What 393.22(b) means in plain language
393.22(b) requires that all parts, appurtenances, and accessories on a commercial vehicle be securely attached and in good working condition. This regulation focuses on making sure nothing is loose, broken, or dangerously positioned that could fall off, swing into traffic, or otherwise create a hazard.
In practical terms: if you've got a cargo tie-down coming undone, a fender flapping in the wind, a mirror hanging by one bolt, or any other component that isn't firmly secured and functioning as designed, you're in violation. Inspectors are looking for anything that's rattling, missing fasteners, or visibly damaged in a way that compromises safety during normal operation.
What our enforcement data actually shows
This code is rarely enforced. Our inspection records show only 31 all-time citations for 393.22(b) across 13 million+ inspections in our database. There have been zero citations in the last 12 months and zero in the last 90 days. This puts 393.22(b) at rank #1789 out of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume.
The most striking statistic: none of the 31 citations resulted in an out-of-service order, giving this code a 0.0% OOS rate. For context, the all-FMCSR average OOS rate is 31.4%, so 393.22(b) is enforced far less aggressively than comparable codes. If you do get cited, the likelihood of being pulled from service on the spot is virtually zero.
Who gets cited most
Our inspection records show that enforcement of this code has been so light that no single state dominates the citation count. The data is too sparse to identify a clear geographic pattern. Similarly, while carriers such as ELITIST INC and TSL HIGHWAY INC appear in the historical record with 2 citations each, the small total enforcement volume means this shouldn't be construed as an industry trend.
Vehicle makes cited include Kenworth (6 citations), International (5 citations), and Freightliner (5 citations), reflecting the prevalence of these heavy-duty tractors in commercial service rather than any inherent design weakness.
How severe is this compared to similar codes
Within the vehicle maintenance category, 393.22(b) is handled far more leniently than related codes. For example, 396.3(a)(1)—inspection, repair, and maintenance in general—has generated 236,919 citations with a 45.3% OOS rate. 393.9(a)—inoperable required lamps—shows 660,737 citations with a 15.4% OOS rate. Even 393.78, which covers windshield defects, has logged 157,894 citations with a 0.3% OOS rate.
The stark difference in enforcement volume suggests that inspectors treat 393.22(b) as a lower priority unless something is so obviously unsecured or damaged that it poses an immediate safety risk. Most equipment condition issues are cited under broader codes like 396.3(a)(1), not this specific provision.
How to avoid it
The core principle is straightforward: before you roll, make sure every component is bolted down tight and functioning properly.
- Walk the truck during your pre-trip inspection. Look for loose or missing fasteners on mirrors, fenders, mud flaps, lights, and cargo securement systems. Tug on anything that protrudes or pivots.
- Check tie-downs and straps on every load. Ensure they're tensioned correctly and not fraying or coming unlatched. This is the most common source of insecure-parts violations.
- Inspect mirrors, lights, and glass for cracks or damage. Damaged components are often the trigger for this citation, even if they're still attached.
- Verify doors, panels, and access covers are latched. Fuel caps, battery box covers, and inspection-plate doors all need to be secure.
- Pay extra attention to Kenworth, International, and Freightliner models if you're operating those makes, since our data shows higher citation counts for these vehicles historically—though this likely reflects their prevalence in the fleet rather than a design issue.