DOT Enforcement Is Tightening: How Increased Audits Could Impact Capacity This Year

In 2026, carriers and shippers alike are facing a landscape where federal enforcement activity is intensifying, with audits, inspections, and compliance actions all putting increased pressure on trucking operations.  As regulators push harder on safety and documentation standards, many fleets are feeling the effects—not just in paperwork, but in capacity and operational readiness.

Why Enforcement Is Increasing

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), under the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), has signaled a continued commitment to vigorous oversight.  According to federal performance plans, FMCSA has built enforcement goals that include increasing inspections and compliance reviews of high-risk carriers, as well as investigating out-of-service operations more aggressively.

Over the past few years, FMCSA and its state partners have steadily ramped up on-site audits and comprehensive reviews, uncovering more violations and levying more penalties.  In 2024, more than 80% of audits were conducted on-site, where inspectors can dig deeper into driver files, maintenance records, and operational practices—leading to a high rate of violations found.

Key Areas of Focus for Audits

Today’s audits are broader and more thorough than ever, with regulators concentrating on:

• Driver qualification files
• Hours-of-Service (HOS) compliance
• Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse records
• Electronic Logging Device (ELD) documentation
• Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) compliance
• English language proficiency for drivers

These aren’t just box-checking exercises.  For example, FMCSA’s renewed focus on ELDT enforcement has prompted industry partners like J. J. Keller & Associates to offer specialized audit checklists to help carriers prepare.

Meanwhile, enforcement of longstanding rules—such as the English language proficiency requirement—has seen dramatic increases in violations cited, signaling that roadside inspectors and compliance staff are actively looking for gaps that previously went unpunished.

How Audits Can Impact Capacity

While the stated goal of increased enforcement is safer roads and fewer accidents, there can be operational ripple effects across the trucking market.

1. Drivers and Trucks Temporarily Taken Out of Service

As enforcement becomes stricter—especially around driver qualifications and proficiency—more drivers can be placed Out-of-Service (OOS) during inspections.  Data from 2025 shows a significant number of drivers taken off the road for compliance issues such as language proficiency violations.

When even a handful of drivers are sidelined within a small or mid-sized fleet, it can strain capacity and reduce service reliability, especially in time-sensitive lanes.

2. More Carriers Facing Compliance Actions

On the carrier side, audits that result in serious violations can lead to fines, Conditional safety ratings, or operational restrictions.  In 2024, nearly all DOT audits found at least one violation—and more than half included serious “acute” or “critical” violations that can directly affect a carrier’s safety rating.

A Conditional or Unsatisfactory safety rating can trigger increased scrutiny and additional audits, and in extreme cases, suspension of operating authority—effectively reducing capacity in the market.

3. Small Fleets Feel It First

Smaller carriers and owner-operators often have fewer resources to dedicate to compliance systems and documentation.  Because they tend to have higher violation rates across inspections and audits, they are statistically more likely to face enforcement actions that take assets offline temporarily.

This concentration of risk means that capacity disruptions are not evenly spread—smaller operators can be hit harder and faster.

Preparing for the Tug of Audit

Given the tougher enforcement environment, carriers that want to protect their capacity need to approach compliance proactively:

• Digital Recordkeeping: Paper files slow down audits and increase the likelihood of errors.  Digital systems streamline access to driver files, maintenance logs, and drug test results.
• Routine Internal Audits: Waiting for a federal audit can leave companies vulnerable.  Conducting periodic internal reviews minimizes surprises when DOT comes knocking.
• Driver Training Verification: Confirm ELDT, English proficiency, and qualification credentials before they’re challenged in a review.
• Expert Support: Regulatory consultants or compliance programs can iron out weak spots before they’re flagged by enforcement.

What This Means for Capacity in 2026

At a high level, stronger DOT enforcement is a double-edged sword:

• On one side, it drives safer fleets and better industry standards.
• On the other, it has the potential to reduce available capacity in tight markets if compliance gaps lead to increased out-of-service orders or conditional carrier ratings.

For shippers and logistics planners, the practical takeaway is this: factor compliance readiness into capacity planning.  A carrier with a pristine safety and audit record is more likely to maintain consistent capacity than one repeatedly corrected by enforcement.

In a year where freight demand continues to ebb and flow, preparedness isn’t just about compliance—it’s about securing reliable capacity when your business needs it most.