Violation code

383.111

Operating a commercial motor vehicle without the required knowledge of general areas

Not in SMSOOS· FMCSA A&I All Violations

383.111 is a Driver violation under 49 CFR §383.111. It is an out-of-service violation; it is not scored in the SMS. Nationally it was cited 977 times in the last five years, with an OOS rate of 1.1%.

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National roadside inspection stats

as of 9/20/2026

Inspections

967

that found this code

Violations

977

total written

OOS rate

1.1%

11 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.

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Not used in SMS BASIC scoring

Recorded on your inspection report and visible on the PSP, but contributes 0 points to CSA BASIC scores — even if cited Out-of-Service.

Violation group: Driver
Regulation §: 383.111
Severity weight: N/A
Used in SMS: No
Status: Active
Updated: 9/20/2026

Last updated September 2026

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What 383.111 means — and how to avoid it

In plain English

In plain terms, 383.111 is cited for operating a commercial motor vehicle without the required knowledge of general areas. It falls under the FMCSA rules on CDL standards and endorsements. Because it’s an out-of-service condition, an inspector can put the driver or vehicle out of service on the spot until it’s corrected.

What the inspector checks

•Correct CDL class and endorsements for the vehicle/cargo

How to prevent it

✓Hold the right class/endorsements before taking the load

How it affects your CSA

0 CSA points

383.111 is not scored in the SMS. It adds 0 CSA points — even if written out-of-service — but it still appears on the inspection report and the driver’s PSP.

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 383.111 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 383.111 →Read the DataQs guide first

Other Driver codes

Codes under the same FMCSA violation group

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Frequently asked questions about 383.111

What does violation 383.111 mean?

383.111 is the FMCSA roadside-inspection violation code for "Operating a commercial motor vehicle without the required knowledge of general areas", part of the Driver group, cited under 49 CFR §383.111.

What BASIC does 383.111 affect?

383.111 is not scored in any CSA BASIC. It is recorded on the inspection report and appears on the PSP, but it contributes 0 points to a carrier's SMS BASIC percentiles.

Is 383.111 an out-of-service (OOS) violation?

Yes. 383.111 is an out-of-service violation, meaning the driver or vehicle can be placed out of service at the roadside until the issue is corrected. OOS violations also add an extra severity point in SMS scoring.

How many CSA points does 383.111 add?

383.111 adds 0 CSA points because it is not used in SMS scoring, even when written out of service.

How can a driver prevent 383.111?

Hold the right class/endorsements before taking the load.

Can 383.111 be challenged through DataQs?

Yes. If you believe 383.111 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 383.111 Carrier CSA lookup CSA glossary

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