Resources
FMCSA Violation Code Library
Plain-English explanations of common roadside inspection violations. Every entry includes the BASIC category, severity weight, OOS criteria, and how to prevent it.
100 codes published across all six BASICs. Growing weekly.
Unsafe Driving
Unsafe Driving hub →- §390.13Aiding or abetting violationsSev 5No person may aid, abet, encourage, or require a motor carrier or its employees to violate the FMCSRs. The companion rule that puts shippers, brokers, receivers, and managers on the hook for compliance failures they cause.
- §392.10Railroad grade crossing violationsSev 5Drivers of certain CMVs (passenger-carrying, hazmat-placarded, cargo tank) must stop at every railroad grade crossing within 50 feet but no closer than 15 feet. Severity weight 5 — and a violation here is a §383.51 disqualifying offense.
- §392.14Failing to use extreme caution in hazardous conditionsSev 5Extreme caution is required when hazardous conditions (snow, ice, sleet, fog, smoke, dust, mist) adversely affect visibility or traction. Driving must be reduced or discontinued when conditions become sufficiently dangerous.
- §392.16Failing to use a seat belt while operating a CMVSev 7Driver-assigned roadside violation: a CMV driver must wear the seat belt assembly while the vehicle is in motion. Severity weight 7 in the Unsafe Driving BASIC.
- §392.2SpeedingSev 10Operating a CMV faster than the posted limit is cited under §392.2, which requires every CMV to be operated in accordance with the laws of the jurisdiction. SMS Appendix A scores speeding by miles over the limit — weight 4 (6–10 mph), 7 (11–14 mph), 10 (15 mph or more, and any work-zone speeding); 1–5 mph violations are not in the SMS.
- §392.22Failing to use emergency warning devices when stoppedSev 2When a CMV is stopped on the traveled portion or shoulder of a highway for any reason other than necessary traffic stops, the driver must place warning devices (triangles or flares) per the §392.22 timing and placement rules.
- §392.2FCFailure to obey traffic control deviceSev 5Drivers must obey state and local traffic control devices. Common roadside finding when a driver runs a red light or fails to obey a stop sign during an officer's observation, severity weight 5.
- §392.2SFollowing too closeSev 5Drivers must maintain a safe following distance. The §392.2S code captures jurisdiction-specific 'following too close' citations, severity weight 5 in the Unsafe Driving BASIC.
- §392.2YFailure to yield right of waySev 5Citations for failure to yield right-of-way (left turn, merge, pedestrian, emergency vehicle) under state law. Severity weight 5 in the Unsafe Driving BASIC.
- §392.4Driver use of controlled substances prohibitedSev 10A driver may not be on duty and possess, use, or be under the influence of any controlled substance listed in §392.4(a). Severity weight 10 in the Unsafe Driving BASIC and an immediate driver OOS condition.
- §392.5Alcohol prohibitionSev 10A driver may not consume alcohol within 4 hours of going on duty, while on duty, or while operating a CMV. Severity weight 10 in the Unsafe Driving BASIC and a 24-hour driver OOS condition.
- §392.6Schedules conforming to speed limitsSev 5Carriers may not schedule a run that requires the driver to exceed posted speed limits. A carrier-side violation that pairs with driver speeding citations in the Unsafe Driving BASIC.
- §392.71Radar detector use or possessionSev 2Drivers may not use a radar detector in a CMV, and the carrier may not require or permit one. Severity weight 2 in the Unsafe Driving BASIC, but a reliable indicator of broader speed-management problems.
- §392.80Texting while driving a CMVSev 10Drivers may not text while driving a CMV. Severity weight 10 in the Unsafe Driving BASIC, with carrier exposure up to $19,246 per offense for allowing or requiring texting.
- §392.82Using a hand-held mobile telephoneSev 10Drivers of CMVs may not use a hand-held mobile phone while driving. Severity weight 10 — one of the highest single-violation weights in the Unsafe Driving BASIC.
- §392.9Driver failing to secure cargoSev 5A driver may not operate a CMV unless the cargo is properly distributed and adequately secured per §393 subpart I, and the driver must inspect securement within the first 50 miles and every 3 hours / 150 miles thereafter.
- §397.13Smoking near hazardous materials prohibitedSev 1No person may smoke, or carry a lighted cigarette, cigar, or pipe, on or within 25 feet of a vehicle carrying explosives (Class 1), Class 5 materials, flammable gases (Division 2.1), flammable liquids (Class 3), or Division 4.1 or 4.2 materials. Severity weight 1 in the Unsafe Driving BASIC.
Hours-of-Service Compliance
Hours of Service hub →- §392.3Operating a CMV while ill or fatiguedSev 10A driver may not operate a CMV while their ability or alertness is so impaired by fatigue, illness, or any other cause that it is unsafe to do so. Severity weight 10 in the Hours-of-Service Compliance BASIC.
- §395.11HOS supporting documents missingSev 1Carriers must keep up to 8 supporting documents per driver per 24-hour period to verify the record of duty status. Severity weight 1 individually — audit-impact is much higher.
- §395.13Driving after being declared out of serviceSev 10A driver declared out of service may not drive until the OOS period expires. Severity weight 10 in the HOS Compliance BASIC and a §383.51 disqualifying offense.
- §395.24Driver use of ELDSev 1Drivers must operate the ELD in compliance with §395.24 — log in, select the correct duty status, certify daily logs, and annotate edits. Severity weight 1 in the HOS Compliance BASIC, but a precursor finding for higher-weight log-falsification citations.
- §395.3Driving beyond the 11-hour or 14-hour limitSev 7Property-carrying CMV drivers may not drive more than 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty, or beyond the 14th hour after coming on duty. Exceeding these limits is a high-severity HOS Compliance BASIC violation.
- §395.30ELD record submissions, edits, and annotationsSev 1Edits to ELD records require annotations and driver certification; originals are never overwritten. Unidentified driving time must be assigned or annotated per §395.32. Severity weight 1, but unannotated edits and orphaned driving time are the most common precursor to §395.8 false-record findings.
- §395.34ELD malfunctions and data diagnostic eventsSev 1When the ELD malfunctions, the driver must notify the carrier in writing within 24 hours, reconstruct duty status on paper, and the carrier must repair or replace the device within 8 days. Severity weight 1, but a frequent finding at roadside.
- §395.8Driver's record of duty status not currentSev 5Drivers must maintain a current record of duty status using an ELD or, where exempt, a paper log. Logs not current to the last change of status are an HOS Compliance BASIC violation.
- §395.8(a)No record of duty statusSev 5A driver subject to HOS rules must keep a record of duty status — via ELD or, where exempt, paper log. No RODs at all is severity weight 5 in the HOS Compliance BASIC and an audit auto-fail concern.
- §395.8(e)False record of duty statusSev 7Falsifying a record of duty status. Severity weight 7 in the HOS Compliance BASIC and one of the highest-risk findings on a compliance review — it's evidence the carrier knowingly tolerates HOS abuse.
Driver Fitness
Driver Fitness hub →- §383.23No CDL or improper classSev 4No driver may operate a CMV without a valid CDL of the proper class. Severity weight 4 in Driver Fitness and a §385.321(b)(6) audit auto-fail.
- §383.91CDL class required for vehicle operatedSev 3Drivers must hold the correct CDL class (A, B, or C) for the vehicle group they operate. Severity weight 3 in the Driver Fitness BASIC, and a disqualifying issue at audit.
- §383.93CDL endorsements requiredSev 3Drivers must hold the proper endorsements (T, P, S, N, H, X) for the operation performed. Severity weight 3 in the Driver Fitness BASIC; a missing required endorsement means no valid CDL for the vehicle — §385.321(b) auto-fail exposure.
- §391.11Driver does not meet §391.11 qualificationsSev 3Carriers may not allow a driver to operate a CMV unless §391.11 qualifications are met. Knowingly using a physically unqualified driver is a §385.321(b) audit auto-fail — one of the highest-risk DQF findings.
- §391.11(b)Driver lacking valid CDLSev 8Drivers operating a CMV requiring a CDL must hold a valid CDL of the appropriate class with applicable endorsements. A driver-assigned violation under the Driver Fitness BASIC.
- §391.15Allowing a disqualified driver to operate a CMVSev 8A motor carrier must not permit a disqualified driver to drive a CMV. Allowing operation by a driver disqualified under §391.15 is a high-severity Driver Fitness BASIC finding.
- §391.21No or incomplete application for employmentSev 3Every driver must complete a §391.21 application listing 10 years of employment history before first dispatch. A missing or incomplete application is a §391.51(b)(2) DQF deficiency and core new-entrant audit material.
- §391.23Previous-employer investigation not madeSev 3Carriers must investigate every CMV-experienced applicant's prior 3 years of employment within 30 days of hire. Missing §391.23 inquiries are a top-10 audit finding.
- §391.25Annual driving record inquiry and reviewSev 1Every driver's motor vehicle record must be pulled and reviewed at least once every 12 months. Severity weight 1 in the Driver Fitness BASIC and a recurring new-entrant audit finding.
- §391.31Road test requiredSev 3Each driver must pass a road test and have a road-test certificate in the DQF, unless they hold an equivalent under §391.33 (valid CDL). Severity weight 3 in the Driver Fitness BASIC.
- §391.41(a)Driver lacking valid medical certificateSev 8Every CMV driver must possess a current medical examiner's certificate from a certified medical examiner. Operating without one — or with an expired one — is a high-severity Driver Fitness BASIC violation.
- §391.43Medical examination processSev 3Medical examinations must be performed by a National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners (NRCME) examiner using the §391.43 examination form. Severity weight 3 in the Driver Fitness BASIC.
- §391.45Persons who must be medically examinedSev 3All drivers must have a current medical certificate per §391.41 at hire, after any condition that interferes with safe operation, and at least every 24 months. Severity weight 3.
- §391.51Driver qualification file incompleteSev 3Every driver must have a complete §391.51(b) qualification file. The single most common finding in new-entrant audits and core Appendix A safety-management-controls material.
Controlled Substances and Alcohol
Drug & Alcohol hub →- §382.215Use of controlled substances or alcohol prohibitedSev 10Drivers may not perform safety-sensitive functions after testing positive or refusing a test. Severity weight 10 in the Controlled Substances & Alcohol BASIC and a §383.51 disqualifying offense.
- §382.301No pre-employment drug testSev 10Before a driver performs any safety-sensitive function for a carrier, the driver must take a controlled substances test with a verified negative result. Failure is a Controlled Substances and Alcohol BASIC violation.
- §382.303Post-accident drug or alcohol test missingSev 10After certain accidents, the carrier must test the driver for alcohol within 8 hours and controlled substances within 32 hours. Missing the window is a core drug-and-alcohol program finding in new-entrant audits.
- §382.305Failure to implement a random testing programSev 10Every motor carrier with CDL drivers must implement a random drug and alcohol testing program meeting the §382.305 minimums. Failure is one of the most common new-entrant audit findings.
- §382.307Reasonable-suspicion test not administeredSev 5A trained supervisor observing a driver's behavior may require an immediate reasonable-suspicion test. Failure to test, when reasonable suspicion exists, is a documented audit risk.
- §382.309Return-to-duty testingSev 10A driver who has violated the §382 prohibitions may not return to safety-sensitive duty until the SAP-supervised return-to-duty process and a negative return-to-duty test are complete. Severity weight 10 in the Controlled Substances & Alcohol BASIC.
- §382.311Follow-up testingSev 5After return-to-duty, the driver is subject to a SAP-directed follow-up testing plan: minimum 6 tests in the first 12 months, continuing up to 5 years. Severity weight 5 in the Controlled Substances & Alcohol BASIC.
- §382.401Drug & alcohol program record retentionSev 3Carriers must retain D&A program records for specific periods: 5 years for positive results / refusals / RTD, 2 years for negative results, 3 years for previous-employer records. Severity weight 3 in the Controlled Substances & Alcohol BASIC.
- §382.701Missing Clearinghouse pre-employment or annual querySev 5Carriers must run a pre-employment full Clearinghouse query before first dispatch and an annual query for every CDL driver. Missing queries are how carriers end up unknowingly using a prohibited driver — an audit auto-fail.
Vehicle Maintenance
Vehicle Maintenance hub →- §392.7No or improper driver pre-trip inspectionSev 1Drivers must satisfy themselves the parts and accessories listed in §392.7 are in good working order before driving. Severity weight 1 in Vehicle Maintenance — but a finding here pairs with the actual defect citation.
- §393.100Cargo securementSev 5Cargo must be loaded, secured, and contained to prevent shifting or falling. The §393.100 general rule is the entry point to the Subpart I cargo-securement requirements. OOS for inadequate securement.
- §393.11Clearance lamps missing or not indicating overall widthSev 2§393.11 Table 1 requires two amber clearance lamps at the front and two red at the rear, one on each side of the vertical centerline, mounted as high as practicable to indicate the vehicle's overall width; §393.25(a) requires every lamp securely mounted on a rigid part of the vehicle. A common Vehicle Maintenance BASIC finding on trailers and box trucks.
- §393.11Inadequate or defective conspicuity treatmentSev 1Trailers must display retroreflective sheeting (or reflectors) per the §393.11 specifications. Faded, damaged, or missing sheeting is a frequent roadside finding.
- §393.201FramesSev 5Vehicle frames must not be cracked, broken, sagging, or improperly repaired. Severity weight 5 in the Vehicle Maintenance BASIC and an OOS condition when the frame is cracked through a primary member.
- §393.205Wheels and rimsSev 3Wheels and rims must not be cracked or broken; fasteners must not be loose or missing. Common §393.205 findings are missing lug nuts and cracked wheels, both OOS-eligible.
- §393.207Suspension systemsSev 3Suspension components — springs, leaves, axle-position parts, air-suspension bags — must be in proper condition. Severity weight 3 in the Vehicle Maintenance BASIC; severe defects are OOS.
- §393.209Steering wheel systemsSev 3Steering wheel free play, steering column, gear box, and tie rods must meet §393.209 limits. Severity weight 3 in the Vehicle Maintenance BASIC; excessive play or broken components are OOS.
- §393.24Head lamps missing, inoperative, or not aimableSev 6§393.24(a) requires every bus, truck, and truck tractor to carry headlamps with driver-selectable upper and lower beams, steady-burning and marked to FMVSS No. 108; §393.24(c)–(d) require them mounted, aimable, and aimed to FMVSS No. 108, and fog or auxiliary lamps cannot substitute. Severity weight 6 in the Vehicle Maintenance BASIC; inoperable head lamps at night are an OOS condition.
- §393.25(f)Stop lamps inoperative or not activated by the service brakesSev 6Every bus, truck, truck tractor, and trailer must carry two red rear stop lamps (§393.11 Table 1) that activate when the service brakes are applied (§393.25(f)) and are capable of operating at all times (§393.9(a)). One dark stop lamp is a roadside finding; all stop lamps out is an out-of-service condition.
- §393.30Battery installationSev 2Batteries must be securely mounted, with the case ventilated and protected. Severity weight 2 in the Vehicle Maintenance BASIC and a common heavy-vehicle finding.
- §393.41Parking brake systemSev 4Every CMV must be equipped with a parking-brake system capable of holding the vehicle stationary on any grade on which it is operated. Severity weight 4 in the Vehicle Maintenance BASIC and an OOS condition when the brake fails to hold.
- §393.42Brakes required on all wheelsSev 4Every CMV must be equipped with brakes on all wheels (with limited exceptions). Missing wheel brakes is severity weight 4 and frequently OOS.
- §393.43Breakaway and emergency brakingSev 6Towed vehicles must have automatic emergency-brake protection that engages if the trailer breaks away. Severity weight 6 in the Vehicle Maintenance BASIC and an OOS condition for combination vehicles.
- §393.45Brake tubing and hose adequacySev 4Brake hoses or tubing chafing or crimped, kinked, broken, or otherwise compromised. A common Vehicle Maintenance BASIC finding with severity weight 4.
- §393.47Brakes out of adjustmentSev 4Brake adjustment must be within the §393.47(e) limits. The most common Vehicle Maintenance BASIC violation in roadside inspections, with severity weight 4 (or 8 for OOS conditions).
- §393.48Brakes must be operativeSev 4All brakes with which a CMV is equipped must be operative at all times. Severity weight 4 in the Vehicle Maintenance BASIC; the foundational brake-condition rule cited with most §393.47 findings.
- §393.51Low-air-pressure warning signalSev 4Air-braked vehicles must have a low-air-pressure warning signal that activates at no less than 55 psi. Severity weight 4 in the Vehicle Maintenance BASIC and an OOS condition when inoperative.
- §393.52Brake performanceSev 7Service brakes must stop the vehicle within the §393.52 distance and decelerate at the required rate. Severity weight 7 in the Vehicle Maintenance BASIC and an OOS condition when failing.
- §393.53Automatic slack adjuster inoperativeSev 4Every air-braked CMV manufactured on or after October 20, 1994 must have automatic slack adjusters. An inoperative or seized automatic slack adjuster pairs with §393.47 brake-adjustment findings.
- §393.55Antilock brake system inoperativeSev 1Every air-braked CMV manufactured after March 1, 1997 (truck tractor) or March 1, 1998 (other vehicles) must have an operative antilock brake system. ABS warning lamp lit is a §393.55 finding.
- §393.60Glazing in specified openingsSev 1Windshield and side-window glazing must meet ANSI Z26.1 and remain free of discoloration, distortion, or damage in the driver's sight area. Severity weight 1 in the Vehicle Maintenance BASIC.
- §393.62Bus emergency exits missing, inoperative, or unmarkedSev 1§393.62 sets emergency-exit requirements for buses by build date — FMVSS No. 217 exits for buses built on or after September 1, 1973 ((a)–(b)), push-out-window and glazing-area rules for older buses ((c)–(d)) — and requires every exit marked 'Emergency Exit' or 'Emergency Door' with operating instructions beside the release ((e)). Severity weight 1 in the Vehicle Maintenance BASIC.
- §393.65Fuel system leak or defectSev 3Fuel systems must be substantial, mounted to prevent ignition sources, and leak-free. Visible fuel leaks are OOS. One of the most common §393 findings.
- §393.70Coupling devices and towing methodsSev 5Fifth wheels, pintle hooks, and other coupling devices must meet structural and locking-mechanism standards. Severity weight 5 in the Vehicle Maintenance BASIC and an OOS condition when the coupling is cracked or unsafe.
- §393.71Coupling devices and towing methods, driveaway-towaway and longer combinationsSev 5Towed vehicles in driveaway-towaway service and longer combinations (doubles, triples) must meet the additional coupling requirements of §393.71. Severity weight 5 in the Vehicle Maintenance BASIC.
- §393.75Tires defectiveSev 8Tires must meet the tread depth, condition, and load rating requirements of §393.75. Common roadside finding, with severity weights varying from 1 to 8 depending on the specific defect.
- §393.78Windshield wipers inoperativeSev 1Every CMV must have two operative power windshield wipers (one on each side of the windshield). A single inoperative wiper is a roadside finding.
- §393.79Defrost and defogging deviceSev 1Every CMV must be equipped with a windshield defrosting and defogging device that keeps the windshield clear of frost, ice, and condensation. Severity weight 1 in the Vehicle Maintenance BASIC.
- §393.80Rearvision mirrors requiredSev 1CMVs must be equipped with two rearvision mirrors meeting §393.80(a). Severity weight 1 in the Vehicle Maintenance BASIC; a damaged or missing mirror is a common pre-trip finding.
- §393.81HornSev 1Every CMV must be equipped with a horn that meets SAE J377 or equivalent. Severity weight 1 in the Vehicle Maintenance BASIC, but a fast pre-trip check that is often missed.
- §393.82SpeedometerSev 1Every CMV must be equipped with a speedometer that indicates vehicle speed in miles per hour and is accurate to within ±5 mph at a speed of 50 mph. Severity weight 1 in the Vehicle Maintenance BASIC.
- §393.83Exhaust system defectiveSev 3Exhaust systems must not leak ahead of or beneath the driver's seat, must be properly secured, and must not discharge in a manner that creates a fire hazard. Exhaust findings can be OOS depending on severity.
- §393.86Rear impact guard missing or defectiveSev 2Every trailer manufactured on or after January 26, 1998 must have a compliant rear impact guard. Missing or damaged guards are a roadside finding and a §393.86 violation.
- §393.87Warning flags on projecting loadsSev 1Loads projecting more than 4 feet beyond the rear of a CMV must be marked with red or fluorescent orange-red warning flags by day and red lamps by night. Severity weight 1 in the Vehicle Maintenance BASIC.
- §393.9Inoperative required lampsSev 6All lamps required by Subpart B must be operable at all times. The most-cited vehicle violation in roadside inspections — a single burned-out marker lamp triggers a §393.9 finding.
- §393.93Seats, seat belt assemblies, and seat belt assembly anchoragesSev 4Each seat must have a Type 1 or Type 2 seat belt assembly per §393.93(b), with seats and anchorages meeting the strength requirements of the regulation. Severity weight 4 in the Vehicle Maintenance BASIC and an OOS condition when a required restraint is missing.
- §393.95Missing or defective emergency equipmentSev 1Every CMV must carry a fire extinguisher, spare fuses (if used), and warning devices. Missing or expired items are an immediate roadside finding.
- §396.11Driver vehicle inspection report violationsSev 4DVIRs are required at the end of each driving day on each vehicle operated. Failure to prepare, retain, or repair items on the DVIR is a §396.11 violation.
- §396.17Periodic (annual) inspection violationsSev 4Every CMV must pass a periodic (annual) inspection meeting the §396.17 standards, performed by a qualified inspector. A missing or expired annual inspection is a frequent roadside and audit finding.
- §396.3Inadequate inspection, repair, and maintenanceSev 1Every motor carrier must systematically inspect, repair, and maintain all motor vehicles under its control. A common Vehicle Maintenance BASIC finding for carriers without a documented maintenance program.
- §396.5Oil and grease leakSev 1Lubrication and inspection of the vehicle's chassis. Active leaks of engine oil, transmission fluid, or coolant constitute violations under §396.5.
- §396.7Unsafe operations forbiddenSev 5A motor carrier may not operate a CMV in a condition likely to cause an accident or a breakdown. The general-purpose Vehicle Maintenance catch-all — severity weight 5 — that backs up specific equipment cites.
Hazardous Materials Compliance
Hazmat hub →- §397.5Attendance and surveillance of hazardous-materials motor vehiclesSev 7A CMV containing certain hazardous materials must be attended at all times by its driver or a qualified representative. Severity weight 7 in the HM Compliance BASIC.
- §397.7Hazardous materials parkingSev 6§397.7 restricts where a vehicle carrying hazardous materials may park. Explosives (Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3) loads may not park on or within 5 feet of a public roadway, on private property without the informed consent of the person in charge, or within 300 feet of a bridge, tunnel, dwelling, or place where people gather (§397.7(a)); every other hazmat load carries only the 5-foot rule (§397.7(b)).
Operational
Operational hub →- §387.7Operating without required financial responsibilitySev 0For-hire property carriers and hazmat carriers must have financial responsibility (insurance) at the §387.9 minimums in effect before they operate. Operating without it is an acute violation that fails a new-entrant audit on a single occurrence.
- §390.15Accident register missing or incompleteSev 0Every motor carrier must maintain an accident register listing every DOT-recordable accident in the past three years. A missing or incomplete register is a routine new-entrant audit finding.
- §390.19TFailure to file the MCS-150 biennial updateSev 0Every motor carrier operating in interstate commerce must file Form MCS-150 before beginning operations and every 24 months on a schedule set by its USDOT number (§390.19T(a)(1), (b)(1)–(3)). A missed update carries civil penalties and USDOT number deactivation under §390.19T(b)(4) — enforcement FMCSA has temporarily suspended during the Motus transition.
- §390.21USDOT number not displayedSev 1Interstate motor carriers must display the legal name and USDOT number on both sides of every self-propelled CMV. Missing or improper markings are a §390.21 violation.
- §390.35Falsification of recordsSev 7No person may make a fraudulent or intentionally false statement on any Part 390-required record, application, or report. A §390.35 finding is one of the highest-risk audit outcomes for a carrier.
Roadworthy HQ
Track this and 800 other violations automatically.
Roadside findings link to the driver and vehicle, with corrective action documented and surfaced in the audit binder.
Start hereAudit Readiness Check →Not sure which of these applies to you? Score your files against the areas a new-entrant audit reviews.Not legal advice · CFR is the authoritative source · SMS Appendix A publishes current severity weights