FMCSR 393.60 Glazing/Window Obstructions: Citations & Compliance

No. FMCSR 393.60 citations never result in out-of-service placement. Across our inspection database, the out-of-service rate for this violation is 0.0%, meaning inspectors have not placed trucks out of service for glazing and window obstruction violations in the time tracked. This is a non-OOS violation, so you can continue operating once cited, though you must correct the condition within a reasonable timeframe to avoid future citations.

Each 393.60 citation carries a CSA severity weight of 4 points. These points are added to your Safety Management Cycles (30, 60, and 90-day windows) and count toward the Vehicle Maintenance BASIC category. The cumulative impact depends on how many citations you rack up; a single glazing violation is relatively minor on the severity scale compared to brake or lighting defects, but multiple infractions compound your CSA score.

Immediate steps:

1. Document the condition — photograph the windshield/window as cited by the inspector.
2. Schedule repair — glazing damage is simple to fix; get the cracked or discolored glass replaced or cleaned promptly.
3. Keep records — save repair receipts and photos of the corrected condition.
4. Check for co-violations — if the citation came alongside lighting or structural issues, address those too.
5. Report to your carrier — notify fleet safety if you're under a carrier account.

This violation does not halt operations, so prioritize repair within days, not weeks.

393.60 is low-severity in the vehicle maintenance category. Our inspection data shows that similar violations like windshield condition defects (393.78) generate 157,894 citations with only a 0.3% out-of-service rate, while inoperable lamps (393.9) yield 660,737 citations at a 15.4% OOS rate. Glazing obstructions have never been cited in high volume—zero citations in our all-time database—making this one of the rarest vehicle maintenance findings. When it does occur, it's treated as a correctable defect, not a critical safety threat.

Yes, you can contest the citation through FMCSA's DataQs (Dispute Resolution) portal if you believe the finding was made in error or the inspector applied the regulation incorrectly. Glazing obstruction is a visual, equipment-based determination, so your challenge would focus on whether the damage or obstruction actually reduced visibility to the extent defined by the regulation. Gather photos, repair receipts, or expert testimony showing the condition did not meet the citation threshold. You have 90 days from the inspection date to submit your DataQs challenge.

Fix it within a few days, but you're not under time pressure for immediate roadside re-inspection. Since 393.60 carries a 0.0% out-of-service rate, inspectors will not ground your truck. However, the violation must be corrected to prevent repeat citations during future inspections. Cracked windshields and obstructed windows are inexpensive and quick to repair—typically a day or less at a glass shop—so delaying correction only invites further scrutiny. Address it before your next inspection cycle.

393.60 is extremely rare in enforcement. Our inspection records across 13 million+ citations show zero all-time citations for glazing and window obstructions, zero in the last 12 months, and zero in the last 90 days. This is one of the least-cited FMCSR codes in the vehicle maintenance group. When inspectors do find glazing damage, they are more likely to cite the broader windshield condition code (393.78, which has 157,894 citations) or lump it into a general maintenance violation. The low citation volume means most drivers and fleets simply don't encounter this code in practice.

393.60 falls under the Vehicle Maintenance BASIC category, which tracks both the driver and the carrier under FMCSA's Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) program. The violation is linked to the truck's mechanical condition at the time of inspection, so the citation impacts the carrier's safety record. If you're an independent owner-operator, you carry both driver and carrier responsibility. If you drive for a fleet, the maintenance violation primarily affects your carrier's safety metrics, though repeated citations may affect your driver qualification status with that carrier.