What can happen if you exceed your maximum on-duty hours and are stopped by an enforcement officer?

Exceeding maximum on-duty hours is a serious violation in commercial driving, as it poses significant safety risks not only to the driver but also to other road users. If a driver is found to have exceeded these limits and is stopped by an enforcement officer, one of the primary actions the officer can take is to order the driver out of service. This action is taken to prevent the driver from continuing to operate the vehicle while fatigued, which could lead to accidents.

When a driver is ordered out of service, they must not drive until they have had sufficient time to rest and recover, ensuring that they are fit to operate the vehicle safely. This action underscores the enforcement of regulations designed to promote safety in commercial vehicle operations by limiting the risk associated with driver fatigue.

While fines, vehicle impoundment, and warnings are possible consequences for various violations, the specific and immediate action of being ordered out of service is critical to ensuring road safety and compliance with regulations.