An out-of-service order is issued by an inspector who finds a condition posing an imminent hazard, such as defective brakes, a driver exceeding hours limits, or a driver lacking a valid license or medical certificate. Operation must cease until the defect is corrected.
Orders are recorded in inspection reports and feed into the carrier's safety measurement data.
Alternative Names:
OOS Order, Out-of-Service Violation
Why it Matters?
An out-of-service history for the same defect that contributed to a crash is among the most damaging evidence available to a plaintiff, because it establishes prior notice in the carrier's own regulatory record. Operating a vehicle after an out-of-service order, or dispatching a driver known to be out of service, moves a case squarely into punitive territory.
Frequently Confused with
Related terms
Frequently asked questions
What triggers an out-of-service order?
Why do prior out-of-service orders matter?
