What 393.118(b) means in plain language
FMCSR 393.118(b) requires that boulders transported on your truck be secured in accordance with specific securement rules. This is a straightforward cargo control regulation—if you're hauling boulders, they must be fastened down and prevented from shifting, rolling, or falling during transit.
The rule exists because unsecured boulders create serious safety hazards. A boulder that breaks loose can damage other vehicles, injure or kill motorists nearby, or cause you to lose vehicle control. The regulation defines exactly how boulders must be restrained, and the citation you received means an inspector determined your load failed to meet those standards.
What our enforcement data actually shows
Across our database of 13 million+ roadside inspections, 393.118(b) is rarely cited. All-time, we have recorded 22 citations for this violation nationally. In the last 12 months, there were 0 citations. In the last 90 days, there were also 0 citations. This makes 393.118(b) ranked #1898 of 3,036 FMCSR codes by enforcement volume—a very low-frequency citation.
However, when this violation is cited, it carries serious consequences. The out-of-service (OOS) rate for 393.118(b) is 86.4%, meaning inspectors took the vehicle off the road in 19 of 22 all-time cases. For context, the all-FMCSR average OOS rate is 31.4%. This code's OOS rate is more than 2.7 times higher than the average, reflecting the safety-critical nature of cargo securement failures.
Who gets cited most
Our inspection data does not include state-level breakdowns for this particular violation due to its very low enforcement volume. However, our records show that across all-time citations, fleets such as AG Transport LLC (USDOT 2755808) and Harrison Farms Trucking LLC (USDOT 2412302) each received 2 citations for this code. The remaining 18 citations were distributed among eight other carriers, each with 1 citation. This dispersion reflects how uncommon the violation is rather than a pattern of carrier non-compliance.
How severe is this compared to similar codes
393.118(b) sits within the Vehicle Maintenance category alongside many more frequently cited codes. For comparison:
- 393.9(a) – Inoperable required lamps has 660,737 all-time citations with a 15.4% OOS rate. Lamp defects are roughly 30,000 times more common than boulder securement violations, but far less likely to result in an out-of-service order.
- 396.3(a)(1) – Inspection/repair/maintenance (general) has 236,919 citations with a 45.3% OOS rate. This broader maintenance category is cited more often and results in OOS placements at a higher rate than lamps, but still significantly less often than 393.118(b) appears to trigger enforcement action.
- 393.78 – Windshield condition defective has 157,894 citations with only a 0.3% OOS rate. Despite being cited far more frequently, windshield defects almost never result in out-of-service placement.
The contrast is clear: 393.118(b) may be rare, but when it is enforced, it is treated as a critical safety issue warranting immediate vehicle removal from service.
How to avoid it
Cargo securement violations are preventable through disciplined pre-trip and load-securing practices:
- Inspect your load before departure. Walk around the truck and physically check that all cargo—especially heavy, dense items like boulders—is tightly secured. Look for loose straps, chains, or tie-downs. Shift the load gently by hand to confirm it will not move during braking or turning.
- Use appropriate securement devices. Chains, binders, and straps must be rated for the weight and type of cargo. Boulders are dense and prone to rolling; use equipment specifically rated for aggregate or stone transport, and use more restraint points than you think you need.
- Distribute weight evenly across the cargo bed. Uneven loading increases the risk that one boulder will shift under braking or cornering, compromising the entire load.
- Recheck your load after any significant maneuver. If you make a hard stop, take a sharp turn, or navigate rough terrain, pull over safely and visually confirm that your boulders remain fully secured.
- Know your vehicle's requirements. Different truck types—flatbeds, trailers, dump beds—have different securement point capacities. Review your truck's manual or ask your fleet maintenance team about the rated tie-down capacity and the correct spacing for your vehicle type.
Because this citation carries such a high out-of-service rate (86.4%), getting cited for 393.118(b) will almost certainly result in your vehicle being pulled from service immediately. Taking 10 extra minutes at the shipper to ensure proper cargo securement is far less costly than being stranded roadside while waiting for the load to be re-secured or transferred.