What 393.110 means in plain language
FMCSR 393.110 governs how logs must be secured when transported on a commercial motor vehicle. Unlike general cargo securement rules, this section applies specific requirements to the unique hazards that logs present — their shape, density, and tendency to roll or shift make them among the most dangerous cargo types if improperly restrained.
In practical terms, the regulation requires that logs be held in place using methods specifically designed for that type of load. The number, placement, and strength of tiedowns, along with the use of stakes, bunks, or other containment structures, must meet defined thresholds based on the size and weight of the load. Simply tossing a chain over a pile of timber and calling it secured is not enough.
If an inspector determines that your log load does not meet those specific requirements — whether because tiedowns are missing, improperly positioned, too weak, or damaged — you can be cited under 393.110. And as the data below makes clear, that citation almost always comes with something more serious than a fine.
What our enforcement data actually shows
Across 13 million inspections in our database, 393.110 has generated 2,839 all-time citations. Of those, 2,701 resulted in the vehicle being placed out of service — an OOS rate of 95.1%. To put that in perspective, the all-FMCSR average OOS rate across all codes is 31.4%. This code runs more than three times that average.
That number is not a rounding error. It means that when an inspector finds a log securement violation, they almost universally conclude the truck cannot legally continue moving until the problem is corrected. You are not likely to get a warning and drive away.
In the last 12 months alone, our inspection records show 304 citations under 393.110. In just the last 90 days, 71 citations were issued. The monthly trend data in our database shows enforcement has been running consistently above 20 citations per month since mid-2025, with December 2025 reaching 36 citations and March 2026 hitting 35 — indicating sustained inspector attention to this violation category, not a one-time enforcement push.
Nationally, 393.110 ranks #455 out of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume — meaning it sits in roughly the top 15% of all cited codes despite being applicable only to a specific cargo type. For a specialized violation, that is a significant enforcement footprint.
Who gets cited most
Looking at the last 180 days in our inspection records, Texas leads all states with 146 citations and an 89.0% OOS rate. Illinois comes in second with 7 citations and an 85.7% OOS rate. North Carolina recorded 6 citations with a 100.0% OOS rate — every single cited load in that state was taken out of service. New Mexico also sits at 100.0% across its 3 citations in the same period.
The gap between states matters here. Texas and Illinois are close in OOS rate, but North Carolina and New Mexico are at the ceiling. If you are operating in those states, the data in our database suggests there is essentially no margin for error — inspectors there are placing every 393.110 violation out of service.
On the carrier side, our data shows fleets such as Universal Logistics of Virginia LLC (USDOT 3330935) with 11 all-time citations and J B Hunt Transport Inc (USDOT 80806) with 7 citations appearing at the top of the citation list. These carriers operate at significant scale, and their presence in the data reflects volume exposure rather than any pattern of negligence — but it underscores that no operation is too large or too well-resourced to be cited.
How severe is this compared to similar codes
When you compare 393.110 to other codes in the Vehicle Maintenance category, the OOS rate stands out sharply. Consider 393.9(a), covering inoperable required lamps: that code has been cited 660,737 times in our database — more than 230 times the volume of 393.110 — but carries only a 15.4% OOS rate. A bad light bulb rarely parks your truck. Unsecured logs almost always do.
Look at 396.3(a)(1), the general inspection, repair, and maintenance code with 236,919 all-time citations and a 45.3% OOS rate. That rate is serious, but it is still less than half of what 393.110 produces. Even 393.78, covering windshield condition defects with 157,894 citations in our records, has an OOS rate of just 0.3% — essentially a write-it-and-move-on violation compared to the near-automatic shutdown that comes with 393.110.
The message from the data is consistent: log securement violations are treated by inspectors as immediate safety emergencies, not paperwork issues.
How to avoid it
The co-occurring violation data from our inspection records provides a clear picture of what else is going wrong on trucks cited for 393.110. In the last 90 days, 393.104B (cargo securement — tiedown damaged) appeared in 17 shared inspections, and 393.104F3 (cargo securement — tiedown damaged) appeared in 6 more. That means damaged tiedown equipment is showing up repeatedly alongside unsecured log violations. Use these steps before every trip:
- Inspect every tiedown before loading. Our data shows damaged tiedowns co-occurring with 393.110 in 23 of the last 90 days' worth of inspections. Check for cuts, fraying, broken hooks, and corrosion. Replace anything that is questionable.
- Verify tiedown count and placement against the load. Log length, diameter, and total weight determine the minimum number and positioning of tiedowns. Know the numbers for your specific load before you leave the yard.
- Inspect bunks, stakes, and bolsters. These structural elements are part of what holds the load. A tiedown that looks fine can still fail if the bunk it anchors to is cracked or loose.
- Check lighting and windshield condition at pre-trip. Our co-occurrence data shows 393.9 (inoperable required lamp) appearing in 19 shared inspections and 393.78 (windshield defects) in 9 over the last 90 days. An inspector who stops you for a light out will walk the whole truck — including your log load.
- Carry and review your periodic inspection documentation. Code 396.17C (no proof of periodic inspection) appeared in 11 shared inspections over the same period. If you cannot produce that paperwork, you give the inspector a reason to look harder at everything else.
- Know your vehicle. FRHT and PTRB platforms lead citation counts in our database with 254 and 133 citations respectively. If you are operating one of these vehicles with a log load, assume inspectors are familiar with common defect patterns on that equipment and will look closely.