What 393.110(c) means in plain language
FMCSR 393.110(c) requires that logs transported on your vehicle be secured in accordance with specific securement rules. This isn't optional—logs shift, fall, or become unstable during transport, they create a serious hazard to you, your cargo, and other road users.
Securement means the logs must be properly restrained using chains, straps, binders, or other approved devices that prevent movement in all directions. The regulation sets out specific standards for how those devices must be installed, tensioned, and maintained. Your job as a driver is to ensure before you leave the dock that every log load meets those requirements and remains secure throughout your trip.
If an inspector finds logs that aren't properly restrained—loose logs, missing or damaged securement equipment, or logs that have shifted—you will be cited under 393.110(c).
What our enforcement data actually shows
Our inspection records show that 393.110(c) carries one of the highest out-of-service rates in the FMCSR: 98.5% of citations result in an out-of-service violation. For context, the all-FMCSR average OOS rate is 31.4%, meaning violations of this code are roughly three times more likely to sideline your truck than violations across the rest of the safety rules.
Across 13 million inspections, we have documented 1,181 all-time citations for 393.110(c), ranking this code #674 of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume. Over the last 12 months, we recorded zero citations for this code, and zero in the last 90 days. This suggests that either cargo securement practices have improved significantly, or inspectors are encountering fewer log loads at roadside. Either way, when violations are caught, they are almost always enforced as out-of-service.
Who gets cited most
Our data does not include state-level breakdowns for this specific code in sufficient detail to rank the top states by citation count. However, the carriers with the highest citation counts in our database for 393.110(c) are Roofline Inc (USDOT 739235) and Georgia Boys Hauling Inc (USDOT 1536008), each with 5 citations all-time. American Builders & Contractors Supply Co Inc, Universal Logistics of Virginia LLC, Lowe's Home Centers LLC, US LBM Logistics LLC, and Big Sack Trucking Inc each recorded 4 citations. These carriers operate across multiple regions and vehicle types, suggesting that cargo securement violations occur when driver attention or equipment maintenance lapses, not as a systematic fleet problem.
How severe is this compared to similar codes
Within the Vehicle Maintenance category, 393.110(c) stands out for its enforcement severity. Compare it to peer codes: inoperable required lamps (393.9(a)) has logged 660,737 citations with a 15.4% OOS rate—far higher citation volume but much lower OOS severity. General inspection and repair obligations (396.3(a)(1)) show 236,919 citations with a 45.3% OOS rate, indicating more routine enforcement. By contrast, 393.110(c)'s 1,181 citations and 98.5% OOS rate reflect a zero-tolerance approach: when logs are insecure, inspectors take the vehicle off the road almost without exception.
This enforcement posture reflects the hazard: unsecured cargo can cause crashes, injuries, and fatalities. Regulators treat it as a critical safety issue, not a minor defect.
How to avoid it
Before you depart the shipper:
- Walk the entire load and visually confirm every log is in contact with the frame or cradle. Look for gaps, tilts, or signs that a log has shifted since loading.
- Check every strap, chain, binder, or securement device. Verify that hardware is intact, not bent or cracked, and that tension is even across all restraints.
- Do not assume the shipper loaded correctly. Your signature on the BOL makes you responsible for the load's securement at the moment you take possession.
- If you see loose, missing, or damaged securement equipment, stop and report it to the dispatcher or shipper before moving the vehicle.
During your trip:
- On long hauls, pull over every 100–150 miles to visually inspect the load and securement. Vibration, wind, and road conditions can loosen straps and cause logs to shift.
- Listen for rattling or shifting sounds inside the trailer. If you hear movement, stop immediately and re-inspect.
- Avoid rapid acceleration, hard braking, and sharp turns, which accelerate load movement and can break or stretch securement devices.
Equipment and training:
- Know the specific securement standard your company uses (edge protection, tie-down configuration, spacing). Ask your dispatcher or safety manager if you are unsure.
- Familiarize yourself with the vehicle makes and trailer types you operate. Different cradles and frame designs require different securement approaches.
- If your regular equipment shows wear, corrosion, or damage, request repairs or replacements before your next load.