Skip to main content
O Trucking
FMCSA Violation Code

395.15D — ELD data transfer to inspector failed

49 CFR 395 • Hours-of-Service BASIC • Severity 1/10

Driver citation CSA weight 1
Low severity
Code
395.15D
CFR section
49 CFR 395
BASIC
Hours-of-Service
Severity
1/10
Out-of-Service
No
Unit type
Driver
O Trucking From the O Trucking network CDL jobs guide — where to start in 2026 Hiring paths, endorsements, and what carriers actually want. Read guide

What this violation means

Driver couldn't transfer ELD data via the required methods (email, web services, USB/Bluetooth) at roadside. 1 SMS point.

Why this gets cited

Driver unfamiliar with the transfer process. ELD app glitch. No cell signal.

How to fix / prevent

Driver training on the transfer process for your specific ELD. Most have a fallback to view-on-screen if transfer fails.

Out-of-service criteria

No — this violation is not typically out-of-service eligible. The inspector will note 395.15D on the inspection report (form MCS-63), but the truck/driver can usually continue after the inspection ends. It still counts against the carrier in CSA scoring (severity 1/10 weight, time-weighted over 24 months) and shows on the driver's PSP record. A pattern of these non-OOS violations across multiple inspections is what triggers FMCSA intervention — a single citation rarely does.

CSA / SMS impact

395.15D carries a severity weight of 1/10 in FMCSA's Safety Measurement System (SMS). Higher weights mean faster CSA percentile movement. Combined with a time-weighting factor (1× for citations within the last 6 months, decaying over 24 months), this violation can move your Hours-of-Service BASIC percentile significantly if it stacks with similar citations across your fleet. The threshold for FMCSA intervention is the 65th percentile for most BASICs (50th for Hazmat and Passenger Carrier). Once you cross that, FMCSA can send a Warning Letter, Off-Site Investigation, or full Compliance Review.

How to read this: a single citation rarely puts you over threshold — it's the pattern. Track your inspection rate per power unit and aim for OOS rate under 5% (industry average is 21%).

Other violations in Hours-of-Service

Related

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I be placed out of service for 395.15D?
No — 395.15D is not on the standard OOS criteria for most inspectors. You'll be cited on the inspection report (MCS-63), the violation will hit your CSA scores, and the driver's PSP record, but you can usually continue the trip after the inspection wraps. Caveat: an inspector has discretion to escalate to OOS if they observe a separate, more serious condition during the same inspection. If they find 395.15D plus a brake violation, they're putting you OOS for the brake issue, not this one.
How long does 395.15D affect my CSA score?
395.15D stays in your CSA Hours-of-Service BASIC for <strong>24 months</strong> from the inspection date. The impact is time-weighted: 3× points during months 0-6, 2× during months 7-12, 1× during months 13-24, then it drops off. Severity weight is 1/10, so each citation contributes 3 points in the first 6 months and decays from there. On the driver's PSP report, the same citation stays visible for <strong>36 months</strong> — and a 5-year history of driver violations is available to motor carriers performing a hire review. If the citation is later dismissed in court (DataQs challenge succeeds, or the underlying ticket is dropped), the SMS record can be removed via FMCSA's DataQs portal — but you have to actively file the challenge.
What's the difference between 395.15D and similar codes?
395.15D is in the 8-code group sharing the same BASIC. The closest siblings are: <strong>395.3A1</strong> (Driving more than 11 hours after 10 hours off); <strong>395.3B2</strong> (Driving after 60/70-hour weekly limit); <strong>395.3C</strong> (Driving after 70 hours in 8 days without restart). Inspectors often cite multiple sibling codes from the same inspection — for example, a tire condition violation can simultaneously trigger codes for tread depth, sidewall, and inflation pressure. When you get cited under one sibling, check the report for the others before signing — they all count separately against CSA scoring.

CSA scores rising? Get a compliance audit.

Ready to Grow Your Trucking Business?

Dispatch support for your trucking business. Explore our current service options.