FMCSA Increases Fines for Trucking Violations to Reflect Inflation (January 2024)

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

On January 6, 2024, 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.

FMCSA Regulation Violation Fines

Violation	Former penalty value	New penalty value
Failure to respond to Agency subpoena to appear and testify or produce records (minimum)	$1,288	$1,330
Failure to respond to Agency subpoena to appear and testify or produce records (maximum)	$12,882	$13,300
Out-of-service order: Operation of CMV by driver	$2,232	$2,304
Out-of-service order: Requiring or permitting operation of CMV by driver	$22,324	$23,048
Out-of-service order: Operation by driver of CMV or intermodal equipment that was placed out-of- service	$2,232	$2,304
Out-of-service order: Requiring or permitting operation of CMV or intermodal equipment that was placed out-of-service	$22,324	$23,048
Out-of-service order: Failure to return written certification of correction	$1,116	$1,152
Out-of-service order: Failure to cease operations as ordered	$32,208	$33,252
Out-of-service order: Operating in violation of order	$28,304	$29,221
Out-of-service order: Conducting operations during suspension or revocation for failure to pay penalties	$18,170	$18,759
Out-of-service order: Conducting operations during suspension or revocation	$28,304	$29,221
Recordkeeping: Maximum penalty per day	$1,496	$1,544
Recordkeeping: Maximum total penalty	$14,960	$15,445
Out-of-service order: Operation by driver of CMV or intermodal equipment that was placed out-of-service	$14,960	$15,445
Non-recordkeeping violations	$18,170	$18,759
Non-recordkeeping violations by drivers	$4,543	$4,690
Alcohol prohibition violations (first offense)	$3,740	$3,861
Alcohol prohibition violations (second or subsequent conviction)	$7,481	$7,723
Commercial driver’s license violations	$6,755	$6,974
Special penalties pertaining to violation of OOS orders (first conviction)	$3,740	$3,861
Special penalties pertaining to violation of OOS orders (second or subsequent conviction)	$7,481	$7,723
Knowingly allowing, and authorizing employee violations of OOS orders (minimum)	$6,755	$6,974
Knowing the falsification of records	$37,400	$38,612
Special penalties pertaining to railroad-highway grade crossing violations	$19,389	$20,017
Financial responsibility violations	$19,933	$20,579
Violations of Hazardous Materials Regulations and Safety Permitting Regulations (transportation or shipment of hazmat)	$96,624	$96,756
Violations of Hazardous Materials Regulations and Safety Permitting Regulations (training) (minimum penalty)	$582	$601
Violations of Hazardous Materials Regulations and Safety Permitting Regulations (training) (maximum penalty)	$96,624	$99,756
Violations of Hazardous Materials Regulations and Safety Permitting Regulations (packaging or container	$96,624	$99,756
Violations of Hazardous Materials Regulations and Safety Permitting Regulations (compliance with FMCSRs)	$96,624	$99,756
Violations of Hazardous Materials Regulations and Safety Permitting Regulations (death, serious illness, severe injury to persons; destruction of property)	$225,455	$232,762
Operating after being declared unfit by assignment of a final “unsatisfactory” safety rating (generally)	$32,208	$33,252
Operating after being declared unfit by assignment of a final “unsatisfactory” safety rating (hazmat maximum penalty)	$96,624	$99,756
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)	$225,455	$232,762
Violations of the commercial regulations, property carriers	$12,882	$13,300
Violations of the CRs, brokers	$12,882	$13,300
Violations of the CRs, passenger carriers	$32,208	$33,252
Violation of the CRs, foreign carriers, foreign motor private carriers	$12,882	$13,300
Knowingly allowing, and authorizing employee violations of OOS order (maximum)	$17,717	$18,291
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)	$44,294	$45,730
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)	$25,767	$26,602
Violations of the CRs, motor carrier, or broker for transportation of hazardous wastes (minimum)	$51,533	$53,203
Violation of the CRs, household goods carrier or freight forwarder, or their receiver or trustee	$1,937	$2,000
Violation of the CRs, weight of HHG shipment, charging for services (minimum for first violation)	$1,937	$2,000
Violation of the CRs, weight of HHG shipment, charging for services (subsequent violations)	$9,695	$10,009
Tariff violations	$193,890	$200,174
Violations of the CRs, motor carrier, or broker for transportation of hazardous wastes (maximum)	$387	$400
Additional tariff violations, rebates, or concessions (first violation)	$484	$500
Tariff violations, freight forwarders (max penalty for first violation)	$971	$1,002
Tariff violations, freight forwarders (max penalty for subsequent violations)	$3,879	$4,005
Additional tariff violations, rebates, or concessions (subsequent violations)	$971	$1,002
Service from freight forwarders at less than the rate in effect (first violation)	$3,879	$4,005
Loading, unloading violations	$19,389	$20,017
Service from freight forwarders at less than the rate in effect (subsequent violations )	$1,288	$1,330
Reporting and recordkeeping – max penalty	$9,695	$10,009
Unauthorized disclosure of information	$3,879	$4,005
Violation of registration conditions	$971	$1,002
Knowingly and willingly fails to deliver or unload HHG	$19,389	$20,017
Copying of records and access to equipment, lands, and buildings (max penalty per day)	$14,960	$15,445
HHG transportation or broker services – registration requirement	$37,400	$38,612
Copying of records and access to equipment, lands, and buildings (max total penalty)	$1,496	$1,544
Reporting and recordkeeping – minimum penalty	$14,960	$15,445
Evasion of motor carrier regulations (minimum for first violation)	$2,577	$2,661
Evasion of motor carrier regulations (maximum for first violation)	$6,441	$6,650
Evasion of motor carrier regulations (minimum for subsequent violations)	$3,219	$3,323
Evasion of motor carrier regulations (maximum for subsequent)	$9,652	$9,965
Evasion of carrier or broker regulations (minimum for first violation)	$2,577	$2,661
Evasion of carrier or broker regulations (minimum for subsequent)	$6,441	$6,650