What 392.7B-D means in plain language
This citation means you operated a commercial motor vehicle without performing a proper pre-trip inspection of intermodal equipment before driving. Intermodal equipment includes containers, chassis, trailers, and other specialized cargo-carrying apparatus that are part of your truck's load or configuration.
The regulation requires you to physically inspect this equipment before you start driving. That inspection should verify that the equipment is safe, secure, and fit for the road. You need to check it yourself or document that a qualified person did—you can't skip this step or assume it's fine without looking.
This isn't about your truck's brakes or lights. It's specifically about the cargo container or intermodal gear you're hauling. If you failed to conduct this inspection, or failed to document it, inspectors will cite you under 392.7B-D.
What our enforcement data actually shows
Across our 13 million+ inspection records, 392.7B-D ranks #959 of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume. We have recorded 446 all-time citations for this violation, with 249 citations in the last 12 months and 46 in the last 90 days.
Here's what makes this code notable: it has never resulted in an out-of-service placement in our database—a 0.0% OOS rate. In comparison, the all-FMCSR average OOS rate is 31.4%, meaning inspectors treat this violation as a compliance violation rather than an immediate safety-threat condition. That said, the citation still hits your record and can affect your CSA scores and carrier standing.
The citation trend over the past 12 months shows this violation is cyclical. We saw a spike in mid-2025 (28–31 citations in July and August) but have seen lower counts since (16–22 citations per month in recent months). This suggests seasonality, possibly tied to peak intermodal shipping periods.
Who gets cited most
Our inspection records show the top states for 392.7B-D citations in the last 180 days are:
- Arizona: 20 citations, 0.0% OOS rate
- California: 19 citations, 0.0% OOS rate
- New York: 8 citations, 0.0% OOS rate
All three states show a 0.0% OOS rate, consistent with the national pattern for this code. Georgia and Alabama follow with 7 and 5 citations respectively, both also at 0.0% OOS. The concentration in Arizona and California makes sense given the high volume of intermodal container traffic at West Coast ports and inland distribution centers.
By carrier, our data shows fleets such as Evans Delivery Company Inc with 17 citations and Sei Acquisition LLC with 5 citations have seen this violation in our records. This does not imply negligence—fleets operating high volumes of intermodal equipment naturally see more citations simply due to operational scale.
How severe is this compared to similar codes
Within the Unsafe Driving category, 392.7B-D is a minor violation by citation frequency. For comparison:
- 392.2 (Operating a CMV while ill or fatigued) has 1,208,164 all-time citations with a 0.8% OOS rate—nearly 2,700 times more common.
- 392.2-SLLEQP (Operating a CMV while ill or fatigued) has 72,352 citations with a 2.4% OOS rate—162 times more common, and more likely to result in an OOS placement.
- 392.2-SLLS2 (Speeding 6–10 mph over limit) has 72,337 citations with a 0.0% OOS rate, similar to 392.7B-D in rarity and enforcement profile.
Your citation is not in the high-enforcement, high-consequence tier. It's a documentation and process violation, not a judgment or condition violation like fatigue or reckless driving.
How to avoid it
Based on patterns in our inspection data, here are concrete steps to prevent a 392.7B-D citation:
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Walk around the intermodal equipment before departure. Look at the container doors, locking pins, twist locks, and connections. Check that all are secure and in place. This takes 2–3 minutes and is non-negotiable.
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Document what you saw. If your company uses a pre-trip inspection checklist or app, fill it out. If not, write down the date, time, equipment ID, and your sign-off. Inspectors want evidence that you looked, not just that you meant to.
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Pay special attention to cargo securement hardware. Our inspection data shows cargo securement violations (code 393.126B-CIM) commonly appear in the same inspections as 392.7B-D. Check that tie-downs, straps, and corner fittings are tight and not corroded.
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Inspect tires on the chassis or container trailer. Tire issues (code 393.75A3-TAOL) co-occur in 7 of our last 90 recorded 392.7B-D inspections. Verify that all tires are properly inflated and free of leaks.
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Check coupling devices and connections. If you're pulling a chassis or container with a tow hitch, inspect the coupling for cracks or looseness. This addresses the co-occurring pattern with code 393.55E-B.
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If you operate Freightliner, Volvo, or Kenworth vehicles (the top three makes in our citation data), allocate extra time for intermodal equipment pre-trips. These vehicles dominate intermodal operations, and the higher citation count may reflect higher operational volume rather than vehicle defect—but it means you're in a high-exposure category.
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Don't rely on dock workers or freight handlers. Even if someone else loaded or chained the cargo, you are the driver and you are responsible for verifying the intermodal equipment is safe. A joint inspection is fine, but your sign-off is mandatory.
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Keep a record. Whether handwritten or digital, maintain a log of pre-trip inspections for at least 30 days. If you get stopped, this record proves compliance and can help challenge a citation if it's issued in error.