The FMCSA is responsible for conducting inspections of commercial motor vehicles and drivers to ensure that they remain compliant with regulations set forth by the federal government. If an inspection results in a serious violation, the driver will be issued an out of service order and must correct the problem before they may legally operate again.
As you can imagine, the FMCSA keeps a close eye on the most common vehicle and driver violations. With this information, fleet owners can take proactive measures to ensure that their drivers comply.
Here are the 10 most common out of service orders issued for vehicle and driver violations during 2022.
Understanding the Top 10 Out of Service Violations for Commercial Drivers in 2022
The operations and reputation of a company can be significantly impacted by an out of service order. This can lead to costly business interruptions since the car or the driver can’t operate until the violation is corrected. Due to these factors, the company may not be capable of meeting customer demand and delivery delays may occur.
Additionally, if several cars or drivers are found to be in violation, the effects on daily operations could be severe.
Vehicle Violations
- Tires that are flat or leaking air
- Defective brakes
- Inoperative turn signal
- No/improper emergency braking
- Flat tire or fabric exposed
- Inoperative brake lamps
- Inoperable required lamp
- Inspection, repair, and maintenance violation
- Brake tubing and hose inadequacy
- Axle positioning parts defective/missing
Driver Violations
- Commercial driver’s license violation
- False report of driver’s record of duty status
- ELD: No record of duty status (ELD required)
- No record of duty status when one is required (ELD not required)
- General qualifications of drivers violation
- Driver failing to retain previous seven days’ records of duty status
- Driver doesn’t have a valid operator’s license for the CMV being operated
- False record of duty status—Improper use of Personal Conveyance Exception
- Physical qualifications for drivers violation
- Prohibited from performing safety-sensitive functions per 382.501(a) in the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse
Out of service violations can lead to both costly business disruptions and significant reputational harm. Thankfully, there are maintenance and preventive measures you can take to ensure your organization is prepared for roadside inspections.
6 Essential Tips for Avoiding Out of Service Orders
- Maintain and check your vehicle frequently: Check the brakes, tires, lights, and the other mechanical components of your truck and trailer on a regular basis to ensure things are in excellent working order.
- Maintain accurate logbooks: Drivers are mandated to maintain detailed records of their driving time and confirm that they’re adhering to all applicable laws. If you don’t, you risk receiving an out of service order.
- Follow traffic regulations: To avoid attracting the attention of law enforcement, abide by all traffic laws, including weight restrictions and speed limits.
- Keep up with the latest safety regulations: Ensure your vehicle complies with all current federal safety regulations and compliance standards.
- Get adequate rest: It’s important to get enough sleep so that you can drive safely and remain alert. Truck accidents are frequently caused by fatigued driving, which can result in an out of service order.
- Get insured: Have the necessary insurance coverage to legally operate your vehicle!
Additional Resources
- For more information on dump truck insurance, car hauler insurance, hot shot insurance, or insurance on semi trucks, give us a call today at 770.497.1200!
