What 393.24(c) means in plain language
FMCSR 393.24(c) requires that any cargo, equipment, or material hanging over the sides or extending beyond the rear of your truck be properly lit and marked so other drivers can see it.
This applies whether you're carrying lumber that sticks out 3 feet on each side, a flatbed with pipe extending past the back, a tanker with banding that protrudes, or any other load that exceeds the vehicle's footprint. The rule exists because invisible or unmarked overhangs create collision and sideswipe hazards—especially at night or in poor visibility.
"Properly lit and marked" means reflectors, lights, or flags positioned so they're visible to approaching traffic, and compliant with the specifications in 49 CFR Part 393. A citation means an inspector found your load lacked required lighting, reflective devices, or warning markers during a roadside safety check.
What our enforcement data actually shows
Across our 13 million+ inspection records, 393.24(c) has generated 865 all-time citations. Over the last 12 months, we recorded 0 citations for this violation, and in the last 90 days, 0 as well—indicating this is not a high-frequency enforcement area right now.
Of those 865 all-time citations, only 4 resulted in an out-of-service order, yielding a 0.5% OOS rate. This is substantially lower than the all-FMCSR average OOS rate of 31.4%, which reflects that inspectors typically issue this citation as a correctable defect rather than an immediate safety-critical violation. You may be allowed to fix the lighting or marking on the spot, or given time to remedy it before continuing operation.
Nationally, 393.24(c) ranks #751 of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume, placing it in the lower-enforcement tier. This suggests that while the rule is on the books and enforced when spotted, inspectors encounter it far less frequently than major categories like lamp defects or brake systems.
Who gets cited most
Our enforcement records do not include state-level breakdowns for this code, so we cannot identify the top three citing states by name. However, our data shows certain carriers have accumulated multiple citations over time. COMERCIALIZADORA MARSER SA DE CV logged 9 citations, followed by JESUS PEDRO PEREZ CARRILLO and JOSE LUIS ARMENTA GAXIOLA, each with 7 citations. These figures reflect operational patterns across many inspections and do not indicate systemic non-compliance—citations are routine touchpoints in trucking, and addressing them promptly is part of fleet safety management.
How severe is this compared to similar codes
Within the Vehicle Maintenance category, 393.24(c) sits at a notably lower enforcement and OOS severity level:
- 393.9(a) — Inoperable required lamps has logged 660,737 citations with a 15.4% OOS rate. This is a far more common defect.
- 393.11 — Lighting devices/reflectors shows 179,734 citations and a 1.8% OOS rate, also significantly higher volume.
- 396.3(a)(1) — Inspection/repair/maintenance general has 236,919 citations and a 45.3% OOS rate, indicating it flags more serious maintenance gaps.
The 0.5% OOS rate for 393.24(c) tells us that inspectors see this as fixable and rarely safety-critical enough to park your truck. Compare that to 393.9(a) at 15.4% or 396.3(a)(1) at 45.3%, and you're looking at a lower-severity violation in the enforcement hierarchy.
How to avoid it
Preventing a 393.24(c) citation comes down to a pre-trip load-security and visibility checklist:
- Before loading, confirm whether your cargo will extend beyond the vehicle frame—measure or estimate length. If it will, plan where reflectors, lights, or flags will go.
- Use DOT-compliant red reflectors or retroreflectors on any load overhang visible from the rear. Position them at the outermost point and ensure they face oncoming or following traffic.
- Install side marker lights or reflectors if material projects more than a few feet laterally. Many states require amber or red side markers on wide loads.
- Attach warning flags or placards if reflectors alone won't suffice—bright orange, red, or yellow flags draw attention during daylight and low-light conditions.
- Check all lights and reflectors before departure. A pre-trip walk-around should include a glance at load extremities; replace cracked or missing reflectors immediately.
- Know your load dimensions. If you're unsure whether something protrudes, assume it does and mark it. Over-marking is never a violation; under-marking is.
- Review shipper paperwork for dimensional specs and any required load securement or marking notes. Some shippers provide guidance; use it.
- On multi-stop runs, re-check marking if you partially unload. Removing cargo can shift the load and expose edges that were previously covered.
The 865 citations in our database, concentrated among flatbed and utility configurations, underscore that projecting-load violations are preventable with a simple pre-departure visual and a small investment in reflective tape, flags, or lighting kits. A few dollars in reflectors beats a citation and the compliance paperwork that follows.