Out-of-Service Violation Response

An out-of-service (OOS) violation means the vehicle or driver cannot continue operating until the issue is corrected. Specific rules apply per § 396.9(c).

Driver OOS triggers

• HOS violation: 14-hour limit exceeded, 11-hour limit exceeded, no 10-hour rest
• License issues: suspended, expired, wrong class
• Medical: expired certificate
• Substance abuse: failed test, refusal
• Driving without ELD when required

Vehicle OOS triggers

• Brake adjustment: out of tolerance
• Steering: dangerous play or wear
• Tires: ply separation, broken cords, tread depth below limit
• Lighting: critical lights out
• Coupling devices: missing/damaged
• Hazmat-related: missing placards, leaks, etc.

What happens when OOS

1. Inspector writes OOS violation
2. Driver/vehicle stops operating
3. Driver receives OOS sticker (driver-OOS) or vehicle OOS sticker (vehicle-OOS)
4. Driver waits for correction (8 hours min for HOS-OOS; equipment-OOS requires repair confirmation)

Carrier obligations

• Communicate with driver immediately
• Coordinate repair/correction
• Document the OOS event in carrier records
• Driver's DQF and inspection records updated
• Carrier reviews root cause + corrective action

How OOS affects CSA

• All OOS violations heavily weighted in BASICs (typically 2-3× regular violation weight)
• OOS rate is tracked separately and visible in SAFER
• Pattern of OOS violations may trigger Compliance Review

DataQ for OOS

OOS violations can be challenged if:

• Officer error documented (e.g., brake test result was within tolerance)
• Driver wasn't actually driving the vehicle
• Vehicle was already in repair status when inspected

Compass response workflow

• Driver OOS alert via Compass HOS module immediately when ELD detects
• Vehicle OOS triggers maintenance workflow
• Compass Inspections module logs the OOS event + CSA impact
• DataQ assessment if grounds exist for challenge

CFR citations

• 49 CFR § 396.9(c)
• 49 CFR § 396.11

How Compass surfaces this

Searchable in Compass Ask. Runs against carrier fleet data when invoked from the relevant tracker. Read-only; no actions without explicit user approval.

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X3 Compass turns these skills into a complete operational platform: driver qualification files, drug & alcohol consortium, MVR pulls, hours-of-service tracking, hazmat shipping, IFTA filing, FMCSA audit prep, and DataQ dispute drafting — all CFR-cited, all in one place.

This skill is published under the X3 Compass open skills initiative. Contributions welcome at https://github.com/x3fleetsafety/skills