CSA violation points list
Every violation found at a roadside inspection carries a severity weight — the points — set by FMCSA according to how strongly that violation is tied to crash risk. Weights run from 1 to 10. The table below is not copied from a blog: it is generated from the current FMCSA violation file (October 2026 run, millions of inspection records), ranked by total severity carried across all carriers.
Three things to know before the table:
- Points are per occurrence, then time-weighted. A violation from the last 6 months counts ×3 in your measure, months 6–12 count ×2, months 12–24 count ×1. The list shows the base weight; your age math is in how to lower your CSA score.
- Out-of-service violations cost double in practice — the points, plus the roadside shutdown itself, plus an out-of-service rate brokers watch separately.
- The "average weight" column is real — it is the average severity those violations actually carried in the file, which is why it can differ from the textbook weight for a code family (a speeding code's weight scales with how fast).
Vehicle Maintenance
| Violation | Avg points | Out-of-service share | Times in file | Carriers hit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tires - All others leaking or inflation less than 50% of the maximum inflation pressure on tire not equipped with ATIS (39375A3TAOL) | 10 | 99% | 170,540 | 76,304 |
| Brake Out of Adjustment - Roto Clamp (Short & Long) DD-3 or Bolt (39347E) | 4 | 0% | 167,015 | 73,182 |
| Operating a CMV without documentation of a periodic inspection (39617CPI) | 4 | 0% | 153,820 | 101,334 |
| Tires - Less than 2/32 inch tread depth (39375CTAOTDLT232) | 8 | 0% | 62,590 | 38,482 |
| Lighting - Turn signal - Any inoperative on the rearmost vehicle. (3939ALTSI) | 8 | 98% | 58,424 | 41,317 |
| Tire-flat and/or audible air leak (39375A3) | 10 | 99% | 46,262 | 23,615 |
| Air Brake - ABS malfunction lamp defective on trailers manufactured on or after March 1 1998 (39355EB) | 4 | 0% | 105,478 | 43,217 |
| Lighting - Front - Turn signal - inoperative (3939ALFTSI) | 6 | 0% | 64,230 | 43,576 |
| Inoperative turn signal (3939TS) | 6.8 | 40% | 55,976 | 30,344 |
| Lighting - Stop lamps - Both inoperative when required to be on (3939ALSLIWR) | 8 | 99% | 45,417 | 28,776 |
| Air Brake - CMV manufactured on or after 10/20/1994 has an automatic airbrake adjustment system that fails to compensate for wear (39353BB) | 4 | 0% | 89,752 | 46,325 |
| Air Brake - Audible air leak at a proper connection (39345DB) | 4 | 0% | 89,255 | 44,991 |
Unsafe Driving
| Violation | Avg points | Out-of-service share | Times in file | Carriers hit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State/Local Laws - Failed to obey a traffic control device - Permanent or Temporary - e.g. safety official signal sign light lane marking other (3922SLLTCD) | 5 | 0% | 111,383 | 62,688 |
| Driver - Failed to use seat belt while operating a CMV (39216D) | 7 | 0% | 60,062 | 43,792 |
| State/Local Laws - Speeding 6-10 miles per hour over the speed limit (3922SLLS2) | 4 | 0% | 98,741 | 51,791 |
| State/Local Laws - Speeding 11-14 miles per hour over the speed limit (3922SLLS3) | 7 | 0% | 54,960 | 34,364 |
| State/Local Laws - Speeding 15 or more miles per hour over the speed limit (3922SLLS4) | 9.8 | 0% | 37,762 | 25,141 |
| State/Local Laws - Lane restriction violation (3922SLLLR) | 3 | 0% | 79,848 | 41,109 |
| Driver - Using a hand-held mobile telephone (39282DUMT) | 9.8 | 0% | 16,621 | 13,330 |
| State/Local Laws - Speeding work/construction zone (3922SLLSWZ) | 9.9 | 0% | 16,272 | 10,911 |
| State/Local Laws - Operate a CMV while using a cellular phone (3922SLLCP) | 9.9 | 0% | 14,593 | 11,932 |
| State/Local Laws - Failure to maintain lane (3922SLLML) | 5 | 0% | 19,055 | 14,013 |
| Driver - Failed to use seat belt while operating a CMV. (39216AD) | 7 | 0% | 12,855 | 11,101 |
| Failing to use seat belt while operating a CMV (39216) | 7 | 0% | 12,302 | 10,145 |
Hours-of-Service Compliance
| Violation | Avg points | Out-of-service share | Times in file | Carriers hit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HOS (Property) - Failing to have a record of duty status using the method prescribed (3958A1HOSP) | 6.9 | 94% | 63,024 | 41,938 |
| HOS (Property) - No driver may make a false report in connection with a duty status. Explain (3958EHOSPD) | 7.3 | 13% | 58,973 | 34,761 |
| HOS (Property) - Driver produces a false record of duty status that concealed an HOS limitation violation after the last rest period. Explain: (3958EHOSPDOOS) | 8.6 | 83% | 15,892 | 12,218 |
| HOS (Property) - Driving beyond the 14 hour after coming on duty following 10 consecutive hours off duty during the current 8 consecutive day period. Date and Tim (3953A2HOSPD) | 7.1 | 7% | 19,179 | 13,395 |
| HOS (Property) - Driving more than 11 hours following 10 consecutive hours off duty during the current 8 consecutive day period. Date and Time (3953A1HOSPD) | 7.2 | 8% | 17,341 | 12,528 |
| HOS - False record of duty status driver improper use of Personal Conveyance - Not OOS (3958E1PC) | 7.1 | 5% | 15,900 | 11,811 |
| False report of drivers record of duty status (3958E) | 8 | 48% | 12,139 | 9,634 |
| Driving beyond 8 hour driving limit since the end of the last on duty off duty or sleeper period of at least 30 minutes (3953A3II) | 7 | 0% | 10,234 | 8,050 |
| ELD - No record of duty status (ELD Required) (3958AELD) | 6.9 | 97% | 9,378 | 7,546 |
| HOS (Property) - Driver driving beyond the 14 hour after coming on duty following 10 consecutive hours off duty at the time of inspection. Time (3953A2HOSPDIT) | 8.5 | 74% | 7,562 | 6,487 |
| HOS (ELD) - ELD Form and Manner (39524) | 1 | 0% | 60,445 | 33,955 |
| HOS (Property) - Tampering with an ELD so that the device does not accurately record and retain required data. Explain: (3958EHOSPDELDT) | 8.9 | 97% | 5,994 | 4,336 |
Driver Fitness
| Violation | Avg points | Out-of-service share | Times in file | Carriers hit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| License (CDL) - Operate a CMV and does not possess a valid CDL (38323A2LCDLN) | 10 | 99% | 57,694 | 43,094 |
| Border Zone - Driver cannot satisfy the English language proficiency requirements of 391.11(b)(2) in accordance with the current corresponding FMCSA enforcement (39111B2Z) | 4 | 0% | 65,511 | 4,773 |
| Operating a CMV without a CDL (38323A2) | 10 | 99% | 24,228 | 16,667 |
| Medical (Certificate) - Operating a property-carrying vehicle without a valid medical certificate in possession or on file with the state drivers licensing agency (39141APC) | 3 | 98% | 76,969 | 60,409 |
| Driver cannot satisfy the English language proficiency requirements of 391.11(b)(2) in accordance with the current corresponding FMCSA enforcement guidance (391. (39111B2Q) | 5.6 | 78% | 32,262 | 17,715 |
| License - Operate a CMV without a valid operators license issued by one State or jurisdiction (39111B5LNCDLNVL) | 10 | 99% | 7,631 | 6,959 |
| Restriction - (CDL) - Operate a CMV in violation of a restriction (38395ALCDL) | 10 | 98% | 5,339 | 4,716 |
| Driving a CMV while CDL is suspended for a safety-related or unknown reason and in state of driver's license issuance (38351ASIN) | 10 | 100% | 5,076 | 4,691 |
| Operating a non-CDL required commercial motor vehicle with driving privileges revoked suspended cancelled or otherwise disqualified. (391.15(a)) (39115ALNCDLNSRW) | 9.7 | 85% | 4,996 | 4,447 |
| Medical (Certificate) - Operating a commercial motor vehicle without showing proof of a valid medical certification upon request but presents proof prior to com (39141AMCPC) | 1.4 | 18% | 29,120 | 24,864 |
| License - Endorsement - Operate a CMV without proper endorsement (39111B5LNCDLNVE) | 10 | 99% | 3,661 | 3,420 |
| Restriction - (CDL) - Operate a CMV in violation of a restriction. (3922LCDLR) | 10 | 99% | 3,476 | 3,193 |
Controlled Substances/Alcohol
| Violation | Avg points | Out-of-service share | Times in file | Carriers hit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drugs/Other Substances - Operate a CMV while in possession. (3924ADOSP) | 10 | 98% | 4,540 | 3,997 |
| Drugs/Other Substances - Operate a CMV while under the influence or evidence of use within the past 24 hours. (3924ADOSU) | 10 | 99% | 2,071 | 1,938 |
| Driver Prohibited from Performing Safety Sensitive Functions per 382.501(a) in the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse (39215) | 10 | 99% | 1,718 | 1,605 |
| Driver prohibited from performing safety sensitive functions per 382.501(a) in the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse (3903EDAC) | 10 | 98% | 804 | 768 |
| Driver on duty and in possession of a narcotic drug / amphetamine (3924APOS) | 10 | 99% | 620 | 598 |
| Driver prohibited from performing safety sensitive functions per 382.501(a) in the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse (3903E) | 10 | 99% | 607 | 584 |
| Intoxicating - No driver shall be on duty or operate a commercial motor vehicle while the driver possesses an intoxicating beverage regardless of its alcohol con (3925A3IDUI) | 3 | 98% | 1,253 | 1,206 |
| Drugs/Other Substances - Operating a CMV while recorded as prohibited from performing safety-sensitive functions. (39215SSF) | 10 | 99% | 355 | 347 |
| Intoxicating - No driver shall use alcohol be under the influence of alcohol or have any measured alcohol concentration or detected presence of alcohol while o (3925A2IP) | 5 | 100% | 556 | 535 |
| Driver on duty and under the influence of or using a narcotic drug / amphetamine which renders the driver incapable of safe operation (3924AUI) | 10 | 99% | 168 | 165 |
| Driver on duty and under the influence of or using a narcotic drug / amphetamine which renders the driver incapable of safe operation. (3924A) | 10 | 96% | 149 | 145 |
| Intoxicating - No driver shall be on duty or operate a CMV while the driver possesses wine or beer containing 0.5% or more ABV or distilled spirits in any dilutio (3925A3POSS) | 3 | 100% | 464 | 452 |
Hazardous Materials Compliance
| Violation | Avg points | Out-of-service share | Times in file | Carriers hit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HM (Cargo) - Operating a motor vehicle with HM not blocked/braced/secured as required. NOTE: Any shifting likely to adversely affect HM/DG package integrity unde (177834AHMC) | 12 | 99% | 1,285 | 729 |
| HM (Placarding) - 50% or more of the required placards for a category of material (hazard class or division) are missing. CVSA Inspection Bulletin 2017-03 - Displ (177823AHMPMCNP50%) | 7 | 100% | 1,227 | 890 |
| HM (Placarding) - Failure to maintain placard(s) in a condition so that the format legibility color and visibility of the placard will not be substantially red (172516C6HMPMC) | 5 | 0% | 1,690 | 1,180 |
| HM (Bulk Packages) - HM/DG leaking from a bulk package (including associated piping) (17324B1HMBPMC) | 12 | 99% | 594 | 443 |
| HM (Shipping Papers) - Operate a motor vehicle without a required shipping paper. NOTE: An error in the shipping description or an incomplete shipping description (177817AHMSP) | 5 | 98% | 1,263 | 1,051 |
| HM (Testing) - Failing to properly mark cargo tank test dates as required (180415HMTMC) | 7 | 0% | 875 | 637 |
| HM (Placarding) - A carrier may not move a transport vehicle containing a hazardous material unless the vehicle is marked and placarded in accordance with part 17 (177823AHMPMCM) | 5 | 2% | 1,026 | 648 |
| Placard damaged deteriorated or obscured (172516C6) | 5 | 2% | 985 | 621 |
| Fail to mark manual remote shutoff device with Emergency Shutoff (172328D) | 5 | 0% | 941 | 452 |
| Release of Hazardous Materials from package (17324B1) | 12 | 100% | 379 | 280 |
| No or improper shipping papers (carrier) (177817A) | 4.8 | 88% | 883 | 623 |
| Vehicle not placarded as required (172504A) | 6 | 51% | 649 | 497 |
How long does a violation stay on your record?
Every row above counts in your measure for 24 months from the inspection date — at triple weight for the first 6 months, double weight for months 6–12, single weight for months 12–24, and zero after that. "How long does it stay on" has the same answer for every violation on this list; what differs is the weight it carries while it's there. The worked math is in how to lower your CSA score.
The heaviest single violations
Ranked by the average points each citation actually carried in the current file (only violations cited at least 200 times, so one-offs don't distort the list):
- HM (Cargo) - Operating a motor vehicle with HM not blocked/braced/secured as required. NOTE: Any shifting likely to adversely affect HM/DG package integrity unde (Hazardous Materials Compliance) — averaging 12 points across 1,285 citations in the file.
- HM (Bulk Packages) - HM/DG leaking from a bulk package (including associated piping) (Hazardous Materials Compliance) — averaging 12 points across 594 citations in the file.
- Illness - Operating a CMV while impaired by illness or other cause. (Hours-of-Service Compliance) — averaging 12 points across 422 citations in the file.
- Release of Hazardous Materials from package (Hazardous Materials Compliance) — averaging 12 points across 379 citations in the file.
- Operating a CMV while ill or fatigued (Hours-of-Service Compliance) — averaging 12 points across 287 citations in the file.
Your own list is the one that matters: your report card ranks your violations by total severity. Check your CSA score free and look at "What's hurting you most." Wrong entries on it can be fought — how to fight CSA points and the DataQs challenge walkthrough show how.
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