Most drivers know an hours of service violation is bad news. Fewer know what it could actually cost. The honest answer is "it depends," because FMCSA sets maximum civil penalties, not fixed fines, and the actual amount depends on the case. But the maximums are public, and so are the CSA severity weights that affect your safety scores.

This calculator puts those numbers in one place. Pick a violation, enter how many times it happened and whether you're a carrier or a driver. You'll see the maximum penalty exposure, the CSA severity points and whether the violation usually means time out of service. Penalty figures come from 49 CFR Part 386 Appendix B in the 2026 table, amended July 21, 2026, and CSA weights from FMCSA's SMS methodology, both checked October 2026.

Calculator

How The Calculator Works

Maximum penalty = maximum civil penalty for the violation type x number of violations, capped where the rule sets a cap

CSA points = severity weight x number of violations, plus 2 per violation that resulted in an out of service order, before time weighting

These are maximums and estimates. FMCSA considers factors such as the nature of the violation, history and ability to pay when setting an actual penalty. Many cases settle for less than the maximum.

Penalty Table

Violation	Who	Maximum civil penalty
Recordkeeping violations, such as failing to keep required records	Carrier	$1,584 per day, up to $15,846 total
Knowingly falsifying records	Carrier or driver	$15,846 per violation
Non recordkeeping HOS violations, such as requiring or allowing driving over limits	Carrier	$19,246 per violation
Non recordkeeping HOS violations	Driver	$4,812 per violation

Figures are the maximums in the 2026 table of 49 CFR Part 386 Appendix B, amended July 21, 2026. The 2026 inflation adjustment was cancelled government wide because October 2025 CPI data were never published, so the amounts are unchanged from 2025. FMCSA normally adjusts them each year, so check for newer figures before relying on these.

CSA Impact

Roadside violations feed into the Hours of Service Compliance BASIC in FMCSA's Safety Measurement System. Each violation has a severity weight from 1 to 10. Violations that lead to an out of service order get 2 extra points.

Violation	Example code	Severity weight
11 hour driving limit	395.3(a)(3)	7
14 hour duty period	395.3(a)(2)	7
60 or 70 hour limit	395.3(b)	7
False log	395.8(e)	7
No record of duty status	395.8(a)	5
Log not current	395.8(f)(1)	5
Form and manner	395.8	1
Driving after being placed out of service	395.13(d)	10

Recent violations count more. SMS applies a time weight of 3 to violations in the past 12 months, 2 for 12 to 24 months and 1 for 24 to 36 months. FMCSA has been working on changes to its SMS methodology, so check the current version on FMCSA's CSA site.

Out Of Service

Some violations mean the driver can't continue until they're back within the rules. Driving over the 11 hour or 14 hour limits, or having no record of duty status when one is required, commonly leads to an out of service order. That means lost time, a late load and possibly a missed delivery, which often costs more than the fine itself.

Driving after being placed out of service is one of the most serious violations, with the highest CSA severity weight.

Driver Versus Carrier

Drivers and carriers face different exposure for the same event. A driver who runs over hours can be fined personally and placed out of service. The carrier can be fined separately for requiring or permitting it, and the violation counts against the carrier's CSA scores. That's why the calculator asks who you are. Owner operators running under their own authority can face both sides.

Worked Example

A small carrier is found to have allowed three trips where drivers went over the 11 hour limit.

• Carrier maximum exposure: 3 x $19,246 = $57,738.
• CSA: 3 x 7 = 21 severity points before time weighting. If each was an out of service violation, add 2 each, for 27.

That's the maximum, not a prediction. But it shows why one bad week can matter for years on a carrier's record.

Avoiding Violations

The best way to avoid a fine is not to need this calculator.

1. Use ELD alerts. Most ELDs warn drivers before they hit the 11 or 14 hour limit.
2. Plan loads with real hours. Don't dispatch a load that can't be done legally.
3. Review logs weekly. Catch patterns before an inspector does.
4. Fix form and manner issues. They're low severity, but they add up and invite deeper looks.
5. Train on edits. See our guide to editing ELD logs so corrections stay legal.
6. Clear unidentified driving. Our guide to unidentified driving records explains how.

For the rules themselves, read our hours of service guide and traffic and hours of service violations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the fine for an HOS violation?

There's no fixed fine. The maximum civil penalties in the 2026 table (amended July 21, 2026) run up to $19,246 per violation for carriers and $4,812 for drivers for non recordkeeping violations, with actual penalties set case by case.

What is the penalty for a false log?

Knowingly falsifying records carries a maximum civil penalty of $15,846 per violation under the 2026 table.

How many CSA points is an 11 hour violation?

The severity weight is 7, plus 2 if it led to an out of service order, before time weighting.

Do penalty amounts change?

Yes. FMCSA adjusts civil penalties for inflation, typically each year.

Sources

• 49 CFR Part 386 Appendix B, Penalty Schedule, ecfr.gov, checked October 2026.
• FMCSA Safety Measurement System Methodology, Appendix A, csa.fmcsa.dot.gov, checked October 2026.
• 49 CFR Part 395, ecfr.gov, checked October 2026.

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