Direct answers about 393.118 citations: OOS rates, CSA points, what to do next, and state-by-state enforcement data from 13M+ roadside inspections.
Ranks #737 of 3,146 FMCSR codes by citation frequency • OOS rate of 99.3% is above the FMCSR-wide average of 33.3%.
Boulders not secured in accordance with specific securement rules.
Direct answers grounded in TruckCodex inspection data
Yes, almost certainly. Across our inspection records, 393.118 violations result in an out-of-service order 99.3% of the time. Of 978 all-time citations in our database, 971 were placed OOS immediately. This is far more severe than the all-FMCSR average OOS rate of 31.4%, making boulder securement one of the most reliably enforceable violations inspectors cite. If you receive this citation, expect your truck to be stopped until the violation is corrected.
This violation carries a CSA severity weight of 7 points. CSA points accumulate over a rolling 12-month window, and the FMCSA multiplies points based on frequency within 30-day periods. A single citation of 393.118 will immediately add 7 points to your BASIC 5 score. If you receive multiple citations within 30 days, the multiplier effect can significantly increase your total points. Contact your carrier's compliance team to understand your current CSA percentile and the impact of this citation on your record.
Immediately:
Yes, 393.118 is unusually serious. While it ranks #723 out of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation frequency (978 all-time), its 99.3% OOS rate far exceeds similar vehicle maintenance violations. For comparison, inoperable lamps (393.9) have a 6.9% OOS rate despite 180,097 citations, and windshield defects (393.78) result in OOS only 0.3% of the time. The severity weight of 7 CSA points is moderate, but the near-certain OOS outcome makes this one of the most disruptive violations you can receive.
Yes, you can file a DataQs (Datapoint Quality System) appeal with the FMCSA to contest this citation. DataQs allows drivers and carriers to challenge inspection findings that they believe are inaccurate or not supported by evidence. Since 393.118 involves physical equipment inspection and securement compliance, your best grounds for appeal are if the inspector made a factual error about how the cargo was actually secured or if the securement method in fact met FMCSR standards. You must file within 90 days of the inspection. Work with your carrier's compliance or legal team to submit detailed photographic evidence and the securement method used.
Over the last 180 days, our inspection records show 393.118 is cited most in three states:
All three states placed every cited truck out of service. If you haul boulders or aggregate in these regions, be especially vigilant about securement compliance. The 100% OOS rates indicate consistent, strict enforcement in these jurisdictions.
Extremely urgent. Our data shows 393.118 citations have spiked in the last year, with 82 citations in the past 12 months and a noticeable spike in September 2025 (15 citations). The 99.3% OOS rate means you cannot legally operate the truck until the violation is corrected. This is not a "fix it later" violation. You must secure the cargo properly or unload it before the truck leaves the inspection site. Given the high volume and consistent enforcement pattern, carriers hauling boulders should implement pre-trip securement audits and operator training to avoid repeat citations.
Our all-time citation data reveals significant variation by carrier. ANNETT HOLDINGS INC (USDOT 87409) has accumulated 32 citations for 393.118—the highest in our database—while NOVA LINES INC (USDOT 2559423) has 24. These patterns suggest inconsistent training, inadequate pre-trip inspections, or repeated loading errors at specific operations. Carriers with multiple citations should conduct root-cause analysis on their loading procedures, driver training, and maintenance of securement equipment. Freightliners (FRHT) account for 157 of the 978 all-time citations, indicating this violation is especially common in that fleet type.
Where 393.118 is most commonly cited (last 180 days)
Other violations commonly found on the same inspection (last 90 days)
TruckCodex aggregates official public-sector datasets. See the Source registry for dataset-level coverage and the Freshness log for last-import timestamps.
Census, SAFER, SMS, Licensing & Insurance (L&I), roadside inspections, crashes, and authority history.
Vehicle recall campaigns, defect investigations, and consumer safety complaints (SCRS).
Cross-border carrier registry and Canadian recall campaigns where applicable.
TruckCodex is an independent aggregator; it is not affiliated with FMCSA, NHTSA, EIA, or Transport Canada. Always verify compliance-critical information directly with the originating agency.