What 393.106(d) means in plain language
A headerboard (also called a bulkhead) is a rigid barrier installed at the front of your cargo area. Its job is to prevent cargo from shifting forward and hitting the cab during hard braking, acceleration, or impact.
When FMCSR 393.106(d) gets cited at roadside, it means an inspector found that your headerboard was either missing entirely, or present but structurally inadequate to hold cargo in place. "Inadequate" typically means cracks, dents, holes, improper fastening, or insufficient height relative to the load you're carrying.
This is a cargo securement requirement, not a structural defect of the tractor itself. The regulation exists because unsecured cargo is a collision hazard—to you, your cargo, and other road users.
What our enforcement data actually shows
Across our 13 million+ inspection records, 393.106(d) has generated 1,668 citations all-time, making it ranked #574 of 3,036 FMCSR codes by enforcement volume. However, enforcement of this code has dropped sharply: we recorded zero citations in the last 12 months and zero in the last 90 days in our database.
When this violation is cited, the consequences are severe. Our data shows a 99.0% out-of-service rate—meaning inspectors placed your vehicle out of service in 1,652 of the 1,668 cases on record. This is dramatically higher than the all-FMCSR average of 31.4%, underscoring that inspectors treat missing or inadequate headerboards as an immediate safety failure.
The sharp decline in recent citations may reflect better compliance, inspector focus on other codes, or regional variation in enforcement priorities. Regardless, when this code is cited, expect to be taken out of service until the headerboard is repaired or replaced.
Who gets cited most
Our inspection records do not include a state-level breakdown for 393.106(d) in the current dataset, so we cannot name the top three states by citation count. However, we can identify the carriers with the highest citation counts for this violation. Our data shows fleets such as Masters Transportation LLC (USDOT 2196945) with 10 citations, and E & R Transportation Inc (USDOT 2064518) with 7 citations. This pattern suggests the violation occurs across different fleet sizes and operational models, but is not concentrated in any single carrier type.
How severe is this compared to similar codes
393.106(d) sits in the Vehicle Maintenance category alongside other cargo and structural requirements. Compared to peer codes in the same family:
393.9(a) — Inoperable required lamps has seen 660,737 citations with a 15.4% OOS rate. While far more common, lamps are cited at out-of-service rates roughly 6 times lower than headerboards.
396.3(a)(1) — Inspection/repair/maintenance general accounts for 236,919 citations with a 45.3% OOS rate. Headerboards are cited out-of-service at more than twice that rate.
393.78 — Windshield condition defective has 157,894 citations with only a 0.3% OOS rate. In other words, cracked windshields almost never result in OOS, whereas headerboards do in 99 out of 100 cases.
The gap highlights that inspectors treat headerboard defects as non-negotiable safety failures, not minor cosmetic issues.
How to avoid it
Before you depart on each trip, make it your routine to:
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Walk around the cargo box. Look for visible gaps, cracks, holes, or loose bolts in the headerboard. If it's splintering, dented inward, or missing sections, that's your citation waiting to happen.
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Check that the headerboard is securely fastened at all connection points. Tug on it by hand if it's accessible. A loose bolted connection can separate under braking and fail inspection.
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Confirm headerboard height matches your load. If you're hauling pipe, lumber, or other tall cargo, the headerboard must be tall enough to prevent material from shifting forward over the top. Load against it directly, don't leave a gap.
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Inspect after loading. Some drivers focus on the header before the load goes in, then don't re-check. Cargo shifting during loading or securing can expose headerboard defects you missed initially.
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Know your vehicle's weak points. Our inspection data shows older cabover and conventional models (particularly PTRB, KW, and FRHT units) appear frequently in citation records. If you're operating a vehicle with a history of headerboard issues, add a dedicated pre-trip inspection step and keep maintenance documentation.
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Keep a spare bolt kit and fasteners on board. Many headerboard OOS removals are caused by loose or missing bolts rather than structural failure. A roadside tightening or bolt replacement can sometimes get you back in service without a full repair.
Because enforcement has dropped to zero citations in the last 12 months, it's possible this code has moved lower on some inspectors' priority lists—but don't let that false comfort lead to neglect. The 99% OOS rate tells you that any inspector who does look closely will ground your truck if the headerboard is missing or inadequate. Make it a non-issue through consistent pre-trip verification.