FMCSR 393.11N — Lighting & Reflectors Q&A

No. Across our inspection records, 393.11N has a 0.4% out-of-service rate—meaning only 2 out of 543 citations resulted in an OOS order. For context, the national average OOS rate across all FMCSR codes is 31.4%, so this violation is rarely severe enough to ground your truck immediately. However, you still need to repair the lighting or reflector defect before your next road inspection.

A single 393.11N citation carries a CSA severity weight of 3 points. In a 30-day rolling window, multiple violations stack—so one citation adds 3 points, two add 6, and so on. The total impact on your CSA BASIC score depends on how many inspections in the past month have cited you. Check your FMCSA Safety Portal to see your current roadside inspection history and CSA point total.

First, identify which lights or reflectors are missing or damaged—the citation should specify (roof lights, marker lights, side reflectors, etc.). Our data shows 393.11N frequently co-occurs with code 393.9 (inoperable required lamps, 26 shared inspections in the last 90 days), so inspect all your vehicle's lighting thoroughly. Second, document the repair with photos and receipts. Third, schedule a follow-up inspection in your state to verify compliance before your next roadside encounter. Do not operate with unrepaired lighting defects—many states treat it as a safety hazard.

It's less serious than some, more than others. Code 393.11N (lighting devices/reflectors) ranks #887 out of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume, with 545 all-time citations. Compare it to 393.9 (inoperable required lamps), which has 660,737 citations and a 15.4% OOS rate—393.11N is cited far less frequently and almost never results in an out-of-service order. However, both are in the same vehicle maintenance category, so fix this promptly.

Yes, you can file a DataQs challenge with FMCSA if you believe the citation is inaccurate or unsupported. Because 393.11N is an equipment-condition finding (not a driver behavior or document fraud claim), your challenge must include evidence that your lights or reflectors were functioning and compliant at the time of inspection. Gather photos, maintenance records, and repair documentation. DataQs has a deadline—typically 90 days from the inspection date—so act quickly if you plan to contest.

In the last 180 days, Texas dominates with 119 citations, followed distantly by New Mexico with 17 and Illinois with 8. Our inspection records show 393.11N is highly concentrated in Texas operations. If you drive regularly through Texas, pay extra attention to your vehicle's lighting condition and reflector visibility, especially on older or high-mileage tractors.

Moderately urgent. In the last 90 days, we recorded 76 citations for 393.11N, averaging about 25 per month. While the violation rarely triggers an out-of-service order, operating with missing or inoperable lights or reflectors increases your risk of being cited again at the next inspection and degrades roadside safety. Repair within 2–3 weeks to stay ahead of follow-up inspections. Freigthliner (FRHT) units account for 169 of all 393.11N citations, so FRHT drivers should be especially vigilant.

Both. FMCSA assigns roadside inspection violations to both the driver and the carrier in separate CSA BASIC categories. A 393.11N citation will appear on your personal inspection history (affecting your Unsafe Driving and other BASICs if the violation is tied to driver conduct) and on your carrier's Fleet Safety BASIC profile. If the violation is purely vehicle condition, the carrier's maintenance BASIC is weighted more heavily. Check your individual Safety Portal account and ask your fleet manager for your carrier's latest CSA scores.