What 393.102(a) means in plain language
Cargo securement is one of the most fundamental safety requirements in trucking. FMCSR 393.102(a) specifically addresses the number of tiedowns you use to secure your cargo. The regulation requires that you use enough tiedowns—properly spaced and rated for the load—to prevent the cargo from shifting, falling, or becoming unsecured during transit.
When an inspector cites you for 393.102(a), they are saying you did not use the minimum number of tiedowns required for the weight, size, and type of cargo you were hauling. This is not about the quality of your tiedowns or whether they are rated correctly—those are separate codes. This is about quantity: you did not have enough securing points to meet the standard.
The specific number of tiedowns depends on your cargo type and weight. Heavy or bulky loads, loads with an uneven center of gravity, or loads that extend beyond the trailer bed may require more tiedowns than a compact, dense load of the same weight. Inspectors use FMCSR 393.100 and related appendices to determine whether your securement plan was adequate.
What our enforcement data actually shows
Across 13 million roadside inspection records, 393.102(a) citations are relatively rare. Our database shows 258 all-time citations for this code, with zero citations in the last 12 months and zero in the last 90 days. This places 393.102(a) at rank #1137 out of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation frequency.
What matters more than volume, however, is the consequence. When 393.102(a) is cited, it results in an out-of-service (OOS) order 39.5% of the time—meaning the inspector removes your vehicle from service until you correct the violation. This OOS rate is 8.1 percentage points higher than the all-FMCSR average of 31.4%. Of the 258 all-time citations in our database, 102 resulted in an OOS order and 156 did not.
The rarity of recent citations does not mean the violation has disappeared; it may reflect improved driver and fleet compliance with securement standards, or it may indicate that inspectors are citing securement violations under related codes. Either way, if you receive a 393.102(a) citation, you are facing a substantial risk of being taken out of service on the spot.
Who gets cited most
Our inspection records do not provide geographic breakdowns by state for this code due to its low citation volume. However, our data shows that fleets such as UP LEVEL LOGISTICS LLC and MINER LTD have each received 3 citations for 393.102(a), while DUANE RINKES TRACTOR WORK & TRUCKING INC also has 3 citations. Several carriers including SUNSET CONCRETE LLC, WESTON BUILDINGS INC, NOWAKOWSKI TRANSPORT, MARSON LOGISTICS INC, and AMERICAN LANDSCAPING INC have each recorded 2 citations.
The prevalence of concrete, landscaping, and logistics carriers in this list is notable—these fleets commonly haul loads that are difficult to secure uniformly (concrete blocks, equipment, aggregate materials). If you work in these industries or haul similar cargo, pay special attention to your securement practices.
How severe is this compared to similar codes
Vehicle maintenance codes in the same regulatory category show wide variation in enforcement and consequence. For comparison:
- 393.9(a) — Inoperable required lamps has received 660,737 citations all-time with a 15.4% OOS rate. This code is cited far more frequently, but drivers are placed out of service less often.
- 396.3(a)(1) — Inspection/repair/maintenance (general) shows 236,919 citations with a 45.3% OOS rate, higher than 393.102(a)'s rate. This suggests that general maintenance defects are treated as severe when found.
- 393.78 — Windshield condition defective has 157,894 citations but only a 0.3% OOS rate, indicating that cosmetic or minor defects rarely result in out-of-service orders.
The 39.5% OOS rate for 393.102(a) places it in the upper tier of enforcement severity. Inspectors view insufficient securement as a serious safety risk, not merely a procedural failure.
How to avoid it
Securement violations almost always arise from one of three causes: underestimating how many tiedowns a load requires, using tiedowns that are spaced too far apart, or failing to inspect your securement before departure. Here are concrete steps to prevent a citation:
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Know your load requirements before you load. Before cargo is loaded onto your trailer, consult the shipper about weight, dimensions, and center of gravity. Use FMCSR 393.100-395 and cargo-specific guidelines to calculate the minimum number of tiedowns needed. When in doubt, use more than the minimum.
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Space tiedowns evenly. A common violation is spacing tiedowns too far apart, which allows cargo to shift between securing points. For most cargo, tiedowns should be spaced no more than 10 feet apart along the length of the load. Measure before you depart.
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Perform a rigorous pre-trip securement inspection. Walk the length of your trailer before you hit the road. Verify that every tiedown is in place, properly threaded through or around the cargo, and tight. Check that straps or chains are not frayed, rusted, or damaged. Look for any cargo movement or shifting.
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Inspect mid-trip. For long hauls, pull over every 100 miles and re-check your securement. Tiedowns can loosen during acceleration, braking, and cornering. Tightening them mid-journey can prevent a citation and an accident.
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Document your securement. Take a photo or video of your tiedowns before departure. If an inspector questions your securement count or spacing, this record supports your account and may reduce the severity of a citation.
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If you haul specialty cargo (concrete, equipment, aggregate), invest in training. Carriers in high-citation industries should ensure that all drivers complete formal cargo securement training. Improper securement of heavy or asymmetrical loads is a leading cause of violations in these segments.