FMCSA Violation Code Reference
Browse all Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulation (FMCSR) violation codes ranked by citation frequency. Filter by BASIC category, OOS eligibility, or search by code number.
BASIC Categories
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Vehicle Maintenance
21.0%Unsafe Driving
Hours of Service
16.3%Driver Fitness
59.9%General/Admin
Hazardous Materials
28.3%Unknown
Controlled Substances/Alcohol
97.3%Hazardous Materials Compliance
Hours-of-Service Compliance
36.4%Crash Indicator
All Violation Codes
Ranked by citation frequency
| Rank ▼ | Code | Description | OOS | Times Cited ▼ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | 392.2 | Operating a CMV while ill or fatigued | OOS | 1,208,164 |
| #2 | 393.9(a) | Inoperable required lamps | \u2014 | 660,737 |
| #3 | 396.3(a)(1) | Inspection/repair/maintenance - general | OOS | 236,919 |
| #4 | 396.17C-PI | No proof of periodic inspection | \u2014 | 212,081 |
| #5 | 396.17(c) | No proof of periodic inspection | \u2014 | 198,331 |
| #6 | 392.2-SLLSR | Operating a CMV while ill or fatigued | \u2014 | 191,232 |
| #7 | 393.47E | Slack adjuster defective | \u2014 | 180,363 |
| #8 | 393.9 | Inoperable Required Lamp | \u2014 | 180,097 |
| #9 | 393.11 | Lighting devices/reflectors | \u2014 | 179,734 |
| #10 | 393.78 | Windshield condition defective | \u2014 | 157,894 |
| #11 | 393.47(e) | Slack adjuster defective | OOS | 157,499 |
| #12 | 393.75A3-TAOL | Tires - All others leaking or inflation less than 50% of the maximum inflation pressure on tire not equipped with ATIS | \u2014 | 155,660 |
| #13 | 393.45(b)(2) | Brake tubing/hoses inadequate | \u2014 | 133,588 |
| #14 | 393.75(a)(3) | Tire-flat and/or audible air leak | \u2014 | 130,970 |
| #15 | 395.24 | HOS (ELD) - ELD Form and Manner | \u2014 | 106,486 |
| #16 | 393.95(a) | Emergency equipment - fire extinguisher missing/defective | OOS | 105,458 |
| #17 | 392.2RG | Operating a CMV while ill or fatigued | \u2014 | 96,652 |
| #18 | 396.5(b) | Fuel system leak | OOS | 96,018 |
| #19 | 393.9A-LIL | Inoperable required lamps | \u2014 | 95,458 |
| #20 | 393.53(b) | Steering system components worn | \u2014 | 89,707 |
| #21 | 393.55E-B | Coupling device/towing methods defective | \u2014 | 88,757 |
| #22 | 393.75(c) | Tire tread depth insufficient (other axles) | OOS | 86,013 |
| #23 | 392.2-SLLTCD | Operating a CMV while ill or fatigued | \u2014 | 85,391 |
| #24 | 392.2-SLL | Operating a CMV while ill or fatigued | \u2014 | 84,501 |
| #25 | 395.8E-HOSPD | False record of duty status | \u2014 | 83,660 |
| #26 | 393.45D-B | Brake tubing/hoses inadequate | \u2014 | 81,444 |
| #27 | 395.8(e)(1) | 395.8(e)(1) | \u2014 | 78,276 |
| #28 | 396.5B-L | Fuel system leak | \u2014 | 75,503 |
| #29 | 393.45B2-B-AIR | Brake tubing/hoses inadequate | \u2014 | 74,957 |
| #30 | 390.21TB2-DOT | 390.21TB2-DOT | \u2014 | 74,663 |
| #31 | 396.17C | No proof of periodic inspection | \u2014 | 74,506 |
| #32 | 393.45(d) | Brake tubing/hoses inadequate | \u2014 | 72,830 |
| #33 | 392.2-SLLEQP | Operating a CMV while ill or fatigued | \u2014 | 72,352 |
| #34 | 392.2-SLLS2 | Speeding 6-10 mph over limit | \u2014 | 72,337 |
| #35 | 393.53B-B | Steering system components worn | \u2014 | 71,891 |
| #36 | 395.30B1-ELDDFR | HOS (ELD) - Driver failing to review records and certify the accuracy of the information. | \u2014 | 70,864 |
| #37 | 393.78A-WS | Windshield condition defective | \u2014 | 69,791 |
| #38 | 393.75C-TAOTD-LT2/32 | Tire tread depth insufficient (other axles) | \u2014 | 69,715 |
| #39 | 392.2-SLLEWA1 | Operating a CMV while ill or fatigued | \u2014 | 69,565 |
| #40 | 393.60C | Glazing/window obstructions | \u2014 | 67,056 |
| #41 | 393.55(e) | Coupling device/towing methods defective | \u2014 | 66,184 |
| #42 | 392.16(a) | Failing to use seat belt (49 CFR) | \u2014 | 64,794 |
| #43 | 393.95F | Emergency Equipment - Stopped vehicle warning devices missing or improper | \u2014 | 64,562 |
| #44 | 392.2W | Operating a CMV while ill or fatigued | \u2014 | 64,257 |
| #45 | 393.9A-LCL | Inoperable required lamps | \u2014 | 62,384 |
| #46 | 392.2-SLLLR | Operating a CMV while ill or fatigued | \u2014 | 62,247 |
| #47 | 390.21T(b) | 390.21T(b) | \u2014 | 61,097 |
| #48 | 396.3A1-BOS | BRAKES OUT OF SERVICE: The number of defective brakes is equal to or greater than 20 percent of the service brakes on the vehicle or combination | \u2014 | 61,053 |
| #49 | 393.95(f) | Emergency Equipment - Stopped vehicle warning devices missing or improper | \u2014 | 59,468 |
| #50 | 393.48(a) | Inoperative/defective brakes | OOS | 59,449 |
About Violation Codes
Each violation found during a roadside inspection is assigned a code from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (49 CFR Parts 350-399) or Hazardous Materials Regulations (49 CFR Parts 171-180). These codes map to one of seven BASIC categories used in the FMCSA Safety Measurement System (SMS).
Violations flagged as Out-of-Service (OOS) indicate conditions severe enough to remove a vehicle or driver from service until corrected. OOS violations carry more weight in SMS percentile calculations.
Carriers and drivers who believe a violation was recorded in error can file a Request for Data Review (DataQs) through the FMCSA DataQs system.