What 393.11(c) means in plain language
FMCSR 393.11(c) requires that your commercial motor vehicle has adequate lighting devices and reflectors in working condition. This covers headlamps, taillights, marker lights, brake lights, and reflective tape or devices that make your truck visible to other road users—especially in low-light or nighttime conditions.
When an inspector cites you for this violation, they've found that one or more of these lights or reflectors is either missing, damaged, or not functioning. The rule exists because faulty lighting directly affects visibility and safety on the road. Other drivers depend on seeing your vehicle clearly to avoid collisions.
This is a straightforward maintenance issue. It's not about your logbook, your cargo, or your driving record—it's about the physical condition of your truck's lighting system.
What our enforcement data actually shows
Across 13 million inspections in our database, 393.11(c) citations are exceptionally rare. All-time, we have recorded only 34 citations for this code. Over the last 12 months, we saw zero citations. In the last 90 days, we also saw zero citations.
None of the 34 all-time citations resulted in an out-of-service order. That means a 0.0% out-of-service rate for 393.11(c)—significantly lower than the all-FMCSR average of 31.4%. This tells you that inspectors view lighting violations as correctable maintenance issues rather than safety emergencies that warrant immediate vehicle removal from service.
By citation volume, 393.11(c) ranks #1746 out of 3,036 FMCSR codes. You were cited for something that is statistically uncommon in roadside enforcement.
Who gets cited most
Our records show that lighting violations under 393.11(c) have been documented across a small set of carriers and vehicle types. Christopher Delivery Services (USDOT 2093609) appears in our data with 2 citations; the remaining carriers—Beck Disposal Inc, Orlando Lopez, R W Trucking Inc, and others—each have 1 citation on record.
The vehicle makes most frequently cited for this violation are Freightliner (5 citations), followed by Chevrolet and Volvo (4 citations each), and International (4 citations). If you operate one of these makes, a focused pre-trip inspection of all lighting systems is especially worthwhile.
Because the overall citation volume is so low, geographic clustering is not pronounced in the data.
How severe is this compared to similar codes
Within the Vehicle Maintenance category, 393.11(c) sits in a much lower-enforcement tier than related lighting codes. Compare:
- 393.9(a) (Inoperable required lamps) has 660,737 citations with a 15.4% out-of-service rate—nearly 20,000 times more common than 393.11(c).
- 393.11 (the parent code, Lighting devices/reflectors overall) has 179,734 citations with a 1.8% out-of-service rate—still roughly 5,300 times more frequent than the subsection you were cited under.
- 396.3(a)(1) (Inspection/repair/maintenance general) has 236,919 citations and a 45.3% out-of-service rate, reflecting much stricter enforcement of systemic maintenance failures.
Your citation is genuinely uncommon, and no out-of-service action was taken, which reinforces that a single lighting defect is treated as a minor, fixable issue.
How to avoid it
Lighting defects are among the easiest violations to prevent because they require only a methodical visual and functional check before each trip.
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Perform a complete pre-trip inspection of all exterior lights and reflectors. Walk around your truck in daylight and at night if possible. Check headlamps (both high and low beam), taillights, brake lights, marker lights on the tractor and trailer, and all reflective tape or retroreflectors. Turn on the lights and look for burned-out bulbs, cracks in lenses, or missing fixtures.
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Test brake lights and backup lights with a partner or use a reflective surface. Have someone stand behind the truck and confirm that your brake lights illuminate when you apply the brakes. Missing or dim brake lights are a quick path to a citation.
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Replace burned-out bulbs immediately. Do not defer this to the next scheduled maintenance. A burned-out headlamp or taillight is a fast citation waiting to happen, and bulbs are cheap compared to the hassle of a roadside inspection.
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Inspect reflective tape and retroreflectors for damage or dirt. Reflectors work only if they are clean and intact. If your trailer's reflective striping is peeling, torn, or obscured by mud or grease, clean or replace it.
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Check wiring and connections. Corrosion, loose connectors, or damaged wires can prevent lights from working even if the bulb is good. If you notice any light that flickers or doesn't come on, troubleshoot the wiring or take the truck to a shop.
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Keep spare bulbs and fuses on hand. Being able to replace a bulb roadside is far better than waiting for a tow truck or being cited for a dark taillight.
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Document your pre-trip checks. Note the date and time you verified all lights are working. If you are later cited and the light was working at the time you checked it, your documented pre-trip inspection becomes valuable evidence that the failure occurred after you were on the road—and potentially not your responsibility if the failure was sudden and unforeseeable.