What 393.13C2-CSLRR means in plain language
This citation applies to trailers built before December 1, 1993 that have worn, faded, damaged, or missing reflective sheeting on the lower rear of the vehicle. Conspicuity systems—those reflectors and retroreflective materials—are what make your trailer visible to other drivers in low-light conditions. The regulation requires that the lower rear section of the trailer maintain adequate reflective properties so approaching vehicles can see you at night or in poor visibility.
If your trailer was manufactured after December 1, 1993, this particular code would not apply; however, there is a companion code (393.13C1-CSSRR) that addresses side reflectors on pre-1993 trailers. The distinction matters because older trailers have different conspicuity requirements than newer ones under federal safety standards.
The citation indicates that at the time of inspection, an officer determined the retroreflective material on your trailer's lower rear did not meet the standard—whether because it was peeling, heavily oxidized, cracked, or otherwise degraded to the point where reflectivity was compromised.
What our enforcement data actually shows
Across our 13 million+ inspection records, 393.13C2-CSLRR is ranked #759 of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume. Over the last 12 months, our database shows 532 citations issued for this violation. In the last 90 days alone, we recorded 100 citations.
The critical piece of data: no citation for this code has resulted in an out-of-service (OOS) ruling. Across all 849 all-time citations in our records, the OOS rate is 0.0%. This stands in stark contrast to the all-FMCSR average OOS rate of 31.4%, meaning this violation is consistently treated as a citation and correction opportunity rather than as an immediate safety hazard that grounds your vehicle.
That said, the citation frequency has remained steady. Last month (April 2026) we saw 3 citations; the prior 12 months averaged between 22 and 60 citations per month, with peaks in May through September 2025. This suggests that reflector conditions are a routine inspection focus during warmer months when visibility and road conditions vary more widely.
Who gets cited most
Our inspection records show the highest concentration of these citations in three states over the last 180 days:
- California: 40 citations, 0.0% OOS rate
- Arizona: 26 citations, 0.0% OOS rate
- Utah: 25 citations, 0.0% OOS rate
All three states show identical OOS rates (0%), which aligns with the national pattern for this code. There is no meaningful variation in enforcement severity by state.
Among carriers, our data shows operations such as Daniel Ernesto Pena Cota (USDOT 1647639) with 40 all-time citations for this code and Ricardo Andres Pena Cota (USDOT 591357) with 15 citations. This reflects citation volume across carrier operations, not a statement about safety culture or negligence—it often correlates with fleet size and inspection frequency rather than systematic compliance failures.
Vehicle manufacturers most frequently cited include Freightliner (228 citations), Kenworth (95), and Volvo (66). This distribution tracks overall trailer market share and age profile in the inspection population.
How severe is this compared to similar codes
Compare 393.13C2-CSLRR to other vehicle maintenance violations in the same category:
- 393.9(a) — Inoperable required lamps: 660,737 citations with a 15.4% OOS rate. Lamps are more frequently cited and carry higher risk of OOS placement.
- 396.17C-PI — No proof of periodic inspection: 212,081 citations with a 0.0% OOS rate, matching 393.13C2-CSLRR's enforcement pattern.
- 393.11 — Lighting devices/reflectors: 179,734 citations with a 1.8% OOS rate, showing that broader lighting and reflector defects carry slight OOS risk compared to this specific code.
The data indicates that 393.13C2-CSLRR is a lower-severity maintenance citation. It's documented and must be corrected, but it rarely triggers roadside removal from service.
Common violations found during the same inspection
When this code is cited, officers often find other defects on the same vehicle. Our records show the most frequent co-occurrences in the last 90 days:
- 392.2-SLLSR (Operating a CMV while ill or fatigued): 30 shared inspections
- 396.17C-PI (No proof of periodic inspection): 27 shared inspections
- 393.13C1-CSSRR (Side retroreflective sheeting inadequate, same vintage): 17 shared inspections
- 393.9A-LSML (Inoperable required lamps): 16 shared inspections
The appearance of driver-fatigue codes alongside reflector citations suggests some inspections may occur during fatigue checks or during conditions where visibility becomes a broader concern. The co-occurrence of inspection-documentation codes indicates that trailers with reflector issues often lack current proof of periodic maintenance.
How to avoid it
Since this citation applies only to trailers manufactured before December 1, 1993, the first step is to verify your trailer's build date. If your trailer predates that cutoff, implement these preventive steps:
Before each trip:
- Walk the lower rear of your trailer in daylight and simulate how it appears at night. Use a flashlight to check reflectivity of the lower rear panel.
- Look for peeling, fading, or oxidized reflective material. If the surface is dull, chalky, or cracked rather than bright and shiny, it is likely degraded.
- Check that no sections of reflective tape or sheeting are missing, torn, or hanging loose.
Maintenance and replacement:
- Schedule reflective material replacement during regular preventive maintenance, especially if your trailer is in active service and exposed to harsh weather.
- Keep documentation of reflector repairs and replacements in your trailer maintenance log. Our data shows that 27 co-occurrences involved missing periodic inspection records—maintaining proof of maintenance protects you against compounded citations.
- If you operate a Freightliner, Kenworth, Volvo, or Wabash trailer (the most commonly cited makes in our records), prioritize an inspection of older units, as these models appear frequently in our database.
Documentation:
- Take dated photos of your trailer's rear reflectors in good condition and keep them in your records. If cited, you can demonstrate the condition at the time you last verified it.
- Maintain a pre-trip inspection checklist that explicitly includes lower-rear reflector condition for trailers pre-dating December 1993.
Given the 0.0% OOS rate for this code, a citation is a correctable defect, not an immediate threat to your operation. However, it flags a maintenance gap that should be closed before the next inspection.