What 392.2DH means in plain language
FMCSR 392.2DH addresses a straightforward safety rule: you cannot operate a commercial motor vehicle when your ability to drive safely is compromised by fatigue, illness, or any other physical or mental condition. This isn't about a minor headache or seasonal allergies. The standard is whether your condition makes it unsafe for you to begin or continue driving.
Inspectors use this code when they observe or have credible reason to believe you're impaired—whether from lack of sleep, medication side effects, fever, vertigo, or any other ailment that degrades alertness or motor control. The key is impairment that affects safety, not merely the presence of a condition.
What our enforcement data actually shows
Across our 13 million+ inspection records, 392.2DH is an uncommon citation. All-time, we have logged 41 citations for this code, ranking it #1687 out of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume. In the last 12 months, enforcement has been sparse: just 16 citations nationwide. Over the last 90 days, only 2 citations appeared in our database.
The most striking fact: not a single citation for 392.2DH has resulted in an out-of-service order. Our data shows 0 out-of-service placements across all 41 all-time citations, giving this code a 0.0% OOS rate. By contrast, the all-FMCSR average OOS rate is 31.4%, meaning 392.2DH violations are rarely severe enough to ground a truck on the spot. However, this does not mean the citation is harmless—it still carries a CSA Severity Weight of 8, which will factor into your safety record and may affect insurance rates, audits, and carrier reviews.
Who gets cited most
Our inspection records show the highest concentration of 392.2DH citations in Iowa, with 4 citations over the last 180 days, all without OOS placement (0.0% rate). Illinois follows with 2 citations, also at a 0.0% OOS rate. The limited geographic data reflects the rarity of this violation.
When we look at carriers across all-time enforcement, our data shows fleets such as Harms Pacific Transport Inc, Werner Enterprises Inc, Swift Transportation Co of Arizona LLC, and others each with 1 citation for 392.2DH. No single carrier shows a pattern; this is distributed enforcement reflecting individual driver incidents rather than systemic fleet issues.
How severe is this compared to similar codes
392.2DH is a specific subsection within the broader "Operating a CMV while ill or fatigued" category. Its parent code, 392.2, has accumulated 1,208,164 citations with a 0.8% OOS rate—far higher citation volume but similar enforcement outcome (low OOS). Other related codes in the same category show comparable patterns: 392.2-SLLSR has 191,232 citations at a 0.1% OOS rate, and 392.2RG has 96,652 citations at 0.1% OOS. The broader family of 392.2 codes reflects how common fatigue and illness concerns are in roadside inspection, yet how rarely they trigger immediate out-of-service action. 392.2DH's 0.0% OOS rate aligns with the general approach: inspectors document the violation and the citation creates a CSA record, but removal from service is reserved for more acute safety emergencies.
How to avoid it
Prevention starts before you turn the key. Use these driver-actionable steps:
-
Sleep is non-negotiable. Plan your log book to ensure minimum 7–8 hours of rest before any long shift. Fatigue is the leading cause of this citation. If you feel drowsy, pull over safely and rest—no delivery is worth a violation or crash.
-
Pre-trip health check. Before starting your day, honestly assess your physical state. If you have a fever, severe cold symptoms, new medication that makes you dizzy, or any condition affecting balance or alertness, delay your departure or inform your dispatcher immediately. Inspectors are trained to spot signs of illness during vehicle checks and driver interactions.
-
Medication awareness. If you take any over-the-counter or prescription medication, review the label for drowsiness warnings. Antihistamines, cough syrup with dextromethorphan, and blood pressure medications can all impair alertness. Discuss any new prescriptions with your doctor before your next load, and never start a medication on a driving day without knowing its effects.
-
Log book discipline. The data from vehicle makes cited (Freightliner, Peterbilt, Volvo, and Kenworth models represent the bulk of 392.2DH citations) shows this violation spans all major truck types. Regardless of your vehicle, stick to compliant hours-of-service logs and take mandatory breaks. Inspectors cross-reference your logbook against observed signs of fatigue.
-
Stay hydrated and fed during shifts. Dehydration and low blood sugar amplify fatigue. Pack water and snacks so you maintain energy and focus without relying on energy drinks or stimulants that can mask fatigue and create a false sense of alertness.
-
Know when to say no. If your carrier or dispatcher pressures you to drive when you're exhausted or ill, document the request and contact your safety manager or a regulatory hotline. No citation is worth your life or someone else's.