Out-of-service penalties to rise
Aug 12, 2005 7:09 AM
The new federal highway bill stiffens penalties for out-of-service violations (OOS), according to Rick Craig, Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association director of regulatory affairs.
The new law will double the disqualification periods for violating an OOS order.
For a first offense, there is now a mandatory minimum disqualification period of 180 days.
And the fines have increased as well, from a minimum of $1,000 to a minimum of $2,500 for a first offense, according to Craig.
For a second offense, the disqualification period has been increased to a minimum of two years and a minimum fine of $5,000.
Craig said the penalties for motor carriers who knowingly allow or require a driver to violate an OOS order have increased as well.
Under the new laws, a motor carrier can face a maximum fine of up to $25,000. “They’ve also added the possibility of a one-year prison term,” Craig said.
Craig said it is important for truckers to remember that even if a motor carrier told or forced them to violate the OOS order, truckers are still the ones held responsible by the inspectors.
The legislation calls for $286.5 billion in federal funding for highway and safety projects through 2009.
