393.118B Citation: Cargo Securement (Boulders) — Q&A

Yes. Across our inspection records, 393.118B citations result in an out-of-service placement 100% of the time. This is far higher than the national average out-of-service rate of 31.4% across all FMCSR codes. If you've been cited for boulders not secured in accordance with securement rules, expect your vehicle to be placed out of service until the violation is corrected.

A 393.118B citation carries a severity weight of 7 CSA points. These points are calculated into your Safety Management System score within a 30-day moving window—meaning the impact is measured across all violations cited in that month. The weight reflects the hazard level assigned to cargo securement failures. Check your FMCSA portal to see how this citation affects your current BASIC scores.

First: Do not move your vehicle until the cargo is properly secured. Second: Inspect all load securement equipment and methods against FMCSR 393.118 standards. Third: If your truck is out of service, contact your carrier or dispatcher before attempting to reload or move. Fourth: Document the corrective action—photos and timestamps help if you need to contest the citation. Our data shows that fatigue citations sometimes co-occur with cargo securement violations, so double-check your logbook and driving hours as well.

Yes. The 100% out-of-service rate for 393.118B is significantly more severe than most vehicle maintenance codes. For comparison, inoperable required lamps (393.9) result in out-of-service placement only 15.4% of the time, and lighting devices (393.11) just 1.8%. Even general inspection/repair violations (396.3) are placed out of service 45.3% of the time. Cargo securement failures are treated as critical safety hazards.

Yes. You can submit a DataQs (Crash and Roadside Information System query) challenge through your FMCSA account. Cargo securement citations are based on roadside observations, so your challenge should include evidence that the load was actually secured in compliance with the standard—photos, loading documentation, or witness statements help. The FMCSA will review your submission; if they agree the citation was issued in error, it will be expunged from your record.

In the last 180 days, our inspection records show 393.118B citations in Iowa (1 citation, 100% out-of-service rate) and North Carolina (1 citation, 100% out-of-service rate). This is a relatively rare violation—only 2 citations in the past 12 months across the entire database. The low frequency suggests it is concentrated in specific regions or carrier operations rather than widespread across all states.

Extremely urgent. Your truck cannot legally operate until the violation is corrected. Our data shows that 393.118B violations result in out-of-service placement 100% of the time, and you have 1 citation in the last 90 days on record. Do not attempt to move your vehicle or continue your route. Contact your carrier immediately to arrange proper cargo securement or unloading. Operating while out of service can result in additional federal penalties.

In our database, Kenworth (KW) and Freightliner (FRHT) vehicles account for the most 393.118B citations (2 each across all time). However, the total citation count for this violation is very low—only 5 all-time—so no single vehicle make dominates. The violation appears to be tied more to how cargo is loaded and secured than to vehicle type. Focus on your load securement practices regardless of your truck's make.