FMCSR 393.116(e) — Intermodal Container Securement Q&A

Yes. Across our 13 million inspection records, every single citation for 393.116(e) resulted in an out-of-service order—a 100% OOS rate. This is dramatically higher than the all-FMCSR average of 31.4%. When an inspector finds an unsecured intermodal container, the truck does not move until the cargo is properly secured to the chassis or platform.

This violation carries a CSA severity weight of 7, which means it contributes 7 points per citation in your Safety Management System profile. The points accumulate over a rolling 12-month window, with citations in the most recent 30 days weighted more heavily. One citation for cargo securement is less severe than brake-related violations but still a meaningful hit to your overall safety score.

Immediate steps:

1. Do not move the vehicle. You are out of service until remedied.
2. Secure the intermodal container to the chassis with proper fastening devices per DOT standards.
3. Request a re-inspection by the officer or a follow-up inspector to verify compliance.
4. Document the repair with photos and keep the inspection report.
5. Report the citation to your carrier or insurance within the timeframe required by your carrier's policy.
6. Review your cargo loading and securement procedures to prevent future violations.

Yes, it is exceptionally serious. Our data shows 393.116(e) has a 100% out-of-service rate, compared to 45.3% for general inspection/maintenance violations (396.3) and only 6.9% for inoperable lamps (393.9). The absolute enforcement guarantee—every citation triggers an OOS order—makes this one of the most consequential vehicle maintenance violations inspectors enforce.

Yes, you can submit a DataQs (Roadside Data Query) dispute if you believe the citation was issued in error. The FMCSA's DataQs system allows you to challenge roadside inspection findings, including visual observations of cargo securement. Gather evidence such as photos of proper securement, maintenance records, or witness testimony from the shipper. Cargo securement is observable and measurable, so documentation of the actual state of the container at the time of inspection strengthens your case.

Very rarely. Our database of 13 million inspections shows only 138 all-time citations for this code, ranking it #1335 out of 3,036 FMCSR codes by volume. In the last 12 months and last 90 days, we recorded zero citations. This suggests the violation is either not frequently encountered or is being prevented by most carriers' securement practices.

Across our inspection records, Gilliard Logging LLC (USDOT 489212) has the highest citation count with 4 citations for this violation. Several logging and forest products carriers follow: Smith Logging1 LLC with 3 citations, and D & M Logging Inc, Al-Tom Forest Products Inc, Varney & Sons Logging LLC, and others with 2 citations each. The pattern suggests this violation concentrates in heavy equipment and forestry transport sectors.

Yes, one citation adds 7 CSA points to your Safety Management System profile in real time. However, because enforcement volume for 393.116(e) is extremely low (zero in the last 90 days), a single citation is unlikely to cause you to drop into a warning threshold unless you already have multiple violations. The severity weight of 7 is moderate. Focus on preventing a second offense by verifying all intermodal container securement before departure on every load.