FMCSR 392.2DIM: Operating While Ill or Fatigued — Driver Q&A

No. Across our inspection records, only 0.8% of 392.2DIM citations result in an out-of-service order. You were cited, but your truck remained in service in 99.2% of cases we've documented. That said, this is significantly lower than the all-FMCSR average OOS rate of 31.4%, which means inspectors treat this violation as a documentation or observation issue rather than an immediate safety threat requiring removal from the road.

This violation carries a severity weight of 8, which determines how many points are added to your Unsafe Driving BASIC over a rolling 30-month period. The exact CSA point value depends on FMCSA's current scoring formula and the 30-day inspection window, but the weight of 8 places this in the mid-range of serious violations. Check your CSA portal or call your carrier's compliance team to see the exact points added to your account.

First, get the citation details and inspector's notes—they explain exactly what triggered the violation (fatigue, illness, or impaired alertness). Second, review your logbook entries and vehicle inspection records for that day; co-occurring citations show that 392.2DIM often appears alongside logbook code violations (392.2RG, 392.2-SLLEWA variants) and equipment issues like inoperable lamps. Third, contact your fleet manager or carrier compliance officer to discuss the finding and ensure documentation is accurate before any challenge deadline.

It's mid-range serious. Among unsafe driving codes in the 392.2 family, 392.2DIM ranks with a 0.8% OOS rate, matching the broader 392.2 category. However, related variants like 392.2-SLLEQP carry a 2.4% OOS rate, while others like 392.2-SLLTCD show 0.0% OOS. The 0.8% rate is far below the national average of 31.4%, suggesting inspectors view this as a warning or documentation issue rather than an imminent hazard.

Yes. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration allows drivers and carriers to dispute inspection findings through the DataQS (Databus Quality System) portal within 90 days of the inspection. Since 392.2DIM is a driver-performance observation—not a mechanical defect—your challenge will focus on whether the inspector had reasonable grounds to believe your alertness or ability was impaired. Gather any medical records, logbook corrections, or witness statements supporting your condition at the time.

In the last 180 days, Iowa leads with 247 citations, followed by Illinois with 66, and North Carolina with 40. Iowa accounts for the vast majority of 392.2DIM enforcement we see. If you operate in Iowa, be especially vigilant about fatigue management, rest-day compliance, and clear communication with dispatchers if you're unwell. The concentration in one state suggests either higher enforcement focus or specific carrier patterns in that region.

Moderately urgent. Over the last 90 days, we recorded 178 new citations, averaging roughly 59 per month. The trend is stable—not spiking. However, because this citation affects your Unsafe Driving BASIC and CSA score, you should address it within 30 days: gather documentation, file a DataQS challenge if warranted, and discuss remedial training or health follow-up with your carrier. Delaying allows the violation to compound your CSA history.

It follows both. The violation is recorded under the driver's record and contributes to the carrier's Unsafe Driving BASIC, which is one of seven safety categories in CSA scoring. So if you drive for a carrier, the citation impacts both your individual safety profile and the company's overall FMCSA rating. If you're leased or independent, it affects your personal CSA account and any carrier you're partnered with at the time of the inspection.