FMCSR 393.114(d) — Auto Transporter Cargo Securement Q&A

No, it likely won't. Across our 13 million inspection records, only 1 out of 10 citations for 393.114(d) resulted in an out-of-service placement—a 10.0% OOS rate. That's significantly lower than the 31.4% all-FMCSR average, meaning inspectors cite this violation but rarely order immediate removal from service. Still, fix the cargo securement issue before your next load.

This violation carries a CSA severity weight of 6 points. Under the FMCSA CSA system, your violation gets multiplied by the number of times it occurs within a 30-day rolling window. One citation = 6 points; two in 30 days = 12 points. The points feed into your Safety and Maintenance BASIC category and remain on your record for 24 months. Even though the OOS rate is low, the CSA weight is moderate—don't accumulate repeat violations.

Immediate steps:

1. Document the defect. Take photos of how the automobiles or light trucks were positioned or restrained on your auto transporter.
2. Inspect securement devices. Check chains, straps, or chains for damage, wear, or improper installation per FMCSA Part 393 Subpart I standards.
3. Correct the load. Re-secure all vehicles using manufacturer-approved hardware and techniques before moving the trailer.
4. File a DataQs challenge if you believe the inspection finding was incorrect or incomplete—you have 90 days.
5. Keep repair receipts and photos for your safety file and CSA defense.

It's less enforcement-intensive than you might expect. Our database shows only 10 all-time citations for this code, ranking it #2191 of 3,036 FMCSR codes. Compare that to 393.9(a) (Inoperable required lamps) with 660,737 citations, or 396.3(a)(1) (Inspection/repair/maintenance) with 236,919 citations. The 10.0% OOS rate is also well below the 31.4% national average, suggesting inspectors view most instances as correctable rather than critical safety defects.

Yes. The FMCSA DataQs system lets drivers and carriers challenge roadside inspection findings within 90 days. To succeed, you'll need evidence that contradicts the inspector's observation—such as photographs, load plans, or securement documentation showing proper restraint at the time of inspection. Since cargo securement is a physical condition (not a documentation-only violation), focus on timestamped proof that the load was compliant. Submit through your carrier's CSA account or directly via the FMCSA DataQs portal.

Very infrequently. Across our 13 million inspection records, there have been only 10 all-time citations for 393.114(d), with zero citations in the last 12 months and zero in the last 90 days. This is an exceptionally rare violation—it's cited so seldom that there's no meaningful monthly trend. If you receive one, it's likely because your auto transporter setup genuinely needs attention, not because it's a common enforcement focus.

The violation is so rare that no single carrier dominates the citation count. Our data shows 10 carriers with exactly 1 citation each all-time, including Jerry D Trentham Trucking Inc (USDOT 600187), Fletes Mex SA de CV (USDOT 633494), and Aleyser Transport LLC (USDOT 3531964). This tells us 393.114(d) isn't a systemic problem for any particular fleet—it's scattered across small and independent operators, suggesting the issue is typically load-specific rather than company-wide.

Moderate urgency. Although the 10.0% OOS rate means you probably won't be ordered off the road immediately, you should repair or re-secure the cargo before your next trip. With zero citations in the last 90 days, enforcement is rare—but that doesn't mean the defect is safe. Improper securement risks load shift, spillage, or vehicle damage during transit. Fix it at your next dock or maintenance stop to avoid a repeat citation and to keep cargo and other drivers safe.