What 393.114 means in plain language
FMCSR 393.114 covers the proper securement of automobiles and light trucks that are being transported on auto transporter trailers. When you're hauling vehicles as cargo, federal regulations require that each vehicle be secured in a way that prevents it from shifting, tipping, or falling during transit.
This means using appropriate tie-downs, chains, straps, or other fastening devices that are in good condition and properly positioned. The regulation applies whether you're transporting one vehicle or a full load. Inspectors check that your securement methods meet federal standards and that they're actually in place and functional before you roll.
What our enforcement data actually shows
Across our 13 million+ inspection records, 393.114 citations are extremely rare. We've recorded only 15 citations all-time for this violation, with just 3 citations in the last 12 months and 0 citations in the last 90 days. This ranks 393.114 at #2050 of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume.
When 393.114 violations do occur, they almost never result in out-of-service placement. Our data shows a 0.0% OOS rate for this code—none of the 15 citations on record led to a vehicle being placed out of service. This stands in stark contrast to the all-FMCSR average OOS rate of 31.4%, meaning inspectors treat cargo securement violations far more leniently than many other vehicle maintenance issues.
The low citation rate and zero OOS history suggest that either most carriers transporting vehicles are already compliant, or inspectors encounter this situation infrequently at roadside.
Who gets cited most
Our inspection records show that over the last 180 days, Texas led with 2 citations for 393.114. Both were resolved without out-of-service placement (0.0% OOS rate in the state).
When we examine all-time data by carrier, our records indicate fleets such as Glenwood Forest Products LLC with 2 citations. Multiple other carriers appear once each in the citation history, including Carroll's LLC, Heritage FS Inc, Timber Express Inc, Norton Transport Inc, Sycamore Creek Farms Trucking LLC, Pedro Compean, Boyd Transport LLC, Cold Rush Express LLC, and Zero11 Freight Inc. The low citation count per carrier reflects how uncommon this violation is in the broader enforcement landscape.
How severe is this compared to similar codes
Cargo securement falls within vehicle maintenance, but it's dramatically less-cited than peer codes in the same category. For comparison:
393.9(a) — Inoperable required lamps has generated 660,737 citations with a 15.4% OOS rate, making it one of the most-enforced vehicle codes. 396.3(a)(1) — Inspection/repair/maintenance general accounts for 236,919 citations and has a 45.3% OOS rate, indicating inspectors treat general maintenance violations as serious safety concerns. By contrast, 393.114's 15 all-time citations and 0.0% OOS rate position it as an extremely minor enforcement priority.
This gap likely reflects both the relative rarity of auto transporter operations in the roadside inspection population and the specificity of the violation—most inspectors may never encounter a dedicated auto transporter at a weigh station.
How to avoid it
If you operate an auto transporter or haul vehicles on a regular basis, focus on these actionable steps before and during every load:
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Inspect all securement equipment before loading. Check tie-downs, chains, straps, and anchoring points for wear, rust, kinks, or damage. Replace any equipment that shows signs of age or stress. Federal standards require securement devices to be capable of holding the load; damaged equipment cannot.
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Position tie-downs symmetrically across the vehicle. Don't rely on only the front or rear wheels. Vehicles must be secured at multiple points to prevent shifting during braking, acceleration, or cornering. Uneven securement is a common reason inspectors flag loads.
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Use the vehicle make and trailer design guide. Different vehicles have different securement points. Freightliner, International, and trailer-class vehicles (the most commonly cited makes in our data) each have preferred anchor locations. Know where to attach for your specific load.
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Document your securement method. Take photos or notes of how you secured each vehicle. This protects you if an inspector disputes your work and helps you replicate successful loads in the future.
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Perform a secondary walk-around before rolling. After securing, walk the trailer perimeter. Tug on each tie-down by hand. This 5-minute check catches loose or improperly fastened equipment that your initial inspection might have missed.
Because this violation is so infrequently cited, you're likely already doing it right. But if you were stopped and cited, the issue was likely either a missing tie-down on one vehicle, a visibly damaged strap or chain, or an anchor point that had failed. Focus your correction on the specific point your inspector noted and audit your entire securement process for similar weaknesses.