It means the officer couldn't confirm your vehicle passed an annual inspection in the last 12 months, either because it expired or because the proof wasn't on the vehicle. In FMCSA roadside data, this violation was cited 227,662 times in 2025 and was rarely an out-of-service violation on its own (J.J. Keller analysis of FMCSA data).
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Which rule? | 49 CFR 396.17(c): no CMV may be used unless it passed an annual inspection in the preceding 12 months, with proof on the vehicle |
| CSA severity weight | 4, in the Vehicle Maintenance BASIC (FMCSA SMS) |
| Out of service? | Not usually for this violation alone. Defects found during the same stop can put the vehicle out of service. |
| Fine | Set by the state where you were stopped. Federal penalties can apply after an audit or investigation. |
Start with what the officer gave you, fix anything that's out of service, then get inspected. The carrier has 15 days to certify that violations on a roadside inspection report were corrected and return it, so don't let the paperwork sit (49 CFR 396.9).
01
Give it to your carrier (or keep it, if you are the carrier).
02
A vehicle declared out of service can't be operated until repairs are made, except as the officer allows.
03
Book a fast-track Bright Inspect inspection, or use your state's program if your vehicle requires one.
04
Sign the correction section and return it to the issuing agency within 15 days.
05
Bright Inspect reminds you 30 days before your next annual is due.
No. Nobody can promise to remove a violation, clear an out-of-service order or change a safety score. What we can do is get your inspection done fast and give you a complete record. If you believe a violation was recorded in error, FMCSA's DataQs system is where carriers and drivers request a review.
Usually not. Since a 2016 rule change, a roadside inspection is not treated as your annual unless it's done under a state periodic inspection program that meets the federal standard (2016 FMCSA final rule). Even a clean roadside inspection with a CVSA decal doesn't replace the annual.
Start a fast-track inspection and we'll connect you with an inspector. Same-day, no rush fee, and a record within 60 minutes.