What happens after a 393.134B2 citation for unsecured large boulders? Direct answers on out-of-service risk, CSA points, and next steps based on 13M inspection records.
Ranks #2,664 of 3,146 FMCSR codes by citation frequency • OOS rate of 100.0% is above the FMCSR-wide average of 33.3%.
Container not secured to front of vehicle
Direct answers grounded in TruckCodex inspection data
Yes—100% of citations for 393.134B2 result in an out-of-service order. Across our 13 million inspection records, every single truck cited for this violation has been placed out of service. This is far above the 31.4% average OOS rate across all FMCSR codes. You cannot legally operate until the cargo is secured according to the specific boulder securement rules.
This violation carries a CSA severity weight of 7 points. Points are converted to percentile rankings in the Cargo BASIC category within 30 days. Depending on your carrier's overall safety profile, a single 7-point violation may be sufficient to trigger a Safety Management Consultation or investigation if your percentile is already elevated. Check your CSA profile with your carrier's safety manager.
Yes, this is extremely serious. The 100% out-of-service rate for 393.134B2 is dramatically higher than related vehicle maintenance violations. Compare it: inoperable lamps (393.9) carry a 6.9% OOS rate, and lighting defects (393.11) are cited 179,734 times with only 1.8% OOS. Because boulder securement directly affects load stability and crash risk, DOT treats non-compliance as an immediate safety failure, not a warning.
You can file a DataQs (FMCSA Roadside Data Quality System) challenge if you believe the inspector's judgment was factually wrong—for example, if your cargo was secured per regulations but the inspector miscategorized it. DataQs challenges are most successful on factual disputes ("I had the proper restraints") rather than subjective calls. File within 90 days of the inspection through FMCSA's online portal. Success depends on documentation.
Our 13 million inspection database shows Illinois leads with 1 citation over the last 180 days, accounting for 100% of recent enforcement. Overall, this is the second-rarest cargo violation on record—ranked #2,651 out of 3,036 FMCSR codes by all-time citation volume with only 2 total citations recorded. This suggests it is cited sporadically in isolated jurisdictions rather than as a widespread trend.
Fix it before operating the truck at all. The out-of-service order is immediate and remains in effect until corrected. Our data shows 1 citation in the last 90 days and 1 in the last 12 months, indicating sporadic enforcement; however, this does not mean inattention will be tolerated. Once cited, your carrier and DOT will expect swift documented compliance. Operate non-compliant and you face additional violations and potential roadside impound.
Both. The citation stays on your driver CSA record in the Cargo BASIC category and contributes to your safety percentile. It also appears on your carrier's record and counts toward their Cargo BASIC and Safety Management metrics. If you move to another carrier, the violation history remains part of your FMCSA file. Carriers can see your CSA profile during hiring decisions.
Where 393.134B2 is most commonly cited (last 180 days)
TruckCodex aggregates official public-sector datasets. See the Source registry for dataset-level coverage and the Freshness log for last-import timestamps.
Census, SAFER, SMS, Licensing & Insurance (L&I), roadside inspections, crashes, and authority history.
Vehicle recall campaigns, defect investigations, and consumer safety complaints (SCRS).
Cross-border carrier registry and Canadian recall campaigns where applicable.
TruckCodex is an independent aggregator; it is not affiliated with FMCSA, NHTSA, EIA, or Transport Canada. Always verify compliance-critical information directly with the originating agency.