SPR 27-709: Changing Motor Carrier Safety and Credentialing Violations to Civil Penal-ties

Commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers are often cited for tax, credentialing, and permitting violations even though they are generally the responsibility of the motor carrier. If convicted, drivers may have mis-demeanor violations added to their criminal record. This dynamic creates confusion among CMV drivers and potentially results in hardship. It also makes it difficult to adjudicate violations fairly. A potential solution lies in reclassifying these violations as civil penalties. Before this could be done, however, KYTC needs to understand how other states approach the adjudication of CMV violations, determine the fiscal implications of fines and court fees, and a develop a proposed policy or legislative framework for enacting changes.