We already wrote about whether violations in personal vehicles can impact the cost of commercial insurance—and the short answer is yes, they can. But when it comes to trucking-specific regulations, the stakes are even higher.
As of January 6, 2023, violating federal trucking regulations has become even more costly. Below is a list of violations and the associated fines. It’s critical to understand that non-compliance doesn’t just lead to penalties—it can also drive up insurance costs. Insurers closely evaluate a company’s safety record when determining premiums. A history of violations can signal higher risk, leading to increased rates.
Worse yet, if a company is found in violation of regulations during an accident or incident, the insurer may deny coverage for damages, leaving the company to absorb substantial financial losses.
| Violation | Former penalty value | New penalty value |
|---|---|---|
| Failure to respond to Agency subpoena to appear and testify or produce records (minimum) | $1,195 | $1,288 |
| Failure to respond to Agency subpoena to appear and testify or produce records (maximum) | $11,956 | $12,882 |
| Out-of-service order: Operation of CMV by driver | $2,072 | $2,232 |
| Out-of-service order: Requiring or permitting operation of CMV by driver | $20,719 | $22,324 |
| Out-of-service order: Operation by driver of CMV or intermodal equipment that was placed out-of- service | $2,072 | $2,232 |
| Out-of-service order: Requiring or permitting operation of CMV or intermodal equipment that was placed out-of-service | $20,719 | $22,324 |
| Out-of-service order: Failure to return written certification of correction | $1,036 | $1,116 |
| Out-of-service order: Failure to cease operations as ordered | $29,893 | $32,208 |
| Out-of-service order: Operating in violation of order | $26,269 | $28,304 |
| Out-of-service order: Conducting operations during suspension or revocation for failure to pay penalties | $16,864 | $18,170 |
| Out-of-service order: Conducting operations during suspension or revocation | $26,269 | $28,304 |
| Recordkeeping: Maximum penalty per day | $1,388 | $1,496 |
| Recordkeeping: Maximum total penalty | $13,885 | $14,960 |
| Knowing falsification of records | $13,885 | $14,960 |
| Non-recordkeeping violations | $16,864 | $18,170 |
| Non-recordkeeping violations by drivers | $4,216 | $4,543 |
| Alcohol prohibition violations (first offense) | $3,471 | $3,740 |
| Alcohol prohibition violations (second or subsequent conviction) | $6,943 | $7,481 |
| Commercial driver’s license violations | $6,269 | $6,755 |
| Special penalties pertaining to violation of OOS orders (first conviction) | $3,471 | $3,740 |
| Special penalties pertaining to violation of OOS orders (second or subsequent conviction) | $6,943 | $7,481 |
| Knowingly allowing, authorizing employee violations of OOS order (minimum) | $6,269 | $6,755 |
| Knowingly allowing, authorizing employee violations of OOS order (maximum) | $34,712 | $37,400 |
| Special penalties pertaining to railroad-highway grade crossing violations | $17,995 | $19,389 |
| Financial responsibility violations | $18,500 | $19,933 |
| Violations of Hazardous Materials Regulations and Safety Permitting Regulations (transportation or shipment of hazmat) | $89,678 | $96,624 |
| Violations of Hazardous Materials Regulations and Safety Permitting Regulations (training) (minimum penalty) | $540 | $582 |
| Violations of Hazardous Materials Regulations and Safety Permitting Regulations (training) (maximum penalty) | $89,678 | $96,624 |
| Violations of Hazardous Materials Regulations and Safety Permitting Regulations (packaging or container | $89,678 | $96,624 |
| Violations of Hazardous Materials Regulations and Safety Permitting Regulations (compliance with FMCSRs) | $89,678 | $96,624 |
| Violations of Hazardous Materials Regulations and Safety Permitting Regulations (death, serious illness, severe injury to persons; destruction of property) | $209,249 | $225,455 |
| Operating after being declared unfit by assignment of a final “unsatisfactory” safety rating (generally) | $29,893 | $32,208 |
| Operating after being declared unfit by assignment of a final “unsatisfactory” safety rating (hazmat maximum penalty) | $89,678 | $96,624 |
| Operating after being declared unfit by assignment of a final “unsatisfactory” safety rating dash; hazardous materials (maximum penalty if death, serious illness, severe injury to persons; destruction of property) | $209,249 | $225,455 |
| Violations of the commercial regulations, property carriers | $11,956 | $12,882 |
| Violations of the CRs, brokers | $11,956 | $12,882 |
| Violations of the CRs, passenger carriers | $29,893 | $32,208 |
| Violation of the CRs, foreign carriers, foreign motor private carriers | $11,956 | $12,882 |
| 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) | $16,443 | $17,717 |
| 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) | $41,110 | $44,294 |
| Violations of the CRs, motor carrier or broker for transportation of hazardous wastes (minimum) | $23,915 | $25,767 |
| Violations of the CRs, motor carrier or broker for transportation of hazardous wastes (maximum) | $47,829 | $51,533 |
| Violation of the CRs, household goods carrier or freight forwarder, or their receiver or trustee | $1,798 | $1,937 |
| Violation of the CRs, weight of HHG shipment, charging for services (minimum for first violation) | $3,600 | $3,879 |
| Violation of the CRs, weight of HHG shipment, charging for services (subsequent violations) | $8,998 | $9,695 |
| Tariff violations | $179,953 | $193,890 |
| Additional tariff violations, rebates or concessions (first violation) | $359 | $387 |
| Additional tariff violations, rebates or concessions (subsequent violations) | $449 | $484 |
| Tariff violations, freight forwarders (max penalty for first violation) | $901 | $971 |
| Tariff violations, freight forwarders (max penalty for subsequent violations) | $3,600 | $3,879 |
| Service from freight forwarders at less than rate in effect (first violation) | $901 | $971 |
| Service from freight forwarders at less than rate in effect (subsequent violations ) | $3,600 | $3,879 |
| Loading, unloading violations | $17,995 | $19,389 |
| Reporting and recordkeeping dash; min penalty | $1,195 | $1,288 |
| Reporting and recordkeeping dash; max penalty | $8,998 | $9,695 |
| Unauthorized disclosure of information | $3,600 | $3,879 |
| Violation of registration conditions | $901 | $971 |
| Knowingly and willingly fails to deliver or unload HHG | $17,995 | $19,389 |
| HHG broker estimate before entering into agreement with motor carrier | $13,885 | $14,960 |
| HHG transportation or broker services dash; registration requirement | $34,712 | $37,400 |
| Copying of records and access to equipment, lands and buildings (max penalty per day) | $1,388 | $1,496 |
| Copying of records and access to equipment, lands and buildings (max total penalty) | $13,885 | $14,960 |
| Evasion of motor carrier regulations (minimum for first violation) | $2,392 | $2,577 |
| Evasion of motor carrier regulations (maximum for first violation) | $5,978 | $6,441 |
| Evasion of motor carrier regulations (minimum for subsequent violations) | $2,988 | $3,219 |
| Evasion of motor carrier regulations (maximum for subsequent) | $8,958 | $9,652 |
| Evasion of carrier or broker regulations (minimum for first violation) | $2,392 | $2,577 |
| Evasion of carrier or broker regulations (minimum for subsequent) | $5,978 | $6,441 |