What 392.2-RRTCD means in plain language
FMCSR 392.2-RRTCD prohibits you from operating a commercial motor vehicle when your ability to drive safely is impaired. That impairment can come from fatigue, illness, or any other physical or mental condition that undermines your alertness or judgment.
The regulation doesn't require you to be acutely sick or completely exhausted. The standard is whether your condition makes it unsafe for you to start or continue operating. An officer at roadside observes your behavior, appearance, and responses to determine whether a violation exists. They may note drowsiness, confusion, slurred speech, labored breathing, or other signs that your fitness to drive is compromised.
This is not about your general health status. It's about your fitness to operate right now. If you're running a fever, struggling to stay awake, or dealing with a medical event that impairs your coordination or cognition, you should not be behind the wheel.
What our enforcement data actually shows
Our inspection records show that 392.2-RRTCD citations are relatively uncommon. Across 13 million inspections, we have recorded 629 all-time citations for this code, with 330 citations issued in the last 12 months and 46 in the last 90 days. This ranks 392.2-RRTCD at #852 of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume—well below the average in terms of enforcement frequency.
Out-of-service placement is notably rare. All 629 citations in our database resulted in zero out-of-service orders, yielding a 0.0% OOS rate. This contrasts sharply with the all-FMCSR average OOS rate of 31.4%, indicating that officers almost never deem drivers too unsafe to continue immediately. Most citations are warnings or written violations that trigger follow-up action rather than roadside removal.
The 12-month trend shows consistent monthly citation counts, averaging around 27–28 per month. May 2025 and September 2025 were the highest-citation months at 41 and 39 respectively, while April 2026 saw only 1 citation, though that month was still early when the snapshot was taken.
Who gets cited most
Our data from the last 180 days shows Georgia leading with 18 citations, followed by Washington with 16 and Florida with 13. These three states account for roughly 47 citations out of 113 total in that window. Other high-citation states include Nevada (10), Pennsylvania (10), and Tennessee (9).
Notably, the OOS rate across all these top states remained at 0.0%—no variation by geography. Every citation in Georgia, Washington, Florida, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Nebraska, Ohio, Michigan, and Arizona resulted in the driver remaining in-service.
Across our all-time data, our records show fleets such as J B HUNT TRANSPORT INC with 5 citations and US XPRESS INC with 4 citations for this code. This does not imply negligence; it reflects the volume of inspections and miles these carriers operate. Smaller carriers and owner-operators also receive these citations.
How severe is this compared to similar codes
392.2-RRTCD is one variant of the broader 392.2 family of fatigue and illness regulations. The parent code 392.2 has accumulated 1,208,164 citations with a 0.8% OOS rate—vastly more enforcement activity overall, but a similarly low out-of-service threshold.
Peer codes like 392.2-SLLTCD (85,391 citations, 0.0% OOS rate) and 392.2-SLL (84,501 citations, 0.2% OOS rate) show comparable patterns: high citation volume relative to out-of-service placement. By contrast, 392.2-SLLEQP (72,352 citations, 2.4% OOS rate) has a notably higher OOS rate, suggesting that variant involves more severe or objective impairment markers.
The CSA severity weight assigned to 392.2-RRTCD is 8, placing it in the moderate range for safety violations. While not in the highest tier, a citation will impact your CSA scores and your carrier's Safety Management Cycle profile.
How to avoid it
Before every shift:
- Assess your physical state honestly. If you have a fever, body aches, dizziness, or are running on minimal sleep, inform your dispatcher and do not accept a run.
- Review your hours-of-service compliance. Our data shows 395.8E-HOSPD (false record of duty status) and 395.8A1-HOSP (HOS violations) co-occur with fatigue citations. Accurate logs protect you by documenting your rest and alerting you if you are approaching limits.
During operation:
- Take breaks every 2 hours or whenever you feel fatigue setting in. Drowsiness is the most common trigger for these citations.
- Pull over if you experience dizziness, blurred vision, difficulty concentrating, or any sign of illness. A 15-minute rest or a stop for water can prevent a violation.
- Maintain your vehicle's heating and air conditioning system. Poor cabin climate control compounds fatigue and is associated with other citations officers observe together.
Vehicle-specific actions:
- Our data shows Freightliner (126 citations), Peterbilt (42), and International (40) vehicles are frequently cited for this code. These are high-volume models, but they also have specific HVAC and comfort systems that deteriorate with age. Ensure cabin temperature and air flow are correct before each run.
- Check your mirrors and controls for proper adjustment. An uncomfortable driving position increases fatigue over long hours.
Documentation and communication:
- If you have a medical condition (sleep apnea, diabetes, medications that affect alertness), be proactive with your fleet safety manager. Carriers can adjust your dispatch schedule or training to mitigate risk.
- If you receive a citation, ask the officer for the exact observations that triggered it. This feedback is actionable for future compliance.
The 0.0% OOS rate for this code means officers are issuing citations as warnings and coaching tools, not immediately removing you from service. Use that window to correct the underlying issue before a more serious incident occurs.