FMCSA, NHTSA Boost Fines for Violations

Federal regulators are set to hike their fines for transportation infractions beginning next year. 

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) updated its civil penalties by multiplying them by 1.03241, according to a Dec. 28 Federal Register notice. These penalties run the gamut from the use of an out-of-service vehicle to recordkeeping violations.  

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also updated its fines Dec. 28, which include odometer tampering and fuel economy standards violations.  

The cost increase for both takes effect immediately, according to the notice. 

The Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act requires these agencies to make annual adjustments to civil penalty amounts, calculated by multiplying the change in percent between the current year’s October Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers and the previous year’s listing by the penalty amount.  

For example, the FMCSA’s maximum daily penalty for recordkeeping violations increased from $1,496 to $1,544.