What does 49 CFR 396.7 (Unsafe operations forbidden) require?

Short answer

A motor vehicle shall not be operated in such a condition as to likely cause an accident or a breakdown of the vehicle. If a vehicle is discovered to be in an unsafe condition while being operated, it may be continued in operation only to the nearest place where repairs can safely be effected.

The rule says

"A motor vehicle shall not be operated in such a condition as to likely cause an accident or a breakdown of the vehicle." (49 CFR 396.7(a))

"Any motor vehicle discovered to be in an unsafe condition while being operated on the highway may be continued in operation only to the nearest place where repairs can safely be effected." (49 CFR 396.7(b))

In plain English

This rule is about safety: a vehicle that's likely to cause an accident or break down shouldn't be on the road. If a vehicle is found to be unsafe while driving, the driver can keep going, but only to the nearest safe place to get it fixed. This is a common-sense rule to prevent accidents and keep people safe. Inspectors will check for obvious safety hazards, like broken brakes or bad tires, and can order a vehicle out of service if it's not safe to drive.

What to do

• Check your vehicle regularly for safety hazards like broken brakes, bad tires, or faulty lights.
• If you find a safety issue while driving, get to the nearest safe place to fix it.
• Keep records of your vehicle's maintenance and repairs to show inspectors you're taking care of your vehicle.
• Make sure your drivers know what to do if they find a safety issue while driving.