FMCSR 393.62(a) — Windshield Wipers Inoperative: Q&A

Yes—there is a high likelihood. Across our inspection records, 78.0% of citations for inoperative windshield wipers result in out-of-service placement. That is 2.5 times higher than the all-FMCSR average OOS rate of 31.4%, making this a serious finding. The 573 out-of-service placements in our database against 162 non-OOS citations show inspectors treat this violation as a safety hazard that typically grounds your vehicle until wipers are functional and verified.

This violation carries a severity weight of 4 points. Under the CSA system, a single citation accrues 4 points in the Mechanical BASIC category within your 30-day window. If you receive multiple citations for the same violation or co-occurring defects in one inspection, each citation counts separately. The points remain on your record for 36 months, so early repair and documentation matter for your overall CSA profile.

First steps:

1. Do not operate the vehicle. If placed out of service, stop immediately.
2. Repair or replace wipers — both driver and passenger side must function properly in all conditions.
3. Get a Level 1 or 2 inspection from a certified inspection facility to verify compliance.
4. Document the repair — keep receipts, work orders, and the inspector's clearance.
5. Request re-inspection if you were placed OOS, to lift the out-of-service status.
6. Review co-occurring defects — inoperative wipers often appear with windshield condition issues (393.78), so check the glass itself for cracks or cloudiness.

Yes, it is significantly more serious than most vehicle maintenance codes. Our database shows 393.62(a) has a 78.0% out-of-service rate, compared to 1.8% for lighting defects (393.11) and 0.3% for windshield condition issues (393.78). Even against general maintenance violations like 396.3(a) at 45.3% OOS rate, inoperative wipers trigger out-of-service far more often. This reflects FMCSA's position that functional wipers are critical to safe operation in any weather.

Yes, you can contest through the DataQs (Identification of Errors and Recording Changes) process. If the inspector incorrectly documented your wiper status—for example, if they checked "inoperative" when both wipers were working—you can submit a DataQs challenge with supporting evidence (photos, repair records, inspection reports). The challenge window is typically 30 days from the citation date. Equipment defect citations are contestable if you have proof of prior repair or correct functioning; document everything with dates and photographs.

School and transit operators dominate our citations. FIRST STUDENT INC leads with 19 citations across our records, followed by DURHAM SCHOOL SERVICES LP and SFINIEX LINE EXPRESS INC at 11 each. KINGS CANYON UNIFIED SCHOOL DIST and QUICK TRANSIT MANAGEMENT AGENCY LLC each have 10. This pattern reflects the high utilization and older fleet age in student transport, where wiper wear accelerates and maintenance cycles may lag demand. Smaller carriers like COMMUNITY LINES INC also appear with 6 citations.

Very urgent. Our records show 735 total citations for this violation since we began tracking, but 0 citations in the last 90 days and 0 in the last 12 months, indicating this violation is rare in current enforcement—likely because fleets now prioritize it or because wipers are quick, low-cost repairs. The 78.0% out-of-service rate means repair cannot wait: you cannot legally operate until wipers are functional and verified. Budget 1–2 hours for replacement and same-day inspection clearance.

Both. The citation is recorded against the vehicle and the carrier's FMCSA profile. As a driver, it contributes to your crash and safety record if you were operating the vehicle at the time of inspection. Your carrier's safety metrics (CSA scores and the Mechanical BASIC) are also affected. If the vehicle was improperly maintained, liability falls on the carrier; if you failed to perform a pre-trip inspection and report the defect, you bear responsibility for the failure to identify it. Always conduct pre-trip walkarounds and report defects immediately.