Commercial driving is a challenging profession with significant responsibilities, especially when it comes to understanding and complying with the multitude of safety regulations that govern these operations. With so many rules to follow, even seasoned drivers can make mistakes that lead to roadside violations.
According to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) enforcement data, certain types of violations occur more frequently on the roadside than others. What follows is a list of the top violations and tips for avoiding them.
1. HOURS OF SERVICE (HOS) VIOLATIONS
The hours-of-service (HOS) regulations are crucial for preventing fatigue among commercial drivers by capping the hours a driver can drive without a break. HOS violations can occur when drivers exceed these limits, falsify their records, or simply fail to properly document their hours using the appropriate method. These issues regularly result in fines, out-of-service orders, DOT audits, and even highway accidents. In fact, around 20% of all commercial driver violations involve HOS infractions. So how can drivers best avoid them?
Know who is regulated: In our experience, the majority of HOS violations stem from drivers and fleets just not understanding who is regulated and required to comply with the HOS regulations. As a general rule, if you operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV), then you are subject to the HOS regulations. That said, certain exemptions, like the short-haul exemption, may relieve you from some of the more onerous aspects of the rules. The important part is that you take a minute to understand whether your operations are subject to the regulations.
Keep an accurate log: Always maintain a precise log of your driving hours. Use electronic logging devices (ELDs) when applicable. Logs should be completed contemporaneously throughout the workday rather than at the end of the day or later in the week. Failing to keep logs up to date frequently leads to violations roadside. Also, drivers must ensure their logs are accurate each day.
Understand regulatory nuances: According to FMCSA enforcement data, log falsification is among the top violations found roadside and in audits. In many cases, these falsifications stem from the driver’s or carrier’s misunderstanding of applicable rules and guidance, particularly regarding personal conveyance. Failing to properly log your duty status can lead to log falsification violations, which carry significant weight on the carrier’s CSA scores and the driver’s PSP report. In short, spending a little time familiarizing yourself with FMCSA’s personal conveyance guidance will go a long way to keeping you out of the crosshairs.
2. VEHICLE MAINTENANCE VIOLATIONS
Neglecting vehicle maintenance often causes substantial problems, including during roadside inspections. FMCSA data suggests that maintenance violations are often traced to skipped or pencil-whipped pre-trip inspections or failing to complete necessary repairs. The national average vehicle out-of-service rate hovers around 22%, meaning that nearly a quarter of all commercial vehicles operating in the U.S. are subject to a serious maintenance violation at any given time. What are the solutions?
Conduct Thorough Pre-Trip Inspections: Before hitting the road, drivers must carefully inspect their equipment (trucks and trailers), checking essential components such as brakes, lights, tires, and fluid levels to spot problems early and avoid issues down the line. Any defects discovered that are likely to affect the vehicle’s safe operation must be properly documented on a Driver Vehicle Inspection Report (DVIR) and rectified before the vehicle moves again.
Maintain Maintenance Records: Another top maintenance violation that occurs roadside is failing to document that the vehicle and/or trailer have passed the required annual DOT inspection. Carriers and their drivers must keep either a copy of the inspection report or a sticker on the truck to prove that their equipment has been properly and timely inspected. Carriers should also maintain records of all preventive maintenance performed on their vehicles.
Develop a Maintenance Schedule: If they haven’t already, fleets should develop and adhere to a routine vehicle maintenance schedule based on the manufacturer’s recommendations to proactively avoid roadside maintenance issues.
3. SEAT BELT VIOLATIONS
Wearing a seat belt is one of the easiest and most effective ways to stay safe while driving. Despite its importance, violations of seat belt laws remain common among commercial drivers. According to FMCSA data, roughly 14% of commercial truck drivers do not consistently use seat belts, which can lead to serious injuries in accidents and regulatory violations.
Make Buckling Up a Habit: From the moment you start your truck, ensure you and any passengers buckle up. This is non-negotiable.
Promote Seat Belt Use: For their part, carriers should regularly preach the significance of seat belts with their drivers. Cultivating a safety-conscious environment through routine communication is key.
Leverage Technology: If your fleet utilizes in-cab cameras, use them to identify drivers who are not buckling up and take appropriate remedial action.
4. SPEEDING VIOLATIONS
Speeding is the most common violation written up roadside. According to the FMCSA, speeding contributes significantly to accidents and can result in FMCSA enforcement, including elevated CSA scores and fines. In fact, speeding violations account for nearly 10% of all commercial driving violations annually. Here are some tips to avoid this pitfall:
Know Your Speed Limits: Make it a point to familiarize yourself with speed limits on your regularly traveled routes. Pay attention to changing speed limit signs to stay compliant.
Use Cruise Control Carefully: When appropriate, use cruise control to maintain a consistent speed and minimize the temptation to exceed speed limits.
Plan for Traffic: Allow extra time for your trips to avoid feeling rushed. By anticipating traffic conditions and other inevitable delays, you can reduce the urge to speed.
Hold Each Other Accountable: Fleets must hold their drivers accountable for speeding, including through progressive discipline. And drivers should hold fleets accountable for dispatching them in ways that encourage speeding.
5. LICENSING ISSUES
Driving with an improper, downgraded, or suspended license is a persistent problem in the industry. CDL violations account for a significant percentage of roadside violations. What can drivers and fleets do to prevent these?
Understand What Type of License You Need: Too often, licensing violations stem from drivers and carriers not understanding which license or endorsement is required to operate the vehicles they operate. For example, if you only hold a standard operator’s license but end up pulling a large trailer that pushes the combination weight beyond 26,000 lbs., you likely need a CDL. This is a very common problem, and the solution is to educate yourself on the various license types and when you need them. This information is often available on your state DMV’s website.
Make Sure You Have All Necessary Endorsements: If you hold a CDL, you should understand that certain types of specialized equipment require you to also hold endorsements to your CDL. School buses, tanker vehicles, hazmat, passenger-carrying vehicles, doubles/triples, just to name a few.
Watch Out for License Restrictions: Drivers may have restrictions on their licenses that prohibit certain conduct. Failing to adhere to these restrictions consistently results in regulatory violations. For example, failing to wear corrective lenses when required, operating interstate when restricted to intrastate, and driving a manual transmission when restricted to automatics are common suspects.
CONCLUSION
Operating commercial vehicles is inherently dangerous and highly regulated. By understanding the most common violations and how to avoid them, drivers can significantly reduce the risk of road incidents.
Implementing these strategies not only helps you avoid penalties but also contributes to a safer driving environment for everyone.
Brandon Wiseman is the president of Trucksafe, a motor carrier compliance, consulting, and training firm. ■
