A violation is a failure to comply with DOT rules or traffic laws — anything from an Hours of Service breach or an equipment defect to a paperwork or weight problem. Violations are often written up during roadside inspections or at a weigh station.
Beyond any immediate fine, violations follow a carrier: they feed into FMCSA safety scores that brokers and shippers can see. A poor record can cost a carrier freight, so keeping violations low is both a safety and a business priority.