5 Federal Trucking Regulations Companies Break Most Often
Federal trucking regulations are designed to prevent truck accidents, yet violations of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rules remain widespread throughout the industry.
In 2024 alone, FMCSA recorded over 5.15 million federal trucking regulation violations during roadside inspections, despite conducting fewer checks than the previous year. These numbers reflect a troubling pattern of companies that continue to prioritize speed and cost savings over compliance with safety standards.
The following five regulations are those most frequently violated by trucking companies nationwide, according to data from the FMCSA.
1. Hours of Service Violations
The Hours of Service rules under 49 CFR Part 395 limit the amount of time truck drivers can operate without rest. These regulations require an 11-hour driving limit within a 14-hour on-duty window, mandatory rest breaks, and weekly limits of 60 or 70 hours. Despite the 2017 mandate requiring the use of electronic logging devices, Hours of Service violations remain widespread. 
FMCSA’s 2021 Effects of Hours of Service Regulations Report shows that 8.5% of driver inspections revealed at least one HOS violation, with 3.2% resulting in out-of-service orders.
Companies often break this rule because delivery deadlines and scheduling pressure create financial incentives to maximize drive time, and pay-per-mile compensation encourages drivers to exceed legal limits. While ELDs were designed to eliminate logbook manipulation, workarounds and falsification still occur when companies prioritize on-time delivery over driver safety.
The safety risk is clear: driver fatigue impairs reaction time and judgment. According to FMCSA’s Large Truck Crash Causation Study, fatigue was associated with 13% of large truck crashes investigated.
2. Vehicle Maintenance and Inspection Failures
Federal regulations under 49 CFR Part 396 require trucking companies to conduct annual inspections, 90-day periodic inspections, and daily driver vehicle inspection reports. Specific standards govern brakes, tires, and lighting systems, yet maintenance violations remain among the most common citations.
Brake-related violations alone comprised 25.2% of all vehicle out-of-service violations during CVSA’s 2023 International Roadcheck. According to FMCSA vehicle violation data, six of the top 20 vehicle violations in 2023 were brake-related. During Brake Safety Week 2024, inspectors placed 12.8% of vehicles out of service due to brake violations.
In 2024, nearly one in four vehicle inspections resulted in out-of-service violations because the vehicles were so poorly maintained that they could not continue operating until repaired.
Companies skip maintenance because every day a truck sits in the shop represents lost revenue. Repair costs can run thousands of dollars, and tight delivery schedules leave little room for downtime. This creates pressure to defer maintenance until problems become critical or until inspectors discover them during roadside checks.
Brake failures at highway speeds are hazardous. Worn brake pads, air system leaks, and damaged brake drums can prevent trucks from stopping in time to avoid collisions. Vehicle maintenance failures also create risks that extend beyond the truck, as mechanical problems can leave debris on roadways, posing hazards to other drivers.
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Call Us At 844-686-5397 3. Driver Qualification Requirements
Under 49 CFR Part 391, trucking companies must ensure drivers:
- Hold a valid CDL with proper endorsements
- Maintain current DOT medical certification (renewed every two years)
- Complete background checks, employment verification, and road testing
Despite these requirements, driver qualification violations consistently appear in the FMCSA’s data on violations.
According to FMCSA safety investigation data, allowing a driver to operate with a suspended or revoked CDL was the top acute violation in 2024, cited 1,366 times. Trucking company compliance failures in this area often stem from inadequate monitoring systems rather than intentional disregard for the rules.
The ongoing driver shortage also creates pressure to keep drivers on the road even when their medical certificates have expired or when driver qualification files are incomplete. These may seem like paperwork issues, but they represent serious safety gaps. Medical conditions like sleep apnea, diabetes, or vision problems can impair driving ability. Unqualified drivers may lack the necessary training to operate large commercial vehicles safely, particularly in emergency situations.
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4. Cargo Securement Standards
Improperly secured cargo poses serious risks. Due to this, federal trucking regulations under 49 CFR Part 393 establish specific tie-down requirements based on cargo weight and type, as well as guidelines for proper weight distribution to prevent cargo shifting. 
Cargo securement violations occur frequently during inspections, although specific percentages vary by cargo type and the focus of the inspection.
Loading is often rushed to meet tight schedules, and third-party loading by shippers may not follow proper securement procedures. Drivers are required to inspect cargo within the first 50 miles and then every 150 miles or every three hours, but these inspections don’t always occur under deadline pressure.
Shifting cargo can cause trucks to roll over, especially on curves or during emergency maneuvers. While the FMCSA’s Large Truck Crash Causation Study found cargo shift in only 4% of crashes investigated, it had the highest relative risk ratio of any crash factor, indicating that when cargo shifts, the consequences are particularly severe. Unsecured loads can also fall onto roadways, creating immediate hazards for following traffic.
Even minor cargo movement can affect a truck’s center of gravity and handling characteristics, increasing the risk of a crash.
5. Drug and Alcohol Testing Requirements
The drug and alcohol testing program under 49 CFR Part 382 requires pre-employment testing, random testing programs, and post-accident, reasonable suspicion, and return-to-duty testing. Yet, despite the FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse tracking violations, compliance gaps persist.
Failing to implement an alcohol and drug testing program was cited as one of the top five acute FMCSA violations in 2024. The February 2025 Clearinghouse report documented 4,778 drug and alcohol violations, with 81% involving positive drug test results. Marijuana remains the most detected substance despite federal prohibition.
Testing costs money and creates delays in getting drivers back on the road. In a tight labor market, companies fear losing drivers who might test positive. Some carriers view testing requirements as administrative burdens rather than essential safety measures, particularly when it comes to the return-to-duty process.
Impaired drivers have slower reaction times and poor judgment, which is precisely the wrong combination when operating 80,000-pound vehicles at highway speeds. The consequences of allowing impaired drivers to operate a truck can be catastrophic.
Why FMCSA Regulations Exist
These five federal trucking regulations represent the most common areas where trucking companies fail to meet federal safety standards. These rules weren’t created arbitrarily; they’re based on decades of crash data showing what goes wrong when companies prioritize speed and cost savings over safety. Each violation represents a known risk factor for serious accidents.
The enforcement data tells a clear story. When FMCSA investigators conduct on-site audits, they find violations in 94% of cases. The most common? Driver qualification problems, inadequate drug testing programs, and Hours of Service violations.
Companies with multiple violations face fines exceeding $80,000 per enforcement case. But the real cost isn’t measured only in fines. From Hours of Service violations that lead to drowsy driving crashes, to vehicle maintenance failures that cause brake collapses, to drug testing gaps that allow impaired drivers behind the wheel, these regulatory breakdowns have consequences. They result in crashes killing nearly 6,000 people annually.
Understanding these regulations helps explain how truck accidents happen and why certain companies may bear legal responsibility when crashes occur. When investigators examine the aftermath of serious truck crashes, they often find a paper trail of falsified logbooks, deferred maintenance records, expired driver certifications, or gaps in drug testing compliance. These violations violate federal law and demonstrate a pattern of negligence that can establish liability in civil cases.
If a truck accident has affected you or your family, understanding which federal trucking regulations may have been violated is often the first step in determining what went wrong. Our truck accident attorneys regularly analyze Hours of Service records, maintenance files, and driver qualification documents when investigating serious crashes.
For nearly 70 years, Munley Law has handled truck accidents involving FMCA violations. We are one of the few law firms in the country with three truck accident attorneys who are board-certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy in Truck Accident Law, and we have secured record-setting settlements for our clients. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Marion Munley
Marion Munley has been practicing personal injury law for nearly 40 years. She is triple board-certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy for Truck Accident Law, Civil Trial Law, and Civil Practice Advocacy. She currently serves as Vice President of the American Association for Justice, an organization dedicated to safeguarding victims’ rights. Marion has won many multimillion-dollar recoveries for her clients, including one of the largest trucking accident settlements in history. She has been named a Top 10 Super Lawyer in Pennsylvania since 2023, a Best Lawyer in America, and was recently inducted to the Lawdragon Hall of Fame.
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