What 393.60E-WS means in plain language
FMCSR 393.60E-WS addresses the condition of your truck's glazing—windshields and windows—and whether they obstruct your visibility enough to be unsafe. An inspector will cite you for this violation if your windshield or windows are cracked, discolored, or obstructed to the point that you cannot see clearly while driving.
This is fundamentally about safety. Your windshield and windows are your primary line of sight to the road, other vehicles, pedestrians, and hazards. Any damage or obstruction that materially reduces visibility creates risk. The regulation doesn't require perfection; it targets conditions severe enough to impair your ability to operate the vehicle safely.
What our enforcement data actually shows
Across our 13 million+ inspection records, we have 1,770 all-time citations for 393.60E-WS. In the last 12 months, that's 1,030 citations, and in the last 90 days, 215 citations. This code ranks #565 out of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume—a moderate-frequency violation, not rare but not among the most cited either.
The out-of-service rate for 393.60E-WS is 0.2%: only 4 trucks out of 1,770 total citations were placed out of service. That's dramatically lower than the all-FMCSR average OOS rate of 31.4%. In practical terms, if you receive this citation, the chance you will be removed from service is minimal. Inspectors treat glazing obstruction as a correctable defect rather than an immediate safety emergency that demands your truck be sidelined.
The monthly trend over the past 12 months shows consistent citation activity, ranging from 75 to 121 citations per month, with a slight uptick in the winter months (December 2025 saw 121 citations).
Who gets cited most
Our inspection records show Texas leads by a substantial margin: 361 citations over the last 180 days, with a 0.0% out-of-service rate. Iowa follows with 76 citations and 0.0% OOS rate. New Mexico comes in third with 65 citations, also 0.0% OOS. Across all top states, the out-of-service rate remains uniformly low, indicating this violation is handled consistently as a correctable defect nationwide.
By carrier, our data shows multiple fleets have received citations for glazing obstruction. Federal Express Corporation (USDOT 86876), Quality Tank SA de CV (USDOT 2864600), and SPG Transportation Inc (USDOT 2881143) each have 4 citations on record. These numbers reflect the overall low frequency of the violation rather than indicating any systemic pattern.
How severe is this compared to similar codes
Glazing obstruction sits in the Vehicle Maintenance category alongside other windshield and lighting defects. For comparison: 393.78 (Windshield condition defective) has 157,894 citations with a 0.3% OOS rate—nearly identical to 393.60E-WS's profile. 393.9 (Inoperable Required Lamp) shows 180,097 citations but a much higher 6.9% OOS rate, suggesting lighting defects are treated more seriously at roadside. 396.17C (No proof of periodic inspection) has 212,081 citations with a 0.0% OOS rate, also correctable at inspection.
The takeaway: glazing obstruction is in the low-severity end of vehicle maintenance violations. Inspectors rarely escalate it to out-of-service status.
How to avoid it
Our data on co-occurring violations reveals a pattern: glazing obstruction frequently appears alongside 393.78 (Windshield condition defective, 25 shared inspections in the last 90 days) and 393.9 (Inoperable Required Lamp, 85 shared inspections). This suggests that trucks with poor visibility often have other maintenance issues—particularly lighting problems that compound the safety risk.
Here are concrete steps to prevent a 393.60E-WS citation:
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Pre-trip inspection of all glass. Before you leave the yard, walk around your truck and inspect the windshield, side windows, and rear glass for cracks, chips, or debris. Any crack larger than a small stone chip or any debris blocking your line of sight warrants repair before departure. Don't assume "I can see around it."
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Clean your windshield regularly. Discoloration—buildup of dirt, salt, or road film—can obstruct visibility as much as a crack. Keep windshield wipers in good condition and use washer fluid every day if you're in dusty or winter conditions.
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Replace damaged glass immediately. If you notice a crack or chip during a pre-trip or en route, address it before your next inspection. Don't wait. Roadside inspectors will cite a crack that's visible, and waiting only increases the risk of it spreading.
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Check lighting at the same time. Because 393.9 (inoperable lamps) co-occurs frequently with glazing issues, inspect your headlights, taillights, and clearance lights during your pre-trip. Dim or burned-out lights combined with poor visibility create a compounded hazard.
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Know your vehicle's make tendencies. Our records show Freightliner (FRHT) trucks account for 563 of all 393.60E-WS citations, followed by Kenworth (KW) with 250. If you operate one of these makes, be especially vigilant about windshield cracks and cleaning—these fleets see higher citation frequency.
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Document repairs. If you have glass replaced or repaired, keep the receipt. If you're cited for glazing obstruction and the damage occurred en route, documentation of repair helps establish your good-faith response.