FMCSR 387.403(b) Citation: What Drivers Need to Know

No. Our inspection records show that 387.403(b) has a 0.0% out-of-service rate across all 19 citations in our database. None of the trucks cited for this violation were placed out of service at roadside. This is significantly lower than the all-FMCSR average of 31.4%, making this one of the safest violation categories to receive from an immediate operational standpoint.

387.403(b) ranks #1962 out of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume, indicating it is rarely cited. Across 13 million+ inspections in our database, only 19 all-time citations exist. Compare this to similar administrative codes: vehicle marking codes like 390.21TB2-DOT have 74,663 citations, and 390.21T(b) has 61,097. The low citation count suggests this is an uncommon finding, though the nature of the violation itself may still require attention.

First, document the citation details and request a copy of the inspection report. Review the specific finding to understand what triggered the violation. Second, contact your carrier's compliance department or a qualified safety professional to verify whether any equipment repair, documentation correction, or procedural change is needed. Third, preserve all records related to the cited issue—these may be needed if you file a DataQs record challenge. Since the violation does not trigger an out-of-service order, you have time to resolve it methodically rather than emergency repair.

No. The data shows a dramatic decline in enforcement activity. Across our 13 million+ inspection records, there were 19 all-time citations for 387.403(b), but zero citations in the last 12 months and zero in the last 90 days. This suggests the violation is either being phased out of inspector focus, changing in how violations are coded, or naturally rare. This low recent activity means it is unlikely to appear on your next inspection.

Yes. The DataQs (database quality system) allows drivers and carriers to challenge roadside inspection records if they are factually inaccurate or improperly coded. Contact your carrier's safety manager or file directly with FMCSA through the CSA Portal. You'll need to provide evidence that contradicts the inspector's finding—such as documentation, photos, or maintenance records. Because 387.403(b) is administrative in nature, success often depends on whether you can prove the violation was already corrected, miscoded, or never occurred at the time of inspection.

Across all 19 citations in our database, the most commonly cited vehicle was a Freightliner (FRHT), which appeared in 2 citations. Single citations each went to an International (INTL), Kenworth (KW), Stoughton (STOU), Utility (UTIL), and Volvo (VOLV). This suggests the violation does not correlate strongly with any particular truck manufacturer—it appears to be enforcement issue-specific rather than equipment-specific.

Our records show 19 citations spread across 10 carriers, with each carrier cited once. The carriers include J B Hunt Transport, Schneider National Carriers, Coleman American Moving Services, and V & M Towing Service, among others. No single carrier dominates the citation count, indicating this violation is not systemic to any particular fleet operation. This distributed pattern suggests the violation is situational rather than a recurring fleet-wide compliance issue.

A 387.403(b) citation does appear on your inspection record and will be visible to carriers, insurers, and potential employers through the CSA Portal. However, because the violation carries a 0.0% out-of-service rate and is rarely cited (only 19 times across 13 million+ inspections), it is typically viewed as a minor administrative infraction. The impact on your CSA BASIC scores and insurability depends on whether the underlying issue (such as documentation or marking) can be quickly resolved. Work with your carrier to address the violation promptly to minimize downstream effects.