FMCSR 393.45(c): Brake Tubing & Hoses — Citation Guide

No. Across our inspection database, 393.45(c) citations resulted in a 0.0% out-of-service rate—all 287 citations on record kept trucks in operation. This is significantly lower than the all-FMCSR average of 31.4% OOS placement. A brake tubing or hose violation is treated as a maintenance defect requiring repair, not an immediate safety removal. You'll be cited, but you won't be stopped.

This violation carries a severity weight of 7 points. In the CSA scoring system, that means 7 points are added to your Vehicle Maintenance BASIC within a 30-day window. If you receive multiple citations in that period, points stack. A single 393.45(c) is a moderate hit—not the heaviest violation, but cumulative maintenance citations can push your BASIC score into problem territory quickly.

1. Document the damage. Take photos of the cited tubing/hose (wear, chafing, crimping, or other damage) and the inspection report.
2. Contact your shop immediately. Schedule brake system inspection and tubing/hose replacement—don't delay.
3. Get written proof of repair. Once fixed, obtain a shop receipt showing what was replaced.
4. Report the fix to your carrier/compliance team. If leased, notify the carrier that the defect was corrected.
5. Dispute if warranted. If you believe the citation is inaccurate, file a DataQs challenge with your evidence within 90 days.

Not in terms of enforcement volume or immediate out-of-service risk. With 287 all-time citations, 393.45(c) ranks #1102 of 3,036 FMCSR codes. Compare that to similar vehicle maintenance violations: 393.47E (slack adjuster defects) has 180,363 citations, and 393.9 (inoperable lamps) has 180,097 citations. Brake tubing damage is rare in our data, which suggests either inspectors don't cite it often or compliance is high. The 0.0% OOS rate also means DOT doesn't treat it as emergency equipment failure—address it in regular maintenance windows, not as a roadside emergency.

Yes. DataQs is the FMCSA's online dispute resolution system. You have 90 days from the citation date to challenge it. For a 393.45(c) violation, a successful contest typically requires evidence that the tubing/hose was not actually damaged, or that the inspector misidentified the component. Gather photos, maintenance records, and any shop inspection reports showing the brake system was sound. Equipment condition violations are easier to dispute if documentation proves the system was compliant at the time of inspection.

Across our inspection records, Freightliner units account for 134 of the 287 citations—nearly half of all 393.45(c) findings. Great Dane trailers follow with 43 citations, and Peterbilt and Kenworth each show 36 citations. The concentration in Freightliner suggests either higher exposure (more Freightliners on the road) or a potential design or maintenance pattern in that fleet segment. If you operate one of these makes, factor brake tubing inspection into your pre-trip and monthly maintenance routine.

Repair it within your normal maintenance schedule—not an emergency stop, but don't ignore it. The data shows zero citations in the last 90 days and zero in the last 12 months, indicating this violation is becoming rarer. That suggests either compliance is improving or inspections are shifting to other codes. Because the OOS rate is 0.0%, you have time to coordinate a proper repair rather than making an emergency roadside fix. However, brake system integrity is critical; use a certified shop and ensure the repair is done correctly.

It follows the carrier. This is a vehicle maintenance violation—the responsibility to maintain compliant brake tubing and hoses rests with the carrier and registered owner, not the individual driver. For CSA purposes, the violation appears under the carrier's Vehicle Maintenance BASIC. If you're a company driver, the citation counts against your employer's safety record. If you're a leased owner-operator, it counts against the carrier holding your lease or registration.