What 393.126(b) means in plain language
FMCSR 393.126(b) requires that flattened or crushed vehicles being transported must be properly secured. This applies when your truck is carrying vehicles that have already been compacted—whether through a crusher, shredder, or similar process—as cargo. The regulation exists because crushed metal and compacted vehicle remains can shift, fall, or scatter during transit if not firmly secured to the trailer.
Proper securement means using chains, straps, or other approved devices to prevent the cargo from moving, tipping, or becoming a hazard to other traffic. A roadside inspector checking your load will examine whether the binding devices are intact, appropriately rated for the cargo weight, and correctly positioned across the crushed vehicle material.
What our enforcement data actually shows
Across our 13 million+ inspection records, 393.126(b) has generated 527 citations all-time, placing it at rank #898 of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume. In the last 90 days and the last 12 months, we recorded zero citations—indicating this violation is now relatively uncommon in roadside enforcement.
What stands out most is the out-of-service rate. Our data shows that 454 of 527 citations resulted in the vehicle being placed out of service, yielding an 86.1% OOS rate. This is dramatically higher than the all-FMCSR average OOS rate of 31.4%. When inspectors find cargo securement failures on crushed vehicles, they are removing trucks from the road at nearly three times the typical enforcement rate. This reflects how seriously regulators treat load-stability hazards.
Who gets cited most
Our inspection records show enforcement is concentrated among a small number of carriers. Evans Delivery Company Inc (USDOT 38111) leads all carriers with 16 citations for 393.126(b), followed by J B Hunt Transport Inc (USDOT 80806) with 6 citations. The remaining top carriers each accumulated 4–5 citations over the entire period we track.
While our database does not break down violations by state in this particular data set, the top vehicle makes cited offer insight into where this violation commonly occurs. Freightliner trucks (81 citations) and CIMC vehicles (29 citations) appear most frequently in enforcement records for this code.
How severe is this compared to similar codes
In the Vehicle Maintenance category, 393.126(b) stands apart. Compare it to three peer codes:
- 393.9(a) — Inoperable required lamps has logged 660,737 citations with a 15.4% OOS rate. Although far more common, lamps violations trigger OOS much less often.
- 396.3(a)(1) — Inspection/repair/maintenance general shows 236,919 citations and a 45.3% OOS rate. This is closer to 393.126(b) in enforcement severity, but still half our code's OOS rate.
- 393.78 — Windshield condition defective generated 157,894 citations with only a 0.3% OOS rate, reflecting that cosmetic defects rarely result in removal from service.
The 86.1% OOS rate for cargo securement on crushed vehicles reflects that unsafe load security is a hard stop for roadside officers—not a warning or minor citation.
How to avoid it
If you haul crushed or flattened vehicles, these steps will help you pass inspection and stay safe:
- Inspect all securement chains and straps before loading. Look for rust, cracks, bent links, or fraying. Replace any that show wear. This is a pre-trip obligation, not something to catch at a scale.
- Verify the cargo weight and load it evenly across the trailer bed. Crushed metal can shift if weight is unbalanced. Know your load's total mass and ensure it does not exceed your securement devices' rated capacity.
- Use the correct number of tie-downs. A crushed vehicle is not a single solid block—it is fragmented material that must be restrained at multiple points. Count your chains or straps and confirm you meet the minimum required by weight and length of load.
- Double-check that fastening points (D-rings, stake holes, edge protectors) are undamaged. A bent D-ring can fail under load. Inspect these before every load.
- Tighten every strap or chain with even tension. Uneven binding can cause the load to tip on turns. After securing, pull on each device to confirm it will not slip.
- Walk the full length of your trailer after securement is complete. Visual confirmation takes 60 seconds and often catches loose or improperly routed straps that a hurried load-out missed.
These practices are straightforward, require no special tools, and directly address why inspectors place vehicles out of service for this violation: unsafe loads endanger everyone on the road.