What 393.13D2-CSLRR means in plain language
This citation addresses the reflective devices mounted on the lower rear of your trailer. These reflectors—often called conspicuity systems or reflex reflectors—are the strips that bounce light from other vehicles' headlights back toward the driver, making your trailer visible at night and in low-visibility conditions.
The specific violation flags trailers manufactured before December 1, 1993. For vehicles of that age, inspectors are checking whether the lower rear reflex reflectors are present, properly positioned, and in adequate condition to perform their job. "Inadequate" typically means the reflectors are faded, cracked, peeling, missing sections, or no longer effectively reflecting light.
This is fundamentally a visibility and safety regulation. When these reflectors fail, a trailing vehicle driver may not see your trailer in darkness or fog, dramatically increasing collision risk.
What our enforcement data actually shows
Across our 13 million+ inspection records, we have logged 231 all-time citations for 393.13D2-CSLRR. In the last 12 months, we recorded 137 citations, and in the last 90 days, 27 citations. This code ranks #1172 out of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume.
The most important number for your situation: our inspection records show a 0.0% out-of-service rate for this violation. Not a single driver was placed out of service for 393.13D2-CSLRR in our database. This is dramatically below the all-FMCSR average OOS rate of 31.4%. In practical terms, if you receive this citation, you will not be immediately sidelined; you can continue your trip and address the defect during normal maintenance.
The monthly trend over the last 12 months shows enforcement ranging from 2 to 15 citations per month, with no dramatic spike. The most active enforcement months were May, July, August, and September 2025, each with 13–15 citations.
Who gets cited most
Our data from the last 180 days shows California leads by a substantial margin with 18 citations. Arizona follows with 7 citations, and Pennsylvania with 4 citations. All three states maintained a 0.0% out-of-service rate. No meaningful OOS-rate variation exists across states—this violation is universally treated as a correctable maintenance item, not a safety-critical defect.
Among carriers in our all-time records, 7J LOGISTICS INC (USDOT 3530734) appears with 3 citations. Several other carriers, including MCCUNE TRUCKING LLC, ALEJANDRA ESQUIVEL FERNANDEZ, and J M EXPRESS INC, each show 2 citations over the period. These numbers reflect the relatively low enforcement volume; no single carrier is disproportionately cited.
Vehicle makes most frequently cited include Freightliner (28 citations), Fruehauf (13 citations), Volvo (15 citations), and Peterbilt (15 citations). Older trailers—consistent with the December 1, 1993 threshold—dominate the citations.
How severe is this compared to similar codes
393.13D2-CSLRR sits within the vehicle maintenance category alongside several high-enforcement codes. For perspective:
- 393.9(a) — Inoperable required lamps has generated 660,737 citations with a 15.4% OOS rate. That code is far more frequently cited and carries genuine out-of-service risk.
- 393.11 — Lighting devices/reflectors (the broader category encompassing reflector violations) shows 179,734 citations with a 1.8% OOS rate, still higher than 393.13D2-CSLRR's 0.0% but still rarely resulting in OOS placement.
- 396.17(c) — No proof of periodic inspection has 198,331 citations with a 0.0% OOS rate, matching this code's outcome profile.
Your citation is among the least severe in its enforcement category by OOS frequency. The regulation is taken seriously enough to be cited 137 times in the last year, but inspectors treat it as a maintenance correction, not an immediate safety shutdown.
How to avoid it
These defects are entirely preventable with disciplined pre-trip and periodic inspections:
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Walk the rear of your trailer during every pre-trip inspection. Look directly at the lower rear reflex reflectors—the horizontal or angled strips along the back corners and center bottom. Feel the surface; if they are cracked, peeling, faded so that they appear dull rather than glossy, or missing sections, flag them for replacement before the next inspection.
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Test reflectivity in low light. Shine a flashlight or headlight beam directly at the reflectors from several angles. If the light scatters instead of bouncing back sharply, the reflectors are degraded and need attention.
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Replace reflectors proactively on older trailers. Our inspection records show citations concentrate on trailers built before 1993. If your trailer is in that age range, budget for reflector replacement as routine maintenance, not an emergency repair. Generic replacement reflector kits are inexpensive and widely available.
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Pay special attention during winter or wet seasons. Salt spray, mud, and grime accelerate reflector degradation. If you operate in corrosive environments, inspect reflectors more frequently—monthly rather than annually.
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Verify that replacement reflectors meet DOT standards. Not all aftermarket reflectors are equal. Ensure any replacement kit is rated for highway use and meets the conspicuity specifications in 49 CFR 393.13.
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Document your inspections. Keep records of when you inspected and serviced reflectors. This creates a defensible maintenance history if you are ever cited again.
Our co-occurring violation data shows this citation often appears alongside other maintenance items: inoperable lamps (393.9A-LIL and 393.9A-LSML), missing proof of inspection (396.17C-PI), and tire tread defects. This suggests that drivers cited for reflectors often have broader maintenance lapses. Tighten your overall pre-trip discipline—check lights, tires, and brakes systematically every time, not just the reflectors.
Bottom line: this is a straightforward fix. Your citation will not put you out of service, and prevention requires only basic attention during pre-trip walks. Add reflectors to your routine maintenance checklist and move forward.