The Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996 [Public Law 104-134, title III, chapter 10, §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 in paragraphs (a) through (h) of this appendix 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):
(a)(1) Recordkeeping. A person or entity that fails to prepare or maintain a record required by parts 40, 382, 385, and 390-99 of this subchapter, or prepares or maintains a required record that is incomplete, inaccurate, or false, is subject to a maximum civil penalty of $1,000 for each day the violation continues, up to $10,000.
(a)(2) Knowing falsification of records. A person or entity that knowingly falsifies, destroys, mutilates, or changes a report or record required by parts 382, 385, and 390-99 of this subchapter, knowingly makes or causes to be made a false or incomplete record about an operation or business fact or transaction, or knowingly makes, prepares, or preserves a record in violation of a regulation or order of the Secretary is subject to a maximum civil penalty of $10,000 if such action misrepresents a fact that constitutes a violation other than a reporting or recordkeeping violation.
(a)(3) Non-recordkeeping violations. A person or entity that violates parts 382, 385, or 390-99 of this subchapter, except a recordkeeping requirement, is subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $11,000 for each violation.
(a)(4) Non-recordkeeping violations by drivers. A driver who violates parts 382, 385, and 390-99 of this subchapter, except a recordkeeping violation, is subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $2,750.
(a)(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 $3,750 for each violation.
(b)
Commercial driver's license (CDL) violations. Any person who violates
49 CFR part 383, subparts B, C, E, F, G, or H is subject to a civil penalty of $3,750.
(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 $2,100 nor more than $3,750. 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 $3,750 or more than $16,000.
(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 $16,000 for each violation. Each day of a continuing violation constitutes a separate offense.
(e) Violations of the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMRs) and Safety Permitting Regulations found in
subpart E of Part 385. 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.
(e)(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 $50,000 for each violation. Each day of a continuing violation constitutes a separate offense.
(e)(2) All knowing violations of 49 U.S.C. chapter 51 or orders or regulations issued under the authority of that chapter applicable to training related to the transportation or shipment of hazardous materials by commercial motor vehicle on highways are subject to a civil penalty of not less than $450 and not more than $50,000 for each violation.
(e)(3) 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 that 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 $50,000 for each violation.
(e)(4) 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 $50,000.
(e)(5) If any violation subject to the civil penalties set out in paragraphs (e)(1) through (4) of this appendix results in death, serious illness, or severe injury to any person or in substantial destruction of property, the civil penalty may be increased to not more than $105,000 for each offense.
(f)(1) A motor carrier operating a commercial motor vehicle in interstate commerce (except owners or operators of commercial motor vehicles designed or used to transport hazardous materials for which placarding of a motor vehicle is required under regulations prescribed under 49 U.S.C. chapter 51) is subject, after being placed out of service because of receiving a final “unsatisfactory” safety rating, to a civil penalty of not more than $11,000 (
49 CFR 385.13). Each day the transportation continues in violation of a final “unsatisfactory” safety rating constitutes a separate offense.
(f)(2) A motor carrier operating a commercial motor vehicle designed or used to transport hazardous materials for which placarding of a motor vehicle is required under regulations prescribed under 49 U.S.C. chapter 51 is subject, after being placed out of service because of receiving a final “unsatisfactory” safety rating, to a civil penalty of not less than $250 and not more than $50,000 for each offense. If the violation results in death, serious illness, or severe injury to any person or in substantial destruction of property, the civil penalty may be increased to not more than $105,000 for each offense. Each day the transportation continues in violation of a final “unsatisfactory” safety rating constitutes a separate offense.
(g)
Violations of the commercial regulations (CRs). Penalties for violations of the CRs are specified in
49 U.S.C. Chapter 149. These penalties relate to transportation subject to the Secretary's jurisdiction under
49 U.S.C. Chapter 135. Unless otherwise noted, a separate violation occurs for each day the violation continues.
(g)(1) A person who fails to make a report, to specifically, completely, and truthfully answer a question, or to make, prepare, or preserve a record in the form and manner prescribed is liable for a minimum penalty of $650 per violation.
(g)(2) A person who operates as a carrier or broker for the transportation of property in violation of the registration requirements of
49 U.S.C. 13901 is liable for a minimum penalty of $650 per violation.
(g)(3) A person who operates as a motor carrier of passengers in violation of the registration requirements of
49 U.S.C. 13901 is liable for a minimum penalty of $2,200 per violation.
(g)(4) A person who operates as a foreign motor carrier or foreign motor private carrier in violation of the provisions of
49 U.S.C. 13902 (c) is liable for a minimum penalty of $650 per violation.
(g)(5) A person who operates as a foreign motor carrier or foreign motor private carrier without authority, before the implementation of the land transportation provisions of the North American Free Trade Agreement, outside the boundaries of a commercial zone along the United States-Mexico border is liable for a maximum penalty of $11,000 for an intentional violation and a maximum penalty of $32,500 for a pattern of intentional violations.
(g)(6) A person who operates as a motor carrier or broker for the transportation of hazardous wastes in violation of the registration provisions of
49 U.S.C. 13901 is liable for a maximum penalty of $22,000 per violation.
(g)(7) A motor carrier or freight forwarder of household goods, or their receiver or trustee, that does not comply with any regulation relating to the protection of individual shippers is liable for a minimum penalty of $1,100 per violation.
(g)(8) A person—
(g)(8)(i) Who falsifies, or authorizes an agent or other person to falsify, documents used in the transportation of household goods by motor carrier or freight forwarder to evidence the weight of a shipment or
(g)(8)(ii) Who charges for services which are not performed or are not reasonably necessary in the safe and adequate movement of the shipment is liable for a minimum penalty of $2,200 for the first violation and $6,500 for each subsequent violation.
(g)(9) A person who knowingly accepts or receives from a carrier a rebate or offset against the rate specified in a tariff required under
49 U.S.C. 13702 for the transportation of property delivered to the carrier commits a violation for which the penalty is equal to three times the amount accepted as a rebate or offset and three times the value of other consideration accepted or received as a rebate or offset for the six-year period before the action is begun.
(g)(10) A person who offers, gives, solicits, or receives transportation of property by a carrier at a different rate than the rate in effect under
49 U.S.C. 13702 is liable for a maximum penalty of $120,000 per violation. When acting in the scope of his/her employment, the acts or omissions of a person acting for or employed by a carrier or shipper are considered to be the acts and omissions of that carrier or shipper, as well as that person.
(g)(11) Any person who offers, gives, solicits, or receives a rebate or concession related to motor carrier transportation subject to jurisdiction under subchapter
I of 49 U.S.C. Chapter 135, or who assists or permits another person to get that transportation at less than the rate in effect under
49 U.S.C. 13702, commits a violation for which the penalty is $220 for the first violation and $275 for each subsequent violation.
(g)(12) A freight forwarder, its officer, agent, or employee, that assists or willingly permits a person to get service under
49 U.S.C. 13531 at less than the rate in effect under 49 U.S.C. 13702 commits a violation for which the penalty is up to $650 for the first violation and up to $2,200 for each subsequent violation.
(g)(13) A person who gets or attempts to get service from a freight forwarder under
49 U.S.C. 13531 at less than the rate in effect under
49 U.S.C. 13702 commits a violation for which the penalty is up to $650 for the first violation and up to $2,200 for each subsequent violation.
Loading/unloading vehicle (lumping)
(g)(14) A person who knowingly authorizes, consents to, or permits a violation of
49 U.S.C. 14103 relating to loading and unloading motor vehicles or who knowingly violates subsection (a) of 49 U.S.C. 14103 is liable for a penalty of not more than $11,000 per violation.
(g)(15) A person, or an officer, employee, or agent of that person, who tries to evade regulation under Part B of Subtitle IV, Title 49, U.S.C., for carriers or brokers is liable for a penalty of $220 for the first violation and at least $275 for a subsequent violation.
(g)(16) A person required to make a report to the Secretary, answer a question, or make, prepare, or preserve a record under Part B of Subtitle IV, Title 49, U.S.C., or an officer, agent, or employee of that person, is liable for a maximum penalty of $6,500 per violation if it does not make the report, does not completely and truthfully answer the question within 30 days from the date the Secretary requires the answer, does not make or preserve the record in the form and manner prescribed, falsifies, destroys, or changes the report or record, files a false report or record, makes a false or incomplete entry in the record about a business related fact, or prepares or preserves a record in violation of a regulation or order of the Secretary.
(g)(17) A motor carrier, water carrier, freight forwarder, or broker, or their officer, receiver, trustee, lessee, employee, or other person authorized to receive information from them, who discloses information identified in
49 U.S.C. 14908 without the permission of the shipper or consignee is liable for a maximum penalty of $2,200.
(g)(18) A person who violates a provision of Part B, Subtitle IV, Title 49, U.S.C., or a regulation or order under Part B, or who violates a condition of registration related to transportation that is subject to jurisdiction under subchapter I or III or Chapter 135, or who violates a condition of registration of a foreign motor carrier or foreign motor private carrier under section
13902, is liable for a penalty of $650 for each violation if another penalty is not provided in
49 U.S.C. Chapter 149.
(g)(19) A violation of Part B, Subtitle IV, Title 49, U.S.C., committed by a director, officer, receiver, trustee, lessee, agent, or employee of a carrier that is a corporation is also a violation by the corporation to which the penalties of
Chapter 149 apply. Acts and omissions of individuals acting in the scope of their employment with a carrier are considered to be the actions and omissions of the carrier as well as the individual.
(g)(20) In a proceeding begun under
49 U.S.C. 14902 or
14903, the rate that a carrier publishes, files, or participates in under section
13702 is conclusive proof against the carrier, its officers, and agents that it is the legal rate for the transportation or service. Departing, or offering to depart, from that published or filed rate is a violation of
49 U.S.C. 14902 and
14903.
(g)(21) A person—
(g)(21)(i) Who knowingly and willfully fails, in violation of a contract, to deliver to, or unload at, the destination of a shipment of household goods in interstate commerce for which charges have been estimated by the motor carrier transporting such goods, and for which the shipper has tendered a payment in accordance with
part 375, subpart G of this chapter, is liable for a civil penalty of not less than $10,000 for each violation. Each day of a continuing violation constitutes a separate offense.
(g)(21)(ii) Who is a carrier or broker and is found to be subject to the civil penalties in paragraph (i) of this appendix may also have his or her carrier and/or broker registration suspended for not less than 12 months and not more than 36 months under 49 U.S.C. chapter 139. Such suspension of a carrier or broker shall extend to and include any carrier or broker having the same ownership or operational control as the suspended carrier or broker.
(h) Copying of records and access to equipment, lands, and buildings. A person subject to 49 U.S.C. chapter 51 or a motor carrier, broker, freight forwarder, or owner or operator of a commercial motor vehicle subject to part B of subtitle VI of title 49 U.S.C. who fails to allow promptly, upon demand, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration or an employee designated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to inspect and copy any record or inspect and examine equipment, lands, buildings, and other property, in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 504(c), 5121(c), and 14122(b), is subject to a civil penalty of not more than $1,000 for each offense. Each day of a continuing violation constitutes a separate offense, except that the total of all civil penalties against any violator for all offenses related to a single violation shall not exceed $10,000.
[56 FR 10184, Mar. 11, 1991; 63 FR 12414, Mar. 13, 1998; 65 FR 7756, Feb. 16, 2000; 69 FR 39371, Jun 30, 2004; 70 FR 28486 May 18, 2005; 72 FR 36789, July 5, 2007; 72 FR 55102, Sept. 28, 2007]
