FMCSA Slightly Raises Fines for Violations

Several federal agencies are increasing their fines for infractions, including some in the transportation sector. 

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) updated its civil penalties by multiplying each amount by 1.07745, according to a Jan. 6 Federal Register notice. These penalties include the use of an out-of-service vehicle, recordkeeping violations and loading or unloading violations. 

The Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act requires federal agencies to make annual adjustments to civil penalty amounts. The increase is calculated by multiplying the change in percent between the current year’s October Consumer Price Index and the previous year’s index by the penalty amount. 

As an example, the FMCSA’s maximum penalty for recordkeeping violations increased from $1,338 to $1,496. 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) was another one of the agencies that updated its fines, whose include odometer tampering and bumper violations. 

The cost increase takes effect immediately, according to the notice. Prior violations will be charged under the previous amount.