In 2025, motor carriers were cited for more than 62,000 FMCSA audit violations. Those violations spanned 865 different violation codes, covering everything from highly specialized drug and alcohol issues, such as using an unqualified breath alcohol technician to conduct a required test, to rare hazardous materials documentation failures, like not displaying an ID number on a cargo tank. Despite that breadth, a relatively small group of violations appeared again and again in audits nationwide.
While some violations are tied to on-road behavior, the most frequently repeated findings point to gaps in recordkeeping and driver monitoring. These are the kinds of issues that tend to build quietly over time, especially as fleets grow and compliance responsibilities become harder to manage consistently. To head into 2026 on a firmer footing, it’s worth stepping back to look at the audit violations that surfaced most often over the past year and what they reveal about where compliance programs tend to fall short.
Top 5 FMCSA Audit Violations of 2025
Below are the most frequently cited FMCSA audit violations of 2025, along with a brief look at why they continue to surface. While this list reflects findings from the past 12 months, it has remained relatively consistent over the past several years. With few exceptions, these violations represent the same core compliance pressure points for motor carriers. In most cases, fleets that get a handle on documentation and driver monitoring are far better positioned the next time an auditor comes calling.
1. Violation of Local Laws (49 CFR §392.2)
Violation of local laws was the most frequently cited audit violation of 2025. While it originates from on-road behavior, it often reflects broader compliance gaps rather than a single bad decision behind the wheel. Traffic violations, equipment issues identified during roadside inspections, and other local enforcement actions can all surface under this regulation.
What makes this violation particularly persistent is how it carries forward. Roadside citations don’t exist in isolation. They become part of a carrier’s compliance record and, if not consistently tracked and addressed, can resurface during audits.
The fix: An ongoing MVR monitoring program gives carriers visibility into new violations as they occur, making it easier to document corrective action and address patterns before they become repeat audit findings.
2. Failure to Conduct Pre-Employment Clearinghouse Queries (49 CFR §382.701(a))
Failure to conduct required pre-employment Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse queries remains one of the most frequently cited audit violations nationwide. This issue almost always traces back to how hiring is structured. When onboarding steps are split across systems or handled out of sequence, required queries can be delayed, performed incorrectly, or skipped entirely.
This violation tends to surface when compliance steps are treated as follow-ups instead of gatekeepers. If a driver is placed into service before the query is completed and documented, the violation already exists, even if the oversight is discovered quickly.
The fix: Make Clearinghouse queries a hard stop in the hiring process so no driver can be dispatched until the requirement is fully completed and documented.
3. Failure to Conduct Annual Clearinghouse Queries (49 CFR §382.701(b)(1))
Annual Clearinghouse queries continue to be a frequent audit finding, primarily because they rely on timing rather than a single event. Unlike pre-employment queries, which are tied to hiring, motor carriers must complete annual queries within a rolling 365-day window. That distinction is easy to lose track of without a formal tracking mechanism.
This violation often shows up when carriers rely on calendar reminders, spreadsheets, or institutional memory to manage deadlines. As driver rosters change and responsibilities shift, those informal systems tend to break down, leaving gaps that only become visible during an audit.
The fix: Use a centralized tracking or monitoring process that flags upcoming annual query deadlines and confirms completion before the 365-day window closes.
4. False Reports of Records of Duty Status (49 CFR §395.8(e)(1))
Improper Hours of Service recording methods remain a common audit finding, even among carriers using electronic logging devices. Although this violation is recorded as false records of duty status, audit findings often involve inaccuracies caused by improper setup, misuse of logging methods, or insufficient review processes.
These issues often surface when drivers and back-office teams are not aligned on how logs should be recorded, edited, or certified. Without clear oversight, small logging inconsistencies can accumulate, creating recordkeeping problems that become visible during an audit.
The fix: Establish clear internal controls for how HOS records are created, reviewed, and corrected, with regular oversight to catch recording issues before they compound.
5. Drug and Alcohol Testing Program Violations (OAR 740.1000010)
Drug and alcohol testing program violations are most often tied to program administration rather than missed tests themselves. These findings typically involve enrollment gaps, incomplete documentation, or inconsistencies between what a carrier’s program requires and what is actually being followed in practice.
Because these programs operate continuously in the background, issues can go unnoticed until an audit pulls everything together. When records are scattered or responsibilities are unclear, even otherwise compliant programs can fall out of alignment.
The fix: Centralize drug and alcohol testing records and clearly define program ownership to ensure enrollment, testing, and documentation remain consistent and audit-ready.
Violations That Round Out the Top 10
The first five violations account for a significant share of audit findings and point to a common theme: compliance breaks down when monitoring and documentation aren’t consistent. Beyond those, several other violations appear frequently enough to mention:
Failure to Track Vehicle Maintenance Due Dates (49 CFR §396.3(b)(2))
Cited when required maintenance and inspection schedules are not clearly tracked or documented.
Seat Belt Usage (49 CFR §392.16)
A behavioral violation tied to roadside inspections that frequently carries forward into audits when patterns are not tracked or addressed through corrective action.
Incomplete or Missing Vehicle Maintenance Records (49 CFR §396.3(b)(1))
Occurs when inspection, repair, or maintenance records exist but are incomplete, scattered, or unavailable when auditors request them.
Using a Driver Before Completing Pre-Employment Requirements (49 CFR §382.301(a))
Results from dispatching drivers before all required hiring steps are completed and documented, often under operational pressure.
Improper Method of Recording Hours of Service (49 CFR §395.8(a)(1))
Cited when drivers fail to use the appropriate method to record hours of service, resulting in records that do not meet regulatory requirements.
The Real Pattern Behind the Most Common Audit Violations
Taken together, the most common FMCSA audit violations of 2025 point less to isolated mistakes and more to gaps in tracking, timing, and follow-through. Whether the issue originates during hiring, on the road, or in day-to-day recordkeeping, the same underlying challenge keeps recurring: compliance programs struggle when visibility and monitoring aren’t consistent.
That’s where the right support makes a difference. US Compliance Services partners with motor carriers to strengthen compliance from the ground up, combining a centralized compliance portal with ongoing MVR Monitoring to help carriers stay aware of violations as they occur, document corrective action, and maintain audit-ready records year-round. Instead of reacting to issues after an audit notice arrives, carriers gain the tools and insight needed to address risks early and reduce repeat violations.
If you’re looking to head into 2026 with a stronger compliance foundation, US Compliance Services can help you build a program that scales with your operation. Schedule a demo to see how the portal and MVR Monitoring work together to support ongoing compliance.
