FMCSR 393.60D: Glazing & Window Obstructions — Driver Q&A

No — almost certainly not. Across all 39,062 all-time citations in our inspection records, only 2 vehicles were ever placed out of service under 393.60D, producing a 0.0% OOS rate. Compare that to the all-FMCSR average OOS rate of 31.4% and it's clear this code carries virtually zero immobilization risk. You will receive a citation and it will hit your CSA record, but you won't be parked at the inspection site. Fix the glazing issue before your next inspection to prevent the citation from repeating.

A 393.60D citation carries a severity weight of 4. That base score is then multiplied depending on how recently the violation occurred — inspections within the last 6 months receive the highest time-weight multiplier under FMCSA's CSA scoring model, so a fresh citation hits harder than an older one. The violation falls under the Vehicle Maintenance BASIC. If your carrier already has elevated Vehicle Maintenance scores, even a 4-point citation can push you closer to an intervention threshold, especially when 393.60D commonly appears alongside other maintenance codes on the same inspection.

Document the condition and get it corrected before your next trip. Here's what the data suggests you should prioritize:

1. Inspect all glazing immediately. Cracks, discoloration, or anything blocking the driver's line of sight are what inspectors are flagging.
2. Check your other paperwork. Our records show that in the last 90 days, 393.60D appeared on the same inspection as 396.17C-PI (no proof of periodic inspection) 815 times and with 393.95F (missing warning devices) 513 times. Inspectors who find a window violation often keep looking.
3. Get a repair receipt. A dated work order proves correction if the citation is later reviewed.
4. Notify your fleet safety manager so the DataQs window doesn't expire before anyone notices.

It's frequent but low-severity compared to its peers. With 39,062 all-time citations, 393.60D ranks #82 out of 3,036 FMCSR codes by volume — so inspectors write it often. But its 0.0% OOS rate stands in stark contrast to peer Vehicle Maintenance codes: 396.3(a)(1) carries a 45.3% OOS rate across 236,919 citations, and even the closely related 393.78 (windshield condition defective) carries a 0.3% OOS rate across 157,894 citations. The real danger with 393.60D isn't immobilization — it's the CSA score accumulation when it keeps appearing across multiple inspections.

Yes, you can file a DataQs Request for Data Review (RDR) for any roadside inspection citation. Because 393.60D is an equipment condition finding — not a missing document — a successful challenge typically requires evidence that the glazing was not actually cracked, discolored, or obstructed at the time of inspection. Useful supporting materials include photos taken at the scene, a repair history showing the windshield was recently replaced, or a second inspection report from that same day showing no defect. The inspection will remain on your PSP and the FMCSA portal while the review is pending; DataQs does not pause CSA scoring timelines.

Texas is by far the most active state for this citation. Looking at the last 180 days in our inspection records, Texas issued 3,005 citations under 393.60D — more than four times the next highest state. Arizona came in second with 701 citations, followed by Missouri with 647. Iowa (565) and Pennsylvania (535) round out the top five. If your routes run through Texas regularly, glazing condition should be part of every pre-trip checklist, not just a periodic maintenance item.

Don't wait. The citation volume alone signals how actively inspectors are writing this code. Our inspection records show 25,787 citations in just the last 12 months, and the last 90 days alone produced 5,275 citations. Monthly volume has been running between roughly 1,881 and 2,515 citations every month since mid-2025. A second 393.60D citation in a short window will double your CSA exposure at the highest time-weight multiplier. Since OOS risk is negligible, inspectors clearly feel comfortable writing this citation rather than just warning drivers — meaning a cracked or obstructed window is very likely to get cited again at the next stop.

Both, but in different FMCSA systems. The citation attaches to the carrier's USDOT number and affects the carrier's Vehicle Maintenance BASIC score — that's why carriers like EVANS DELIVERY COMPANY INC (USDOT 38111) have accumulated 61 all-time citations under this code. Separately, the inspection event appears on the individual driver's Pre-Employment Screening Program (PSP) record for 3 years. A driver who accumulates multiple inspection events with vehicle defects can look less attractive to future employers reviewing PSP reports, even if the equipment defect was not the driver's fault. Fleet managers should track both the carrier-side BASIC and driver-side PSP exposure.