What 393.25(e) means in plain language
This citation applies when your truck's rear lighting or reflective devices—the lamps and reflectors that make your vehicle visible to other drivers at night or in poor conditions—are blocked or hidden. The obstruction could be your load itself, a tailboard, cargo straps, or any other physical object that prevents light from those required devices from being seen from behind.
The intent is straightforward: other drivers need to see that your vehicle is there, especially in darkness or fog. Obscured rear lamps create a serious collision hazard, particularly for vehicles following you. Federal regulations require that these lamps and reflectors remain unobstructed and functional at all times.
This is a pre-trip and load-securing issue. It's not about the lamps being broken—it's about them being covered up or blocked by how you've loaded or secured your cargo.
What our enforcement data actually shows
Across our 13 million+ inspection records, we have 2,218 all-time citations for 393.25(e), ranking it at #516 out of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume. Here's what matters most: only 1.4% of citations for this code result in an out-of-service order. That means 2,186 drivers were cited but allowed to continue; only 32 were placed out of service.
For context, the all-FMCSR average out-of-service rate is 31.4%. This code's 1.4% OOS rate is substantially lower, reflecting that inspectors see it as a fixable defect rather than an immediate safety-critical failure. However, it's important to note that over the past 12 months and last 90 days, our records show zero citations for this code, suggesting either improved compliance or a shift in inspection focus.
The relative rarity of this violation and its low OOS rate should not create complacency. A citation still carries a CSA severity weight of 3, meaning it will be recorded in your carrier's safety profile and factored into compliance reviews.
Who gets cited most
Our inspection records do not break citations by state in the data provided, so we cannot identify the top three states by citation count. However, we can tell you that certain carriers have accumulated citations over time. San Luis International Freight Services LLC (USDOT 463252) appears in our records with 11 citations; Juan Trucking Inc (USDOT 2881798) with 8 citations; and Professional Tree Removal Inc (USDOT 4067730) and Frank's Service and Trucking LLC (USDOT 574368) each with 7 citations. This framing reflects historical citation patterns in our database and is not an indictment of any carrier's current safety posture—it simply indicates where the violation has been encountered.
Vehicle make data shows that Freightliner trucks (172 citations) and FRHT models (146 citations) account for the largest share of 393.25(e) citations. This likely reflects market volume rather than inherent design defects; Freightliners are common in long-haul and vocational fleets where loaded configurations vary widely.
How severe is this compared to similar codes
Within the Vehicle Maintenance category, 393.25(e) sits at the milder end of the enforcement spectrum. Consider these peer codes:
393.9(a) — Inoperable required lamps has 660,737 citations and a 15.4% out-of-service rate. That code applies when lamps are broken, burned out, or non-functional—a more serious condition than obstruction. The higher citation volume and OOS rate reflect that inoperability is considered more dangerous.
396.3(a)(1) — Inspection/repair/maintenance (general) carries 236,919 citations and a 45.3% OOS rate, nearly the all-FMCSR average and far higher than 393.25(e). That code is triggered when a vehicle shows multiple or systemic maintenance defects.
393.11 — Lighting devices/reflectors has 179,734 citations and a 1.8% OOS rate—very similar to 393.25(e). Both codes are about lighting visibility and function; 393.11 covers a broader range of conditions, but both are treated as correctable rather than immediately out-of-service.
The takeaway: obscured lamps is a lower-severity violation in the maintenance world, but it is still cited and recorded.
How to avoid it
Before every trip, perform a rear-end walk-around. Step back 10 feet and visually confirm that both tail lamps are visible and not covered by cargo, straps, tarps, or the tailboard itself. If you run with a drop-deck or flatbed, this is non-negotiable.
Secure your load properly and keep it away from the rear lamps. Whether you're carrying general freight, lumber, appliances, or equipment, ensure nothing contacts or obscures the lamp housings. Position dunnage, blocking, and straps so that the rear third of your trailer—especially both bottom corners where most rear lamps are mounted—remains clear.
Check your tailboard or rear gate closure. A partially open or misaligned tailboard is a common culprit. Make sure it's fully latched and seated, and that it doesn't hang down in a way that blocks light.
Use reflective tape or markers on high-risk loads. If you haul irregular shapes (tree removal equipment, construction debris, bulk commodities), consider adding reflective tape to the rear of your load as a secondary safety measure and a visual reminder that the area needs to remain visible.
Inspect after shifting or movement during transit. If you stop for a break or fueling, do a quick rear-end check. Load can shift, tarps can come loose, and a quick visual confirms nothing has migrated into the lamp zone.
These steps take seconds and directly prevent the 393.25(e) citation.