FMCSR 392.7B: Pre-Trip Inspection of Intermodal Equipment

No. Across our inspection records, 392.7B has never resulted in an out-of-service order—the OOS rate is 0.0% out of 30 all-time citations. This makes it significantly less severe than the 31.4% average OOS rate across all FMCSR codes. You'll receive a citation, but your vehicle stays in service.

In enforcement frequency, this is a relatively rare citation. Our database shows only 30 all-time citations for 392.7B, ranking it #1799 of 3,036 FMCSR codes. In the last 12 months, we've recorded just 12 citations nationally. While not among the most-cited unsafe driving violations, failure to conduct a pre-trip inspection of intermodal equipment is a compliance requirement that can lead to safety and regulatory consequences if not addressed.

1. Review the citation details — confirm the date, time, and specific equipment cited.
2. Document your pre-trip inspection process — gather any logs, checklists, or procedures you follow.
3. Inspect the intermodal equipment thoroughly — photograph and document its condition.
4. Check for related violations — our data shows 392.7B co-occurs with CDL validity issues and record-of-duty-status violations, so verify your license and logbook are current.
5. Contact your carrier's safety department — they may have guidance on contesting or correcting the record.
6. Consider the DataQs process if you believe the citation is factually incorrect or improperly documented.

392.7B is far rarer than related unsafe driving codes. Our records show 392.2 (Operating a CMV while ill or fatigued) has 1,208,164 citations with a 0.8% OOS rate. By contrast, 392.7B has only 30 citations with 0.0% OOS. This suggests 392.7B enforcement is limited and cases that do occur are typically resolved without out-of-service actions, making it a lower-volume, lower-severity violation within the unsafe driving category.

Yes, DataQs allows you to challenge roadside inspection records. To contest a 392.7B citation, you'll need to demonstrate that either (1) the inspection was conducted improperly, or (2) you did perform the required pre-trip inspection and the inspector's documentation is inaccurate. Submit your challenge through FMCSA's DataQs system with supporting evidence—photos, your inspection logs, or witness statements. The burden is on you to show the record is incorrect or incomplete.

In the last 180 days, our inspection data shows 392.7B citations concentrated in New Jersey (3 citations), followed by Kansas, Massachusetts, North Carolina, and Nevada (1 citation each). None of these states resulted in out-of-service orders. If you operate primarily in these regions, ensure intermodal equipment pre-trip inspections are thoroughly documented to reduce citation risk.

Citation frequency has been low but steady. Our 12-month trend shows 2 citations in June and July 2025, 1 each in August and October 2025, 3 in January 2026, and 1 each in February and March 2026. In the last 90 days, only 2 citations were recorded. This suggests 392.7B is not a widespread enforcement focus, but sporadic citations do occur—particularly when inspectors flag intermodal equipment without documented pre-trip inspection steps.

Our data shows 392.7B citations are issued across multiple vehicle types, with Freightliner (FRHT) leading at 10 citations, followed by Hyster (HYTR) with 7, and trailers, Volvo, CIMC, and Stoughton each with 3–4 citations. This pattern reflects that intermodal inspection violations occur on diverse equipment, so the issue is not make-specific but rather driven by inspection practices and enforcement during roadside stops.