FMCSR 393.24(d): Projecting Load Lighting & Marking — Q&A

No, not typically. Across our inspection records, only 0.4% of 393.24(d) citations resulted in an out-of-service order. That means 249 out of 250 drivers cited for improper lighting or marking on projecting loads were allowed to continue operating. This is far below the national average OOS rate of 31.4% across all FMCSR violations, making this one of the least likely codes to trigger an immediate roadside shutdown.

A single 393.24(d) citation carries a severity weight of 3 CSA points. Those points are multiplied by the number of violations within a 30-day window. So if you receive one citation, that's 3 points. If you accumulate multiple violations within 30 days, the multiplier increases. While this code ranks #1156 out of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation frequency, the points impact is moderate compared to higher-severity vehicle maintenance violations.

Immediate steps:

1. Document the violation. Photograph the projecting load and the lighting/marking status at the time of citation.
2. Inspect your load securing equipment — verify all lights, retroreflective tape, and warning devices on any cargo extending beyond your vehicle.
3. Correct the defect before your next haul. Add or repair lighting, markers, or flags as needed.
4. Keep repair records. Save receipts and work orders; this helps if you contest the citation through DataQs.
5. Review your load procedures with your dispatcher to prevent recurrence.

Since this code has generated only 0 citations in the last 90 days across our dataset, it's uncommon but worth fixing promptly.

Not especially. The 0.4% OOS rate on 393.24(d) is significantly lower than related lighting codes. For example, 393.9(a) — inoperable required lamps — carries a 15.4% OOS rate and accounts for 660,737 citations. Another peer code, 396.3(a)(1) — general inspection/repair/maintenance — shows a 45.3% OOS rate. Your 393.24(d) citation indicates a marking or lighting issue on an overhanging load, which is less likely to ground your vehicle than a completely non-functional lamp system.

Yes, you can challenge any citation through the FMCSA's DataQs (Clearinghouse for Motor Carrier Safety Data) process. Submit your evidence showing that:

• The load projection was actually within legal limits, or
• Adequate lighting and retroreflective marking were present at the time of inspection, or
• The inspector misidentified the violation.

You have 90 days from the citation date to file. DataQs cases are reviewed for factual accuracy and proper inspection procedures. Keep your load documentation, photos, and lighting records as supporting evidence.

Our inspection records show only 250 total citations for 393.24(d) across all states since our data began. The low national volume (ranked #1156 of 3,036 codes) means this violation is sparse geographically. The citation distribution is too thin to identify specific state hotspots. However, the top carriers cited include mostly small and mid-size carriers; J.B. Hunt Transport and ABF Freight System are among those with citations for this code.

Medium priority. While this code has triggered 0 citations in the last 90 days in our dataset, the core issue — unmarked or unlit projecting cargo — poses a safety and visibility risk, especially at night or in low-light conditions. It's not an emergency out-of-service threat (0.4% OOS rate), but you should correct improper load lighting or marking before your next run. Fixing it quickly also protects your CSA score if the citation is entered into FMCSA records.

This violation is logged against the carrier's safety record, not the individual driver. FMCSA reports 393.24(d) as a vehicle maintenance violation under the Unsafe Driving and Vehicle Maintenance BASICs. Both the driver and the carrier can see the citation in their CSA profiles. The carrier is responsible for ensuring vehicles are properly maintained and equipped for load projection before they leave the dock, so addressing this systematically — through load-out procedures, equipment checks, and driver training — protects your entire fleet's rating.