What 393.114B1 means in plain language
When you're hauling automobiles or light trucks on an auto transport trailer, every vehicle loaded onto your rig must be secured in a way that prevents movement during normal braking, acceleration, and turning. This isn't about tying down a single load—it's about making sure every car, pickup, or light-duty truck stays exactly where you placed it from pickup to delivery.
Securement means using chains, straps, or other approved devices that are properly attached to anchor points on both the vehicle being transported and your trailer frame. The vehicles cannot shift forward, backward, or sideways in ways that could cause them to strike each other, your tractor, or the roadway. Inspectors at roadside will look at your chains, their tension, attachment points, and whether they're rated for the weight of the vehicles you're carrying.
This is a Vehicle Maintenance code, meaning the inspector is checking the condition and deployment of your securement equipment—not your driving behavior or paperwork.
What our enforcement data actually shows
Across our 13 million+ roadside inspection records, 393.114B1 auto transporter cargo securement has been cited only 1 time total, with 1 citation in the last 12 months and 0 citations in the last 90 days. When it was cited, the vehicle was placed out of service—yielding a 100.0% out-of-service rate, significantly higher than the all-FMCSR average OOS rate of 31.4%.
The extremely low citation volume reflects one of two patterns: either auto transporters are doing a very good job securing vehicles, or inspectors encounter this violation infrequently relative to other maintenance codes. Either way, when this code does trigger an out-of-service order, it's treated seriously. The single citation places this code at rank #2796 of 3,036 FMCSR codes by enforcement volume, making it a rare but high-stakes violation.
Who gets cited most
Our database shows that the one citation on record involved IN & OUT SERVICES LLC (USDOT 2855443), and the vehicles cited were BENS and FRHT makes. Because the enforcement volume is so limited, we cannot identify meaningful geographic or fleet patterns. However, the 100% OOS rate on the single citation underscores that when inspectors do flag cargo securement on auto transporters, the severity is real.
How severe is this compared to similar codes
In the Vehicle Maintenance category, 393.114B1 operates in a different enforcement world than codes like 393.9(a) — Inoperable required lamps (660,737 citations, 15.4% OOS rate) or 396.3(a)(1) — Inspection/repair/maintenance - general (236,919 citations, 45.3% OOS rate). Those codes are cited hundreds of thousands of times per year. By contrast, codes like 396.17(c) — No proof of periodic inspection (198,331 citations, 0.0% OOS rate) show that some maintenance violations rarely result in OOS placement.
The 100.0% OOS rate on 393.114B1, despite low citation frequency, suggests that when this violation is documented, it represents a genuine safety risk. An unsecured vehicle on a moving auto transport is not a minor infraction—it's a hazard that can cause property damage, injury, or loss of load.
How to avoid it
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Inspect all securement equipment before every load. Walk your trailer and check every chain, strap, or cable for damage, kinks, or corrosion. Verify that all attachment points on both your trailer frame and the vehicles are clean and free of rust or debris that could weaken the connection.
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Use the right securement method for the vehicle weight and type. Confirm that your chains or straps are rated for the gross weight of the largest vehicle you're transporting. Light trucks and automobiles require different approaches; don't assume one setup works for all.
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Ensure proper tension before departing. After loading each vehicle, apply tension to every securement point. The vehicle should not rock or shift when you push on it by hand. Tighten again after the first 50 miles of travel, as initial settling can loosen attachments.
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Anchor to rated points only. Do not wrap chains around bumpers, door handles, or chassis areas not designed for load securement. Use frame eyes, anchor brackets, and dedicated attachment points on both your trailer and the transported vehicles.
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Document your securement visually. Take photos or videos of each load showing the vehicles in place with chains and straps visible and taut. This creates evidence of compliance and can help if a citation is disputed.
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Inspect the vehicles for damage or shifts during transport. Every time you stop, do a quick visual check to confirm no vehicle has moved, no chains have loosened, and no damage has occurred. A small shift now can become a major safety issue if ignored.
The 100% out-of-service rate on the one citation for this code is a clear signal: inspectors view unsecured cargo on auto transporters as unacceptable and will immediately remove your vehicle from service if the violation is found. Prevention is far easier than managing an OOS order, detention time, and the safety liability that comes with a load that isn't secured.