FMCSR 392.14: Driving in Hazardous Conditions — Q&A

No. Across our 13 million inspection records, the 0.4% out-of-service rate for 392.14 means nearly all drivers cited for this violation remain in service. Of 226 all-time citations, only 1 resulted in an out-of-service order. This is significantly lower than the 31.4% national average OOS rate across all FMCSR codes, making 392.14 one of the least likely violations to trigger immediate roadside removal.

This violation carries a severity weight of 5 points. CSA scoring multiplies your violation count by this weight over a rolling 30-day period. One 392.14 citation = 5 points on your Safety Measurement System record. If you receive multiple citations within 30 days, the total CSA impact scales accordingly. Check your FMCSA Safety Management System account to see your current BASIC 1 (Unsafe Driving) profile score.

First, request a copy of the inspection report from the officer. Review it for accuracy—note weather conditions at the time, your speed, and visibility. Across our data, 392.14 sometimes co-occurs with speeding violations (392.2) and serious equipment issues (383.51A). If other violations appear on your report, address them immediately. Then contact your carrier's safety manager and document your defense (dash cam footage, weather records, or witness statements) if you plan to contest through the DataQs process within 30 days of citation.

No—it's relatively minor in enforcement frequency and consequence. Our inspection records show 392.14 ranked #1184 of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume, with only 226 all-time citations. Compare this to its peer codes in the Unsafe Driving category: 392.2 (operating while ill/fatigued) has 1.2+ million citations. The 0.4% OOS rate for 392.14 is also far below the 31.4% national average, indicating inspectors and enforcers treat it as a behavior-based warning rather than a critical defect.

Yes. You have 30 days from citation to submit a Data Quality and Completeness (DataQs) challenge to the FMCSA. Because 392.14 is a driver behavior violation—not equipment-based—your challenge should focus on factual disputes: Was the weather actually hazardous? Did you reduce speed appropriately? Were road conditions as severe as cited? Gather dash cam footage, weather service records, or dispatch communications that contradict the officer's assessment. Contact your carrier's safety or legal team for help drafting your challenge.

Over the last 180 days, our inspection data shows 392.14 citations concentrated in Iowa (2 citations, 0% OOS rate) and North Carolina (2 citations, 0% OOS rate). Enforcement volume is low nationwide—only 3 citations in the last 90 days and 7 in the last 12 months—so citation location varies month to month. If you operate in cold-weather or high-rain regions during winter months, vigilance around speed reduction in poor visibility is critical.

392.14 is not urgent from a roadside safety standpoint, but it is urgent from a CSA perspective. Our data shows a low 90-day citation trend (3 citations total), indicating this violation is not heavily enforced. However, it signals to auditors that you made a judgment error in hazardous conditions. Your priority is behavioral: drive slower and with greater caution in rain, snow, fog, or dust storms to avoid a repeat citation, which would compound your CSA score. No equipment repair is required.

Both. CSA violations under the Unsafe Driving BASIC category follow you—the driver—not the carrier. However, the citation record stays linked to the carrier's USDOT number as well. If you switch carriers, your new employer will see the violation on your Pre-Employment Screening Program (PSP) report, and it will appear in their CSA BASIC 1 score. Work with your current safety manager to document how you've improved hazard recognition and speed management in adverse weather.