What’s the biggest compliance challenge facing carriers in 2026? If fiscal year 2025 data is any indication, it’s avoiding the roadside inspection that puts your driver out of service. Almost 1 in 5 inspections (19.98%) ended with an OOS order this past year—and the problem is getting worse.
With fiscal year data through September 26, 2025 (just days before the fiscal year close on September 30), the trends are clear. Over 607,000 inspections resulted in out-of-service violations, meaning immediate vehicle or driver shutdown.
DOT Inspection Violations Rose 12% in Four Years
And while an almost 20% out-of-service rate may seem bad enough, the data shows this trend is moving in the wrong direction. While inspections increased by only 5.6% from 2021 to 2025, out-of-service violations jumped by 12.1%. Either enforcement is getting stricter or carriers are having greater compliance issues—or more likely, both.
Of the total recorded violations, 59.6% were a result of vehicle violations such as maintenance and equipment issues, 20.8% were related to driver violations, and the rest were administrative and hazmat issues—primarily related to registration, permits, and recordkeeping.
And yet, while driver violations were cited much less than vehicle violations overall, they had the highest out-of-service rate by category. Of all the roadside inspections that cited at least one driver violation, the out-of-service rate was 25.6%.
Source: FMCSA’s Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS) data snapshot as of September 26, 2025.
Most Common DOT Roadside Inspection Violations in 2025
The most common violations aren’t always the most dangerous. Operating without inspection documentation topped the list with 158,057 citations, but most didn’t result in out-of-service orders. State registration issues, lighting problems, and brake adjustments followed—in other words, the usual suspects that keep inspectors busy.
But it’s the driver-related violations that carry the real risk. These violations almost always result in immediate shutdown:
- Operating without valid CDL: 60,609 violations, 98.7% OOS rate
- Medical certificate violations: 68,643 violations, 55.2% OOS rate (one type has a 95.7% OOS rate)
- Failing to maintain HOS logs: 37,421 violations, 92.7% OOS rate
- When inspectors find these issues, there’s no warning and no grace period—they are removed from operation immediately.
How CSA Scores Affect Roadside Inspection Frequency
Although these numbers are serious, it’s important to consider that they aren’t necessarily a reflection of all carrier and driver behavior. The reason is because trucks are more likely to be stopped for a roadside inspection if they have a history of past violations. It’s a cycle: violations lead to CSA score problems, which lead to a higher likelihood of being stopped for a roadside inspection. If an inspector pulls over a truck because the carrier is considered high risk, it’s fair to assume that the likelihood of finding a violation is higher than it would be for a driver operating for a carrier with a pristine record.
However, having a perfect CSA score doesn’t give carriers and drivers immunity. Although roadside inspections are more likely to occur for higher risk carriers, they can happen to any driver, any time, anywhere. Having buttoned up compliance processes is one of the best things you can do to ensure your drivers get through inspections without a violation—and to avoid having them pulled over for an inspection to begin with.
3 Ways to Prevent Out-of-Service Violations in 2026
DOT compliance is multifaceted, but there are some high-impact solutions you can implement now to ensure you and your drivers are fully compliant and prepared the next time they’re stopped for an inspection.
1. Digital Driver Qualification File Management
This is your highest-impact area because it prevents violations with the most severe OOS consequences.
What it prevents:
- Medical certificate violations (automated expiration tracking ensures certificates never lapse)
- CDL validity issues (training gaps, expired endorsements, qualification requirements)
- Driver training documentation (ensures all required training is current)
2. MVR Monitoring
Continuous monitoring catches problems before they become roadside violations or audit failures.
What it prevents:
- Operating without valid CDL (real-time alerts on suspended, expired, or revoked licenses catch issues within days, not months)
- Speeding violations (identifies problematic driving patterns before inspections, enables timely coaching and discipline, creates audit-ready documentation)
- Other traffic violations (pattern recognition for following too closely, lane violations, and other issues that lead to 392.2 audit violations)
3. Digital Recordkeeping & Documentation Systems
Ensures drivers always have required documents during inspections.
What it prevents:
- Inspection documentation (drivers always have proof of periodic inspections, digital access eliminates “left it at the terminal” excuses)
- Vehicle registration/marking (tracks registration renewals, ensures proper USDOT/company name display)
- HOS/ELD documentation (proper record retention and accessibility, supports driver certification requirements, maintains required supporting documents)
Are You Ready for a Compliant (and Violation-Free) 2026?
Last year, over 1 million violations could have been prevented with proper compliance systems in place. This year doesn’t have to be the same story.
At US Compliance Services, we can help. Our digital compliance platform includes everything you need to manage and automate your DOT compliance processes. From tracking CDL expiration dates to continuous MVR monitoring, to managing your complete drug and alcohol testing program, our easy-to-use platform includes everything you need to get compliant and stay compliant.
Want to see how it works? We’d be happy to give you a demo.