Violation code

391.15A-NSIN

Driving a CMV while disqualified. Suspended for non-safety-related reason and in the state of driver's license issuance.

Driver Fitness5Non-OOS· SMS Appendix A v3.20

391.15A-NSIN is a License-related: Medium violation under 49 CFR §391.15A-NSIN. It falls in the Driver Fitness BASIC with a severity weight of 5/10. Nationally it was cited 5,811 times in the last five years, with an OOS rate of 67.4%.

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National roadside inspection stats

as of 10/20/2026

Inspections

5,777

that found this code

Violations

5,811

total written

OOS rate

67.4%

3,914 OOS

Source: FMCSA roadside inspection data (last 5 years). The OOS rate is the share of these violations that led the officer to mark the driver or vehicle out of service.

Violation group: License-related: Medium
Regulation §: 391.15A-NSIN
Severity weight: 5
Used in SMS: Yes
Status: Active
Updated: 10/20/2026

Last updated October 2026

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Notes

DSMS: Y

What 391.15A-NSIN means — and how to avoid it

In plain English

In plain terms, 391.15A-NSIN is cited for driving a CMV while disqualified. Suspended for non-safety-related reason and in the state of driver's license issuance. It falls under the FMCSA rules on driver qualifications.

What the inspector checks

•Valid CDL of the right class with required endorsements
•Current medical examiner’s certificate
•Driver not disqualified and carrying required documents

How to prevent it

✓Track CDL, medical card, and endorsement expirations ahead of time
✓Keep the DQ file complete and the medical card on the driver
✓Renew before, not on, the expiration date

How it affects your CSA

up to 15 pts (fresh)

Severity 5/10. A fresh citation counts at the 3× time weight — up to 15 points toward the Driver Fitness BASIC — then tapers to 2× after 6 months and 1× after a year, dropping off the score at 24 months.

General guidance from the violation’s FMCSA classification — not legal advice, and not a substitute for the inspector’s findings or 49 CFR.

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Challenging 391.15A-NSIN through FMCSA DataQs

If this violation was written incorrectly, here are the angles trucking-safety managers use to contest it. Playbook: Driver Fitness.

Common ways to challenge this code

Medical certificate was valid and on file
A valid medical examiner's certificate was in the driver's qualification file and was either not produced at roadside or not properly recognized.
Evidence that wins
- ✓Copy of the valid medical examiner's certificate
- ✓Driver qualification file index
- ✓National Registry verification printout
CDL class / endorsement was correct for the operation
The driver's CDL class and endorsements were correct for the vehicle and cargo being operated.
Evidence that wins
- ✓Copy of the valid CDL with endorsements
- ✓Vehicle registration showing GVWR/configuration
- ✓Bill of lading or shipping papers showing cargo

Common pitfalls — avoid these

⚠A medical certificate that expired the DAY of inspection still fails — there is no grace period

⚡ Draft a challenge for 391.15A-NSIN →Read the DataQs guide first

More codes in Driver Fitness

Same BASIC category — ranked by national citation volume

View all Driver Fitness codes →

Other License-related: Medium codes

Codes under the same FMCSA violation group

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Frequently asked questions about 391.15A-NSIN

What does violation 391.15A-NSIN mean?

391.15A-NSIN is the FMCSA roadside-inspection violation code for "Driving a CMV while disqualified. Suspended for non-safety-related reason and in the state of driver's license issuance.", part of the License-related: Medium group, cited under 49 CFR §391.15A-NSIN.

What BASIC does 391.15A-NSIN affect?

391.15A-NSIN falls under the Driver Fitness BASIC in the FMCSA Safety Measurement System (SMS).

What is the CSA severity weight of 391.15A-NSIN?

391.15A-NSIN carries a severity weight of 5 out of 10. Higher weights indicate violations more closely tied to crash risk, and they count more toward a carrier's Driver Fitness score.

Is 391.15A-NSIN an out-of-service (OOS) violation?

No. 391.15A-NSIN is not an out-of-service violation, so on its own it does not trigger an out-of-service order at the roadside.

How many CSA points does 391.15A-NSIN add to a carrier's score?

The point contribution of 391.15A-NSIN depends on its severity weight (5/10) multiplied by a time weight of 3, 2, or 1 based on how recent the inspection is. You can calculate the exact contribution with the CSA points calculator.

How can a driver prevent 391.15A-NSIN?

Track CDL, medical card, and endorsement expirations ahead of time; Keep the DQ file complete and the medical card on the driver; Renew before, not on, the expiration date.

Can 391.15A-NSIN be challenged through DataQs?

Yes. If you believe 391.15A-NSIN was recorded in error, you can file a Request for Data Review (RDR) through the FMCSA DataQs system with supporting evidence. A successful challenge can remove or correct the violation on your record.

Keep going

CSA points calculator How to challenge a violation Draft a DataQs letter for 391.15A-NSIN Driver Fitness BASIC Carrier CSA lookup CSA glossary

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