Every trucker knows that violating an out-of-service order can be bad news – and the news can be even worse in Pennsylvania .

Thanks to the Commercial Driver’s License Standards set by FMCSA that were supposed to be implemented by all states by the end of September, out-of-service violations now have pretty tough penalties.

Any driver hauling non-hazardous materials convicted of violating an out-of-service order is to be disqualified at least 90 days but not more than a year for the first offense, according to the federal standards. Pennsylvania adopted that disqualification in at one year.

Now, truckers hauling hazmat loads convicted of violating an out-of-service order are to be disqualified at least 180 days but not more than two years according to the feds. But, Pennsylvania decided to toughen up that disqualification – it’s three years for any trucker hauling hazmat who is convicted of violating an out-of-service order.

And truckers who have a Pennsylvania CDL need to know that Pennsylvania will treat the OOS violation just as if it happened in the state. So, truckers will face the one- and three-year disqualifications if they violate an out-of-service order in any state.

All states were required to have some form or fashion of the Commercial Driver’s License Standards enacted as of Sept. 30. The standards outline disqualifications for major and serious offenses. While the OOS violations are not categorized as major or serious they are included with the recommended times of disqualifications included.