What 392.62B-PC means in plain language
FMCSR 392.62B-PC addresses a specific safety requirement for passenger carriers operating buses. The regulation requires that aisle seats on a bus meet established specifications for design, installation, and condition. When a bus is operated with aisle seating that does not conform to those requirements, the vehicle violates this code.
Aisle seats are different from the primary passenger seating along the sides of the bus. They typically face inward toward the aisle itself or are positioned to accommodate high-capacity routes. The regulation ensures these seats are structurally sound, securely fastened, properly cushioned, and designed to prevent passenger injury during normal operation or emergency braking.
A citation for 392.62B-PC means an inspector found at least one aisle seat that failed to meet FMCSR specifications at the time of inspection. This could involve loose fasteners, cracked or broken frames, inadequate cushioning, or misalignment that creates a safety hazard.
What our enforcement data actually shows
Across our 13 million+ inspection records, 392.62B-PC is extremely rare. We show only 3 all-time citations for this code, with 3 citations in the last 12 months and 0 in the last 90 days. None of the 3 vehicles cited were placed out of service, giving this code a 0.0% out-of-service rate.
For context, the all-FMCSR average out-of-service rate is 31.4%. The 0.0% rate for 392.62B-PC means inspectors have consistently allowed buses with this violation to remain in service after citation. This indicates enforcement agencies view aisle seat defects as a compliance issue that can be remedied without immediately removing the vehicle from operation.
392.62B-PC ranks #2551 out of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume, placing it among the least-cited safety codes in our database. The minimal enforcement frequency suggests that either aisle seat non-conformance is rare in the field, or it falls outside the typical focus areas of roadside inspections.
Who gets cited most
Our inspection records show only one state with citations for 392.62B-PC in the last 180 days: New Jersey, with 1 citation and a 0.0% out-of-service rate.
By all-time volume, our data indicates passenger carriers such as Kobussen Buses Ltd (USDOT 275996), Airport Service Corp (USDOT 609266), and Unlimited Tours & Charters LLC (USDOT 2835059) have each appeared once in our enforcement records for this code. This does not imply systemic negligence at any carrier; with only 3 total citations nationwide, each represents a single roadside encounter.
How severe is this compared to similar codes
392.62B-PC falls into the Unsafe Driving category. Peer codes in the same category show vastly different enforcement patterns:
- 392.2 (Operating a CMV while ill or fatigued) has generated 1,208,164 citations with a 0.8% out-of-service rate.
- 392.2-SLLSR (Operating a CMV while ill or fatigued) shows 191,232 citations with a 0.1% out-of-service rate.
- 392.2-SLLS2 (Speeding 6-10 mph over limit) records 72,337 citations with a 0.0% out-of-service rate.
The disparity is stark. Code 392.2 alone has received more than 400,000 times the citation volume of 392.62B-PC. This comparison underscores that aisle seat defects are either detected far less frequently or occur in a much smaller portion of the fleet than driver fatigue or speeding violations.
How to avoid it
If you operate or maintain a passenger bus, protect yourself from 392.62B-PC citations with these concrete pre-trip steps:
-
Conduct a full aisle-seat walkthrough before each trip. Physically push on every aisle seat from multiple angles. Look for movement, creaking, or shifting that indicates loose fasteners or worn mounting hardware. Tighten any bolts you find loose and document the action.
-
Inspect cushioning and seating surfaces. Check for deep cracks, tears, or compressed sections that no longer provide proper support. A broken or sagging aisle seat poses both a safety hazard and a citation risk.
-
Verify no obstructions or debris. Ensure aisle seats are not bent, warped, or partially blocked in a way that compromises passenger access or safety during emergency evacuation.
-
Schedule preventive maintenance on aisle-seat hardware. If your bus fleet includes Blue Bird, Ford, or VNHL models (the vehicle makes that appear in our enforcement data), incorporate aisle-seat frame and fastener inspection into your regular service schedule, not just when a problem is reported.
-
Train drivers to report seat defects immediately. If a driver discovers a loose or broken aisle seat during pre-trip, they should report it to maintenance and not operate the bus until repair is complete. This prevents a citation and keeps passengers safe.
Because 392.62B-PC citations are so rare, many operators overlook aisle seating in their compliance programs. Don't. A single inspection can catch a defect, and proactive maintenance costs far less than a citation and the operational disruption that follows.