What 365.511 means in plain language
FMCSR 365.511 addresses specific operational or equipment requirements tied to commercial motor vehicle operation. The regulation establishes standards that drivers and carriers must follow to maintain safe, compliant vehicle operation on public roads.
While the exact operational requirement depends on the context of your citation, violations typically involve failure to meet or maintain a defined standard at the time of inspection. This could relate to vehicle configuration, operational procedure, or equipment condition. Your citation notice should specify which aspect triggered the violation.
What our enforcement data actually shows
Across our database of 13 million+ roadside inspection records, 365.511 has been cited 10 times all-time, with just 1 citation in the last 12 months and 0 in the last 90 days. This makes it one of the least-cited codes in the FMCSR—ranked #2191 out of 3,036 codes by overall citation volume.
When 365.511 violations occur, they result in out-of-service placement 40% of the time. This is notably higher than the all-FMCSR average OOS rate of 31.4%, suggesting that when inspectors do cite this code, the underlying issue carries enforcement weight. Of the 10 all-time citations in our records, 4 resulted in out-of-service orders and 6 did not.
The infrequency of this citation means you're in rare company. Your recent citation appears during a period of very light enforcement for this particular code.
Who gets cited most
Our inspection records show that Texas has accounted for citations under this code in recent months, with 1 citation and 0 out-of-service placements (0.0% OOS rate) in the last 180 days.
Across all-time enforcement data, no single carrier dominates citations for 365.511. The data shows citations distributed among small operators and independent carriers, each with a single citation in our records: Pedro Wiebe Friessen, Trans-Mex Inc SA de CV, Cam-Mar Trucking LLC, Craig Drueke Trucking Inc, Siloz-Express SA de CV, JH Alliance LLC, Comercializadora Salazar Rodriguez S de RL de CV, Franz Neufeld Neusteter, Cars2Go Logistics LLC, and Cryogenics Freight LLC.
How severe is this compared to similar codes
Comparing 365.511 to peer codes in the same regulatory category reveals a stark difference in enforcement frequency and severity. Code 376.11(d)(1) has generated 6,383 citations with a 0.0% out-of-service rate, making it vastly more common but rarely resulting in OOS placement. Code 999 has 4,802 citations and a 12.1% OOS rate, roughly in line with national averages.
Codes 107.620(b) (2,120 citations, 0.2% OOS), 107.620B-HMAMC (1,820 citations, 0.0% OOS), and 376.11D1 (1,258 citations, 0.0% OOS) are all significantly more frequently cited than 365.511. The 40.0% OOS rate for 365.511 suggests that while violations are rare, inspectors take them seriously when they occur—higher than most peer codes.
How to avoid it
Before your next trip:
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Walk around your vehicle completely. Inspect all equipment mounting points, fasteners, and structural components that relate to vehicle configuration or operational readiness. Look for loose, cracked, or damaged parts that could affect safe operation.
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Verify all required equipment is present and functional. Check that safety-critical systems (lighting, reflectors, brake components, coupling devices, and any regulation-specific hardware) are intact and properly secured.
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Review your pre-trip inspection checklist against the regulations. If your citation involved a procedural requirement or a specific operational standard, familiarize yourself with what inspectors look for. Your company's safety manager or the regulation text itself can clarify the exact requirement.
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Check vehicle maintenance records. If the violation involved equipment condition, ensure your carrier is performing required maintenance and that repairs are documented. Common vehicle makes in enforcement records include International, Ford, and specialty freight units—regardless of your vehicle type, focus on systems specific to your unit.
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Ask your dispatcher or safety manager for clarification. Because 365.511 is rarely cited, your company may not have seen this violation before. Understanding the exact standard will prevent recurrence.
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Document your pre-trip inspection. A completed, signed pre-trip report can serve as evidence that you took reasonable care to identify and report safety issues before departure.