393.24(c) Lighting on Projecting Loads – Driver Q&A

No. Across our 13 million inspection records, citations for 393.24(c) result in an out-of-service order in only 0.5% of cases—4 trucks out of 865 all-time citations. The vast majority of drivers cited for improper lighting or marking on projecting loads are allowed to continue operating after the citation is issued. However, you will need to correct the violation before your next roadside inspection or during your compliance review.

This violation carries a CSA severity weight of 3. Under the FMCSA Safety Management Guidelines, that weight is multiplied by 1 for the month of violation, then by 0.5 for each of the two following months. So a single 393.24(c) citation adds 3 points in month one, 1.5 points in month two, and 1.5 points in month three. The total impact to your SMS profile depends on other violations during that 90-day window.

Immediate steps: (1) Photograph the violation as cited by the officer—document the load, lighting, and marking conditions. (2) Correct the lighting and marking to FMCSR standards before your next haul. (3) Request a copy of the inspection report from the state DOT. (4) Review your safety program with your carrier or mechanic to prevent recurrence. (5) Monitor your SMS profile at SafetyData.FMCSA.gov to confirm the citation is recorded correctly. (6) If you believe the citation is factually wrong, file a DataQs challenge within 90 days of the inspection date.

No—393.24(c) is significantly less serious than related lighting codes. Our inspection data shows that 393.9(a), which covers inoperable required lamps, has a 15.4% out-of-service rate across 660,737 citations, and 393.9 overall sits at 6.9% across 180,097 citations. By contrast, 393.24(c) has only a 0.5% OOS rate. When compared to the all-FMCSR average OOS rate of 31.4%, projecting-load lighting violations are among the lowest-risk findings issued at roadside.

Yes. The FMCSA's DataQs system allows drivers and carriers to challenge roadside inspection findings within 90 days of the inspection date. For 393.24(c), a challenge works best if you can demonstrate that the load was properly lighted and marked according to FMCSR 393.24(c) standards at the time of the inspection—for example, through photos, witness statements, or proof that the lighting was operational. Submit your challenge through SafetyData.FMCSA.gov with supporting documentation. The FMCSA reviews the evidence and either removes or confirms the violation.

Very few. Across our entire database of 13 million+ inspections, 393.24(c) ranks #751 out of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume, with only 865 all-time citations. In the last 12 months, we recorded zero citations for this violation, and zero in the last 90 days. This suggests the violation is either rare in the field or has been largely corrected by carriers and drivers, making it one of the least-cited vehicle maintenance code infractions.

Moderately urgent. While 393.24(c) does not trigger an immediate out-of-service order 99.5% of the time, any projecting load must be properly lighted and marked before it legally returns to the road. The violation is not going away—it stays on your record and contributes to your SMS profile. Correct it before your next inspection cycle. Since zero citations have been issued in the past 90 days in our database, focus on prevention: inspect projecting loads before departure, verify all lights are functional, and ensure retroreflective marking is visible and intact.

This violation can affect both. Under FMCSA policy, vehicle maintenance violations like 393.24(c) are recorded against the carrier in the Safety Management System (SMS) and appear in the carrier's BASIC profile. If you are an owner-operator, the violation attaches to your USDOT number. If you are a company driver, the citation goes to the carrier's record, but you should still ensure the violation is addressed to protect your own driving record and maintain the carrier's safety rating.