 14904(b)(2) | 787 | 803 |
| Service from freight forwarder at less than rate in effect—maximum penalty for subsequent violation(s) | 49 U.S.C. 14904(b)(2) | 3,146 | 3,210 |
| Violations related to loading and unloading motor vehicles | 49 U.S.C. 14905 | 15,727 | 16,048 |
| Reporting and recordkeeping under 49 U.S.C. subtitle IV, part B (except 13901 and 13902(c)—minimum penalty | 49 U.S.C. 14901 | 1,045 | 1,066 |
| Reporting and recordkeeping under 49 U.S.C. subtitle IV, part B—maximum penalty | 49 U.S.C. 14907 | 7,864 | 8,025 |
| Unauthorized disclosure of information | 49 U.S.C. 14908 | 3,146 | 3,210 |
| Violation of 49 U.S.C. subtitle IV, part B, or condition of registration | 49 U.S.C. 14910 | 787 | 803 |
| Knowingly and willfully fails to deliver or unload HHG at destination | 49 U.S.C. 14905 | 15,727 | 16,048 |
| HHG broker estimate before entering into an agreement with a motor carrier | 49 U.S.C. 14901(d)(2) | 12,135 | 12,383 |
| HHG transportation or broker services—registration requirement | 49 U.S.C. 14901(d)(3) | 30,337 | 30,956 |
| Copying of records and access to equipment, lands, and buildings—maximum penalty per day | 49 U.S.C. 521(b)(2)(E) | 1,214 | 1,239 |
| Copying of records and access to equipment, lands, and buildings—maximum total penalty | 49 U.S.C. 521(b)(2)(E) | 12,135 | 12,383 |
| Evasion of regulations under 49 U.S.C. ch. 5, 51, subchapter III of 311 (except 31138 and 31139), 31302-31304, 31305(b), 31310(g)(1)(A), 31502—minimum penalty for first violation | 49 U.S.C. 524 | 2,090 | 2,133 |
| Evasion of regulations under 49 U.S.C. ch. 5, 51, subchapter III of 311 (except 31138 and 31139), 31302-31304, 31305(b), 31310(g)(1)(A), 31502—maximum penalty for first violation | 49 U.S.C. 524 | 5,225 | 5,332 |
| Evasion of regulations under 49 U.S.C. ch. 5, 51, subchapter III of 311 (except 31138 and 31139), 31302-31304, 31305(b), 31310(g)(1)(A), 31502—minimum penalty for subsequent violation(s) | 49 U.S.C. 524 | 2,612 | 2,665 |
| Evasion of regulations under 49 U.S.C. ch. 5, 51, subchapter III of 311 (except 31138 and 31139), 31302-31304, 31305(b), 31310(g)(1)(A), 31502—maximum penalty for subsequent violation(s) | 49 U.S.C. 524 | 7,837 | 7,997 |
| Evasion of regulations under 49 U.S.C. subtitle IV, part B—minimum penalty for first violation | 49 U.S.C. 14906 | 2,090 | 2,133 |
| Evasion of regulations under 49 U.S.C. subtitle IV, part B—minimum penalty for subsequent violation(s) | 49 U.S.C. 14906 | 5,225 | 5,332 |