🚨 “It Was Just a Warning”… Or Was It?

This is one of the most misunderstood DOT issues I see.

There are two different systems at play:

🚓 Enforcement Side (State / Officer)

A warning means:

• No citation

• No fine

• No court appearance

The officer is simply saying:

👉 “I’m not ticketing you today.”

📊 FMCSA / CSA Side (Completely Separate System)

FMCSA does not care if it was a ticket or a warning.

If a violation is:

✔️ Observed

✔️ Documented

✔️ Written on a roadside inspection

➡️ It counts against the carrier’s CSA score

➡️ It also goes on the driver’s PSP

That “warning” can:

• Follow a driver for years

• Impact future employment

• Affect insurance, audits, and safety scores

• Hurt the carrier long after the stop is over

📌 Bottom line:

A warning is still a violation in FMCSA’s eyes — for both the driver and the carrier.

This is why:

✅ Pre-trip inspections matter

✅ Logs must be audit-ready

✅ Violations must be reviewed for possible DataQ challenges

Prevention (and correction) is always cheaper than enforcement.

Lisa | Your DOT Compliance Gal

Simplifying Compliance. Supporting Your Journey.

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