What 393.13C2 means in plain language
This citation covers trucks manufactured before December 1, 1993 that are missing lower rear retroreflective or reflex reflective material. Think of this as the reflective striping or sheeting on the lower back of your trailer—the material that makes your rig visible to other drivers at night or in low light.
For older vehicles, FMCSA requires this reflective material to be in place and in good condition. If an inspector finds that the lower rear reflective sheeting is damaged, peeling, missing, or absent entirely, they will cite you for 393.13C2. This is a straightforward equipment violation tied to vehicle age and visibility standards.
Note that this applies specifically to pre-1993 trucks. Newer vehicles are held to different retroreflector standards under the same section, so the citation is narrowly scoped to that older fleet segment.
What our enforcement data actually shows
Across our 13 million+ roadside inspection records, 393.13C2 has generated 916 all-time citations, making it rank #740 out of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume. In the last 12 months, inspectors cited this code 581 times, with 96 citations in the last 90 days alone.
Here is the most important fact for your situation: this code carries a 0.0% out-of-service rate. Not a single one of the 916 citations on record resulted in your vehicle being placed out of service. Compare that to the all-FMCSR average OOS rate of 31.4%—393.13C2 is dramatically less severe. You will not be pulled off the road for this violation.
Monthly trend data shows consistent citation activity throughout 2025 and into 2026, with volumes ranging from 22 to 60 citations per month. The pattern is stable, indicating steady enforcement rather than seasonal spikes.
Who gets cited most
Our enforcement data shows the heaviest citation concentration in Texas, with 224 citations over the last 180 days. New Mexico follows with 7 citations, and Iowa with 3 citations. All three states maintain a 0.0% OOS rate for this code, consistent with the national pattern.
The data indicates fleets operating in border and southwestern regions encounter this violation more frequently, likely reflecting older vehicle populations in those areas. Our records show carriers such as GUILLERMO CANO DE LA ROSA with 5 all-time citations for this code, and MAX E GREENSLADE with 4 citations, but these numbers reflect the overall distribution of citations rather than disproportionate violations.
How severe is this compared to similar codes
Within the vehicle maintenance category, 393.13C2 sits far below peer violations in terms of enforcement frequency and severity. Compare it to three closely related codes:
393.9 (Inoperable Required Lamp) has generated 660,737 citations with a 15.4% OOS rate. That code is 721 times more frequently cited and results in roadside removal at a meaningful rate.
393.11 (Lighting devices/reflectors) shows 179,734 citations with a 1.8% OOS rate—still 196 times more common and significantly more likely to trigger out-of-service action.
393.78 (Windshield condition defective) accounts for 157,894 citations but only a 0.3% OOS rate. Even windshield defects are cited nearly 172 times more often.
Your 393.13C2 citation is genuinely one of the rarest and least severe equipment violations in the dataset. It signals a compliance gap but not one that creates immediate roadside risk.
How to avoid it
Prevention is straightforward and centered on pre-trip and periodic inspection discipline:
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Walk the entire rear perimeter of your trailer monthly. Look for missing, peeling, or faded retroreflective material on the lower back section. If you see bare metal, cracking, or areas where the sheeting has separated, address it before your next inspection.
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Check for common co-occurring defects during your pre-trip. Our data shows that inspections citing 393.13C2 frequently involve inoperable lamps (393.9 in 39 shared inspections over 90 days) and general lighting/reflector issues (393.11 in 27 shared inspections). This suggests reflective work is often clustered with broader lighting problems. Inspect all lamps, reflectors, and marker lights as a complete system.
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Pay special attention if you operate a Freightliner, Kenworth, or Peterbilt. These three makes account for 558 of the 916 all-time citations for this code. If you drive an older unit from one of these manufacturers, rear reflective integrity becomes a higher-priority pre-trip item.
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Request documentation of any reflective repairs from your carrier or maintenance team. If sheeting has been replaced or repaired, confirm it meets the retroreflective standard for pre-1993 vehicles. Keep those records available during roadside stops.
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Do not attempt a temporary fix with tape or paint. The regulation specifically requires retroreflective or reflex reflective material, not improvised solutions. Proper sheeting must be installed to pass inspection.
Because this violation never results in out-of-service placement, your citation will not interrupt your trip or your ability to work. However, it will be recorded on your CSA profile and your carrier's safety record. Correcting the defect promptly and documenting the repair protects your safety rating over time.