What 393.13D2 means in plain language
This citation applies specifically to commercial vehicles manufactured before December 1, 1993. The regulation requires that retroreflective sheeting—the reflective material that makes your truck visible at night—be placed correctly on the lower rear of the vehicle. If an inspector found that your reflective material is positioned incorrectly on the lower rear surface, you've been cited under 393.13D2.
Older trucks have specific requirements for where this reflective material must sit. The material helps other drivers see your vehicle in darkness and poor visibility. When it's in the wrong location, it defeats that purpose, even if the material itself is present and in decent condition.
This is a Vehicle Maintenance category violation, which means it's a defect inspectors look for during roadside compliance checks. The good news: across our 13 million inspection records, this specific code has never resulted in a vehicle being placed out of service.
What our enforcement data actually shows
Our inspection records show 364 all-time citations for 393.13D2, with 248 citations in the last 12 months and 55 in the last 90 days. The out-of-service rate is 0.0%—meaning not a single vehicle cited for this violation was removed from service.
For context, the all-FMCSR average out-of-service rate is 31.4%. This code ranks #1025 of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume, which places it well outside the most-frequently cited violations. That said, the citation count has been steady over the past year, averaging around 20–27 citations per month with no clear seasonal pattern.
Because this violation is not OOS-eligible, being cited does not automatically pull your truck from service that day. You won't be stranded roadside waiting for repairs before you can move again. That's a material difference from many other vehicle maintenance violations.
Who gets cited most
Across the last 180 days, our data shows the geographic distribution is heavily concentrated in one state. Texas accounts for 122 citations, with zero out-of-service placements. New Mexico has recorded 2 citations and Illinois 1 citation in the same period, both with 0% OOS rates.
The concentration in Texas reflects both the volume of commercial traffic through that state and the intensity of roadside inspection activity there. All three states show a 0.0% OOS rate, consistent with the national pattern for this code.
Our data shows fleets such as RS Transfer SA de CV and Autotransportes Romedu SA de CV with 6 citations each across our full database. Transportes Larraga SA de CV has 5 citations. These carrier-level numbers reflect the total citation volume over time and do not indicate systemic negligence—rather, they reflect exposure based on fleet size and road presence.
How severe is this compared to similar codes
In the Vehicle Maintenance category, peer codes show a wide range of enforcement intensity and severity. Code 393.9 (Inoperable Required Lamps) has 660,737 all-time citations with a 15.4% OOS rate—roughly 1,800 times more common than 393.13D2. Code 393.11 (Lighting Devices/Reflectors) has 179,734 citations with a 1.8% OOS rate, still far more frequent.
Code 393.78 (Windshield Condition Defective) shows 157,894 citations with a 0.3% OOS rate, which is also much more common but similarly low in severity. At 364 all-time citations, 393.13D2 is among the least-frequently cited violations in the vehicle maintenance space, suggesting that proper placement of retroreflective sheeting on older trucks is either well-understood in the industry or inspected less systematically than lighting and windshield defects.
The 0.0% OOS rate across all three comparison codes that are also non-OOS-eligible (396.17C-PI and 393.47E) aligns with 393.13D2, reinforcing that this is a correctable defect that does not warrant immediate out-of-service action.
How to avoid it
If you operate a truck manufactured before December 1, 1993, you need to know the exact mounting and positioning requirements for retroreflective sheeting on the lower rear. Review your vehicle's compliance manual or contact the manufacturer to confirm the correct location. Take a photo of the current placement and compare it against the regulation.
Pre-trip inspection checklist specific to this citation:
- Walk around the rear of your truck and visually inspect the retroreflective material. Check that it is positioned on the lower rear surface, not higher, lower, or off to the side.
- Ensure the material is not peeling, faded, or obscured by dirt, mud, or damage. Even if it's in the right place, visibility matters.
- If the material is clearly misplaced, note the exact location and plan a repair. This is a low-cost fix—typically repositioning or replacement of the sheeting itself.
- Clean the lower rear surface of your vehicle during routine washing to prevent accumulation of road grime that could obscure the reflective material.
Our co-occurring violation data shows that 393.13D2 citations often appear alongside 393.9 (Inoperable Required Lamp) in the same inspection. This suggests that inspectors checking rear lighting and reflective visibility may cite both violations when found. Ensure all rear lamps function correctly and are clean, not just the retroreflective material.
The data also shows brake tubing, windshield condition, and exhaust system defects frequently co-occur with this citation. Perform a thorough pre-trip walk-around that covers lighting, reflective surfaces, brake lines, and overall truck condition. Older trucks require more attention to these details.