Direct answers for drivers cited for unsecured large boulders. OOS rates, CSA points, state enforcement trends, and what to do next—backed by 13M+ inspection records.
Ranks #1,234 of 3,146 FMCSR codes by citation frequency • OOS rate of 98.0% is above the FMCSR-wide average of 33.3%.
Rear of container not properly secured
Direct answers grounded in TruckCodex inspection data
Yes, almost certainly. Across our inspection records, 97.9% of 393.134B3 citations result in an out-of-service order—188 out of 192 all-time citations. This is far above the national average OOS rate of 31.4% across all FMCSR codes. When an inspector finds large boulders not secured per regulation, the vehicle is typically pulled from service until the load is properly restrained. This is not a warning; treat it as an immediate compliance stop.
This violation carries a CSA severity weight of 7 points. Under the CSA 30-day rolling window, each citation counts once per 30-day period. If you receive multiple 393.134B3 citations within 30 days, you'll accumulate points for each one. A single citation won't destroy your score, but the 97.9% OOS rate means the operational and financial impact is immediate—you lose revenue while the load is being resecured or offloaded.
First, do not move the vehicle. Second, contact your dispatcher or load coordinator to arrange immediate resecurement or load transfer. Third, request the inspection report in writing—document exactly which securement rules were violated. Our data shows that unsecured cargo citations often co-occur with documentation failures (3 shared inspections with missing proof of periodic inspection in the last 90 days). Finally, before returning to service, confirm with a certified mechanic or your carrier's maintenance team that all tiedown equipment is intact and serviceable. Do not resume operations until the vehicle is cleared.
Yes, it is exceptionally serious. The 97.9% OOS rate is dramatically higher than most vehicle maintenance codes. For comparison, a related cargo securement violation (393.104F3 - damaged tiedowns) appears in our records, but 393.134B3's quasi-perfect OOS rate reflects the safety criticality of boulder loads specifically. Large aggregate loads have severe crash and rollover consequences, so inspectors treat this violation as a hard stop. Rank #1227 of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume means it's relatively uncommon—but when it occurs, enforcement is unforgiving.
Over the last 180 days, Iowa leads with 14 citations (100% OOS rate), followed by North Carolina with 9 citations (88.9% OOS rate) and Kentucky with 8 citations (87.5% OOS rate). Illinois also recorded 7 citations, all resulting in OOS orders. These states likely have heavy agricultural or aggregate transport corridors. If you operate in Iowa, North Carolina, or Kentucky, expect heightened inspection scrutiny on boulder and aggregate loads—ensure securement meets or exceeds regulatory standards on every load.
Our all-time data shows BFI Waste Services LLC (USDOT 962089) leads with 8 citations. Waste Industries USA (USDOT 198696), Kluesner Sanitation LLC (USDOT 4335246), and A 1 Disposal Service Inc (USDOT 2003449) each have 4 citations. The pattern is clear: waste, recycling, and aggregate haulers face the highest citation volume because their loads inherently include large, heavy, oddly-shaped materials. If your carrier operates in those segments, cargo securement training and equipment audits are non-negotiable.
Extremely urgent. Over the last 90 days, we've recorded 14 citations for this code—averaging 4.7 per month. The momentum has been climbing since January 2026 (10 citations). Because 97.9% of citations lead to immediate OOS, your vehicle cannot legally operate until the violation is corrected. Unlike minor maintenance items, unsecured boulder loads pose catastrophic safety risk. Do not attempt to negotiate or delay repairs. Contact your carrier's maintenance department or a qualified shop immediately; treat it as a same-day priority.
Yes, you can file a DataQs (Clearinghouse) record dispute if you believe the citation is factually or legally incorrect—for example, if the load was actually secured per regulation, or if the inspector misidentified the violation code. DataQs challenges are stronger when you have photographic or maintenance documentation proving compliance. However, securement violations are equipment-based findings, not paperwork disputes, so your evidence must be objective: load photos, tiedown inventory, or scale records. Consult your carrier's safety or legal team before filing; they can advise on the strength of your evidence and the likelihood of success.
Where 393.134B3 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.