Most drivers who get cited weren't running illegal hours — they had a sloppy log. Here are the violations inspectors write most, what they cost, and how to avoid every one of them.
| Violation | What triggers it |
|---|---|
| Form & manner | Missing vehicle #, location, or trailer on the record |
| Unidentified driving | Miles logged with no driver assigned |
| 11-hour / 14-hour limit | Driving past the daily caps |
| No 30-minute break | 8+ hours driving with no qualifying break |
| No ELD / no records | Missing required ELD or unable to produce logs |
| False log | Times or locations that don't match reality |
Some violations just add points; others park you. Driving over the 11- or 14-hour limits, or operating with no required ELD, can trigger an out-of-service order — the driver can't move for up to 10 hours. That's a missed load on top of the citation.
The fine is the small part. Every violation feeds your CSA score, and a high Hours-of-Service Compliance BASIC means more roadside inspections, higher insurance, and lost freight. Falsifying logs is the worst — big fines plus criminal exposure for the driver and carrier.
Your log is missing required info or filled out wrong — blank vehicle number, missing location, or an unassigned driving segment. It adds CSA points even when your hours are legal.
Yes — driving past the 11/14-hour limits or having no required ELD can trigger a 10-hour out-of-service order.
From a few hundred to several thousand dollars per violation; falsifying logs can reach tens of thousands plus criminal exposure. The lasting cost is usually CSA-score damage.