Title 49TransportationRelease 119-73

§30505 Penalties and enforcement

Title 49 › Subtitle SUBTITLE VI— - MOTOR VEHICLE AND DRIVER PROGRAMS › Part PART A— - GENERAL › Chapter CHAPTER 305— - NATIONAL MOTOR VEHICLE TITLE INFORMATION SYSTEM › § 30505

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

Anyone who breaks this chapter owes up to $1,000 to the U.S. government for each violation. The Attorney General collects the penalty and may reduce it, looking at the size of the business and how serious the violation was. The government can take the penalty from money it owes that person or company.

Full Legal Text

Title 49, §30505

Transportation — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)An individual or entity violating this chapter is liable to the United States Government for a civil penalty of not more than $1,000 for each violation.
(b)(1)The Attorney General shall impose a civil penalty under this section. The Attorney General shall bring a civil action to collect the penalty. The Attorney General may compromise the amount of the penalty. In determining the amount of the penalty or compromise, the Attorney General shall consider the appropriateness of the penalty to the size of the business of the individual or entity charged and the gravity of the violation.
(2)The Government may deduct the amount of a civil penalty imposed or compromised under this section from amounts it owes the individual or entity liable for the penalty.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 3050515:2044(c).Oct. 25, 1992, Pub. L. 102–519, § 204(c), 106 Stat. 3393. In subsection (a), the words “An individual or entity violating this chapter is liable to the United States Government for a civil penalty of” are substituted for “Whoever violates this section may be assessed a civil penalty of not to exceed” for clarity and consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the United States Code. In subsection (b), the words “individual or entity” are substituted for “person” for clarity and consistency with the source provisions restated in the revised chapter. In subsection (b)(1), the words “The Secretary of Transportation shall impose a civil penalty under this section. The Attorney General shall bring a civil action to collect the penalty” are substituted for “Any such penalty shall be assessed by the Secretary and collected in a civil action brought by the Attorney General of the United States” for clarity and consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the Code. In subsection (b)(2), the words “penalty imposed or compromised” are substituted for “such penalty, finally determined, or the amount agreed upon in compromise”, and the words “liable for the penalty” are substituted for “charged”, for clarity and consistency in the revised title and other titles of the Code.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1996—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 104–152 substituted “Attorney General shall impose” for “Secretary of Transportation shall impose”, “Attorney General may compromise” for “Secretary may compromise”, and “Attorney General shall consider” for “Secretary shall consider”.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

49 U.S.C. § 30505

Title 49Transportation

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73