How much can it cost me if I operate without authority?

To operate without authority can lead to civil penalties and nightmare appearances before administrative law judges.

At the state level, those states that require that you have Truck operating authority can also impose civil penalties. In New York State, for instance, the penalty for operating without authority can be as high as $5,000 for each violation. In certain jurisdictions it is actually considered a crime if you continually operate without authority and is punishable by jail time and/or fines.