FMCSR 393.11TT: Lighting & Reflectors – Driver FAQ

No. A 393.11TT citation will not place your truck out of service. Across our inspection records, zero out of 1,822 all-time 393.11TT citations resulted in an out-of-service order—a 0.0% OOS rate. This is far below the all-FMCSR average of 31.4%, meaning inspectors treat inadequate or missing lighting devices and reflectors as a compliance issue you can typically fix without immediate roadside removal. However, the citation still carries CSA weight and will appear on your record, so prompt repair is still important.

A single 393.11TT citation carries a CSA severity weight of 3. The number of points added to your carrier's CSA scores depends on how many times the violation is cited within a rolling 24-month window and which Safety Event Basic the code falls under (Vehicle Maintenance). A single citation counts once; multiple citations in the same inspection period can compound. Contact your carrier's safety department to see your exact CSA impact, as they manage the aggregated score.

1. Document the defect: Take photos of the missing or inadequate lighting/reflectors cited.
2. Schedule repair immediately: This is not an OOS violation, but delaying repair increases the risk of another citation.
3. Inspect related systems: Our data shows 393.11TT often occurs alongside brake and coupling defects (393.45B2UV, 393.55E) and inoperable lamps (393.9). Have a mechanic do a full lighting system check.
4. Keep repair receipts: You may need proof of correction for your carrier or for any follow-up inspection.
5. Report to your carrier: They need to know for CSA tracking and insurance purposes.

393.11TT is less serious than related lighting codes in terms of enforcement severity. The close peer code 393.9 (Inoperable Required Lamp) has 180,097 citations and a 6.9% OOS rate, versus 393.11TT's 0.0% OOS rate across 1,822 citations. Another peer, 393.11 (the broader Lighting devices/reflectors code) shows a 1.8% OOS rate. This suggests inspectors distinguish between missing/inadequate reflectors and actually broken lamps—the latter is more likely to ground your truck. Still, don't treat 393.11TT as routine; it's a maintenance citation that compounds with other defects.

Yes, you can submit a DataQs (FMCSA's crash-risk data query) challenge if you believe the citation was issued in error or does not accurately reflect the vehicle's condition. However, DataQs is designed mainly to challenge crash-risk classification and safety event grouping, not to dispute factual roadside findings. If the inspector documented a missing or inadequate reflector and you have photographic or maintenance records proving otherwise, you have stronger grounds. File your challenge through your FMCSA account within 60 days of the citation. Consult your carrier's safety team—they often handle these disputes in bulk.

Texas leads by a wide margin. In the last 180 days, our inspection records show Texas issued 491 citations for 393.11TT, with zero out-of-service orders. Iowa follows far behind with 5 citations, followed by Illinois, Kentucky, and New Mexico, each with 2 citations. The concentration in Texas reflects higher commercial traffic and stricter roadside enforcement in border zones, where many of the top carriers cited for this violation operate.

Fix it within 1–2 weeks. While 393.11TT won't ground your truck immediately, the violation is actively enforced. Our 90-day data shows 239 citations, and the 12-month trend averaged 91 citations per month, peaking at 124 in September 2025. If you're cited in a state like Texas (491 citations in 180 days) and continue operating without repair, you risk a second citation, which multiplies your CSA impact and increases carrier scrutiny. Repair also reduces your exposure to the co-occurring brake and lighting defects commonly found in the same inspection.

Both. The citation appears on your driving record and your carrier's records. For CSA Unsafe Driving and Crash Indicator scores, FMCSA assigns violations to the carrier's company USDOT number. However, the citation also travels with you in your personal MVR (Motor Vehicle Record) and can influence hiring or insurance at your next job. Your carrier's safety department typically owns the CSA remediation strategy, but you own the responsibility to keep your vehicle compliant. Repeat violators—drivers or carriers—face heightened scrutiny, so take it seriously even if it's not an OOS.