The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is increasing fines for violating trucking regulations.
Effective on Wednesday, July 31, the FMCSA will increase the amount that truckers must pay for violating regulations.
The fine increase is due to the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 2015, which requires that federal agencies increase fines each year to account for inflation.
You can see the fine increase amounts in the table below.
| Description | Citation | Existing
Penalty | New
Penalty
(Existing
Penalty x
1.02522) |
| Appendix A II Subpoena | 49 U.S.C. 525 | $1,066 | $1,093 |
| Appendix A II Subpoena | 49 U.S.C. 525 | $10,663 | $10,932 |
| Appendix A IV (a) Out-
of-service order
(operation of CMV by
driver) | 49 U.S.C.
521(b)(7) | $1,848 | $1,895 |
| Appendix A IV (b) Out-
of-service order
(requiring or permitting
operation of CMV by
driver) | 49 U.S.C.
521(b)(7)) | $18,477 | $18,943 |
| Appendix A IV (c) 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) | $1,848 | $1,895 |
| Appendix A IV (d) 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) | $18,477 | $18,943 |
| Appendix A IV (e) Out-
of-service order (failure
to return written
certification of
correction) | 49 U.S.C.
521(b)(2)(B) | $924 | $947 |
| Appendix A IV (g) Out-
of-service order (failure
to cease operations as
ordered) | 49 U.S.C.
521(b)(2)(F) | $26,659 | $27,331 |
| Appendix A IV (h) Out-
of-service order
(operating in violation of
order) | 49 U.S.C.
521(b)(7) | $23,426 | $24,017 |
| Appendix A IV (i) 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)) | $15,040 | $15,419 |
| Appendix A IV (j)
(conducting operations
during suspension or
revocation) | 49 U.S.C.
521(b)(7) | $23,426 | $24,017 |
| Appendix B (a)(1)
Recordkeeping–
maximum penalty per
day | 49 U.S.C.
521(b)(2)(B)(i) | $1,239 | $1,270 |
| Appendix B (a)(1)
Recordkeeping–
maximum total penalty | 49 U.S.C.
521(b)(2)(B)(i) | $12,383 | $12,695 |
| Appendix B (a)(2)
Knowing falsification of
records | 49 U.S.C.
521(b)(2)(B)(ii) | $12,383 | $12,695 |
| Appendix B (a)(3) Non-
recordkeeping violations | 49 U.S.C.
521(b)(2)(A) | $15,040 | $15,419 |
| Appendix B (a)(4) Non-
recordkeeping violations
by drivers | 49 U.S.C.
521(b)(2)(A) | $3,760 | $3,855 |
| Appendix B (a)(5)
Violation of 49 CFR
392.5 (first conviction) | 49 U.S.C.
31310(i)(2)(A) | $3,096 | $3,174 |
| Appendix B (a)(5)
Violation of 49 CFR
392.5 (second or
subsequent conviction) | 49 U.S.C.
31310(i)(2)(A) | $6,192 | $6,348 |
| Appendix B (b)
Commercial driver’s
license (CDL) violations | 49 U.S.C.
521(b)(2)(C) | $5,591 | $5,732 |
| Appendix B (b)(1):
Special penalties
pertaining to violation of
out-of-service orders
(first conviction) | 49 U.S.C.
31310(i)(2)(A) | $3,096 | $3,174 |
| Appendix B (b)(1) Special penalties pertaining to violation of out-of-service orders (second or subsequent conviction) | 49 U.S.C.
31310(i)(2)(A) | $6,192 | $6,348 |
| Appendix B (b)(2)
Employer violations
pertaining to knowingly
allowing, authorizing
employee violations of
out-of-service order
(minimum penalty) | 49 U.S.C.
521(b)(2)(C) | $5,591 | $5,732 |
| Appendix B (b)(2)
Employer violations
pertaining to knowingly
allowing, authorizing
employee violations of
out-of-service order
(maximum penalty) | 49 U.S.C.
31310(i)(2)(C) | $30,956 | $31,737 |
| Appendix B (b)(3) Special penalties pertaining to railroad- highway grade crossing violations | 49 U.S.C.
31310(j)(2)(B) | $16,048 | $16,453 |
| Appendix B (d) Financial responsibility violations | 49 U.S.C.
31138(d)(1),
31139(g)(1) | $16,499 | $16,915 |
| Appendix B (e)(1) Violations of Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMRs) and Safety Permitting Regulations (transportation or shipment of hazardous materials) | 49 U.S.C.
5123(a)(1) | $79,976 | $81,993 |
| Appendix B (e)(2)
Violations of Hazardous
Materials Regulations
(HMRs) and Safety
Permitting Regulations
(training)– minimum
penalty | 49 U.S.C.
5123(a)(3) | $481 | $493 |
| Appendix B (e)(2):
Violations of Hazardous
Materials Regulations
(HMRs) and Safety
Permitting Regulations
(training)– maximum
penalty | 49 U.S.C.
5123(a)(1) | $79,976 | $81,993 |
| Appendix B (e)(3)
Violations of Hazardous
Materials Regulations
(HMRs) and Safety
Permitting Regulations
(packaging or container) | 49 U.S.C.
5123(a)(1) | $79,976 | $81,993 |
| Appendix B (e)(4):
Violations of Hazardous
Materials Regulations
(HMRs) and Safety
Permitting Regulations
(compliance with
FMCSRs) | 49 U.S.C.
5123(a)(1) | $79,976 | $81,993 |
| Appendix B (e)(5)
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) | $186,61
0 | $191,316 |
| Appendix B (f)(1) Operating after being declared unfit by assignment of a final “unsatisfactory” safety rating (generally) | 49 U.S.C.
521(b)(2)(F) | $26,659 | $27,331 |
| Appendix B (f)(2)
Operating after being
declared unfit by
assignment ofafinal
“unsatisfactory” safety
rating (hazardous
materials)–maximum
penalty | 49 U.S.C.
5123(a)(1) | $79,976 | $81,993 |
| Appendix B (f)(2):
Operating after being
declared unfit by
assignment ofafinal
“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) | $186,610 | $191,316 |
| Appendix B (g)(1): Violations of the commercial regulations (CR) (property carriers) | 49 U.S.C.
14901(a) | $10,663 | $10,932 |
| Appendix B (g)(2)
Violations of the CRs
(brokers) | 49 U.S.C.
14916(c) | $10,663 | $10,932 |
| Appendix B (g)(3)
Violations of the CRs
(passenger carriers) | 49 U.S.C.
14901(a) | $26,659 | $27,331 |
| Appendix B (g)(4)
Violations of the CRs
(foreign motor carriers,
foreign motor private
carriers) | 49 U.S.C.
14901(a) | $10,663 | $10,932 |
| Appendix B (g)(5) Violations of the CRs (foreign motor carriers, foreign motor private carriers before implementation of North American Free Trade Agreement land transportatio n provisions)–maximum penalty for intentional violation | 49 U.S.C. 14901
note | $14,664 | $15,034 |
| Appendix B (g)(5)
Violations of the CRs
(foreign motor carriers,
foreign motor private
carriers before
implementation of North
American Free Trade
Agreement land
transportatio n
provisions)–maximum
penalty for a pattern of
intentional violations | 49 U.S.C. 14901
note | $36,662 | $37,587 |
| Appendix B (g)(6)
Violations of the CRs
(motor carrier or broker
for transportation of
hazardous wastes)–
minimum penalty | 49 U.S.C.
14901(b) | $21,327 | $21,865 |
| Appendix B (g)(6)
Violations of the CRs
(motor carrier or broker
for transportation of
hazardous wastes)–
maximum penalty | 49 U.S.C.
14901(b) | $42,654 | $43,730 |
| Appendix B (g)(7):
Violations of the CRs
(HHG carrier or freight
forwarder, or their
receiver or trustee) | I49 U.S.C.
14901(d)(1) | $1,604 | $1,644 |
| Appendix B (g)(8)
Violation of the CRs
(weight ofHHG
shipment, charging for
services)–minimum
penalty for first violation | 49 U.S.C.
14901(e) | $3,210 | $3,291 |
| Appendix B (g)(8) Violation of the CRs (weight ofHHG shipment, charging for services) subsequent violation | 49 U.S.C.
14901(e) | $8,025 | $8,227 |
| Appendix B (g)(10)
Tariff violations | 49 U.S.C. 13702,
14903 | $160,48
4 | $164,531 |
| Appendix B (g)(11) Additional tariff violations (rebates or concessions)–first violation | 49 U.S.C.
14904(a) | $320 | $328 |
| Appendix B (g)(11)
Additional tariff
violations (rebates or
concessions)–
subsequent violations | 49 U.S.C.
14904(a) | $401 | $411 |
| Appendix B (g)(12):
Tariff violations (freight
forwarders)–maximum
penalty for first violation | 49 U.S.C.
14904(b)(1) | $803 | $823 |
| Appendix B (g)(12): Tariff violations (freight forwarders)–maximum penalty for subsequent violations | 49 U.S.C.
14904(b)(1) | $3,210 | $3,291 |
| Appendix B (g)(13):
service from freight
forwarder at less than
rate in effect–maximum
penalty for first violation | 49 U.S.C.
14904(b)(2) | $803 | $823 |
| Appendix B (g)(13): service from freight forwarder at less than rate in effect–maximum penalty for subsequent violation(s ) | 49 U.S.C.
14904(b)(2) | $3,210 | $3,291 |
| Appendix B (g)(14):
Violations related to
loading and unloading
motor vehicles | 49 U.S.C. 14905 | $16,048 | $16,453 |
| Appendix B (g)(16):
Reporting and
recordkeeping under 49
U.S.C. subtitle IV, part
B (except 13901 and
13902(c)–minimum
penalty | 49 U.S.C. 14901 | $1,066 | $1,093 |
| Appendix B (g)(16):
Reporting and
recordkeeping under 49
U.S.C. subtitle IV, part
B–maximum penalty | 49 U.S.C. 14907 | $8,025 | $8,227 |
| Appendix B (g)(17):
Unauthorized disclosure
of information | 49 U.S.C. 14908 | $3,210 | $3,291 |
| Appendix B (g)(18):
Violation of 49 U.S.C.
subtitle IV, part B, or
condition of registration | 49 U.S.C. 14910 | $803 | $823 |
| Appendix B (g)(21)(i):
Knowingly and willfully
fails to deliver or unload
HHG at destination | 49 U.S.C. 14905 | $16,048 | $16,453 |
| Appendix B (g)(22):
HHG broker estimate
before entering into an
agreement with a motor
carrier | 49 U.S.C.
14901(d)(2) | $12,383 | $12,695 |
| Appendix B (g)(23):
HHG transportation or
broker services–
registration requirement | 49 U.S.C. 14901
(d)(3) | $30,956 | $31,737 |
| Appendix B (h):
Copying of records and
access to equipment,
lands, and buildings–
maximum penalty per
day | 49 U.S.C.
521(b)(2)(E) | $1,239 | $1,270 |
| Appendix B (h):
Copying of records and
access to equipment,
lands, and buildings–
maximum total penalty | 49 U.S.C.
521(b)(2)(E) | $12,383 | $12,695 |
| Appendix B (i)(1):
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 | $2,133 | $2,187 |
| Appendix B (i)(1):
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 | $5,332 | $5,466 |
| Appendix B (i)(1):
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 | $2,665 | $2,732 |
| Appendix B (i)(1): 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 | $7,997 | $8,199 |
| Appendix B (i)(2):
Evasion of regulations
under 49 U.S.C. subtitle
IV, part B–minimum
penalty for first violation | 49 U.S.C. 14906 | $2,133 | $2,187 |
| Appendix B (i)(2):
Evasion of regulations
under 49 U.S.C. subtitle
IV, part B–minimum
penalty for subsequent
violat io n(s ) | 49 U.S.C. 14906 | $5,332 | $5,466 |
