Let’s face it – compliance may not be the most thrilling topic, but you know what is thrilling? Not getting shut down by the FMCSA. So if you’re a mover trying to avoid a surprise roadside drama or a nasty audit letter, here are the top 10 violations movers get dinged for – straight from the FMCSA’s playbook, but with a side of common sense and caffeine.

    1. Operating Without a CDL
       📊 53,317 violations in FY2023
       Look, if your driver doesn’t have a Commercial Driver’s License, they shouldn’t be anywhere near a 26-foot truck full of antique furniture. Yet here we are. This is the number one driver-related violation. If your buddy Carl still has a learner’s permit and you’ve got him moving pianos, expect FMCSA to slam the brakes on your operation.

    2. Hours-of-Service Violations
       📊 870 OOS (Out of Service) violations during 2024 Roadcheck (32.1% of all drivers placed out of service)
       Yes, we know you “just had one more delivery.” But if your ELD says you’ve been on-duty since sunrise, it’s time to call it a day. Movers are regularly busted for driving too long, not resting enough, or failing to log hours altogether. Pro tip: skipping your break isn’t just unsafe – it’s illegal.

    3. No Valid Medical Certificate
       📊 6,259 drivers removed from the road in FY2023
       If your driver’s “medical certificate” is a protein bar and a good attitude, that’s not gonna cut it. The FMCSA wants a real one – signed by a certified medical examiner. Without it, your driver and your operation are officially benched.

    4. Drug & Alcohol Testing Violations
       📊 5,447 violations for operating with a prohibited driver
       You’d be shocked how many movers forget that drivers in the Clearinghouse are there for a reason. If someone failed a drug test in 2021 and you hired them last week because “they seem better now,” you’re setting yourself up for fines (and possibly a Netflix documentary).

    5. Vehicle Maintenance Failures
       📊 Brake violations = 25% of all vehicle OOS cases in 2024
       No, duct tape is not an acceptable repair method for brake lines. Bad brakes, bald tires, busted lights – inspectors see it all, and they’re not amused. Take care of your trucks, or the FMCSA will take them off the road for you.

    6. Cargo Securement Problems
       📊 1,303 violations (9.6% of vehicle OOS)
       “Just toss it in and let’s go” is not a securement strategy. Improperly tied-down furniture, loose boxes, or mystery rattling from the cargo bay? That’s a violation waiting to happen. If it shifts, it ships – straight to your violation list.

    7. Missing Tariffs & Consumer Disclosures
       📊 Regularly cited under 49 CFR Part 375
       If you’re moving household goods, the FMCSA expects you to act like it. That means a proper tariff, written estimates, BOLs with the required 17 details, and handing out the “Your Rights and Responsibilities” booklet like candy. If you skip these? That’s a regulatory smackdown.

    8. Insurance & Registration Lapses
       📊 Violations include missing BMC-84/BMC-85 filings, lapsed authority
       Running without insurance or with expired operating authority is like driving with your eyes closed – bold, but also illegal. FMCSA doesn’t care if your renewal email went to spam. Keep your filings current, or get ready for the compliance guillotine.

    9. Seatbelt & Cell Phone Use
       📊 Thousands of violations annually for hand-held phone use & no seatbelt
       Yes, you’re a “pro” and yes, it was “just a quick call,” but FMCSA says hands-free or get fined. And if you’re not buckled up while hauling a $10,000 load of wine glasses? That’s just adding insult to injury.

    10. Speeding & Moving Violations
       📊 Top moving violations include speeding, lane changes, following too close
       We get it – that unloading window was tight. But flying down the interstate in a full box truck is a great way to lose your license and your customer’s trust. FMCSA isn’t impressed with Fast & Furious: Household Edition.

    Final Word:
     Avoiding these violations isn’t just about passing inspections. It’s about protecting your business, your reputation, and your team. Want help staying compliant without losing your mind? CSI offers digital BOLs, real-time docs, compliance workflows, and audit prep that even Carl could follow.

    Stay safe, stay sharp – and for the love of furniture, strap that thing down.

     

    Sources: FMCSA enforcement data and regulations (Research via ChatGPT).