FMCSA ups the fines for trucking regulation violations

Jan 12, 2023

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has increased the fine amount for trucking violations to reflect inflation.

On January 6, 2023, the FMCSA published a Final Rule increasing the civil penalty amounts that may be imposed for violations of certain DOT regulations.

Per the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 2015, federal agencies must increase fines each year to account for inflation.

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