Direct answers about 393.136 citations: OOS rates, what happens next, state distribution, and how it compares to other vehicle maintenance violations.
Ranks #1,653 of 3,146 FMCSR codes by citation frequency • OOS rate of 92.0% is above the FMCSR-wide average of 33.3%.
No/improper securement of large boulders
Direct answers grounded in TruckCodex inspection data
Yes, very likely. Across our 13 million inspection records, 393.136 citations resulted in out-of-service placement 91.8% of the time (45 OOS out of 49 all-time citations). This is nearly three times higher than the national average OOS rate of 31.4% across all FMCSR codes. If you're cited for improper boulder securement, expect your truck to be sidelined until the load is properly secured.
393.136 is exceptionally serious in its enforcement outcome. While inoperable lamp violations (393.9) generate far more citations (180,097 all-time), they result in only 6.9% OOS rates. Slack adjuster defects (393.47E) are cited 180,363 times with 0.0% OOS. Our data shows that boulder securement violations trigger out-of-service enforcement at a severity level closer to major structural frame defects (393.201A) than routine lighting issues. The 91.8% OOS rate indicates inspectors view this as a critical safety hazard.
First: stop operation immediately—you're almost certainly out of service. Second: inspect and resecure the load using appropriate tie-downs, straps, or blocking. Our inspection data shows 393.136 often co-occurs with other defects: brake tubing issues (2 shared inspections in the last 90 days), damaged tiedowns (393.104B, 1 shared inspection), and frame damage (393.201A, 1 shared inspection). Before you get back on the road, visually inspect brakes, steering components, and the entire cargo system. Request a reinspection once corrections are made.
It's relatively rare. In the last 12 months, our database shows only 8 citations for code 393.136 nationwide—less than one per month on average. Over the past 90 days, we recorded 2 citations. This ranks 393.136 at #1640 out of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume. While uncommon, when it does appear, the enforcement is severe: both citations in the last 90 days resulted in out-of-service placement.
Over the last 180 days, Texas and New Mexico account for all recorded citations. Texas has 2 citations (1 OOS, 50% rate), and New Mexico has 1 citation (1 OOS, 100% rate). No other state appears in our enforcement records for this code in that timeframe. If you haul boulders in these regions, stay especially vigilant about cargo securement practices.
Enforcement is extremely low and erratic. Looking at the last 12 months: May and July each had 2 citations, while October, December 2025, February, and March 2026 each had only 1. The trend shows no consistent pattern—it's enforcement by occasion rather than systematic. Two citations in the last 90 days suggest current activity, but the overall rarity (49 all-time) means this violation affects a tiny fraction of the driver population.
NOVA LINES INC (USDOT 2559423) leads with 3 citations all-time. CORNERSTONE ROCK HAULING LLC (USDOT 2586789), SHAWN & COREY TRANSPORT INC (USDOT 988066), and VAL JOHNSON (USDOT 480561) each have 2 citations. The remaining carriers in our database have 1 citation each. If you drive for one of these carriers, ask your safety manager about their securement training and load inspection protocols.
DataQs allows drivers and carriers to contest roadside inspection records that are factually inaccurate or procedurally flawed. For 393.136, a citation is defensible if the inspector's notes don't accurately reflect the load condition at the time of inspection, or if securement devices were actually compliant and the citation was misdocumented. You cannot dispute a properly documented failure to secure boulders. File through the FMCSA DataQs portal within 90 days, include photos or witness statements, and request correction if records are wrong.
Where 393.136 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.