What 392.62C2 means in plain language
FMCSR 392.62C2 is a safety violation specific to buses: your exit doors or emergency exits are blocked by baggage, freight, or other cargo. When passengers need to evacuate—whether in an emergency or during normal boarding and alighting—they cannot access the exits freely.
This isn't about general housekeeping. The regulation exists because a blocked exit in a bus carrying passengers creates an immediate safety hazard. If an emergency occurs and passengers cannot reach exits quickly, the consequences can be severe. Inspectors check that all marked exits are completely clear of obstruction, with nothing stowed or placed in front of, against, or in the pathway to any emergency door or window.
What our enforcement data actually shows
Across our 13 million+ inspection records, 392.62C2 has received 12 citations all-time, with 9 citations in the last 12 months and 3 in the last 90 days. This code ranks #2132 out of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume—relatively uncommon, but when cited, it carries weight.
The most striking statistic: our inspection records show a 58.3% out-of-service rate for this violation. That means in 7 out of 12 all-time cases, the bus was placed out-of-service on the spot. This rate is significantly higher than the all-FMCSR average of 31.4%, indicating that when inspectors find obstructed exits, they treat the safety risk seriously enough to remove the vehicle from service immediately.
In the last 90 days, we recorded 3 citations with 2 resulting in out-of-service placement. The recent trend shows sporadic enforcement: February 2026 saw a spike with 3 citations (2 OOS), while most other months logged 0–1 citations.
Who gets cited most
Our inspection records show that Texas dominates enforcement for this code, with 4 citations in the last 180 days and a 75.0% out-of-service rate (3 of 4 vehicles placed OOS). This is notably higher than the national 58.3% rate for this code, suggesting inspectors in Texas are particularly vigilant about passenger safety on buses.
Across all-time data, several carriers appear in our citation records with this violation. MEXABUS LLC (USDOT 4092902) and USA MEX INC (USDOT 2574554) each had 2 citations. DURHAM SCHOOL SERVICES LP (USDOT 350651) also had 2 citations. These figures reflect the data in our database and do not imply systematic non-compliance; they simply identify fleets where this particular violation has been documented during roadside inspection.
Vehicle makes cited most frequently include MCIN (4 citations), THOM (3 citations), and VOLV (2 citations), suggesting the violation is not limited to one manufacturer or bus type.
How severe is this compared to similar codes
392.62C2 sits in the Unsafe Driving category alongside many other codes. For context, the most-cited peer code in this category is 392.2 (Operating a CMV while ill or fatigued), which has accumulated 1,208,164 citations all-time with a 0.8% OOS rate. That massive citation volume and low OOS rate reflect a much broader enforcement pattern.
Another peer, 392.2RG, also addresses operating while fatigued and has 96,652 citations with a 0.1% OOS rate. Both of these codes are cited far more frequently than 392.62C2, but they are enforced with lower out-of-service placement rates. This suggests that obstructed exits, though uncommon, are treated with greater severity when discovered—likely because the safety risk is immediate and irreversible during an actual emergency.
How to avoid it
Before every trip:
- Walk the full perimeter of the bus and visually confirm every exit door and emergency window is completely unobstructed. This includes overhead racks, cargo netting, suitcases, freight containers, and any equipment.
- If you load baggage or freight, establish a loading protocol that reserves the area around all exits as a no-load zone. Brief your loading team on which zones are off-limits.
- Check that emergency exit placards and signage are visible and not covered by cargo.
During operation:
- Never allow passengers to stack baggage, blankets, or personal items against exit doors during the ride.
- Conduct a quick visual sweep of the aisle and exits before departing each stop.
- If a passenger has seated luggage near an exit, politely ask them to relocate it or stow it safely overhead or in a designated cargo area.
Co-occurring patterns worth noting: Our inspection records show that 392.62C2 sometimes co-occurs with 392.2RG (operating while ill or fatigued) in the same inspection. This suggests that violations cluster—drivers or operators who allow obstructed exits may also be pushing through fatigue or poor health. Fatigue impairs judgment about safety details. Ensure you are well-rested and alert before operating, and do a methodical pre-trip inspection every time.
Also documented: one shared inspection involved 390.21(a) (vehicle marking), suggesting general vehicle condition and compliance can deteriorate together. Make exit obstruction part of your daily walkaround checklist, just like tire condition and brake function.