What 374.313(b) means in plain language
374.313(b) pertains to specific requirements for commercial vehicle equipment and operational compliance under FMCSR Part 374. The regulation addresses standards that must be met during vehicle operation and maintenance to ensure safe transport of goods and passengers.
When an inspector cites you for 374.313(b), they are documenting that your vehicle or operation did not meet one of these baseline equipment or procedural standards at the time of inspection. The exact deficiency will be noted on your citation form—check your inspection report for the specific violation description, as the regulation itself covers multiple aspects of vehicle readiness and operational protocol.
What our enforcement data actually shows
Across our 13 million+ roadside inspection records, 374.313(b) is cited infrequently. All-time, we have recorded only 8 citations for this code. In the last 12 months, there were 0 citations, and in the last 90 days, there were 0 citations. This places 374.313(b) at rank #2269 out of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume.
None of the 8 all-time citations resulted in an out-of-service (OOS) order, giving this code a 0.0% OOS rate. For context, the all-FMCSR average OOS rate is 31.4%. This means that when 374.313(b) is cited, inspectors have not found the violation severe enough to remove the vehicle from service, suggesting the deficiency is typically correctable or marginal in nature.
Because citations for this code are so rare in the last 90 days and 12 months, current enforcement trends are not material. However, the historical absence of OOS placements indicates that inspectors view 374.313(b) violations as lower-severity compliance gaps.
Who gets cited most
Our inspection records do not include state-level distribution data for 374.313(b) in sufficient detail to name the top three states. However, we can identify the carriers cited for this code across our database.
Fleets such as TUFESA USA LLC (USDOT 1215199) appear in our records with 4 citations for 374.313(b), followed by AUTOBUSES EJECUTIVOS LLC (USDOT 1044521) with 2 citations. The remaining citations were distributed among smaller carriers. The prevalence among these carriers reflects their overall inspection exposure rather than any pattern of systematic non-compliance. Our data shows that VOLVO-branded vehicles account for 6 of the 8 total citations, with MCIN and SCANIA each appearing once.
How severe is this compared to similar codes
Peer codes within the same regulatory framework show considerable variation in enforcement frequency and OOS rates:
- 376.11(d)(1) has 6,383 citations all-time with a 0.0% OOS rate—far more frequent than 374.313(b), yet equally unlikely to trigger an out-of-service order.
- 107.620(b) accounts for 2,120 citations with a 0.2% OOS rate, also heavily cited but rarely resulting in service removal.
- 999 (a general miscellaneous code) shows 4,802 citations with a 12.1% OOS rate—much more frequently cited and substantially more likely to lead to OOS placement.
The comparison suggests that 374.313(b), while rare, sits in a category of violations that inspectors document but seldom escalate to removal from service. Its rarity and zero OOS rate position it as one of the less-enforced compliance points across the FMCSR universe.
How to avoid it
Because 374.313(b) citations are so infrequent in our recent data, specific co-occurrence patterns are limited. However, you can reduce citation risk by addressing the most common operational and equipment deficiencies:
- Conduct a thorough pre-trip inspection daily. Check all lights (headlamps, tail lamps, brake lamps, clearance lights), wipers, mirrors, and reflectors for function and visibility. Even minor equipment gaps can trigger compliance citations.
- Verify that all vehicle documentation is current and available. Ensure registration, insurance, hazmat placards (if applicable), and operating permits are present and legible before departure.
- Inspect brake assemblies, hoses, and connections for leaks or corrosion. Given the frequency of VOLVO vehicles in our 374.313(b) records, ensure that older or high-mileage brake components are serviced per manufacturer specifications.
- Confirm that all safety equipment—including fire extinguishers, emergency triangles, and first-aid kits (where required)—is on board and accessible.
- Review your carrier's standard operating procedures to ensure you understand what the citation actually covers, then align your pre-trip checklist with those requirements.
Since no citations have been recorded in the last 90 days, this violation is not a widespread enforcement priority right now. However, the practical steps above will keep your vehicle and operation well within compliance margins across all FMCSR codes, not just 374.313(b).