FMCSR 393.116D2 Q&A: Cargo Securement & Your Truck

Yes. Across our 13 million inspection records, every single citation for 393.116D2 resulted in an out-of-service order—a 100.0% OOS rate. This is dramatically higher than the all-FMCSR average of 31.4%, making this one of the most serious cargo-related violations an inspector can write. When an intermodal container is not properly secured to your chassis or platform, the risk of load shift or loss is unacceptable to enforcement.

Your truck will not move until the securement issue is corrected and re-inspected.

This violation carries a CSA severity weight of 7 points. That weight is then multiplied by the number of violations within a 30-day window. If this is your only cargo securement citation in the past month, you'll receive 7 points added to your Vehicle Maintenance BASIC score. If you have multiple 393.116D2 or related cargo securement citations within 30 days, the points stack—so a second violation in the same month doubles your exposure to 14 points.

These points contribute to your DOT safety rating and can trigger carrier safety audits or interventions.

1. Stop immediately. Do not move your vehicle—it's out of service.
2. Inspect the securement. Verify how the intermodal container is attached to your chassis or platform. Look for loose tie-downs, broken securing devices, or improper placement.
3. Contact your carrier or dispatch. Report the citation and the out-of-service status.
4. Request a qualified repair facility. Your data shows these citations often co-occur with brake and suspension defects—have the inspector identify all deficiencies in the repair order.
5. Document the repair. Keep records of what was corrected.
6. Request re-inspection. Once repairs are complete, call the inspection station or a qualified inspector to clear the out-of-service status before moving.

Yes, it is exceptionally serious. Our inspection records show that 393.116D2 has a 100.0% out-of-service rate, compared to peer codes in the Vehicle Maintenance category like inoperable lamps (6.9% OOS) or defective slack adjusters (0.0% OOS). Even the most common vehicle maintenance violation, inoperable required lamps (393.9), has only a 15.4% OOS rate.

The only comparable severity in the category is general inspection/repair/maintenance violations (45.3% OOS), which cover broader systemic failures. A 393.116D2 citation signals an immediate imminent hazard determination by the inspector—your load could shift and cause a crash.

Yes, you can initiate a DataQs (Automated Safety Data Quality Verification) challenge through FMCSA's online system. DataQs is designed for drivers and carriers to dispute roadside inspection records they believe are inaccurate or unfair.

For a 393.116D2 citation, your case is strongest if:

• The securement devices were actually properly installed and the inspector misidentified the setup.
• Documentation from the carrier shows the container was certified secure before departure.
• The vehicle was not operating when cited (e.g., parked at a dock).

If you contest on grounds the violation is factually wrong, include photos, maintenance records, or carrier logs. DataQs cases typically resolve within 30 days if evidence is clear.

Our data from the last 180 days shows Illinois leads with 2 citations, both resulting in out-of-service orders (100.0% rate). North Carolina follows with 1 citation, also placed out of service (100.0% rate).

Nationally, 393.116D2 ranks #2357 out of 3,036 FMCSR codes by total citation volume, so this is a rare citation overall. Across all time, we have recorded only 6 total citations. This rarity, combined with the 100.0% OOS rate, indicates that when inspectors flag cargo securement on intermodal containers, they are enforcing with zero tolerance.

Extremely urgent. Your truck cannot leave the inspection site until the defect is corrected. Our records show 1 citation for 393.116D2 in the last 90 days, indicating these violations are uncommon but consistently treated as imminent hazards.

Because every single citation (6 all-time) resulted in an out-of-service placement, repair turnaround is the only path forward. Work with your carrier or a certified mechanic immediately to re-secure the intermodal container to the chassis or platform. Delays cost you revenue and expose your carrier to liability. Once the repair is complete and verified, request an inspector to clear the out-of-service order so you can operate legally.

Cargo securement violations are primarily a carrier and vehicle responsibility under FMCSA regulations. The violation attaches to the vehicle inspection record and may contribute to carrier safety metrics rather than your personal safety record.

However, as the driver, you are accountable for verifying that cargo is properly secured before you operate the vehicle. If you knowingly operated with improper securement, or failed to conduct a pre-trip inspection, you could face secondary enforcement or be held liable by your carrier. Always inspect securement devices before pulling away from a dock or shipper.