What 393.11RT means in plain language
FMCSR 393.11RT covers inadequate or missing lighting devices and reflectors on your commercial motor vehicle. This includes headlights, tail lights, marker lights, clearance lights, and reflective tape or devices that make your truck visible to other drivers, especially in low-light conditions.
Inspectors are looking for lamps that don't work, reflectors that are damaged, missing, or obscured by dirt or damage, and any lighting configuration that doesn't meet federal standards. A single non-functioning light, a reflector missing from your trailer, or reflective material that's peeling or torn can trigger this citation.
Unlike some defects, a 393.11RT citation does not automatically place your vehicle out of service. However, it's still a safety violation that can affect your CSA score and driving record.
What our enforcement data actually shows
Across our 13 million+ roadside inspection records, we have documented 614 all-time citations for 393.11RT. In the last 12 months alone, inspectors issued 342 citations for this code, with 83 citations in the most recent 90-day period.
This code ranks #858 out of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume. Only 4 of the 614 citations ever resulted in an out-of-service placement, yielding a 0.7% OOS rate. This is significantly lower than the all-FMCSR average OOS rate of 31.4%, meaning inspectors treat most 393.11RT violations as correctable defects rather than immediate safety threats.
The monthly trend over the past 12 months shows consistent enforcement, ranging from 9 to 41 citations per month, with peaks in March 2026 (41 citations) and August 2025 (38 citations).
Who gets cited most
Our inspection records show state-level variation in enforcement. Texas leads by far, with 133 citations in the last 180 days and a 0.0% OOS rate. Iowa follows with 14 citations (0.0% OOS), and New Mexico with 12 citations (0.0% OOS). All three states show zero out-of-service placements, consistent with the national pattern for this code.
By carrier, our data shows fleets such as TUCKER ENTERPRISES INC (USDOT 3302945) with 4 citations across our database, followed by LINCOLN FREIGHT COMPANY LLC (USDOT 1390531) and TRANSPORTES EMMA S DE RL DE CV (USDOT 664756), each with 3 citations. These figures reflect enforcement volume, not negligence; lighting defects are common across all fleet sizes and can result from routine wear, weather exposure, or operator oversight.
How severe is this compared to similar codes
Within the Vehicle Maintenance category, 393.11RT sits in the lower-enforcement tier. The related code 393.11 (Lighting devices/reflectors, broader scope) has accumulated 179,734 citations with a 1.8% OOS rate—significantly higher volume but comparable severity. The most-cited peer code, 393.9(a) (Inoperable required lamps), has 660,737 citations and a 15.4% OOS rate, indicating much stricter enforcement and more frequent out-of-service actions.
Another common peer, 393.78 (Windshield condition defective), shows 157,894 citations but only a 0.3% OOS rate, similar to 393.11RT's enforcement posture. This suggests inspectors view lighting and visibility defects as serious but typically correctable without removing the vehicle from service immediately.
How to avoid it
Prevent a 393.11RT citation with these driver-actionable steps:
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Perform a complete lighting walk-around before every trip. Check all headlights, taillights, brake lights, marker lights, and clearance lights. Ensure each one illuminates fully and doesn't flicker. Our data shows 393.9 (Inoperable Required Lamp) co-occurs with 393.11RT in 30 inspections over the last 90 days, indicating that lamp failures are the most common root cause.
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Inspect all reflective tape and devices on the trailer. Look for peeling, torn, or missing reflective material on the rear, sides, and corners. Clean reflectors regularly—road salt, mud, and grime reduce visibility. This code also co-occurs with 393.11TU and 393.11TL (both lighting/reflector variants) in 10 and 9 inspections respectively, showing that multiple lighting defects often appear together.
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Check reflectors after any bump, accident, or harsh weather. High winds, salt spray, and rough handling can dislodge or damage reflective devices. Trailers and utility vehicles (FRHT and PTRB makes dominate our citation data with 202 and 91 citations respectively) are especially vulnerable.
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Replace burned-out bulbs immediately. Don't defer light repairs to the next maintenance cycle. Inoperable lamps are cited alongside 393.11RT so frequently that a burned bulb is often the first red flag.
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Document your pre-trip inspections. Keep a log showing you checked all lighting before departure. This creates a record that the defect was not present at dispatch, protecting you if damage occurs en route.
Our inspection data indicates that most 393.11RT violations are minor and don't result in roadside removal. However, they still count against your CSA Safety Fitness rating and can raise questions during carrier audits. A 15-minute pre-trip light check is the cheapest insurance against this citation.