§FMCSR.com
Historical textIn force on Oct. 1, 1998Source: annual CFR editions 1998–1999

Appendix B to Part 386 Appendix B to Part 386—Penalty Schedule; Violations and Maximum Monetary Penalties

Wording first on file in the 1998 annual edition, superseded by the 2000 annual edition.

govinfo, 1998 edition ↗
Before Jan. 1, 2017 the record is one snapshot per annual CFR edition, revised as of October 1. This is the 1998 edition's wording. An amendment that took effect between Oct. 1, 1998 and Oct. 1, 1998 would not appear until the next edition, so check the citations below and the Federal Register for exact effective dates.
49 CFR Appendix B to Part 386 — Appendix B to Part 386—Penalty Schedule; Violations and Maximum Monetary Penalties. Text in force on October 1, 1998. This wording effective October 1, 1998 to October 1, 2000. Source: govinfo, 1998 edition, https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/CFR-1998-title49-vol4/CFR-1998-title49-vol4-part386. Retrieved from FMCSR.com, https://fmcsr.com/reg/appendix-b-to-part-386?asof=1998-10-01, on October 26, 2026. Unofficial compilation; verify against the official source.

The Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996 [Public Law 104-134, title III, chapter 10, Sec. 31001, par. (s), 110 Stat. 1321-373] amended the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990 to require agencies to adjust for inflation “each civil monetary penalty provided by law within the jurisdiction of the Federal agency * * *” and to publish that regulation in the Federal Register. Pursuant to that authority, the inflation-adjusted civil penalties listed below supersede the corresponding civil penalty amounts listed in title 49, United States Code.

What are the types of violations and maximum monetary penalties?

(a) Violations of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs).

(1) Recordkeeping. A person or entity that fails to prepare or maintain a record required by Parts 385 and 390-399 of this subchapter, or prepares or maintains a required record that is incomplete, inaccurate, or false, is subject to a maximum civil penalty of $550 for each day the violation continues, up to $2,750.

(2) Serious Pattern of safety violations. These violations of Parts 385 and 390-399 of this subchapter constitute a middle range of violations. They do not include noncompliance with recordkeeping requirements, while substantial health or safety violations are subject to heavier civil penalties. Serious patterns of safety violations are subject to a maximum civil penalty of $1,100 for each violation in a pattern, up to a maximum of $11,000 for each pattern.

(3) Substantial Health or Safety Violations. These are violations of Parts 385 and 390-399 of this subchapter which could reasonably lead to, or have resulted in, serious personal injury or death. Substantial health or safety violations are subject to a maximum civil penalty of $11,000, provided the driver's actions constituted gross negligence or reckless disregard for safety.

(4) Non-recordkeeping violations by drivers. A driver who violates Parts 385 or 390-399 of this subchapter, except a recordkeeping requirement, is subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $1,100, provided the driver's actions constituted gross negligence or reckless disregard for safety.

(5) Violation of 49 CFR 392.5. A driver placed out of service for 24 hours for violating the alcohol prohibitions of 49 CFR 392.5(a) or (b) who drives during that period is subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $2,750 for each violation.

(b) Commercial driver's license (CDL) violations. Any person who violates 49 CFR Subparts B, C, E, F, G, or H is subject to a civil penalty of $2,750.

(c) Special penalties pertaining to violations of out-of-service orders by CDL-holders. A CDL-holder who is convicted of violating an out-of-service order shall be subject to a civil penalty of not less than $1,100 nor more than $2,750. An employer of a CDL-holder who knowingly allows, requires, permits, or authorizes that employee to operate a CMV during any period in which the CDL-holder is subject to an out-of-service order, is subject to a civil penalty of not less than $2,750 or more than $11,000.

(d) Financial responsibility violations. A motor carrier that fails to maintain the levels of financial responsibility prescribed by Part 387 of this subchapter is subject to a maximum penalty of $11,000 for each violation. Each day of a continuing violation constitutes a separate offense.

(e) Violations of the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMRs). This paragraph applies to violations by motor carriers, drivers, shippers and other persons who transport hazardous materials on the highway in commercial motor vehicles or cause hazardous materials to be so transported.

(1) All knowing violations of 49 U.S.C. chapter 51 or orders or regulations issued under the authority of that chapter applicable to the transportation or shipment of hazardous materials by commercial motor vehicle on highways are subject to a civil penalty of not less than $250 and not more than $27,500 for each violation. Each day of a continuing violation constitutes a separate offense.

(2) All knowing violations of 49 U.S.C. chapter 51 or orders, regulations, or exemptions issued under the authority of that chapter applicable to the manufacture, fabrication, marking, maintenance, reconditioning, repair or testing of a packaging or container which is represented, marked, certified or sold as being qualified for use in the transportation or shipment of hazardous materials by commercial motor vehicle on highways, are subject to a civil penalty of not less than $250 and not more than $27,500 for each violation.

(3) Whenever regulations issued under the authority of 49 U.S.C. chapter 51 require compliance with the FMCSRs while transporting hazardous materials, any violations of the FMCSRs will be considered a violation of the HMRs and subject to a civil penalty of not less than $250 and not more than $27,500.

(f) Operating with an unsatisfactory safety rating. A motor carrier knowingly transporting hazardous materials in quantities requiring placarding, or passengers in a vehicle designed or used to transport more than 15 passengers, on the 46th or any subsequent day after receiving an unsatisfactory safety rating, is subject to a civil penalty of not less than $250 and not more than $27,500. Each day the transportation of hazardous materials continues constitutes a separate violation.

[63 FR 12414, Mar. 13, 1998]

Amendment history

30 distinct wordings on file since Oct. 1, 1998
  1. July 21, 2026 → presenteCFR, day-precisediff vs. previous
    [80 FR 18156, Apr. 3, 2015, as amended at 80 FR 78383, Dec. 16, 2015; 81 FR 41463, June 27, 2016; 82 FR 17591, Apr. 12, 2017; 83 FR 60751, Nov. 27, 2018; 84 FR 37076, July 31, 2019; 86 FR 1761, Jan. 11, 2021; 86 FR 23257, May 3, 2021; 87 FR 15871, Mar. 21, 2022; 88 FR 1130, Jan. 6, 2023; 88 FR 89565, Dec. 28, 2023; 88 FR 78672, Nov. 16, 2023; 89 FR 106298, Dec. 30, 2024; 89 FR 107026, Dec. 31, 2024; 90 FR 22866, May 30, 2025; 91 FR 7859, Feb. 19, 2026; 91 FR 45660, July 21, 2026]
  2. March 23, 2026 → July 21, 2026eCFR, day-precisediff vs. previous
    [80 FR 18156, Apr. 3, 2015, as amended at 80 FR 78383, Dec. 16, 2015; 81 FR 41463, June 27, 2016; 82 FR 17591, Apr. 12, 2017; 83 FR 60751, Nov. 27, 2018; 84 FR 37076, July 31, 2019; 86 FR 1761, Jan. 11, 2021; 86 FR 23257, May 3, 2021; 87 FR 15871, Mar. 21, 2022; 88 FR 1130, Jan. 6, 2023; 88 FR 89565, Dec. 28, 2023; 88 FR 78672, Nov. 16, 2023; 89 FR 106298, Dec. 30, 2024; 89 FR 107026, Dec. 31, 2024; 90 FR 22866, May 30, 2025; 91 FR 7859, Feb. 19, 2026]
  3. Feb. 19, 2026 → March 23, 2026eCFR, day-precisediff vs. previous
    [80 FR 18156, Apr. 3, 2015, as amended at 80 FR 78383, Dec. 16, 2015; 81 FR 41463, June 27, 2016; 82 FR 17591, Apr. 12, 2017; 83 FR 60751, Nov. 27, 2018; 84 FR 37076, July 31, 2019; 86 FR 1761, Jan. 11, 2021; 86 FR 23257, May 3, 2021; 87 FR 15871, Mar. 21, 2022; 88 FR 1130, Jan. 6, 2023; 88 FR 89565, Dec. 28, 2023; 88 FR 78672, Nov. 16, 2023; 89 FR 106298, Dec. 30, 2024; 89 FR 107026, Dec. 31, 2024; 90 FR 22866, May 30, 2025]
  4. May 30, 2025 → Feb. 19, 2026eCFR, day-precisediff vs. previous
    [80 FR 18156, Apr. 3, 2015, as amended at 80 FR 78383, Dec. 16, 2015; 81 FR 41463, June 27, 2016; 82 FR 17591, Apr. 12, 2017; 83 FR 60751, Nov. 27, 2018; 84 FR 37076, July 31, 2019; 86 FR 1761, Jan. 11, 2021; 86 FR 23257, May 3, 2021; 87 FR 15871, Mar. 21, 2022; 88 FR 1130, Jan. 6, 2023; 88 FR 89565, Dec. 28, 2023; 88 FR 78672, Nov. 16, 2023; 89 FR 106298, Dec. 30, 2024; 89 FR 107026, Dec. 31, 2024; 90 FR 22866, May 30, 2025]
  5. Dec. 31, 2024 → May 30, 2025eCFR, day-precisediff vs. previous
    [80 FR 18156, Apr. 3, 2015, as amended at 80 FR 78383, Dec. 16, 2015; 81 FR 41463, June 27, 2016; 82 FR 17591, Apr. 12, 2017; 83 FR 60751, Nov. 27, 2018; 84 FR 37076, July 31, 2019; 86 FR 1761, Jan. 11, 2021; 86 FR 23257, May 3, 2021; 87 FR 15871, Mar. 21, 2022; 88 FR 1130, Jan. 6, 2023; 88 FR 89565, Dec. 28, 2023; 88 FR 78672, Nov. 16, 2023; 89 FR 106298, Dec. 30, 2024; 89 FR 107026, Dec. 31, 2024]
  6. Dec. 30, 2024 → Dec. 31, 2024eCFR, day-precisediff vs. previous
    [80 FR 18156, Apr. 3, 2015, as amended at 80 FR 78383, Dec. 16, 2015; 81 FR 41463, June 27, 2016; 82 FR 17591, Apr. 12, 2017; 83 FR 60751, Nov. 27, 2018; 84 FR 37076, July 31, 2019; 86 FR 1761, Jan. 11, 2021; 86 FR 23257, May 3, 2021; 87 FR 15871, Mar. 21, 2022; 88 FR 1130, Jan. 6, 2023; 88 FR 89565, Dec. 28, 2023; 88 FR 78672, Nov. 16, 2023; 89 FR 106298, Dec. 30, 2024]
  7. Jan. 16, 2024 → Dec. 30, 2024eCFR, day-precisediff vs. previous
    [80 FR 18156, Apr. 3, 2015, as amended at 80 FR 78383, Dec. 16, 2015; 81 FR 41463, June 27, 2016; 82 FR 17591, Apr. 12, 2017; 83 FR 60751, Nov. 27, 2018; 84 FR 37076, July 31, 2019; 86 FR 1761, Jan. 11, 2021; 86 FR 23257, May 3, 2021; 87 FR 15871, Mar. 21, 2022; 88 FR 1130, Jan. 6, 2023; 88 FR 89565, Dec. 28, 2023; 88 FR 78672, Nov. 16, 2023]
  8. Dec. 28, 2023 → Jan. 16, 2024eCFR, day-precisediff vs. previous
    [80 FR 18156, Apr. 3, 2015, as amended at 80 FR 78383, Dec. 16, 2015; 81 FR 41463, June 27, 2016; 82 FR 17591, Apr. 12, 2017; 83 FR 60751, Nov. 27, 2018; 84 FR 37076, July 31, 2019; 86 FR 1761, Jan. 11, 2021; 86 FR 23257, May 3, 2021; 87 FR 15871, Mar. 21, 2022; 88 FR 1130, Jan. 6, 2023; 88 FR 89565, Dec. 28, 2023]
  9. Nov. 16, 2023 → Dec. 28, 2023eCFR, day-precisediff vs. previous
    [80 FR 18156, Apr. 3, 2015, as amended at 80 FR 78383, Dec. 16, 2015; 81 FR 41463, June 27, 2016; 82 FR 17591, Apr. 12, 2017; 83 FR 60751, Nov. 27, 2018; 84 FR 37076, July 31, 2019; 86 FR 1761, Jan. 11, 2021; 86 FR 23257, May 3, 2021; 87 FR 15871, Mar. 21, 2022; 88 FR 1130, Jan. 6, 2023]
  10. Jan. 6, 2023 → Nov. 16, 2023eCFR, day-precisediff vs. previous
    [80 FR 18156, Apr. 3, 2015, as amended at 80 FR 78383, Dec. 16, 2015; 81 FR 41463, June 27, 2016; 82 FR 17591, Apr. 12, 2017; 83 FR 60751, Nov. 27, 2018; 84 FR 37076, July 31, 2019; 86 FR 1761, Jan. 11, 2021; 86 FR 23257, May 3, 2021; 87 FR 15871, Mar. 21, 2022; 88 FR 1130, Jan. 6, 2023]
  11. March 21, 2022 → Jan. 6, 2023eCFR, day-precisediff vs. previous
    [80 FR 18156, Apr. 3, 2015, as amended at 80 FR 78383, Dec. 16, 2015; 81 FR 41463, June 27, 2016; 82 FR 17591, Apr. 12, 2017; 83 FR 60751, Nov. 27, 2018; 84 FR 37076, July 31, 2019; 86 FR 1761, Jan. 11, 2021; 86 FR 23257, May 3, 2021; 87 FR 15871, Mar. 21, 2022]
  12. May 3, 2021 → March 21, 2022eCFR, day-precisediff vs. previous
    [80 FR 18156, Apr. 3, 2015, as amended at 80 FR 78383, Dec. 16, 2015; 81 FR 41463, June 27, 2016; 82 FR 17591, Apr. 12, 2017; 83 FR 60751, Nov. 27, 2018; 84 FR 37076, July 31, 2019; 86 FR 1761, Jan. 11, 2021; 86 FR 23257, May 3, 2021]
  13. Jan. 11, 2021 → May 3, 2021eCFR, day-precisediff vs. previous
    [80 FR 18156, Apr. 3, 2015, as amended at 80 FR 78383, Dec. 16, 2015; 81 FR 41463, June 27, 2016; 82 FR 17591, Apr. 12, 2017; 83 FR 60751, Nov. 27, 2018; 84 FR 37076, July 31, 2019; 86 FR 1761, Jan. 11, 2021]
  14. July 31, 2019 → Jan. 11, 2021eCFR, day-precisediff vs. previous
    [80 FR 18156, Apr. 3, 2015, as amended at 80 FR 78383, Dec. 16, 2015; 81 FR 41463, June 27, 2016; 82 FR 17591, Apr. 12, 2017; 83 FR 60751, Nov. 27, 2018; 84 FR 37076, July 31, 2019]
  15. Nov. 27, 2018 → July 31, 2019eCFR, day-precisediff vs. previous
    [80 FR 18156, Apr. 3, 2015, as amended at 80 FR 78383, Dec. 16, 2015; 81 FR 41463, June 27, 2016; 82 FR 17591, Apr. 12, 2017; 83 FR 60751, Nov. 27, 2018]
  16. April 24, 2017 → Nov. 27, 2018eCFR, day-precisediff vs. previous
    [80 FR 18156, Apr. 3, 2015, as amended at 80 FR 78383, Dec. 16, 2015; 81 FR 41463, June 27, 2016; 82 FR 17591, Apr. 12, 2017]
  17. April 12, 2017 → April 24, 2017eCFR, day-precisediff vs. previous
    [80 FR 18156, Apr. 3, 2015, as amended at 80 FR 78383, Dec. 16, 2015; 81 FR 41463, June 27, 2016]
  18. Oct. 1, 2016 → April 12, 2017annual edition 2016diff vs. previous
    [80 FR 18156, Apr. 3, 2015, as amended at 80 FR 78383, Dec. 16, 2015; 81 FR 41463, June 27, 2016]
  19. Oct. 1, 2015 → Oct. 1, 2016annual edition 2015diff vs. previous
    [80 FR 18156, Apr. 3, 2015]
  20. Oct. 1, 2013 → Oct. 1, 2015annual editions 2013–2014diff vs. previous
    [63 FR 12414, Mar. 13, 1998, as amended at 65 FR 7756, Feb. 16,, 2000; 67 FR 61821, Oct. 2, 2002; 68 FR 15383, Mar. 31, 2003; 69 FR 39371, June 30, 2004; 70 FR 28486, May 18, 2005; 72 FR 36789, July 5, 2007; 72 FR 55102, Sept. 28, 2007; 75 FR 72998, Nov. 29, 2010; 76 FR 81186, Dec. 27, 2011; 78 FR 60233, Oct. 1, 2013]
  21. Oct. 1, 2012 → Oct. 1, 2013annual edition 2012diff vs. previous
    [63 FR 12414, Mar. 13, 1998, as amended at 65 FR 7756, Feb. 16,, 2000; 67 FR 61821, Oct. 2, 2002; 68 FR 15383, Mar. 31, 2003; 69 FR 39371, June 30, 2004; 70 FR 28486, May 18, 2005; 72 FR 36789, July 5, 2007; 72 FR 55102, Sept. 28, 2007; 75 FR 72998, Nov. 29, 2010; 76 FR 81186, Dec. 27, 2011]
  22. Oct. 1, 2011 → Oct. 1, 2012annual edition 2011diff vs. previous
    [63 FR 12414, Mar. 13, 1998, as amended at 65 FR 7756, Feb. 16,, 2000; 67 FR 61821, Oct. 2, 2002; 68 FR 15383, Mar. 31, 2003; 69 FR 39371, June 30, 2004; 70 FR 28486, May 18, 2005; 72 FR 36789, July 5, 2007; 72 FR 55102, Sept. 28, 2007; 75 FR 72998, Nov. 29, 2010]
  23. Oct. 1, 2008 → Oct. 1, 2011annual editions 2008–2010diff vs. previous
    [63 FR 12414, Mar. 13, 1998, as amended at 65 FR 7756, Feb. 16,, 2000; 67 FR 61821, Oct. 2, 2002; 68 FR 15383, Mar. 31, 2003; 69 FR 39371, June 30, 2004; 70 FR 28486, May 18, 2005; 72 FR 36789, July 5, 2007; 72 FR 55102, Sept. 28, 2007]
  24. Oct. 1, 2007 → Oct. 1, 2008annual edition 2007diff vs. previous
    [63 FR 12414, Mar. 13, 1998, as amended at 65 FR 7756, Feb. 16,, 2000; 67 FR 61821, Oct. 2, 2002; 68 FR 15383, Mar. 31, 2003; 69 FR 39371, June 30, 2004; 70 FR 28486, May 18, 2005; 72 FR 36789, July 5, 2007; 72 FR 55102, Sept. 28, 2007]
  25. Oct. 1, 2006 → Oct. 1, 2007annual edition 2006diff vs. previous
    [63 FR 12414, Mar. 13, 1998, as amended at 65 FR 7756, Feb. 16,, 2000; 67 FR 61821, Oct. 2, 2002; 68 FR 15383, Mar. 31, 2003; 69 FR 39371, June 30, 2004; 70 FR 28486, May 18, 2005]
  26. Oct. 1, 2005 → Oct. 1, 2006annual edition 2005diff vs. previous
    [63 FR 12414, Mar. 13, 1998, as amended at 65 FR 7756, Feb. 16,, 2000; 67 FR 61821, Oct. 2, 2002; 68 FR 15383, Mar. 31, 2003; 69 FR 39371, June 30, 2004]
  27. Oct. 1, 2004 → Oct. 1, 2005annual edition 2004diff vs. previous
    [63 FR 12414, Mar. 13, 1998, as amended at 65 FR 7756, Feb. 16,, 2000; 67 FR 61821, Oct. 2, 2002; 68 FR 15383, Mar. 31, 2003; 69 FR 39371, June 30, 2004]
  28. Oct. 1, 2003 → Oct. 1, 2004annual edition 2003diff vs. previous
    [63 FR 12414, Mar. 13, 1998, as amended at 65 FR 7756, Feb. 16,, 2000; 67 FR 61821, Oct. 2, 2002; 68 FR 15383, Mar. 31, 2003]
  29. Oct. 1, 2000 → Oct. 1, 2003annual editions 2000–2002diff vs. previous
    [63 FR 12414, Mar. 13, 1998, as amended at 65 FR 7756, Feb. 16,, 2000]
  30. Oct. 1, 1998 → Oct. 1, 2000annual editions 1998–1999viewing
    [63 FR 12414, Mar. 13, 1998]

A new entry appears whenever the regulatory words change between government snapshots. Day-precise from the eCFR (2017 onward); before that, one snapshot per annual CFR edition (revised as of October 1). Bracketed citations are the Federal Register history printed with the section.