FMCSR 382.15-SSF: Citations, Out-of-Service Rates & What Comes Next

Yes, almost certainly. Across our inspection records, 382.15-SSF resulted in an out-of-service placement in 307 of 313 all-time citations—a 98.1% OOS rate. This is far above the FMCSR average of 31.4%. When an officer cites this code, your truck is being removed from service immediately in the vast majority of cases. You cannot legally continue operating until the citation is resolved or dismissed.

382.15-SSF falls under the Controlled Substances and Alcohol category. It addresses violations related to drug or alcohol involvement by the driver or in the vehicle. The specific finding requires review of your inspection report to determine the exact nature of the allegation—whether it involves driver conduct, vehicle contents, or both. Check the inspector's narrative for the precise violation description.

Immediate steps:

1. Document everything. Write down the exact time, location, inspector name, badge number, and what was observed.
2. Request the full inspection report from the officer or DOT—you need the narrative, not just the violation code.
3. Check your CDL status. In the last 90 days, 12 inspections citing 382.15-SSF also showed CDL violations. Confirm your license is valid and unrestricted.
4. Do not operate until the out-of-service order is lifted or formally contested.
5. Contact a transportation attorney immediately if the citation involves driver conduct; these carry severe penalties beyond the vehicle being grounded.

It's among the most serious. Our records show peer violations in the same category: 392.4A (Use of drugs) has a 95.9% OOS rate across 3,947 citations, and 392.5(a)(2) (BAC 0.04+) shows 99.2% OOS across 778 citations. At 98.1%, 382.15-SSF sits at the severe end. All controlled substance and alcohol violations carry near-universal out-of-service outcomes—this is not a warning-level citation.

In the last 180 days, California leads with 32 citations (93.8% OOS rate). Iowa, Oklahoma, New Jersey, and Kansas each had 6 citations with 100% OOS placement. New York and Connecticut each recorded 4 citations, also at 100%. If you operate in California, you face the highest raw citation volume; everywhere else the OOS rate is absolute.

Citations have remained elevated and volatile. Over the past 12 months, enforcement ranged from a low of 7 citations (April 2025) to a peak of 25 citations (October 2025). The last two full months on record—February and March 2026—each showed 18 and 21 citations respectively. This is not a declining violation; it remains actively enforced across the country.

You can file a DataQs (DataQ) challenge if you believe the inspection finding is factually inaccurate or the violation was recorded in error. However, DataQs success depends on the nature of the finding—if the citation rests on direct observation by a qualified inspector (e.g., presence of contraband, officer observations of impairment), contestation is difficult. If it's based on paperwork, documentation, or testing procedures, you have stronger grounds. Consult your inspection report and an attorney to assess your case.

Freightliners dominate the all-time citation list with 59 citations, followed by Kenworths with 38 citations and Freightliner models with 28 more. International (25), Peterbilt (19), and Volvo (16) also appear frequently. This reflects the prevalence of these makes in over-the-road trucking; the violation is not specific to any brand. The vehicle type does not reduce your risk.