What 393.126D2 means in plain language
FMCSR 393.126D2 addresses the transport of flattened or crushed vehicles—typically junked or demolition-bound cars, trucks, or equipment that have been processed through crushing machinery. When you haul these materials, federal regulation requires that they be properly secured to your trailer during transport so they cannot shift, fall, or create a hazard to other road users.
Proper securement means the crushed material is restrained using straps, chains, or other approved devices that are rated for the weight and dimensions of the load. The intent is straightforward: a load of crushed metal or vehicle debris cannot slide or topple during braking, acceleration, or cornering. Inspectors check that your tie-down equipment is in good condition, properly positioned, and actually engaged—not just present on the truck.
This is a Vehicle Maintenance category violation, meaning it reflects the condition and rigging of your equipment on the day of inspection, not a paperwork or logbook issue.
What our enforcement data actually shows
Across our 13 million+ inspection records, 393.126D2 is cited infrequently. Our all-time data shows only 1 citation on record, occurring once in the last 12 months and zero times in the last 90 days. This places the code at rank #2796 out of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume—among the lowest-frequency violations in the federal inspection database.
However, when 393.126D2 is cited, enforcement is strict. The out-of-service rate for this code is 100.0%, meaning every inspection that resulted in a citation also resulted in the vehicle being placed out of service. This contrasts sharply with the all-FMCSR average OOS rate of 31.4%, indicating that inspectors treat cargo securement failures on crushed-vehicle loads with zero tolerance. If you are cited for this violation, you will be taken out of service and unable to continue your haul until the load is properly secured.
Who gets cited most
Our inspection records show that in the all-time dataset, Foss Demolition Inc (USDOT 2644071) has 1 citation for this code. The demolition and vehicle-recycling industry is the primary sector where this violation appears—these carriers move the crushed output of auto shredders and salvage operations.
The vehicles cited under this code included units marked LANL and WSTR in our records. These represent the vehicle makes observed when the violation was recorded. Because the overall citation count for this code is very low, regional or carrier-level pattern analysis is not statistically meaningful.
How severe is this compared to similar codes
Cargo and securement violations fall within the Vehicle Maintenance category alongside lamp defects, inspection/maintenance failures, and brake adjustments. Comparing 393.126D2 to other Vehicle Maintenance codes reveals important context:
- 393.9(a) — Inoperable required lamps accounts for 660,737 citations with a 15.4% OOS rate. Lamp defects are far more common but less likely to trigger out-of-service action.
- 396.3(a)(1) — Inspection/repair/maintenance general has 236,919 citations with a 45.3% OOS rate, nearly double the all-FMCSR average, showing that maintenance violations can be serious.
- 396.17C-PI — No proof of periodic inspection generated 212,081 citations with a 0.0% OOS rate, indicating that documentation gaps, while frequent, rarely result in roadside removal.
At 100.0% OOS rate, 393.126D2 enforcement is more severe than nearly all peer codes. This reflects the nature of the violation: a load of crushed metal inadequately secured is not a minor defect but a safety hazard that justifies immediate removal from service.
How to avoid it
If you haul crushed vehicles or demolition loads, these pre-trip and en-route practices reduce your citation risk:
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Inspect all securement equipment before loading. Examine every strap, chain, winch, and anchor point. Look for fraying, broken welds, bent hardware, or rust that compromises strength. Do not use equipment that looks questionable—ask your dispatcher for replacement equipment.
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Verify proper anchor placement on your trailer. Crushed-vehicle loads require multiple tie-down points distributed across the load. Do not rely on fewer, more-heavily-loaded straps. Anchor points must be rated for the weight being secured.
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Tighten securement after initial setup. Straps and chains can loosen during the first few miles of driving due to load settling. Pull over after 5–10 miles and re-tension all tie-downs. Check them again before entering a weigh station or inspection area.
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Understand your load dimensions and weight. Overloaded or improperly stacked crushed material shifts more easily. Work with your loader or shipper to confirm the load is balanced and does not exceed trailer limits.
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Photograph your securement. Take photos of your load after it is fully secured, showing multiple angles of all tie-down points. This documentation can help if an inspector disputes the adequacy of your setup and gives you a record to review later.
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Stay current on tie-down regulations. FMCSR 393.100–393.136 detail general cargo securement rules. Crushed-vehicle loads may be subject to specific requirements depending on the material. Ask your dispatcher or safety manager if special securement standards apply to your cargo.
Because this violation carries a 100.0% OOS rate, prevention is far less costly than remediation. A few minutes of pre-trip rigging inspection can save hours of roadside delay.