What 393.122 means in plain language
FMCSR 393.122 addresses the securement of paper rolls on your vehicle. Paper rolls—whether they're wound newsprint, kraft paper, or similar materials—must be secured according to specific federal requirements that prevent them from shifting, falling, or becoming a load hazard during transit.
The regulation doesn't allow paper rolls to move freely in the cargo area or to be held in place by methods that fail during braking, acceleration, or cornering. Inspectors check that your securement hardware, blocking, bracing, or other restraint devices meet the standard. If an inspector finds that paper rolls are not secured in accordance with these requirements, you'll be cited for 393.122.
What our enforcement data actually shows
Our inspection records show that 393.122 is enforced rarely but carries severe consequences. Across our 13 million roadside inspection records, we have documented 66 all-time citations for this violation. In the last 12 months, only 3 citations were issued; in the last 90 days, just 1 citation was recorded.
Despite the low volume, this code has a dramatically high out-of-service (OOS) rate: 90.9%. That means 60 of the 66 times this violation was cited, the truck was immediately removed from service and the driver was prohibited from continuing their route. By comparison, the all-FMCSR average OOS rate is 31.4%—making 393.122 nearly three times more likely to result in an out-of-service order than a typical violation.
This code ranks #1542 of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume, so it is not commonly cited. But when it is cited, the enforcement response is swift and severe.
Who gets cited most
Over the last 180 days, our data shows citations in Iowa (1 citation, 100.0% OOS rate) and Texas (1 citation, 100.0% OOS rate). Both instances resulted in an out-of-service order.
When we look at all-time carrier data, several fleets appear multiple times in our records with 393.122 citations. Big M Transportation Inc (USDOT 911405) shows 2 citations, as do Crst Expedited Inc (USDOT 53773), Diesel Express Inc (USDOT 1065876), Border Express De Mexico Sa De Cv (USDOT 1692179), and Crete Carrier Corporation (USDOT 73705). These numbers reflect the rarity of the violation overall; even the most-cited carriers have only 2 instances on record.
How severe is this compared to similar codes
In the Vehicle Maintenance category—the same group as 393.122—other codes see far higher citation volumes but lower OOS rates. For example, 393.9(a) for inoperable required lamps has 660,737 citations but only a 15.4% OOS rate. Similarly, 396.3(a)(1) for inspection/repair/maintenance defects shows 236,919 citations with a 45.3% OOS rate.
The contrast is stark: 393.122 is cited infrequently, but when it is cited, it almost always results in removal from service. This suggests inspectors view unsecured paper rolls as a serious safety risk that cannot be ignored or deferred.
How to avoid it
Prevent a 393.122 citation with these concrete actions before you depart and during pre-trip inspection:
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Inspect all tie-down hardware and securement equipment. Before loading, walk around the vehicle and verify that chains, straps, or other devices are not frayed, cracked, or visibly weakened. Our data shows one recent inspection also cited a tire in contact with another vehicle part (code 396.3A1-TC), suggesting that inspector was checking for secondary hazards created by shifting loads.
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Check that paper rolls cannot shift during transit. Position rolls so they cannot move forward, backward, or sideways. Use blocking, bracing, or additional tie-downs as needed. Do a manual push test before you roll—try to shift the load by hand to confirm it is genuinely immobile.
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Verify securement on both sides of the load. Don't assume one tie-down is enough. Federal securement rules often require multiple points of attachment, especially for heavy or bulky cargo like paper rolls.
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Pay extra attention if you drive a Freightliner, Wabash, or Hyundai. Our vehicle data shows Freightliner (11 citations) and Wabash (6 citations) are the most commonly cited makes for this violation. This may reflect their prevalence in paper and roll hauling, but it's a reminder to double-check securement on these popular platforms.
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Re-inspect at rest stops. Paper roll loads can shift during highway driving. Stop periodically to visually confirm that nothing has moved and that securement hardware is still tight and intact.
If you do receive a 393.122 citation, the 90.9% OOS rate tells you that an out-of-service order is highly likely. Address the violation immediately before attempting to re-inspect or move the vehicle.