Direct answers on 390.403C enforcement, out-of-service risk, state trends, and repair urgency backed by 13 million inspection records.
Ranks #1,741 of 3,146 FMCSR codes by citation frequency • OOS rate of 0.0% is below the FMCSR-wide average of 33.3%.
Direct answers grounded in TruckCodex inspection data
No. Across our inspection records, 390.403C has never resulted in an out-of-service order—the OOS rate is 0.0% on all 35 all-time citations. This is significantly below the all-FMCSR average OOS rate of 31.4%, meaning this violation is treated as a documentation or minor administrative matter rather than an immediate safety risk that stops your truck.
390.403C is rarely cited. In the last 12 months, our database shows 22 citations nationwide, and over the last 90 days, just 6. It ranks #1735 out of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume. Most months see only 1–3 citations across the entire country, so if you've been cited for this, you're in a very small group.
First, verify the specific violation on your citation paperwork. When 390.403C appears with other codes in the same inspection, the most common co-occurring violations are inoperable required lamps (393.9—3 shared inspections in the last 90 days) and brake system issues like tubing or hoses (393.45B2UV—2 shared inspections). Check your truck's lighting and brake components immediately, even if they weren't explicitly cited. Then contact your carrier's compliance or safety department to file a response if you dispute the finding.
390.403C is on the lighter end. Peer general/admin codes in the same category show OOS rates from 0.0% to 0.2%—all very low. For comparison, 390.21TB2-DOT has 74,663 citations with a 0.0% OOS rate, and 390.19B2-BIENNIAL has 16,142 citations with a 0.2% OOS rate. The fact that 390.403C has never been out-of-service in 35 citations places it in the safest tier of administrative violations.
Texas leads by far—9 citations in the last 180 days, with 0 out-of-service orders. Iowa and North Carolina each recorded 1 citation over the same period, also with no OOS. If you operate primarily in these states, be aware, but the overall volume is very low nationwide.
The citation trend is stable and low. Over the last 12 months, enforcement has averaged roughly 2 citations per month, with a slight uptick in recent months (3 citations in November 2025 and February 2026). The 90-day volume of 6 citations suggests this remains a rare violation with no dramatic enforcement surge.
Yes. 390.403C is typically a documentation or administrative finding rather than an equipment defect, which makes it a strong candidate for DataQs challenge if the citation is factually incorrect or if required paperwork was actually on file during the inspection. Submit your DataQs request within the required timeframe through the FMCSA portal with supporting documentation—invoices, service records, or proof of compliance. If the finding is based on missing or incomplete records, provide those records in your rebuttal.
Freightliner units account for 14 of the 35 all-time citations, followed by utility vehicles and International trucks with 6 citations each. Kenworth, other brands, and peterbilts round out the top makes. Vehicle type alone does not predict citation risk for this code—compliance and inspection practices matter more.
Where 390.403C 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.