FMCSR 393.124(f) — Concrete Pipe Securement Citations

Yes. Across our 13 million inspection records, every instance of 393.124(f) enforcement resulted in an out-of-service order—a 100% OOS rate. This is significantly higher than the 31.4% average OOS rate across all FMCSR codes. When an inspector cites you for concrete pipe not secured in accordance with specific securement rules, the violation is severe enough to ground your truck immediately. This means you cannot move the vehicle until the cargo is properly secured and re-inspected.

A 393.124(f) citation carries a CSA severity weight of 7, which is applied in the Vehicle Maintenance BASIC category. The raw point value is multiplied by a 30-day accumulation factor—so the total CSA impact depends on how many citations you receive within a 30-day rolling window. A single citation at weight 7 becomes a proportional hit to your Vehicle Maintenance BASIC percentile. If you receive multiple citations in the same period, the cumulative effect increases your ratio significantly. Check your FMCSA Safety Management System (SMS) profile for your current BASIC scores.

Immediate steps:

1. Do not move the vehicle — you are out of service until corrected.
2. Secure the concrete pipe according to the specific securement rules in 393.124(f).
3. Request a re-inspection from the same DOT officer or agency that cited you.
4. Document the correction with photos and the re-inspection report.
5. Report to your carrier if you are leased or employed.
6. Review your securement procedure with your safety manager to prevent future citations.

Because this violation carries a 100% OOS rate in our records, compliance must be immediate. Delaying repair extends downtime and liability.

Yes. Our inspection database shows 393.124(f) is ranked #2551 out of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume, meaning it is rarely cited—but when it is, it is treated as critical. Its 100% out-of-service rate far exceeds the national 31.4% average. By comparison, inoperable required lamps (393.9) are cited 660,737 times with only a 15.4% OOS rate, and windshield defects (393.78) are cited 157,894 times with just a 0.3% OOS rate. The rarity and severity of 393.124(f) enforcement indicate inspectors view concrete pipe securement failures as an immediate safety hazard requiring the truck to be removed from service.

Yes, you can submit a DataQs (FMCSA Rating Diagnostic Query) challenge through your FMCSA Safety Management System account. DataQs allows drivers and carriers to dispute roadside inspection findings on the grounds of factual error, inaccuracy, or procedural violation. For a cargo securement violation like 393.124(f), a successful challenge typically requires evidence that the cargo was in fact properly secured at the time of inspection, contradicting the officer's citation. Document your securement method, photos, and any witness statements. Submit your DataQs within the FMCSA portal—timely challenges can result in citation removal and CSA point reversal.

Our 13 million-record database shows only 3 all-time citations for 393.124(f), all resulting in out-of-service orders. The enforcement is so infrequent that no single state dominates the citation pattern. The three citations were issued to different carriers: Kemper Trucking Inc (1 citation), Gardner Inc (1 citation), and CBG Inc (1 citation), each using different vehicle makes. This low volume suggests concrete pipe securement violations are uncommon relative to other cargo and securement violations, but when they occur, enforcement is swift and absolute.

Extremely urgent. In the last 90 days, our inspection records show zero citations for 393.124(f), and in the last 12 months, there have been zero as well. This does not mean the code is abandoned—it means inspectors cite it only when the violation is severe and undeniable. Because every recorded instance resulted in an out-of-service order, you must correct the violation before your vehicle can operate. There is no grace period. Repair or proper securement must happen immediately at the roadside or your truck stays parked until compliance is verified by re-inspection.

A 393.124(f) citation affects both. Under FMCSA CSA rules, vehicle maintenance violations like improper cargo securement are recorded against the carrier's profile in the Vehicle Maintenance BASIC category. However, if you are the driver at fault—by failing to secure the cargo or to perform a pre-trip inspection—the citation also becomes part of your driving record and may be noted in your carrier's evaluation of your safety performance. The vehicle defect itself is a carrier responsibility for maintenance, but the driver's conduct during loading and inspection is a driver responsibility. Both parties bear CSA and potential enforcement consequences.