What 382.15-SSF means in plain language
382.15-SSF is a federal motor carrier safety regulation violation related to controlled substances or alcohol. The specific charge indicates a driver was found to possess, use, or be under the influence of a controlled substance or intoxicating beverage while operating or in control of a commercial motor vehicle. This is one of the most serious violations a driver can receive at roadside.
The regulation exists because impaired operation—whether from alcohol, prescription misuse, or illicit drugs—creates an immediate hazard to the driver, other vehicles, and the public. Federal regulators treat this violation with zero tolerance. Unlike some mechanical or paperwork violations that might result in a warning or small fine, a 382.15-SSF citation almost always leads to immediate removal from service and triggers a cascade of consequences for your driving record, employment, and CDL status.
What our enforcement data actually shows
Across our 13 million+ roadside inspection records, 382.15-SSF has been cited 313 times all-time, with 220 citations in the last 12 months and 43 in the last 90 days. This makes it the 1,070th most-cited FMCSR code nationally—relatively uncommon overall, but the enforcement pattern is stark.
When 382.15-SSF is cited, drivers are placed out of service 98.1% of the time (307 out of 313 cases). For context, the all-FMCSR average out-of-service rate is 31.4 percent. This code's OOS rate is more than three times higher than the typical violation, reflecting how uniformly inspectors and enforcement authorities treat controlled substance citations as disqualifying events.
Over the last 90 days, enforcement activity has remained steady. Monthly citations ranged from a low of 7 (April 2025) to a high of 25 (October 2025), with recent months holding in the mid-to-high teens. This is not a violation that's declining in inspector focus—it remains a consistent part of roadside safety operations.
Who gets cited most
Our data shows California leads in citation volume over the last 180 days with 32 citations, followed by Iowa with 9 and Oklahoma with 6. California's OOS rate was 93.8 percent (30 out of 32 drivers placed out of service), while Iowa and Oklahoma both hit 100 percent—meaning every driver cited for 382.15-SSF in those states was immediately removed from service.
New Jersey, Kansas, New York, Connecticut, Arizona, Georgia, and Nevada also appear in the top 10 states, each with 2–6 citations and 100 percent OOS rates. The consistency across states—near-universal out-of-service placement—underscores that this is not a violation where regional enforcement discretion exists. If you are cited for 382.15-SSF anywhere, expect to be pulled from the road.
No single carrier dominates our 382.15-SSF dataset. Our data shows fleets such as DC GEMS CORP, AK TRANSLOG CORP, RUNNING HORSE TRANSPORT INC, and SELFMADE BROS INC each with 2 citations over the all-time period. This pattern suggests 382.15-SSF citations are distributed across many carriers rather than concentrated in a few problem operations.
How severe is this compared to similar codes
Within the controlled substances and alcohol category, 382.15-SSF sits among the most aggressively enforced violations. For comparison:
- 392.4A-DOSP (Use of drugs) has 3,947 all-time citations with a 95.9 percent OOS rate.
- 392.5A2-IP (Intoxicating beverage use or alcohol detection) has 691 all-time citations with a 99.0 percent OOS rate.
- 392.5(a)(2) (BAC 0.04 or higher) has 778 citations with a 99.2 percent OOS rate.
While 382.15-SSF is cited less frequently than some drug-use codes (likely because it captures a specific violation category), its 98.1 percent OOS rate is functionally identical to the most serious peer violations. You face essentially the same immediate removal from service.
How to avoid it
This violation cannot be "fought off" with a pre-trip inspection or roadside explanation. It results from driver conduct—possession, use, or impairment—not equipment failure or paperwork error. That said, our data reveals some patterns worth understanding.
In the last 90 days, 382.15-SSF appeared together with other violations on the same inspection in notable clusters:
- Operating without a valid CDL (383.23A2-LCDLN) co-occurred in 12 inspections. This suggests some drivers cited for 382.15-SSF may already be operating outside their legal authority.
- Hours-of-service violations (395.8A1-HOSP, 395.8E-HOSPD) co-occurred in 14 inspections combined, implying fatigue and impairment may be linked behaviors.
- Operating while ill or fatigued (392.2-SLLIFTA, 392.2-SLLSR) co-occurred in 11 inspections, again pointing to driver condition as a root cause.
The actionable defense is straightforward:
- Do not operate if impaired or under the influence. This includes alcohol, prescription medication that affects coordination or judgment, or any controlled substance. If you are fatigued or ill, take a break rather than self-medicate with substances.
- Know your hours and rest properly. The frequent co-occurrence of hours-of-service violations suggests drivers pushing past safe limits. Manage fatigue through compliant rest, not stimulants.
- Verify your CDL is valid and unrestricted. The overlap with CDL violations hints that some drivers cited for 382.15-SSF may already be operating in violation of their licensing status.
- Plan your health. If you take prescribed medication, understand its side effects before a shift and allow time for adjustment. Inform your dispatcher if medication affects your readiness to operate.
Once cited for 382.15-SSF, your immediate concern is the out-of-service order. You will not be permitted to continue your trip. Your longer-term concern is your CDL, your employment, and potential federal disqualification. Consult with a transportation attorney or your company's legal team immediately—this is not a standard safety citation.