FMCSR 393.62(b) — Windshield Wipers Inoperative: What Drivers Need to Know

Yes, but it's not automatic. Across our inspection records, 393.62(b) citations resulted in out-of-service placement 66.7% of the time. That's significantly higher than the average FMCSR violation, which triggers OOS at a 31.4% rate. Whether an officer places you OOS depends on inspection discretion and your vehicle's overall condition. If your wipers are inoperative, expect a high probability of being taken out of service until they're repaired and reinspected.

A 393.62(b) citation carries a CSA severity weight of 4. CSA points are calculated using a 30-day multiplier system—the weight is multiplied by the number of days since the violation occurred, up to 30. At day 1, that's 4 points; at day 30, it's 120 points. The points then age and eventually drop off your record. Address this violation immediately to minimize point accumulation and prevent it from triggering safety audits or carrier warnings.

1. Get wipers repaired immediately—don't drive further than necessary to reach a repair facility.
2. Document the repair—get a receipt and work order with date, time, and parts replaced.
3. Request a reinspection—most jurisdictions allow you to present corrected equipment at a scale or inspection site.
4. Notify your carrier or fleet manager—they need to know about the citation for their safety records.
5. Keep repair documentation—you may need it if you contest the citation or if the carrier reviews your safety profile.
6. Check state-specific procedures—some states have different reinspection timelines.

In context, yes. Across our records, 393.62(b) has a 66.7% OOS rate, which is far higher than most lighting and wiper codes. For example, inoperable required lamps (393.9(a)) trigger OOS only 15.4% of the time, and windshield defects (393.78) are OOS in just 0.3% of cases. The high out-of-service rate for inoperative wipers reflects the safety-critical nature of visibility on the road. Treat this as urgent.

Yes, you can file a DataQs challenge if you believe the citation is factually inaccurate or the inspection was improper. Since windshield wipers are a direct equipment observation—not a documentation or logbook issue—contestation works best if you can prove the wipers were functional at the time of inspection. You'll need objective evidence (repair receipts showing prior service, photos, maintenance records). If the wipers were genuinely inoperative, the citation will likely stand. Work with your carrier's safety team or a compliance specialist to file the challenge.

This violation is rare in federal enforcement. Our database shows only 12 citations for 393.62(b) across all 13 million+ inspections on record—ranking it #2132 out of 3,036 FMCSR codes. In the last 12 months, there have been zero citations, and none in the last 90 days. While the OOS rate is high when it does occur, the violation itself is uncommonly documented. This suggests that inoperative wipers are either being caught at the pre-trip level or enforcement agencies prioritize other vehicle defects.

Extremely urgent. Given the 66.7% out-of-service rate, you're at high risk of being placed OOS if re-inspected. Repair the wipers before your next scale or roadside stop. The safety reason is also critical: inoperative wipers in rain or snow conditions create visibility hazards that regulators treat seriously. Don't delay—get to a repair shop immediately and carry your repair documentation. The longer wipers remain broken, the greater your liability if involved in an incident.

Both. FMCSA records violations at the driver level and the carrier level within two separate CSA BASIC categories: Driver Vehicle Maintenance and Carrier Vehicle Maintenance. Your citation contributes to your personal safety record, which can affect your employability and insurability. It also counts against your carrier's fleet-wide vehicle maintenance profile, influencing their CSA percentile rankings and potential for compliance reviews. If you operate for a carrier, the citation impacts both your records and theirs.