What 383.111 means in plain language
383.111 falls under the Driver Fitness category of FMCSR regulations. This regulation requires that a commercial driver maintain a level of physical and mental fitness necessary to safely operate a commercial motor vehicle. The rule is designed to ensure that drivers are in appropriate health to perform their duties without creating a safety risk to themselves or others on the road.
In practice, this means you must be capable of performing all the physical and mental tasks required by your job as a commercial driver. If an officer observes signs during a roadside inspection or safety audit—such as difficulty staying alert, signs of impairment, or other indicators that your current fitness is compromised—they may issue a citation under this code.
What our enforcement data actually shows
Across our 13 million+ inspection records, 383.111 is rarely cited. We have recorded 167 all-time citations, making it ranked #1269 of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume. In the last 12 months, only 3 citations were issued, and in the last 90 days, just 1 citation appeared in our database.
Most importantly: the out-of-service rate for this violation is extremely low. Only 1 driver out of 167 cited was placed out of service, giving this code a 0.6% OOS rate. This is dramatically lower than the all-FMCSR average of 31.4%, indicating that roadside officers treat this citation as a warning or documentation issue rather than an immediate safety removal in the vast majority of cases.
The rarity of enforcement for this code suggests either that most drivers are maintaining adequate fitness, or that citations tend to cluster around specific circumstances or time periods rather than being distributed uniformly across the industry.
Who gets cited most
Our enforcement data from the last 180 days shows that New Mexico is the only state with a recorded citation for 383.111, with 1 citation and a 0.0% out-of-service rate. The extremely limited geographic data reflects the low overall citation volume for this code.
Looking at all-time data by carrier, our records show fleets such as SPG TRANSPORTATION INC (USDOT 2881143) with 4 citations and PL TRANS INC (USDOT 3724904) with 2 citations. This variation is not necessarily indicative of compliance patterns, but rather reflects the fact that larger or more heavily inspected fleets will naturally accumulate more citations over extended periods.
How severe is this compared to similar codes
Comparison to peer codes in the Driver Fitness category reveals 383.111's relative rarity and low enforcement impact. The code 391.41(a)—Physical qualification general—has 42,270 citations with a 16.2% OOS rate, showing that fitness-related violations do exist elsewhere in the regulatory framework. Similarly, 391.41(a)(1) has 35,686 citations with a 16.7% OOS rate.
In sharp contrast, license and medical certificate violations in the same category drive far higher citation volumes and OOS rates. For example, 383.23(a)(2) (CDL wrong class) has 50,385 citations with a 98.4% OOS rate, and 391.41APC (Medical certificate) has 49,539 citations with a 97.1% OOS rate. These codes result in immediate removal from service in the overwhelming majority of cases because they involve documentation or credential failures rather than subjective fitness assessments.
How to avoid it
Since 383.111 citations are infrequent and rarely result in out-of-service orders, the best strategy is prevention through self-awareness:
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Get adequate rest before and between shifts. Fatigue is the most common factor that raises driver fitness concerns at roadside. Ensure you meet the hours-of-service rules and build in buffer time so you're never operating while drowsy.
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Maintain your health. Regular exercise, proper nutrition, and staying hydrated keep you physically and mentally sharp. A driver who appears alert, responsive, and in control will not draw scrutiny for fitness issues.
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Be aware of medication side effects. If you take any prescription or over-the-counter medication, understand how it may affect your alertness or reaction time. Disclose relevant medical conditions to your employer and medical examiner.
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Stay sober. Any substance use—alcohol, illegal drugs, or misuse of prescription drugs—impairs your fitness to operate. A single citation under this code could signal to enforcement that closer scrutiny is warranted on future stops.
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Respond professionally at roadside. If an officer initiates a fitness assessment or conversation, be clear, coherent, and cooperative. Confusion, slurred speech, or difficulty following instructions will trigger citation documentation, even if you're fit to drive.
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Know your vehicle. Familiarize yourself with the physical demands of your truck and cargo. If you have mobility limitations or health conditions that affect how you can safely operate or inspect your vehicle, work with your dispatcher and safety manager to ensure you're assigned appropriate routes and loads.