396.17(a) — Annual inspection not performed
FMCSA violation code under Vehicle Maintenance. Severity weight: 5. Out-of-service eligible.
Violation Description
Commercial motor vehicle has not been inspected as required within the preceding 12 months.
About This Violation Code
Code 396.17(a) falls under the Vehicle Maintenance BASIC category in FMCSA's Safety Measurement System (SMS). It carries a severity weight of 5 (scale 1-10, higher = more severe). This violation is Out-of-Service eligible, meaning the driver or vehicle may be placed out of service at roadside when cited.
When this violation is cited during a roadside inspection, it contributes to the carrier's Vehicle Maintenance BASIC score. Carriers with high BASIC percentiles may be prioritized for FMCSA interventions including warning letters, investigations, or compliance reviews.
Regulatory Reference
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations
This violation references 49 CFR 396.17 in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.