What happens when you're cited for 393.114? Direct answers on out-of-service risk, CSA points, and next steps based on 13M+ real inspections.
Ranks #2,018 of 3,146 FMCSR codes by citation frequency • OOS rate of 0.0% is below the FMCSR-wide average of 33.3%.
Automobiles, light trucks on auto transporters not properly secured.
Direct answers grounded in TruckCodex inspection data
No. Across our 13 million inspection records, 393.114 citations have never resulted in an out-of-service placement—a 0.0% OOS rate across all 15 all-time citations. This is significantly better than the national average across all FMCSR codes, which sits at 31.4%. You'll be cited and points will be assessed, but your truck stays in service and you can continue operating while you address the cargo securement issue.
393.114 carries a CSA severity weight of 6. This weight is multiplied by the number of violations within a 30-day period to calculate your total points. A single citation nets you 6 points in the Safety Management BASIC category within the 30-day window. If you stack multiple 393.114 violations in the same month, the points multiply accordingly—but our data shows this is rare; we've recorded only 3 citations in the last 12 months nationally.
Take these steps immediately:
Since 393.114 is a documentary/equipment defect rather than a mechanical failure, you have grounds to contest via DataQs if the inspector's findings are factually incorrect.
393.114 is one of the rarest citations on the road. Ranked #2050 out of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume, it carries minimal enforcement pressure. Compare this to similar vehicle maintenance codes: 393.9 (inoperable lamps) generated 180,097 citations with a 6.9% OOS rate, and 393.11 (lighting/reflectors) logged 179,734 citations with a 1.8% OOS rate. The fact that 393.114 has only 15 all-time citations and zero OOS placements shows inspectors cite it sparingly—usually when securement failure is severe or creates immediate safety hazard.
Yes, DataQs contestation is available for 393.114 violations. The FMCSA RDR (Roadside Inspection Data Review) process allows you to challenge factual errors in the citation—such as incorrect vehicle identification, misidentified tie-down equipment, or documentation already in your possession proving the load was secured. You'll need your inspection report number (on the citation), clear photos or documentation of proper securement taken around the time of inspection, and any maintenance records for your securing equipment. Submit your challenge via the SaferSys portal within 90 days of the citation date.
Our inspection records over the last 180 days show 393.114 is extremely geographically concentrated. Texas accounted for 2 citations with a 0.0% OOS rate. No other state appears in the top enforcement list for this code—suggesting it is citation activity is sparse and scattered. If you operate auto transporters primarily in Texas, you face the highest likelihood of encounter, but the absolute frequency remains low: only 2 citations across Texas in six months.
Moderately urgent—not emergency-level. The 0.0% OOS rate means you won't be sidelined, but the violation stays on your CSA record and counts toward your BASIC score for 30 days. Our data shows only 0 citations in the last 90 days nationally, indicating enforcement is seasonal or incident-driven rather than routine. Correct the cargo securement before your next haul and ensure all tie-down hardware is functional and documented. CSA points decay after 30 days, so timely correction prevents the violation from stacking with future citations in the same month.
Both. 393.114 violations appear on both driver and carrier CSA records because Vehicle Maintenance is a shared BASIC category. Your driver profile records the citation and its points; your carrier's BASIC score is also affected. If you're an owner-operator, the citation is entirely on your record. If you work for a carrier, the violation contributes to the company's overall safety rating, which can influence insurance rates, audit frequency, and contract eligibility. Fleet safety managers will see this on your MVR and in the carrier's FMCSA Safety Management profile.
Where 393.114 is most commonly cited (last 180 days)
Other violations commonly found on the same inspection (last 90 days)
TruckCodex aggregates official public-sector datasets. See the Source registry for dataset-level coverage and the Freshness log for last-import timestamps.
Census, SAFER, SMS, Licensing & Insurance (L&I), roadside inspections, crashes, and authority history.
Vehicle recall campaigns, defect investigations, and consumer safety complaints (SCRS).
Cross-border carrier registry and Canadian recall campaigns where applicable.
TruckCodex is an independent aggregator; it is not affiliated with FMCSA, NHTSA, EIA, or Transport Canada. Always verify compliance-critical information directly with the originating agency.