FMCSA Increased Fines For Violations Effective 1/6/2023

January 9, 2023

by

GIA Group

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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 the Agency subpoena to appear and testify or produce records (minimum)

$1,195

$1,288

Failure to respond to the 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 the driver of a CMV or intermodal equipment that was placed out of service

$2,072

$2,232

Out-of-service order: Requiring or permitting the 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 the 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 for violation of OOS orders (first conviction)

$3,471

$3,740

Special penalties for 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 for 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, and 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, and 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 the rate in effect (first violation)

$901

$971

Service from freight forwarders at less than the 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 estimates before agreeing with the 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, land,s 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

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Get your quote today

Fast, simple, and tailored to your business.

Fill out the form, and our trucking insurance experts will contact you with the best options to protect your fleet and your bottom line.

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Get your quote today

Fast, simple, and tailored to your business.

Fill out the form, and our trucking insurance experts will contact you with the best options to protect your fleet and your bottom line.

By submitting data through this form, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Conditions