Speeding and broken lamps continued to be top concerns last year during roadside enforcement of commercial vehicle safety regulations.
The overall number of roadside inspections was up from 2020, the first year of the pandemic, but remained low by historical standards.
Being familiar with the most common violations can help drivers and motor carriers avoid them.
The following tables list the top 10 violations of driver- and vehicle-related motor carrier safety and hazardous materials regulations as cited during roadside inspections in 2021, as well as:
- The percentage of those violations that resulted in an out-of-service (OOS) order for the driver or vehicle; and
- The severity points assigned to each violation in the Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) system.
| Year | Vehicle Inspections | Driver Inspections |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 2,410,873 | 3,402,942 |
| 2019 | 2,386,738 | 3,356,343 |
| 2020 | 1,767,400 | 2,471,611 |
| 2021 | 1,962,737 | 2,766,08 |
FMCSA Compliance Manual
An authoritative safety compliance manual to help companies operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) comply with FMCSA regulations.
Top 10 Driver Violations
| Rank | Code | Description | Violations | OOS | CSA Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
392.2S |
Speeding |
122,645 |
0% |
1-10 |
|
2 |
391.41(a) |
Driving without a valid medical certificate |
81,795 |
12% |
1 |
|
3 |
392.2C |
Failure to obey traffic control device |
59,188 |
0% |
5 |
|
4 |
395.8(e) |
False log(s) |
55,857 |
67% |
7 |
|
5 |
395.8(a) |
No logs (of proper type) in driver’s possession |
55,028 |
94% |
5 |
|
6 |
392.16 |
Failing to use seat belt |
50,297 |
0% |
7 |
|
7 |
383.23(a)(2) |
Operating a CMV without a CDL |
42,005 |
99% |
8 |
|
8 |
392.2LV |
Lane-restriction violation |
37,587 |
0% |
3 |
|
9 |
395.8 |
Log violation: general/form and manner |
35,759 |
1% |
1 |
|
10 |
395.24(d) |
ELD cannot transfer logs electronically |
23,844 |
0% |
0 |
Top 10 Vehicle Violations
| Rank | Code | Description | Violations | OOS | CSA Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
393.9 |
Required lamp(s) not operable |
591,547 |
16% |
2 |
|
2 |
396.17(c) |
Operating a CMV without periodic inspection |
166,281 |
0% |
4 |
|
3 |
396.3(a)(1)B |
Brakes (general) |
131,718 |
52% |
4 |
|
4 |
393.11 |
No/defective lighting/reflective devices |
131,137 |
2% |
3 |
|
5 |
393.47(e)-(f) |
Brake(s) out of adjustment |
128,680 |
0% |
4 |
|
6 |
393.95(a) |
Fire extinguisher violation |
116,239 |
0% |
2 |
|
7 |
393.45(b)(2) |
Brake hose/tubing chaffing and/or kinking |
99,614 |
16% |
4 |
|
8 |
396.5(b) |
Oil and/or grease leak |
98,184 |
13% |
3 |
|
9 |
396.3(a)(1) |
General inspection/repair/maintenance |
94,506 |
13% |
2 |
|
10 |
393.75(a)(3) |
Tire flat and/or with audible air leak |
88,784 |
98% |
8 |
Top 10 Hazardous Materials Violations
| Rank | Code | Description | Violations | OOS | CSA Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
177.834(a) |
Package not secure in vehicle |
3,871 |
97% |
10 |
|
2 |
107.620(b) |
No copy of USDOT hazmat registration number |
2,691 |
0% |
0 |
|
3 |
177.817(a) |
No shipping papers (carrier) |
2,163 |
73% |
3 |
|
4 |
177.817(e) |
Shipping paper accessibility |
2,155 |
2% |
3 |
|
5 |
177.823(a) |
No placards/markings when required |
1,861 |
45% |
5 |
|
6 |
172.502(a)(1) |
Failing to provide carrier required placards |
1,764 |
15% |
5 |
|
7 |
172.504(a) |
Vehicle not placarded as required |
1,762 |
49% |
5 |
|
8 |
172.516(c)(6) |
Placard damaged, deteriorated, or obscured |
1,680 |
1% |
5 |
|
9 |
172.602(c)(1) |
Maintenance/accessibility of emergency response information |
1,225 |
0% |
3 |
|
10 |
172.600(c) |
Emergency response information not available |
1,111 |
0.2% |
3 |
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Transportation Regulatory Alert Newsletter
This quick-read newsletter keeps you current on federal and state compliance information that impacts your drivers, trucks, buses, and bottom line, including takeaways you can use to ensure highway safety and compliance.
