Direct answers about obstructed driver view citations. Understand your OOS risk, what happens next, and where this violation is most common.
Ranks #689 of 3,146 FMCSR codes by citation frequency • OOS rate of 0.0% is below the FMCSR-wide average of 33.3%.
Drivers view and/or movement is obstructed
Direct answers grounded in TruckCodex inspection data
No. Across our 13 million inspection records, obstructed view citations have never resulted in an out-of-service order. The OOS rate for 392.9A3 is 0.0%—all 978 citations in our database were non-OOS violations. You can continue operating, but the citation will appear on your compliance record and may affect your safety scores.
It's relatively low-severity. While the national average out-of-service rate across all FMCSR codes is 31.4%, obstructed view has never triggered an OOS order. That said, peer violations in the Unsafe Driving category—like operating while fatigued (392.2)—carry OOS rates ranging from 0.1% to 2.4%, so 392.9A3 sits at the lower end of the safety spectrum.
First, address the obstruction immediately—clear any items blocking your view. Second, inspect your hours-of-service documentation and equipment; our data shows obstructed view citations often co-occur with HOS violations (395.8A1 in 18 shared inspections over 90 days) and equipment defects (396.17C-PI, 393.55E-B). Third, document the correction and keep records. Review your logbook compliance, as fatigued driving (392.2) appeared in 13 co-inspections.
In the last 180 days, Iowa leads with 64 citations, followed by Arizona with 55 and California with 39. These three states account for over half of all recent citations for obstructed view. If you operate in these states, extra attention to clear sightlines and interior clutter prevention is worthwhile.
It's not highly common. We recorded 667 citations in the last 12 months and 165 in the last 90 days. Ranked #723 of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume, obstructed view falls well below frequently cited violations. That said, citations have increased sharply: August and September 2025 each saw 76–79 citations, a notable spike compared to earlier months.
Yes. Obstructed view is an objective, observable finding (not a discretionary judgment), so it is contestable through FMCSA's DataQs (Roadside Data Quality Review) process. File a petition within 90 days of the inspection, provide evidence (photos, vehicle maintenance records, or witness statements showing your view was unobstructed), and explain the dispute. The inspecting officer's note and your supporting documentation will determine the outcome.
The citation records follow your FMCSA Driver Profile, not your carrier assignment. Any out-of-service violations or safety violations attach to you personally in the Safety Management System. However, obstructed view is typically a vehicle-specific finding, so if you were driving an older truck with a structural issue, switching vehicles should eliminate the hazard. Your carrier should address the underlying cause.
Freightliners are most frequently cited—217 total citations—followed by Freight carriers with 190 citations. Utility trailers (111 citations) and Volvo trucks (62 citations) also appear regularly in our data. If you operate one of these makes, regular cabin inspection and removal of items blocking your line of sight (mirrors, cargo, equipment) are essential preventive measures.
Where 392.9A3 is most commonly cited (last 180 days)
Other violations commonly found on the same inspection (last 90 days)
TruckCodex aggregates official public-sector datasets. See the Source registry for dataset-level coverage and the Freshness log for last-import timestamps.
Census, SAFER, SMS, Licensing & Insurance (L&I), roadside inspections, crashes, and authority history.
Vehicle recall campaigns, defect investigations, and consumer safety complaints (SCRS).
Cross-border carrier registry and Canadian recall campaigns where applicable.
TruckCodex is an independent aggregator; it is not affiliated with FMCSA, NHTSA, EIA, or Transport Canada. Always verify compliance-critical information directly with the originating agency.