What happens when you're cited for improper lane change under 392.2-LC? Direct answers on OOS risk, CSA points, and next steps from 13M inspection records.
Ranks #3,037 of 3,146 FMCSR codes by citation frequency.
Making an improper or unsafe lane change while operating a commercial motor vehicle.
Direct answers grounded in TruckCodex inspection data
No. Across our inspection database, 392.2-LC citations result in a 0.0% out-of-service rate—meaning your truck will not be placed OOS for this violation. This code is not eligible for immediate out-of-service action under FMCSA rules. However, the citation itself will still appear on your record and carry CSA weight, so contest it if the finding was incorrect.
This violation carries a severity weight of 4 CSA points. In a single 30-day window, a weight of 4 is applied once per citation. If you receive multiple 392.2-LC citations within 30 days, each adds 4 points. Over longer periods, the points decay, but during the rolling 30-day window they accumulate—so multiple citations in quick succession will increase your BASIC 1 (Unsafe Driving) percentile faster.
Immediate steps:
In relative terms, 392.2-LC is notably less common than peer codes in the Unsafe Driving category. The most cited peer code, 392.2 (Operating while ill or fatigued), shows 1,208,164 all-time citations with a 0.8% OOS rate. Meanwhile, 392.2-LC has received 0 citations in our database since records began. This suggests the violation is enforced rarely or inconsistently across jurisdictions.
Yes. The DataQs system allows you to challenge roadside inspection findings that you believe are inaccurate or unsupported. For 392.2-LC (an unsafe driving observation), you can contest by documenting that the lane change was safe, properly signaled, and necessary—or that the inspector misread your maneuver. Submit evidence (dashcam footage, witness statements, road conditions) within 45 days of the citation to FMCSA.
392.2-LC addresses improper or unsafe lane changes while operating a commercial motor vehicle. Inspectors cite this when they observe you changing lanes without signaling, cutting off other vehicles, failing to check mirrors, or merging into an occupied lane. Unlike equipment violations, this is a behavior observation—so the inspector must have directly witnessed the unsafe maneuver, not inferred it from a report.
Across 13 million roadside inspections in our database, 392.2-LC has generated 0 citations in the last 12 months and 0 citations all-time. This code is on the books but appears to be rarely or never enforced in practice. Inspectors may cite related unsafe driving codes instead, or this particular violation code may have been superseded by enforcement policy changes. If you've been cited for it, request clarity on what specific maneuver triggered the citation.
Both. FMCSA assigns BASIC 1 (Unsafe Driving) violations to the driver's personal CSA record and to the carrier's safety profile. A citation under 392.2-LC will increase your individual BASIC 1 percentile and your carrier's percentile. If you change carriers, the citation stays with you. Your new carrier will see it in your PSP (Pre-employment Screening Program) record, which factors into their hiring and retention decisions.
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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.
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