What 393.61-WD means in plain language
FMCSR 393.61-WD addresses a specific vehicle condition: missing side windows in your driver's compartment. This means your truck is missing one or more of the side windows that should be present in the cab where you sit.
Side windows serve critical safety and operational functions. They give you visibility of your blind spots, allow air circulation, and provide emergency exit routes. When a side window is missing—whether it's been broken and not replaced, or the window regulator is inoperable and the window is down—an inspector will cite this code.
The violation is straightforward: the window must be present and functional. A missing window, a window that cannot be raised, or a window that has fallen into the door is a defect under this code.
What our enforcement data actually shows
Across our 13 million+ roadside inspection records, we have documented 347 all-time citations for 393.61-WD. In the last 12 months, that total was 172 citations. Over the last 90 days, 33 citations were issued for this violation.
Here's the critical distinction: this code has a 0.0% out-of-service rate. Out of 347 all-time citations, zero trucks were placed out of service for a missing side window. None. This means inspectors consistently treat missing side windows as a correctable defect that does not require you to stop driving immediately.
For context, the all-FMCSR average out-of-service rate is 31.4%. The 393.61-WD violation sits far below that threshold, ranking #1037 of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume. You will get a citation—a mark on your inspection record—but you will not be ordered to repair it before continuing your route in the vast majority of cases.
Citation activity has been steady over the past year. Our monthly trend data shows citations ranging from 6 in April 2025 to 20 in January 2026 and September 2025. The pattern indicates no dramatic spike or decline; this is a consistent, low-risk violation in enforcement terms.
Who gets cited most
Georgia leads citation counts over the last 180 days with 9 citations for missing side windows, followed closely by Pennsylvania with 9 citations and Ohio with 8 citations. All three states show a 0.0% out-of-service rate, consistent with the national pattern.
Rounding out the top five are Missouri with 5 citations, Washington with 5 citations, and New York with 5 citations—all with zero out-of-service placements. If you operate in GA, PA, or OH, you're in jurisdictions where inspectors are actively checking side window condition. The citation risk is real and present, but the enforcement outcome remains non-severe across all states.
Our data shows fleets such as PAT RABEY TRUCKING INC (USDOT 129636) and FCAD TRANSPORTATION LLC (USDOT 4384623) with 3 citations each in our all-time records. These numbers reflect the volume of inspections those carriers face; they do not indicate a pattern of negligence or systemic failure.
How severe is this compared to similar codes
To understand where 393.61-WD sits in the enforcement landscape, consider comparable vehicle maintenance codes.
393.9(a) — Inoperable required lamps has logged 660,737 citations with a 15.4% out-of-service rate. Lighting violations are cited far more frequently and result in OOS placements at a meaningful rate.
393.78 — Windshield condition defective has 157,894 all-time citations with a 0.3% out-of-service rate. Like 393.61-WD, windshield defects are rarely deemed severe enough to halt your truck, though they are cited more often than missing side windows.
396.3(a)(1) — Inspection/repair/maintenance (general) represents a broader maintenance category with 236,919 citations and a 45.3% out-of-service rate. That code triggers enforcement action far more aggressively than 393.61-WD.
The takeaway: a missing side window is a low-severity vehicle defect. It will be documented, but enforcement almost never escalates to an out-of-service order.
How to avoid it
Missing side windows often appear alongside other cab and body defects in the same inspection. Our co-occurring violation data shows that when 393.61-WD is cited, inspectors commonly find:
- Exhaust system defects (393.80A) — 17 shared inspections in the last 90 days
- Cab/body components defective (393.203A-CBP) — 15 shared inspections
- Unauthorized windshield tinting (393.60B) — 13 shared inspections
- Hood not securely fastened (393.203C-CBP) — 12 shared inspections
These patterns suggest that trucks with missing side windows often have broader maintenance neglect. To avoid this citation:
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Inspect your side windows during pre-trip. Look for cracks, missing panes, or windows that won't raise fully. Test the window regulator—roll each side window up and down before departure. If it's stuck or slow, address it before hitting the road.
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Replace broken windows promptly. Don't defer window replacement to save money. A broken side window is visible to any roadside inspector and signals overall vehicle neglect.
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Address cab and body condition holistically. Our data shows that missing windows co-occur with exhaust system problems and loose body components. If you've had cab damage—from weather, impact, or wear—inspect the entire cab structure, not just the windows.
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Check Freightliner and Volvo units especially carefully. Our all-time citation data shows Freightliner (69 citations) and Volvo (36 citations) are the vehicle makes most frequently cited for 393.61-WD. If you drive one of these models, window inspection should be part of your routine maintenance habit.
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Don't ignore minor window problems. A regulator that moves slowly, a window that won't seal properly, or a frame that's slightly misaligned may seem minor but signals mechanical wear. Fixing these early prevents the window from dropping into the door or breaking entirely.
The 0.0% out-of-service rate means this citation won't shut you down today—but it will appear on your inspection record, and repeated citations can harm your safety profile and your carrier's CSA scores. Prevention is simpler and cheaper than dealing with citations and repair costs later.