Tools
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
390.13
Aiding or abetting violations — 49 CFR §390.13
No 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.
392.10
Railroad grade crossing violations — 49 CFR §392.10
Drivers 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.
392.14
Failing to use extreme caution in hazardous conditions — 49 CFR §392.14
Extreme 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.
392.16
Failing to use a seat belt while operating a CMV — 49 CFR §392.16
Driver-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.
392.2-S
Speeding (general) — 49 CFR §392.2
Operating a CMV at a speed greater than that posted or reasonable for conditions. Driver-assigned roadside violation under §392.2 with severity weight 1–10 depending on miles over.
392.22
Failing to use emergency warning devices when stopped — 49 CFR §392.22
When 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.
392.2FC
Failure to obey traffic control device — 49 CFR §392.2FC
Drivers 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.
392.2S
Following too close — 49 CFR §392.2S
Drivers 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.
392.2Y
Failure to yield right of way — 49 CFR §392.2Y
Citations for failure to yield right-of-way (left turn, merge, pedestrian, emergency vehicle) under state law. Severity weight 5 in the Unsafe Driving BASIC.
392.3
Operating a CMV while ill or fatigued — 49 CFR §392.3
A 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 Unsafe Driving BASIC.
392.4
Driver use of controlled substances prohibited — 49 CFR §392.4
A 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.
392.5
Alcohol prohibition — 49 CFR §392.5
A 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.
392.6
Schedules conforming to speed limits — 49 CFR §392.6
Carriers 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.
392.71
Radar detector use or possession — 49 CFR §392.71
Drivers 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.
392.80
Texting while driving a CMV — 49 CFR §392.80
Drivers may not text while driving a CMV. Severity weight 10 in the Unsafe Driving BASIC, with carrier exposure up to $11,000 per offense for allowing or requiring texting.
392.82
Using a hand-held mobile telephone — 49 CFR §392.82
Drivers 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.
392.9
Driver failing to secure cargo — 49 CFR §392.9
A 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.
Hours-of-Service Compliance
395.11
HOS supporting documents missing — 49 CFR §395.11
Carriers 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.
395.13
Driving after being declared out of service — 49 CFR §395.13
A 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.
395.24
Driver use of ELD — 49 CFR §395.24
Drivers 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.
395.3
Driving beyond the 11-hour or 14-hour limit — 49 CFR §395.3
Property-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.
395.30
ELD malfunction handling — 49 CFR §395.30
When the ELD malfunctions, the driver must note it, 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.
395.34
ELD edits, annotations, and unidentified driving time — 49 CFR §395.34
Edits to ELD records require annotations; unidentified driving time must be assigned to the correct driver. Severity weight 1, but unannotated edits and orphaned driving time are the most common precursor to §395.8 false-record findings.
395.8
Driver's record of duty status not current — 49 CFR §395.8
Drivers 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 status — 49 CFR §395.8(a)
A 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 status — 49 CFR §395.8(e)
Falsifying 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
383.23
No CDL or improper class — 49 CFR §383.23
No 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.
383.91
CDL class required for vehicle operated — 49 CFR §383.91
Drivers 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.
383.93
CDL endorsements required — 49 CFR §383.93
Drivers must hold the proper endorsements (T, P, S, N, H, X) for the operation performed. Severity weight 3 in the Driver Fitness BASIC; missing endorsements are §385.321(b)(1) audit-fail material.
391.11
Driver does not meet §391.11 qualifications — 49 CFR §391.11
Carriers may not allow a driver to operate a CMV unless §391.11 qualifications are met. A finding here is an §385.321(b)(1) auto-fail audit item — one of the highest-risk DQF findings.
391.11(b)
Driver lacking valid CDL — 49 CFR §391.11(b)
Drivers 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.
391.15
Allowing a disqualified driver to operate a CMV — 49 CFR §391.15
A 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.
391.21
No or incomplete application for employment — 49 CFR §391.21
Every 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 a §385.321(b)(1) auto-fail audit risk.
391.23
Previous-employer investigation not made — 49 CFR §391.23
Carriers 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.
391.25
Annual driving record inquiry and review — 49 CFR §391.25
Every 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 §385.321(b) new-entrant audit concern.
391.31
Road test required — 49 CFR §391.31
Each 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 certificate — 49 CFR §391.41(a)
Every 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.
391.43
Medical examination process — 49 CFR §391.43
Medical 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.
391.45
Persons who must be medically examined — 49 CFR §391.45
All 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.
391.51
Driver qualification file incomplete — 49 CFR §391.51
Every driver must have a complete §391.51(b) qualification file. The single most common finding in new-entrant audits — and a §385.321(b)(1) audit auto-fail concern.
Controlled Substances and Alcohol
382.301
No pre-employment drug test — 49 CFR §382.301
Before 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.
382.303
Post-accident drug or alcohol test missing — 49 CFR §382.303
After certain accidents, the carrier must test the driver for alcohol within 8 hours and controlled substances within 32 hours. Missing the window is a §385.321(b)(2) audit auto-fail.
382.305
Failure to implement a random testing program — 49 CFR §382.305
Every 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.
382.307
Reasonable-suspicion test not administered — 49 CFR §382.307
A 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.
382.701
Missing Clearinghouse pre-employment or annual query — 49 CFR §382.701
Carriers must run a pre-employment full Clearinghouse query before first dispatch and an annual query for every CDL driver. Missing queries are a §385.321(b)(3) audit auto-fail concern.
Vehicle Maintenance
392.7
No or improper driver pre-trip inspection — 49 CFR §392.7
Drivers 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.
393.100
Cargo securement — 49 CFR §393.100
Cargo 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.
393.11
Inadequate or defective conspicuity treatment — 49 CFR §393.11
Trailers must display retroreflective sheeting (or reflectors) per the §393.11 specifications. Faded, damaged, or missing sheeting is a frequent roadside finding.
393.13
Stop lamps inoperative or missing — 49 CFR §393.13
Every CMV must be equipped with operative stop lamps activated by the service-brake control. A single inoperative stop lamp is a roadside finding; loss of all stop lamps is OOS.
393.20
Clearance lamps to indicate extreme width — 49 CFR §393.20
Clearance lamps must be mounted to indicate the overall width and height of the vehicle. A common Vehicle Maintenance BASIC finding on trailers and box trucks.
393.201
Frames — 49 CFR §393.201
Vehicle 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.
393.205
Wheels and rims — 49 CFR §393.205
Wheels 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.
393.207
Suspension systems — 49 CFR §393.207
Suspension 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.
393.209
Steering wheel systems — 49 CFR §393.209
Steering 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.
393.25
Head lamps required — 49 CFR §393.25
CMVs must be equipped with required head lamps in operating condition. Severity weight 6 in the Vehicle Maintenance BASIC; inoperable head lamps at night are an OOS condition.
393.30
Battery installation — 49 CFR §393.30
Batteries must be securely mounted, with the case ventilated and protected. Severity weight 2 in the Vehicle Maintenance BASIC and a common heavy-vehicle finding.
393.41
Parking brake system — 49 CFR §393.41
Every 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.
393.42
Brakes required on all wheels — 49 CFR §393.42
Every CMV must be equipped with brakes on all wheels (with limited exceptions). Missing wheel brakes is severity weight 4 and frequently OOS.
393.43
Breakaway and emergency braking — 49 CFR §393.43
Towed 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.
393.45
Brake tubing and hose adequacy — 49 CFR §393.45
Brake hoses or tubing chafing or crimped, kinked, broken, or otherwise compromised. A common Vehicle Maintenance BASIC finding with severity weight 4.
393.47
Brakes out of adjustment — 49 CFR §393.47
Brake 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).
393.48
Brakes must be operative — 49 CFR §393.48
All 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.
393.51
Low-air-pressure warning signal — 49 CFR §393.51
Air-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.
393.52
Brake performance — 49 CFR §393.52
Service 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.
393.53
Automatic slack adjuster inoperative — 49 CFR §393.53
Every 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.
393.55
Antilock brake system inoperative — 49 CFR §393.55
Every 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.
393.60
Glazing in specified openings — 49 CFR §393.60
Windshield 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.
393.62
Emergency exits and seat-belt operation — 49 CFR §393.62
Buses must have operative emergency exits; passenger-restraint and other §393.62 requirements apply to passenger-carrying CMVs. Severity weight 2 in the Vehicle Maintenance BASIC.
393.65
Fuel system leak or defect — 49 CFR §393.65
Fuel systems must be substantial, mounted to prevent ignition sources, and leak-free. Visible fuel leaks are OOS. One of the most common §393 findings.
393.70
Coupling devices and towing methods — 49 CFR §393.70
Fifth 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.
393.71
Coupling devices and towing methods, driveaway-towaway and longer combinations — 49 CFR §393.71
Towed 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.
393.75
Tires defective — 49 CFR §393.75
Tires 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.
393.78
Windshield wipers inoperative — 49 CFR §393.78
Every CMV must have two operative power windshield wipers (one on each side of the windshield). A single inoperative wiper is a roadside finding.
393.79
Defrost and defogging device — 49 CFR §393.79
Every 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.
393.80
Rearvision mirrors required — 49 CFR §393.80
CMVs 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.
393.81
Horn — 49 CFR §393.81
Every 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.
393.82
Speedometer — 49 CFR §393.82
Every 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.
393.83
Exhaust system defective — 49 CFR §393.83
Exhaust 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.
393.86
Rear impact guard missing or defective — 49 CFR §393.86
Every 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.
393.87
Warning flags on projecting loads — 49 CFR §393.87
Loads 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.
393.9
Inoperative required lamps — 49 CFR §393.9
All 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.
393.93
Seats, seat belt assemblies, and seat belt assembly anchorages — 49 CFR §393.93
Each 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.
393.95
Missing or defective emergency equipment — 49 CFR §393.95
Every CMV must carry a fire extinguisher, spare fuses (if used), and warning devices. Missing or expired items are an immediate roadside finding.
396.11
Driver vehicle inspection report violations — 49 CFR §396.11
DVIRs 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.
396.17
Periodic (annual) inspection violations — 49 CFR §396.17
Every 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.
396.3
Inadequate inspection, repair, and maintenance — 49 CFR §396.3
Every 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.
396.5
Oil and grease leak — 49 CFR §396.5
Lubrication and inspection of the vehicle's chassis. Active leaks of engine oil, transmission fluid, or coolant constitute violations under §396.5.
396.7
Unsafe operations forbidden — 49 CFR §396.7
A 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.
Operational
387.7
Operating without required financial responsibility — 49 CFR §387.7
Motor carriers operating CMVs in interstate commerce must maintain financial responsibility (insurance) at the §387.9 minimums. Operating without it is among the most serious carrier violations.
390.15
Accident register missing or incomplete — 49 CFR §390.15(b)
Every 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.
390.19
Failure to update MCS-150 — 49 CFR §390.19
Motor carriers must file an updated MCS-150 every two years, and any time information on file changes. Late or missing biennial updates can lead to USDOT deactivation.
390.21
USDOT number not displayed — 49 CFR §390.21
Interstate 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.
390.35
Falsification of records — 49 CFR §390.35
No 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.
397.7
Hazardous materials parking — 49 CFR §397.7
Vehicles carrying placardable hazmat may not be parked within 5 feet of the traveled portion of a roadway, on private property without the owner's knowledge and consent, or near specific population centers. §397.7 is one of the most-cited HM operational findings.
Controlled Substances & Alcohol
382.215
Use of controlled substances or alcohol prohibited — 49 CFR §382.215
Drivers 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.
382.309
Return-to-duty testing — 49 CFR §382.309
A 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.
382.311
Follow-up testing — 49 CFR §382.311
After 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.
382.401
Drug & alcohol program record retention — 49 CFR §382.401
Carriers 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.
Hazardous Materials Compliance
397.13
Smoking near hazardous materials prohibited — 49 CFR §397.13
No person may smoke, or carry a lighted cigarette/cigar/pipe, on or within 25 feet of a CMV transporting Class 1 explosives, Class 3 flammable liquids, Class 4.1/4.2 flammable solids, Class 5 oxidizers, or Class 2 flammable gases. Severity weight 5 in the HM Compliance BASIC.
397.5
Attendance and surveillance of hazardous-materials motor vehicles — 49 CFR §397.5
A 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.