Driving a CMV With Major Defect: Defenition
A major defect is any condition that makes the vehicle unsafe to operate. If a major defect is found during a pre-trip inspection, the commercial vehicle must not be operated until the defect is repaired. If a driver knowingly operates a CMV with a major defect, or fails to detect and report one during the daily inspection, they can face serious charges under the Highway Traffic Act, and the carrier’s CVOR rating will be negatively affected.