What 387.301B means in plain language
387.301B is an administrative citation related to driver qualifications and record-keeping requirements under federal motor carrier regulations. The violation flags a deficiency in documentation or compliance with qualification standards that the inspector observed during your roadside inspection.
Unlike some FMCSR codes that can immediately remove you from the road, 387.301B is never issued as an out-of-service violation. It's a citation that creates a compliance record but doesn't stop your operations on the spot. The inspector issued it because something in your driver qualification file, logbook, or related documentation didn't align with federal expectations.
What our enforcement data actually shows
Across our 13 million+ inspection records, 387.301B has generated 143 all-time citations, with 99 citations in the last 12 months and 20 in the last 90 days. This code ranks #1319 out of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation frequency, making it relatively uncommon.
The most significant fact: our inspection data shows a 0.0% out-of-service rate for 387.301B—every single citation (143 out of 143) resulted in a non-OOS violation. This contrasts sharply with the all-FMCSR average OOS rate of 31.4%, meaning inspectors treat this code as a documentation or administrative issue, not a safety emergency.
Citation activity has been steady. Over the last 12 months, we logged 99 citations, averaging about 8 per month. June 2025 saw the highest single-month activity with 12 citations; November 2025 had the lowest with 2.
Who gets cited most
Our data on geographic distribution shows Illinois leading by a wide margin. In the last 180 days, Illinois accounted for 14 citations with a 0.0% OOS rate. Texas followed with 4 citations (0.0% OOS rate), and Ohio had 3 citations (0.0% OOS rate). All three states maintained zero out-of-service placements, consistent with the nationwide pattern.
At the carrier level, our records show fleets such as GQ LINE LLC (USDOT 4077475) and KLM 20 LLC (USDOT 4459130) each with 2 citations in our database. No carrier has more than 2, indicating the citation is distributed across the industry rather than concentrated in any single fleet.
How severe is this compared to similar codes
Within the General/Admin category, 387.301B is substantially less common than peer violations. For comparison:
- 390.21TB2-DOT has 74,663 citations with a 0.0% OOS rate—553 times more frequently cited.
- 390.21T(b) shows 61,097 citations at 0.0% OOS rate—427 times more common.
- 390.21TB1-MC records 59,189 citations, also at 0.0% OOS rate—414 times more common.
All three peer codes share 387.301B's zero out-of-service rate, but they are cited at dramatically higher volumes. This suggests 387.301B targets a narrow, specific compliance gap rather than a widespread or critical safety issue.
How to avoid it
Our inspection data reveals patterns in codes that co-occur with 387.301B citations in the same roadside inspection. The most frequent overlap is with 395.8A-ELD (Failing to keep RODS), which appeared in 8 shared inspections over the last 90 days. This signals that electronic logbook compliance should be a priority—verify your logs are accurate and uploaded before leaving the yard.
387.301A appeared in 7 co-occurring inspections, and 392.2RG / 392.2UCR (Operating a CMV while ill or fatigued) each appeared in 5. This suggests driver fitness and qualification documentation are being scrutinized together during these inspections.
Take these concrete steps:
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Before every trip: Verify your medical certificate is current and in the system, your HAZMAT endorsement (if required) is valid, and your logbook entries are complete. Check your state driver licensing agency's records to confirm your medical certificate is on file.
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Maintain accurate records: Log all required information at the time events occur. Our data shows ELD violations co-occur frequently, so ensure your electronic logs are synchronized and no manual edits are pending.
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Document driver qualifications: If you're a fleet manager, audit driver files quarterly. Ensure annual medical exams are completed on schedule, English language proficiency certifications are present, and driving history reviews are documented.
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During the inspection: Be ready to produce your medical certificate, valid CDL, and any qualification certifications. Inspectors are cross-checking these against logbook entries and company records; discrepancies trigger 387.301B flags.
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Vehicle make note: Our citation data shows Freightliner (24 citations), Freightliner variants (14 additional citations), and International (10 citations) appearing most frequently in 387.301B inspections. This is likely a reflection of fleet size in the industry, not a vehicle defect—but ensure your truck's documentation (inspection records, USDOT markings) is complete regardless of make.
The good news: 387.301B is not an out-of-service violation and does not stop you at the roadside. However, it does create a citation record that can affect your carrier's safety rating and your driving record. Prevention through accurate, timely record-keeping is far easier than fighting a citation after the fact.