What 393.62(d) means in plain language
This citation means a DOT inspector found that your commercial motor vehicle's windshield wipers were either not working or missing entirely. Windshield wipers are a visibility safety device—they keep your windshield clear so you can see the road ahead, other vehicles, and hazards.
The regulation requires that wipers be present and functional on any CMV. If an inspector pulls you over and tests your wipers or observes they're broken, cracked beyond use, or absent, you can receive this citation. It applies regardless of weather conditions at the time of inspection; the requirement is that the equipment must be there and operational.
This is a vehicle maintenance violation, not a driver behavior violation. The responsibility falls on the vehicle owner or operator to ensure the equipment is serviceable before the vehicle is placed into operation.
What our enforcement data actually shows
Across our 13 million roadside inspection records, 393.62(d) ranks #1582 of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume. All-time, we have documented 58 citations for this violation in our database. Over the last 12 months and the last 90 days, we recorded zero citations—indicating this violation is relatively uncommon in current enforcement activity.
When this citation is issued, it carries a CSA severity weight of 4, which is moderate in the enforcement framework. Importantly, 393.62(d) is not an out-of-service eligible violation, meaning an inspector cannot immediately take your vehicle off the road based on this citation alone. However, our data shows that in 29.3% of all cases where this code was cited historically, the vehicle was still placed out of service—likely due to the combined presence of other defects discovered during the same inspection. This OOS rate is slightly lower than the all-FMCSR average of 31.4%.
The low citation volume and the gap between citations in our recent data suggest that either this defect is becoming rarer, inspectors are finding it less frequently, or operators are addressing it more consistently.
Who gets cited most
Our inspection records do not include state-level breakdowns for this particular code in the data provided. However, we can see which carriers have been cited most frequently for 393.62(d) violations. Airport Service Corp (USDOT 609266) and TPS Parking Management LLC (USDOT 918843) each appear with 4 citations in our all-time database. Quick Transit Management Agency LLC (USDOT 1713003) has 3 citations. Several carriers including New Jersey Transit Corporation, Island Transport Inc, Rekari Transport Service LLC, Greyhound Lines Inc, and Victor Transport each show 2 citations.
These fleets operate across different regions and vehicle types. The citation count does not indicate negligence—it reflects the scale of operations, inspection exposure, and corrective action cycles. Some of these carriers operate passenger services or high-volume dispatch operations, which increases their inspection frequency and thus their citation visibility.
How severe is this compared to similar codes
Within the Vehicle Maintenance category, 393.62(d) is far less frequently cited than related equipment violations. For comparison:
Inoperable required lamps (393.9(a)) has been cited 660,737 times with a 15.4% OOS rate. This is over 11,000 times more frequent than wipers, reflecting that lighting defects are caught much more often.
Windshield condition defective (393.78) has been cited 157,894 times with a 0.3% OOS rate. This is for the glass itself rather than the wipers, and it results in almost no out-of-service placements.
Inspection/repair/maintenance general (396.3(a)(1)) has 236,919 citations and a 45.3% OOS rate, indicating that broad maintenance failures are both common and severe.
The rarity of 393.62(d) citations and the moderate OOS rate suggest this is a violation that, when found, is often corrected on-site or discovered alongside other defects that trigger the OOS decision.
How to avoid it
Preventing a 393.62(d) citation is straightforward and falls entirely within pre-trip inspection:
-
Test both wipers before every shift. Activate them on the windshield with the engine running. They should move smoothly, make contact with the glass, and return to rest position. Do this in dry conditions so you can feel and hear the blades working.
-
Inspect wiper blades for damage. Look for cracks, splits, missing rubber, or hardened material. If the blade chatters, streaks, or skips, it's time to replace it. Blades typically last 6–12 months depending on climate and usage.
-
Check the wiper fluid reservoir. While not directly part of this citation, a full fluid reservoir supports the wiper function and is part of a complete visibility system. Refill before long routes.
-
Replace blades immediately if defective. Wiper blades are among the cheapest vehicle components to replace—typically $15–40 per blade. Carrying a spare set or a replacement kit in your truck can eliminate roadside delays.
-
During post-trip, document wiper condition. If you notice a wiper problem, report it to maintenance or your carrier immediately. Don't wait for the next scheduled service.
-
Know your vehicle. If you're assigned a truck with older or worn wipers, ask maintenance to replace them before you take it on the road. This is not asking for special treatment—it's a basic safety and compliance expectation.
Given that the citation volume is very low and has been zero in recent months, this violation is easily preventable with a 30-second pre-trip check.