Hours of Service Violations: Are Small Fleets Burning the Candle at Both Ends?

Last Updated: June 5, 2025By Sherb Brown

Let’s talk about the Hours-of-Service (HOS) violations—the federal rules that tell drivers when to drive, when to nap, and when to absolutely, definitely, without-a-doubt pull over and get some sleep. These rules are the backbone of safe, sane, and sustainable driving. But as our latest analysis shows, not everyone’s hitting the snooze button equally.

We took a deep dive into recent data, cross-referencing millions of records from FMCSA compliance logs with our own Fleet-Connection insights. Our mission? To figure out which fleets are struggling the most with HOS compliance—and, more importantly, what size fleets are showing the most warning lights.

The result? A series of colorful heatmaps that don’t just look pretty—they tell a compelling story.

What Is an Hours-of-Service Violation Anyway?

Before we get into the data, a quick refresher. An HOS violation is what happens when a driver pushes past the legal limits for driving or fails to log rest breaks properly. These violations fall into categories like:

Driving beyond 11 hours in a shift
Not taking the mandatory 30-minute break
Falsifying logs (yes, ELDs have made that a bit harder, but never underestimate human creativity)
Failing to keep logs altogether

You know the drill. These violations can lead to citations, audits, insurance hikes, and, worst of all, preventable crashes.

What We Found: The Small Fleet Struggle is Real

We created heatmaps that tracked violation frequency for all 50 states, broken out by fleet size: 1–10 vehicles, 11–100 vehicles, and 100+ vehicles. We then filtered out the noise—no hazardous materials violations, no data after March 2025, no statistical outliers (sorry, D.C., we love you but you skew the sample).

And guess what?

Small fleets (1–10 trucks) are racking up HOS violations like it’s going out of style.

In states like Mississippi, Oklahoma, and West Virginia, violation rates for small fleets reached annualized frequencies as high as 18%. That’s nearly one violation for every five trucks. Meanwhile, the big boys—the 100+ vehicle fleets—were keeping their noses (and logs) clean, with violation rates often under 3%.

Why the Gap?

We’re not here to point fingers—after all, we’re all on the same team: safety and efficiency. But the data paints a clear picture, and a few key themes emerge:

1. Compliance Resources Are Slim in Small Shops

Large fleets often have dedicated compliance officers, HR teams, and software platforms that automatically flag potential HOS risks. Smaller fleets? Often just a couple of folks wearing too many hats. Between dispatching loads, fixing tires, and updating insurance paperwork, who has time to review logbook nuances?

2. Old-School Habits Die Hard

Some of the smallest fleets are also the most experienced—translation: they’ve been doing this since “logbook” meant a physical notebook in the glove compartment. If you learned to drive when ELDs were still a twinkle in the FMCSA’s eye, digital compliance might feel like a hassle, not a helper.

3. Pressure to Deliver Can Outweigh Caution

Let’s be real: when the delivery is due by sunrise and the client “can’t wait,” there’s temptation to stretch those hours. It’s not malicious—it’s just business. But as we all know, the risks (and fines) can far outweigh the short-term gains.

The Middle Tier: The “Tween” Fleets

Fleets in the 11–100 vehicle range fall somewhere in between. Their heatmaps lit up with a mix of red-hot states (Texas, Georgia) and cooler, compliant zones (Minnesota, Oregon). These fleets often have partial compliance systems—some ELDs, maybe a part-time safety manager—but are still refining their processes.

These are the fleets most likely to benefit from targeted investment: one more full-time compliance pro, or a single dashboard that consolidates driver hours, could make all the difference.

Big Fleets, Big Results

Now let’s give a round of applause for the fleets with 100+ trucks. Their compliance rates are consistently better. Sure, they’ve got the budget for technology and training. But they’re also the ones who’ve learned the hard way—after a nuclear verdict or a failed audit—that investing in compliance is non-negotiable.

Many large fleets now use AI-enhanced telematics systems that can predict an impending HOS violation before it even happens. That’s right: your truck knows when you need a break, sometimes before you do.

So, What’s a Fleet Owner to Do?

If you’re running a smaller fleet and your HOS violations are creeping up, don’t panic—but do take action. Here’s what we recommend:

✔️ Prioritize HOS Tech

Start with basic ELD systems if you haven’t already. Many modern platforms are plug-and-play and surprisingly affordable.

✔️ Train Your Drivers

Make sure they know the rules—and why they matter. A one-hour training session can save you thousands in fines and downtime.

✔️ Check Your Culture

Are drivers afraid to report fatigue? Do dispatchers know when to ease up? The best systems in the world won’t work if your company culture punishes compliance.

✔️ Use the Data

If you’re already tracking violations, great—now act on the trends. Do certain routes or drivers show more risk? Time to address it proactively.

Final Thought: HOS Isn’t Just About the Rules—It’s About the Road Ahead

At the end of the day, HOS compliance isn’t just a box to check. It’s a reflection of how your fleet operates. Are you giving your drivers the tools and time to do their jobs safely? Are you planning ahead or playing catch-up?

Our heatmaps don’t lie—small fleets are at greater risk, but they also have the most to gain. The good news? It’s never been easier to make the leap from “we’re trying our best” to “we’ve got this covered.”