What 393.62(e) means in plain language
FMCSR 393.62(e) requires that windshield wipers on your commercial motor vehicle be in working order and present. If an inspector finds that your wipers are inoperative, missing, or otherwise unable to clear precipitation from your windshield, you've violated this code.
The regulation is straightforward: visibility matters. Wipers that don't work create a safety hazard for you, your cargo, and everyone sharing the road. An inspector checks this during a roadside inspection by looking at the physical condition of your wiper blades and, in some cases, testing whether they function when activated.
This is a maintenance issue, not a structural or brake defect. It's a component that can fail gradually—blades wear down, motors seize, linkage breaks—so this citation often surfaces when drivers haven't done a thorough pre-trip inspection.
What our enforcement data actually shows
Across our 13 million+ inspection records, 393.62(e) has generated 789 citations all-time, ranking it #782 out of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume. In the last 90 days and last 12 months, we recorded zero citations for this violation, suggesting it is not a widespread or active enforcement focus right now.
When inspectors do cite this code, 31.2% of those citations result in an out-of-service order. That's nearly identical to the all-FMCSR average OOS rate of 31.4%, meaning inspectors treat inoperative wipers with moderate consistency in their decision to pull a vehicle off the road. Of the 789 all-time citations, 246 were placed out of service and 543 were not.
The low recent citation count does not mean the violation is unimportant—it likely reflects that most drivers and fleets catch and fix wiper problems before they reach an inspection point. However, the 31.2% OOS rate shows that when inspectors find this defect, roughly one in three times they will not allow the truck to continue operation.
Who gets cited most
Our inspection records do not include state-level breakdowns in the data provided, so we cannot name the top three states by citation count for this code.
However, we can note that across all carriers cited for 393.62(e), our data shows fleets such as TPS PARKING MANAGEMENT LLC (27 citations) and FIRST STUDENT INC (16 citations) have been cited more frequently than others. This pattern likely reflects the size and operational scope of these carriers rather than any indication of fleet-specific negligence; larger fleets with more vehicles naturally accumulate more citations across their operations.
How severe is this compared to similar codes
Within the Vehicle Maintenance category, 393.62(e) occupies a specific niche. Compare it to three closely related violations:
393.9(a) — Inoperable required lamps has generated 660,737 citations with a 15.4% OOS rate. Lamps are cited far more frequently, but inspectors place only about half as many out of service proportionally compared to wipers.
393.78 — Windshield condition defective has 157,894 citations with a 0.3% OOS rate. This code addresses cracks, damage, and obstruction to the windshield itself. Although it is cited more than a third as often as 393.62(e), inspectors almost never remove vehicles from service for windshield damage alone, suggesting they view wiper failure as a more immediate operational safety concern.
396.3(a)(1) — Inspection/repair/maintenance general has 236,919 citations and a 45.3% OOS rate. This broad maintenance code results in out-of-service orders nearly half the time, significantly higher than the 31.2% rate for wipers, indicating that broader maintenance deficiencies trigger more aggressive enforcement.
How to avoid it
Wiper failure is preventable with deliberate pre-trip inspection and maintenance:
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Check blade condition at every pre-trip. Look for cracks, tears, missing rubber, or hardened material on both driver and passenger side blades. If blades are more than six months old or show visible wear, replace them before they fail during a trip or at inspection.
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Test wiper function before you depart. Activate wipers in both low and high speed. They should sweep cleanly across the windshield with no chattering, streaking, or dead zones. If they hesitate, skip, or move slowly, the motor or linkage may be failing.
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Verify both wipers are present. Single-wiper systems or missing blades are immediate violations. Confirm you have two operational wipers installed.
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Keep the windshield clean and free of obstruction. Debris, ice buildup, or excessive dirt can prevent wipers from working effectively and signal to an inspector that you're not maintaining visibility.
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Replace wipers seasonally or per manufacturer guidance. Don't wait for a wiper to fail completely. Rubber degrades faster in extreme heat or cold, so plan replacements accordingly.
These steps take minutes during a pre-trip and cost far less than a citation, potential out-of-service downtime, and the safety risk of driving in rain or snow without functional wipers.