FMCSR 393.201E: Holes in Frame Rail Flange — Driver Q&A

No. Across our inspection records, 393.201E has never resulted in an out-of-service citation—the OOS rate is 0.0%. All 2 all-time citations for prohibited holes in frame rail flange resulted in a warning or citation without roadside removal. This contrasts sharply with the 31.4% all-FMCSR average OOS rate, making this one of the lowest-severity frame defects inspectors encounter.

393.201E is rarely cited and carries minimal enforcement risk. Our database shows only 2 all-time citations, ranking it #2651 of 3,036 FMCSR codes by volume. For context, similar maintenance codes like 393.9 (inoperable lamps) have 660,737 citations with a 15.4% OOS rate, and 396.3 (general inspection/repair) has 236,919 citations with a 45.3% OOS rate. The rarity of 393.201E citations suggests it's either uncommon in the field or rarely the focus of roadside inspections.

Yes, DataQs (FMCSA's electronic challenge process) is always available for roadside inspection findings you believe are inaccurate or improper. Submit within 90 days of the citation date through the FMCSA portal. Frame rail damage is a visual, measurable defect, so your challenge should document photos, measurement records, or evidence that the holes were pre-existing damage not related to safety. Consult your carrier's compliance team to ensure documentation is filed correctly.

1. Document the defect: Take photos and note the inspector's exact location of the hole(s) on the frame rail flange. 2. Review your repair history: Check if this was a known issue or new damage. 3. Schedule immediate repair: Contact a certified frame shop to assess and repair or reinforce the damaged section. 4. Notify your carrier: Report the citation to your fleet safety manager same day. 5. Consider DataQs: If you believe the citation is factually incorrect, file a challenge within 90 days. 6. Keep repair receipts: Document completion for audit trail.

Very rarely. Across the last 12 months, our inspection records show only 2 citations total for 393.201E—one in May 2025 and one in August 2025. In the last 90 days, there have been zero citations. This extreme rarity means if you've received this citation, you're in a very small minority of drivers.

Our all-time data shows two carriers with a single 393.201E citation each: IMPETUS LLC (USDOT 3058664) and JOSE LUIS PENA CHAVEZ (USDOT 3537042). Both citations involved frame rail flange damage. The scarcity of enforcement suggests this violation is not a systematic problem across the industry, and carriers are generally compliant with frame integrity standards.

Frame rail integrity violations like 393.201E are vehicle maintenance defects, so they attach to the carrier's safety record, not the driver's personal CSA score. However, if you were operating an unsafe vehicle, your carrier may issue a coaching record. The violation appears on the BASIC category "Vehicle Maintenance" under the carrier's DOT number, affecting their safety profile and carrier safety rating.

While not an immediate out-of-service threat (0% OOS rate), frame rail damage should be repaired promptly. The frame is structural—holes in the flange can weaken load-bearing capacity and may worsen under stress. Given the rarity of citations (zero in the last 90 days), inspectors are unlikely to re-check this defect aggressively, but delaying repair increases accident risk if the damage spreads. Schedule repair within 1–2 weeks of citation.