The U.S. Department of Transportation published Nov. 30 a Final Rule that sets up new fines for carriers, brokers, shippers and others for pressuring truck drivers to operate outside of federal safety regulations. Such coercive acts generally come in the form of threatening truck drivers with fewer miles, fewer loads or other economic harm.

The rule goes into effect Jan. 29, 60 days from its publication date in the Federal Register. It enacts fines of up to $16,000 for any carrier, broker, shipper, receiver or anyone else in the supply chain who attempts to force drivers to operate their vehicles when it would violate federal rules to do so, such as when a driver is out of hours.

The rule defines coercion as: “A threat by a motor carrier, shipper, receiver or transportation intermediary, or their respective agents…to withhold business, employment or work opportunities from or to take or permit any adverse employment action against a driver in order to induce” the trucker to drive “under conditions which the driver stated would require him or her to violate one more more of” FMCSA regulations.

The agency made a slight change to the definition after the public comment process was complete, following concerns about the wording from broker and carrier groups.

The $16,000 penalty is also $5,000 higher than the $11,000 proposed last year by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration in the proposed version of the rule. The agency cited inflation and concerns of commenters as its reason.

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