Direct answers on 385.337B citations: OOS rate, top states, co-occurring violations, and immediate next steps based on 13M+ inspection records.
Ranks #1,158 of 3,146 FMCSR codes by citation frequency • OOS rate of 94.6% is above the FMCSR-wide average of 33.3%.
Direct answers grounded in TruckCodex inspection data
Yes—almost certainly. Across our inspection records, 385.337B citations result in an out-of-service placement 94.3% of the time (230 out of 244 all-time citations). That's nearly three times higher than the average FMCSR violation, which carries a 31.4% OOS rate. When inspectors cite this code, removal from service is the norm, not the exception. Plan for immediate downtime and repair.
First: Stop operating immediately if an OOS order was issued—violation will compound liability. Second: Identify what triggered the citation (documentation, maintenance, or operational). Our data shows 385.337B frequently co-occurs with three categories: proof-of-inspection records (396.17C), CDL violations (383.23A2), and emergency equipment defects (393.95A)—each appeared in 6 shared inspections in the last 90 days. Review your inspection logs, driver qualifications, and safety equipment. Third: Contact your carrier's safety or compliance team to file a repair order and document corrections.
Yes, significantly. Most peer codes in the general/admin category—like 390.21TB2-DOT, 390.21T(b), and 390.21(a)—carry 0% OOS rates; they're typically documentation or marking issues. The 385.337B 94.3% OOS rate places it in a much more severe tier. This code triggers removal from service far more often than similarly categorized violations, indicating inspectors treat it as a safety-critical finding that warrants immediate vehicle impoundment.
In the last 180 days, our inspection database recorded 385.337B citations most heavily in three states: North Carolina (17 citations, 100% OOS rate), Texas (16 citations, 87.5% OOS rate), and Iowa (9 citations, 100% OOS rate). All three states achieved near-total or total OOS placement rates, suggesting consistent and stringent enforcement. If you operate in these regions, heightened compliance focus is warranted.
Monthly volume has declined over the past year. We recorded 124 citations in the last 12 months, trending down: May 2025 peaked at 17 citations, while recent months (January–March 2026) averaged 8–12. This downward trend may reflect seasonal variance or improved compliance. Last 90 days show 21 citations total, averaging 7 per month—suggesting current enforcement pace is lower than earlier in the year, but consistent.
When inspectors find 385.337B, they frequently cite related safety and compliance gaps. In the last 90 days, the most common co-occurring codes were: proof of periodic inspection missing (396.17C, 6 shared inspections), operating without a CDL (383.23A2, 6 shared), missing/defective fire extinguisher (393.95A, 6 shared), and operating while ill/fatigued (392.2RG, 6 shared). Brake defects (393.48A, 393.45B2UV, 396.3A1BOS) appeared in 4–5 inspections each. This pattern suggests 385.337B citations often signal broader compliance or maintenance breakdowns—not isolated infractions.
Yes, you can file a DataQs request to contest the citation if you believe it's inaccurate or improperly recorded. DataQs (the FMCSA's Require Drivers to Submit Examination Data) is the formal challenge process for inspection records. The strength of your case depends on the type of finding: documentary or procedural errors (e.g., improper inspection date, wrong carrier listed) are easier to overturn than safety violations tied to physical equipment or driver qualifications. Consult your carrier's compliance officer or a transportation attorney to evaluate your specific situation and prepare supporting evidence.
Across all-time records, SAKARA LLC (USDOT 4429530) has the highest count with 4 citations; three carriers tied at 3 citations each: American Transfer Company LLC, Horizen LLC, and Los Mataprecios LLC. Most carriers in our database show only 1–2 citations. This distribution suggests 385.337B is not concentrated among a few high-volume offenders, but rather scattered across the trucking population. Fleet size and operational scale do not appear to strongly correlate with this citation type.
Where 385.337B is most commonly cited (last 180 days)
Other violations commonly found on the same inspection (last 90 days)
TruckCodex aggregates official public-sector datasets. See the Source registry for dataset-level coverage and the Freshness log for last-import timestamps.
Census, SAFER, SMS, Licensing & Insurance (L&I), roadside inspections, crashes, and authority history.
Vehicle recall campaigns, defect investigations, and consumer safety complaints (SCRS).
Cross-border carrier registry and Canadian recall campaigns where applicable.
TruckCodex is an independent aggregator; it is not affiliated with FMCSA, NHTSA, EIA, or Transport Canada. Always verify compliance-critical information directly with the originating agency.