DOT Violation Codes Explained for Trucking Companies

A lamp required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations was recorded as missing, damaged, or not operating when inspected.

Required lighting devices, conspicuity treatment, or reflective material were recorded as missing, defective, improperly placed, or otherwise noncompliant.

One or more brake lamps were recorded as inoperative when the service brakes were applied.

A brake was recorded outside the applicable adjustment limit based on pushrod travel or another approved measurement.

A required brake was recorded as inoperative or unable to perform as required.

Twenty percent or more of the service brakes on the vehicle or combination were recorded with out-of-service brake defects.

Brake tubing or hose was recorded as chafed, kinked, damaged, or inadequately protected.

A tire was recorded as flat or leaking enough for escaping air to be heard during the roadside inspection.

A non-steering-axle tire was recorded with tread depth below 2/32 of an inch in a major tread groove.

A tire on the front wheels of a bus, truck, or truck tractor was recorded below the 4/32-inch tread-depth requirement.

The driver or carrier could not produce the required evidence that the commercial motor vehicle had passed a periodic inspection within the required interval.

The carrier was cited under the general duty to systematically inspect, repair, and maintain vehicles so that parts and accessories remain in safe operating condition.

A driver’s record of duty status was recorded as false because the logged status, location, time, or activity did not match other evidence.

A driver who was required to use an electronic logging device was recorded without an available record of duty status.

A driver’s record of duty status was recorded with missing, incomplete, or improperly formatted required information.

A portable electronic logging device was recorded as not mounted in a fixed position visible to the driver while seated in the normal driving position.

A property-carrying driver was recorded driving more than 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty.

A property-carrying driver was recorded driving after eight cumulative hours of driving without at least a 30-minute interruption that satisfied the rule.

Cargo was recorded as inadequately contained, immobilized, or secured against leaking, spilling, blowing, shifting, or falling from the vehicle.

A required windshield wiping system was recorded as missing, damaged, or unable to keep the windshield clear.

The windshield was recorded with damage or discoloration that violated the location or condition restrictions in the federal rule.

The commercial motor vehicle’s required fire extinguisher was recorded as missing, discharged, improperly rated, or not securely mounted.

A commercial motor vehicle driver was recorded as operating without properly using the installed seat belt.

A driver was recorded as operating a commercial motor vehicle without the commercial driver’s license required for that vehicle or operation.

A commercial motor vehicle was recorded as operating without the carrier’s USDOT number displayed as required.