What does out of service mean in trucking?
Out of service means an inspector has found a problem serious enough that the driver may not drive, or the vehicle may not be operated, until it is fixed. The rules come from the CVSA North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria. OOS violations carry extra weight in your CSA data and can cost you the load, so prevention matters.
An out-of-service (OOS) order is the most expensive result a roadside inspection can bring. The driver or truck is stopped until the problem is fixed, the load runs late, and your safety record takes a heavier hit than for an ordinary violation. Knowing the out-of-service criteria helps you catch these problems first.
What the out-of-service criteria are
The North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria are published by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA). They list the conditions that make a driver or vehicle an imminent hazard, so inspectors in the US, Canada and Mexico apply the same standard.
Two things to understand:
- Not every violation is OOS. Many violations are recorded and must be fixed, but you can keep driving. OOS conditions are the serious ones.
- The criteria change. CVSA reviews and updates them on a regular basis, usually yearly. The examples below are general; for exact measurements and current wording, check the current CVSA criteria or ask your shop.
Common driver out-of-service conditions
| Area | Examples that can lead to driver OOS |
|---|---|
| Hours of service | Driving past the 11-hour, 14-hour or 60/70-hour limits; no record of duty status when required |
| Records | Falsified logs in certain situations; ELD problems without required backup records |
| License | No valid CDL, wrong class, suspended or revoked license, missing required endorsement |
| Medical | Not medically qualified in certain cases where required |
| Alcohol and drugs | Any detected alcohol or possession or use of drugs while on duty |
| Fitness | Driver too ill or fatigued to drive safely |
Hours-of-service OOS orders typically last until the driver has taken enough off-duty time to be legal. Our guide to hours of service rules helps you plan legal days.
Common vehicle out-of-service conditions
| System | What can trigger OOS |
|---|---|
| Brakes | A certain percentage of brakes defective or out of adjustment; inoperative brakes on steering axle; major air leaks |
| Tires | Tread worn below the OOS limit (stricter on steer tires); flat or audibly leaking tires; exposed cords or bulges |
| Lights | Required lamps not working when lights are needed, such as at night |
| Coupling | Fifth wheel not locked or with serious defects; missing or damaged safety devices |
| Steering | Excessive steering wheel lash or loose components |
| Suspension | Broken leaf springs beyond limits; cracked or missing parts |
| Frame | Cracked or broken frame members beyond limits |
| Cargo securement | Not enough tiedowns, damaged tiedowns, or loads that can shift |
| Fuel and exhaust | Fuel leaks; exhaust leaks into the cab in certain cases |
Brakes are usually near the top of the list for vehicle OOS violations, so a good brake check on every pre-trip is one of the best habits you can build.
What happens when you are placed out of service
- The officer completes a report that lists the OOS violations.
- The driver or vehicle may not move until the condition is corrected. For many vehicle defects that means an on-site repair by a mobile mechanic or a tow.
- The repair is documented. Keep invoices and parts receipts.
- The report goes into FMCSA's data and is weighted more heavily in your CSA scores.
- The carrier must certify repairs and return the report as instructed, usually within a set number of days.
Operating a vehicle or driving in violation of an OOS order is a serious federal violation with large civil penalties and possible disqualification for drivers. Never move a truck under an OOS order unless an officer has cleared it.
Worked example: the real cost of one OOS
Here is a hypothetical example to show why prevention pays. All figures are for illustration only.
- Load pays: $2,400
- Truck is placed OOS for a brake problem at 9 a.m.
- Mobile repair: $650, truck back on the road at 3 p.m.
- Six hours lost means a missed appointment; the receiver reschedules for next morning and you lose the reload you had planned. Say that costs $500 in lost margin.
- Total hit: about $1,150, plus a heavier violation on your record for the next two years.
A pre-trip check that found the problem the night before may have cost a fraction of that at a regular shop.
How to avoid out-of-service violations
Daily
- Walk around with lights on. Check every lamp.
- Look at tires: tread, sidewalls, inflation.
- Check brakes: listen for leaks, look at slack adjusters and chambers, test the low-air warning.
- Confirm the fifth wheel is locked and the kingpin is engaged.
- Check tiedowns and load after the first miles and at every stop as required for your freight. Open-deck loads need extra attention to tiedown count and condition.
Weekly and monthly
- Keep a preventive maintenance schedule and stick to it. Our maintenance budget calculator helps you set money aside.
- Replace tires before they reach the limit, not at it.
- Have brakes inspected and adjusted by a qualified technician.
Paperwork and hours
- Keep your license, medical certificate and endorsements current.
- Make sure the ELD works and you know the malfunction procedure.
- Plan trips so you are not running out of hours far from parking.
If you believe the OOS was wrong
Take photos, keep the report and get a written opinion from a mechanic if relevant. You can request a review of inaccurate records through FMCSA's DataQs system. Our guide on how to dispute a violation with DataQs walks through the process.
This guide is general information. Out-of-service criteria and penalties change, so confirm current rules with CVSA and FMCSA.
How Texas Solutions can help
Texas Solutions is a dispatch service, not a broker or motor carrier. Our dispatchers find and negotiate loads, handle broker packets and paperwork, and work 24/7, while you approve every load. If you are placed out of service, we contact the broker, update the appointment and help re-plan your week. See our dispatch services or talk to a dispatcher.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drive to a repair shop after an out-of-service order?
Generally not under your own power unless the officer allows it after a repair. Many vehicle defects must be repaired on site or the truck towed. Follow the instructions on the report and ask the officer if you are unsure.
How long does a driver out-of-service order last?
It depends on the reason. An hours-of-service OOS usually lasts until the driver has enough off-duty time to be legal again. Alcohol-related OOS orders have a set minimum period, and license problems last until the issue is resolved.
Who updates the out-of-service criteria?
CVSA, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, maintains the North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria and updates them on a regular basis, usually once a year. Enforcement agencies in the US, Canada and Mexico use them.
Does an out-of-service violation hurt my CSA score more?
Yes. In FMCSA's Safety Measurement System, violations that resulted in an out-of-service order receive additional weight compared to the same violation without one.
