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

It depends, but it's unlikely. Across our 13 million inspection records, 393.62(e) resulted in an out-of-service order in only 31.2% of cases (246 out of 789 citations all-time). This means the majority of drivers cited for inoperative windshield wipers were allowed to continue operating. However, the decision rests with the inspector—if your wipers are completely missing or non-functional and visibility is compromised, you may be placed OOS until they're repaired.

393.62(e) carries a severity weight of 4 CSA points. This weight is assigned once at citation. The number of points that actually land in your CSA record depends on whether the violation is substantiated and the 30-day clustering rule (multiple violations within 30 days may be weighted higher in certain BASICs). A single inoperative wiper citation will add 4 points to your Vehicle Maintenance BASIC if it's finalized in CSA.

First steps: (1) Photograph the inspection report and inspector's ID; (2) Verify the citation was issued correctly—document your wipers' actual condition at time of stop; (3) Obtain repair receipts if you fix the wipers before your scheduled compliance date; (4) Contact your carrier's safety manager with the citation details; (5) If you dispute the finding, prepare to contest it through DataQs within 30 days if you have evidence the wipers were operational or if the inspector made an error in documentation. Keep all records for your CSA file.

It's less urgent than brake or lighting violations, but still notable. Our database shows 393.62(e) ranks #782 out of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume (789 all-time). Its 31.2% OOS rate is essentially in line with the all-FMCSR average of 31.4%. For context, inoperative required lamps (393.9) has been cited 180,097 times with a 6.9% OOS rate—far more common but less likely to be placed OOS. Windshield wipers are a critical safety item but not as heavily enforced as lighting or brake defects.

Yes, you can contest it, but the viability depends on your evidence. DataQs (Data Quality and Investigative Support) allows you to challenge roadside inspection records within 30 days if you have documented proof the finding was incorrect—for example, photos or witness statements showing your wipers were operational at the time of inspection, or evidence the inspector misidentified your vehicle. If the citation is based on equipment that was genuinely inoperable, contesting is unlikely to succeed. Work with your carrier's compliance team to file a formal challenge if you have supporting evidence.

Our data does not include state-level breakdowns for this citation, so we cannot identify the top states where 393.62(e) is most frequently cited. However, across all 789 all-time citations in our database, the highest concentration has been among carriers in the passenger and shuttle transportation sector—TPS Parking Management LLC (27 citations), First Student Inc (16 citations), and USA Bus Service Inc (13 citations) lead the list. This suggests the violation is most common during inspections of buses and coach vehicles.

Very urgent. Windshield wipers are a safety-critical item required for vehicle operation, especially in wet or snowy conditions. Our records show zero citations of this code in the last 12 months and last 90 days, suggesting either high compliance or low enforcement activity recently. Regardless, you should repair or replace inoperative wipers immediately upon citation—do not wait. A non-functional wiper is a safety hazard and a re-inspection violation. Submit proof of repair to your compliance officer as soon as the work is complete.

Both. Roadside inspection violations are attributed to both the driver and the carrier's CSA record. A 393.62(e) citation will appear in your Driver BASICS (primarily Vehicle Maintenance) and also in your carrier's BASICS under the same category. If you move to another carrier, the violation stays on your record; it does not transfer to the new carrier's record. Your carrier may also see it in their fleet data. This is why carriers typically monitor driver citations—they affect both parties' safety scores.