DOT Violations Fines Increased by FMCSA (January 2025)

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

On December 30th, 2024 the FMCSA published a Final Rule increasing the civil penalty amounts that may be imposed for DOT violations of certain regulations. Per the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 2015, federal agencies must increase yearly fines to account for inflation.

DOT Violations Fine Increases

ViolationFormer Penalty ValueNew Penalty Value
Failure to respond to Agency subpoena to appear and testify or produce records (minimum)$1,330$1,365
Failure to respond to Agency subpoena to appear and testify or produce records (maximum)$13,300$13,646
Out-of-service order: Operation of CMV by driver$2,304$2,364
Out-of-service order: Requiring or permitting operation of CMV by driver$23,048$23,647
Out-of-service order: Operation by driver of CMV or intermodal equipment that was placed out-of- service$2,304$2,364
Out-of-service order: Requiring or permitting operation of CMV or intermodal equipment that was placed out-of-service$23,048$23,647
Out-of-service order: Failure to return written certification of correction$1,152$1,182
Out-of-service order: Failure to cease operations as ordered$33,252$34,116
Out-of-service order: Operating in violation of order$29,221$29,980
Out-of-service order: Conducting operations during suspension or revocation for failure to pay penalties$18,759$19,246
Out-of-service order: Conducting operations during suspension or revocation$29,221$29,980
Recordkeeping: Maximum penalty per day$1,544$1,584
Recordkeeping: Maximum total penalty$15,445$15,846
Out-of-service order: Operation by driver of CMV or intermodal equipment that was placed out-of-service$15,445$15,846
Non-recordkeeping violations$18,759$19,246
Non-recordkeeping violations by drivers$4,690$4,812
Alcohol prohibition violations (first offense)$3,861$3,961
Alcohol prohibition violations (second or subsequent conviction)$7,723$7,924
Commercial driver’s license violations$6,974$7,155
Special penalties pertaining to violation of OOS orders (first conviction)$3,861$3,961
Special penalties pertaining to violation of OOS orders (second or subsequent conviction)$7,723$7,924
Knowingly allowing, and authorizing employee violations of OOS orders (minimum)$6,974$7,155
Knowing the falsification of records$38,612$39,615
Special penalties pertaining to railroad-highway grade crossing violations$20,017$20,537
Financial responsibility violations$20,579$21,114
Violations of Hazardous Materials Regulations and Safety Permitting Regulations (transportation or shipment of hazmat)$96,756$99,270
Violations of Hazardous Materials Regulations and Safety Permitting Regulations (training) (minimum penalty)$601$617
Violations of Hazardous Materials Regulations and Safety Permitting Regulations (training) (maximum penalty)$99,756$102,348
Violations of Hazardous Materials Regulations and Safety Permitting Regulations (packaging or container$99,756$102,348
Violations of Hazardous Materials Regulations and Safety Permitting Regulations (compliance with FMCSRs)$99,756$102,348
Violations of Hazardous Materials Regulations and Safety Permitting Regulations (death, serious illness, severe injury to persons; destruction of property)$232,762$238,809
Operating after being declared unfit by assignment of a final “unsatisfactory” safety rating (generally)$33,252$34,116
Operating after being declared unfit by assignment of a final “unsatisfactory” safety rating (hazmat maximum penalty)$99,756$102,348
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)$232,762$238,809
Violations of the commercial regulations, property carriers$13,300$13,646
Violations of the CRs, brokers$13,300$13,646
Violations of the CRs, passenger carriers$33,252$34,116
Violation of the CRs, foreign carriers, foreign motor private carriers$13,300$13,646
Knowingly allowing, and authorizing employee violations of OOS order (maximum)$18,291$18,766
Violations of the CRs, foreign motor carriers, and foreign motor private carriers before implementation of North American Free Trade Agreement land transportation provisions (maximum penalty for intentional violation)$45,730$46,918
Violations of the CRs, foreign motor carriers, and foreign motor private carriers before implementation of North American Free Trade Agreement land transportation provisions (maximum penalty for a pattern of intentional violations)$26,602$27,293
Violations of the CRs, motor carrier, or broker for transportation of hazardous wastes (minimum)$53,203$54,585
Violation of the CRs, household goods carrier or freight forwarder, or their receiver or trustee$2,000$2,052
Violation of the CRs, weight of HHG shipment, charging for services (minimum for first violation)$2,000$2,052
Violation of the CRs, weight of HHG shipment, charging for services (subsequent violations)$10,009$10,269
Tariff violations$200,174$205,375
Violations of the CRs, motor carrier, or broker for transportation of hazardous wastes (maximum)$400$410
Additional tariff violations, rebates, or concessions (first violation)$500$513
Tariff violations, freight forwarders (max penalty for first violation)$1,002$1,028
Tariff violations, freight forwarders (max penalty for subsequent violations)$4,005$4,109
Additional tariff violations, rebates, or concessions (subsequent violations)$1,002$1,028
Service from freight forwarders at less than the rate in effect (first violation)$4,005$4,109
Loading, unloading violations$20,017$20,537
Service from freight forwarders at less than the rate in effect (subsequent violations )$1,330$1,365
Reporting and recordkeeping – max penalty$10,009$10,269
Unauthorized disclosure of information$4,005$4,109
Violation of registration conditions$1,002$1,028
Knowingly and willingly fails to deliver or unload HHG$20,017$20,537
Copying of records and access to equipment, lands, and buildings (max penalty per day)$15,445$15,846
HHG transportation or broker services – registration requirement$38,612$39,615
Copying of records and access to equipment, lands, and buildings (max total penalty)$1,544$1,584
Reporting and recordkeeping – minimum penalty$15,445$15,846
Evasion of motor carrier regulations (minimum for first violation)$2,661$2,730
Evasion of motor carrier regulations (maximum for first violation)$6,650$6,823
Evasion of motor carrier regulations (minimum for subsequent violations)$3,323$3,409
Evasion of motor carrier regulations (maximum for subsequent)$9,965$10,224
Evasion of carrier or broker regulations (minimum for first violation)$2,661$2,730
Evasion of carrier or broker regulations (minimum for subsequent)$6,650$6,823

Here is the full list of Revisions to Civil Penalty Amounts for 2025 for DOT violations.

Please contact FCCR at 208-888-3227 to make sure that you’re in full compliance with all FMCSA and DOT guidelines.

Related Articles:

Leave a Reply