FMCSR 393.50(d) — Steering Mechanism Defective: Q&A

No, not usually. Across our inspection records, 393.50(d) citations resulted in an out-of-service placement only 1.0% of the time (5 out of 506 all-time citations). This is substantially lower than the 31.4% national average OOS rate across all FMCSR codes. Most drivers cited for defective steering received a notice but were permitted to continue operating. However, the 1.0% OOS rate means severe cases—where the steering system poses immediate danger—do result in roadside placement.

A single 393.50(d) citation carries a CSA severity weight of 8 points. In the CSA system, this weight is multiplied by the number of violations within a 30-day window. If this is your only steering-related citation in the past month, you receive 8 points to your Vehicle Maintenance BASIC. Multiple citations or co-occurring defects within 30 days will accumulate faster and increase your roadside inspection frequency.

1. Document the citation: photograph the violation notice and your truck's steering system condition.
2. Notify your carrier/fleet manager immediately if you are a company driver.
3. Get a qualified mechanic inspection within 24 hours to confirm the defect and cost of repair.
4. Do not defer the repair: steering defects affect your safety and your CSA record.
5. Request re-inspection after repair to clear the violation from your roadside history.
6. Keep all repair receipts for your carrier's maintenance file and potential DataQs challenges.

393.50(d) is relatively uncommon and rarely results in OOS placement. It ranks #918 out of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume (506 all-time). By contrast, inoperable required lamps (393.9(a)) has been cited 660,737 times with a 15.4% OOS rate, and lighting defects (393.11) total 179,734 citations at 1.8% OOS. In the vehicle maintenance category, steering defects are cited far less frequently, but when they are, inspectors treat them as a critical safety system—meaning even a 1.0% OOS rate reflects serious cases.

Yes. DataQs is FMCSA's online system for drivers and carriers to contest roadside inspection records. For a 393.50(d) citation, your challenge succeeds if you can demonstrate the inspection finding was factually inaccurate or improperly documented. Provide repair records, pre-inspection photos, or a mechanic's statement proving the steering was functional. Equipment-based violations like steering defects are contestable if the inspector's notes lack sufficient detail or if your repair documentation predates the citation.

393.50(d) is inactive in current enforcement. Our records show zero citations in the last 12 months and zero in the last 90 days, despite 506 all-time citations. This suggests either improved steering maintenance across the fleet or a shift in inspector focus to other defects. The code remains on the books and eligible for citation, but it is not being enforced at measurable volume in roadside inspections today.

J B HUNT TRANSPORT INC (USDOT 80806) leads with 7 citations. Three other carriers—BEAVERS TRANSPORT LLC, PZ TRUCKING SERVICES LLC, and five others—each have 2–3 citations all-time. On vehicle makes, Freightliners (FRHT) account for 52 citations, followed by Macks and Peterbilts (MACK and PTRB, 22 each) and Kenworths (KW, 21). These patterns suggest no single carrier or manufacturer is at elevated risk; citations are distributed across the industry.

A single 393.50(d) citation affects your personal CSA record and your current carrier's safety profile. Once cited, the violation remains visible to future employers in your PSP (Pre-employment Screening Program) record for three years. If you repair the defect and successfully contest the citation through DataQs, the record can be removed. Future employers consider CSA violations when hiring; however, a lone 393.50(d) is far less damaging than accumulated violations. Repair promptly and maintain clean inspection history going forward.