---
kind: "section"
citation: "49 U.S.C. § 14914"
title: "49"
title_heading: "Transportation"
number: "14914"
heading: "Civil penalty procedures"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/49/14914"
units:
  - "Subtitle IV — Interstate Transportation"
  - "Part B — Motor Carriers, Water Carriers, Brokers, and Freight Forwarders"
  - "Chapter 149 — Civil and Criminal Penalties"
---

# §14914. Civil penalty procedures

- (a) **In General.—** After notice and an opportunity for a hearing, a [person](/usc/49/13102.md?p=18) found by the Surface [Transportation](/usc/49/10102.md?p=9) [Board](/usc/49/10102.md?p=1) to have violated a provision of law that the [Board](/usc/49/10102.md?p=1) carries out or a regulation prescribed under that law by the [Board](/usc/49/10102.md?p=1) that is related to [transportation](/usc/49/10102.md?p=9) which occurs under subchapter II of [chapter 135](/usc/49/chstIV/ptB/ch135.md) for which a civil penalty is provided, is liable to the [United States](/usc/49/10102.md?p=10) for the civil penalty provided. The amount of the civil penalty shall be assessed by the [Board](/usc/49/10102.md?p=1) by written notice. In determining the amount of the penalty, the [Board](/usc/49/10102.md?p=1) shall consider the nature, circumstances, extent, and gravity of the prohibited acts committed and, with respect to the violator, the degree of culpability, any history of prior offenses, ability to pay, and other matters that justice requires.
- (b) **Compromise.—** The [Board](/usc/49/10102.md?p=1) may compromise, modify, or remit, with or without consideration, a civil penalty until the assessment is referred to the Attorney General.
- (c) **Collection.—** If a [person](/usc/49/13102.md?p=18) fails to pay an assessment of a civil penalty after it has become final, the [Board](/usc/49/10102.md?p=1) may refer the matter to the Attorney General for collection in an appropriate district court of the [United States](/usc/49/10102.md?p=10).
- (d) **Refunds.—** The [Board](/usc/49/10102.md?p=1) may refund or remit a civil penalty collected under this section if—
  - (1) application has been made for refund or remission of the penalty within 1 year from the date of payment; and
  - (2) the [Board](/usc/49/10102.md?p=1) finds that the penalty was unlawfully, improperly, or excessively imposed.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 104–88, title I, § 103, Dec. 29, 1995, 109 Stat. 918.)

## Notes

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date

Section effective Jan. 1, 1996, except as otherwise provided in Pub. L. 104–88, see section 2 of Pub. L. 104–88, set out as a note under section 1301 of this title.