FMCSR 393.13C2: Rear Reflective Sheeting — Q&A

No. Across our inspection records, zero out of 916 all-time citations for 393.13C2 resulted in an out-of-service (OOS) order—a 0.0% OOS rate. This is significantly below the national average of 31.4% across all FMCSR codes. A 393.13C2 violation means you'll be cited during your roadside inspection, but your truck will not be pulled from service on the spot. You will still need to correct the defect, but there is no immediate operational shutdown.

Texas dominates enforcement for this violation. Over the last 180 days, our inspection records show Texas with 224 citations, followed by New Mexico with 7 citations and Iowa with 3 citations. Texas accounts for the overwhelming majority of 393.13C2 findings. If you operate in Texas regularly, pay close attention to lower rear retroreflective sheeting condition on vehicles manufactured before December 1993.

Moderately urgent but not emergency-level. Since the OOS rate is 0.0%, you won't be sidelined immediately. However, the violation will remain on your record and could be cited again at the next inspection if not corrected. Over the last 90 days, we've logged 96 citations for this code, showing steady enforcement. Repair the retroreflective sheeting or material as soon as practical—typically within 1–2 weeks depending on parts availability and your maintenance schedule.

In our last 90 days of data, when 393.13C2 is cited, inspectors also frequently flag 393.9 (Inoperable Required Lamp) in 39 shared inspections, and 393.11 (Lighting devices/reflectors) in 27 shared inspections. This pattern suggests lighting and reflectivity problems cluster on the same vehicles. After a 393.13C2 citation, check your entire rear lighting system—lamps, reflectors, and lens condition—to prevent multiple citations at your next inspection.

No, it's among the least severe in the vehicle maintenance category. Our database ranks 393.13C2 at #740 out of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume (916 all-time citations), and its 0.0% OOS rate is far below the 31.4% all-FMCSR average. For comparison, the similar code 393.11 (Lighting devices/reflectors) has been cited 179,734 times with a 1.8% OOS rate. 393.13C2 is a lower-frequency violation with virtually no enforcement bite—treat it as a compliance issue, not a safety crisis.

1. Document the citation. Photograph the rear sheeting/reflective material condition noted by the inspector.
2. Schedule maintenance. Contact your mechanic or maintenance department—this is a parts-and-labor repair, not an emergency roadside fix.
3. Check related systems. Given the co-occurrence pattern, inspect rear lamps (393.9) and all reflector devices (393.11) while you're at it.
4. Verify compliance. Confirm the vehicle was indeed manufactured before December 1993; if it was, retroreflective sheeting is mandatory.
5. Keep records. Once repaired, document the work for your next inspection.

It's relatively uncommon. In the last 12 months, we recorded 581 citations for 393.13C2 across 13 million+ inspections. The monthly trend shows it hovers between 22–60 citations per month, with recent months (Feb–Apr 2026) dropping to 37–48 citations. This code affects a narrow universe of vehicles—specifically, trucks built before December 1993 with missing or degraded lower rear retroreflective material. If your fleet consists mostly of newer equipment, you'll rarely see this violation.

Freightliner (FRHT) leads by far with 287 all-time citations, followed by Kenworth (KW) with 180 citations and Peterbilt (PTRB) with 91 citations. This distribution reflects the age and market share of Class 8 trucks; older Freightliners and Kenworths that remain in service are more likely to have worn or missing retroreflective sheeting. If you operate an older Freightliner or Kenworth, schedule a preventive inspection of rear reflective materials before your next roadside check.