FMCSR 393.118(b) — Cargo Securement (Boulders) Q&A

Yes—there is a high probability your truck will be placed out of service. Across our inspection records, 86.4% of 393.118(b) citations resulted in an out-of-service order. This is significantly higher than the all-FMCSR average OOS rate of 31.4%. When an inspector finds boulders not properly secured, they typically require immediate correction before the vehicle can return to operation.

This violation carries a CSA severity weight of 7 points per citation. The 30-day multiplier rule means if you receive multiple citations within 30 days, each one counts separately toward your BASIC score. A single 393.118(b) citation is relatively lower-weighted than brake system or steering violations, but the high out-of-service rate means the operational impact is severe—your truck stops immediately.

1. Stop operation immediately. With an 86.4% OOS rate, assume your truck will be placed out of service.
2. Inspect the cargo securement against 49 CFR 393.118(b) standards for boulder placement and restraint.
3. Document any repairs or corrections with photos and timestamps.
4. Request a re-inspection once the securement meets spec.
5. Review your load plan with dispatch to prevent repeat citations—this defect stops your revenue cold.

Yes. Our inspection database shows 393.118(b) has an 86.4% OOS rate, far above the all-FMCSR average of 31.4%. For context, related vehicle maintenance codes vary widely: lamp defects run 6.9–15.4% OOS rate, while general inspection/repair violations hit 45.3%. The extreme OOS rate on boulder securement reflects that cargo restraint failures create immediate safety risk and typically trigger a road-pull until corrected.

You can file a DataQs challenge through FMCSA's Roadside Data Recapture (RDR) process if you believe the citation is factually incorrect. Boulder securement is a physical, observable condition—so challenge success depends on whether the inspector documented the violation correctly. If your boulders were actually secured per spec at the time of inspection, you have grounds to contest. Work with your carrier's safety department to gather evidence and submit within the DataQs window.

Very rarely. Across our 13 million+ inspection records, 393.118(b) has only 22 all-time citations and zero citations in the last 90 days. It ranks #1898 out of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume. This extreme rarity means inspectors cite it only when they encounter a clear, serious securement failure. If you're hauling boulders and get cited, you've encountered an inspector focused on cargo restraint—prioritize the fix.

Our data shows AG TRANSPORT LLC (USDOT 2755808) and HARRISON FARMS TRUCKING LLC (USDOT 2412302) each had 2 citations. The remaining citations are scattered across single instances at smaller operations and owner-operators. With only 22 all-time citations across thousands of carriers, boulder securement violations are not concentrated in any one company—they arise from isolated load-securing failures rather than systemic fleet problems.

Both. Under FMCSA's CSA system, cargo securement violations appear on the driver's record and the carrier's record in the Unsafe Driving and Vehicle Maintenance BASICs. The driver is responsible for pre-trip inspection and confirming cargo is secure. The carrier is responsible for training, procedures, and load plans. A single 393.118(b) citation will affect both your safety profile and your company's CSA scores.