What 393.62-BEND means in plain language
This citation means a federal safety inspector found that your windshield wipers were not working or were missing entirely. For a commercial motor vehicle, working wipers are a basic safety requirement—they let you see the road in rain, snow, or spray from other vehicles, and they're mandatory whether or not you're actively driving in wet conditions.
The regulation requires that wipers be present and functional. If an inspector finds them inoperative during a roadside check, you'll receive a citation. This is a vehicle maintenance violation, not a driver conduct violation.
What our enforcement data actually shows
Across our 13 million+ inspection records, 393.62-BEND has generated 391 all-time citations, ranking #1001 out of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume. In the last 12 months, we recorded 288 citations; in the last 90 days, 58 citations.
The out-of-service rate for this code is 15.9% all-time (62 vehicles placed out of service out of 329 not placed OOS). This is notably lower than the all-FMCSR average OOS rate of 31.4%. In other words, when inspectors cite this violation, they are less likely to ground your truck than they are for the average FMCSR code—but it can still happen. Over the last 90 days, we see a slight uptick in enforcement activity, with July 2025 recording 39 citations, the highest monthly volume in the past year.
Who gets cited most
Our inspection records show state-level variation in both citation frequency and OOS outcomes. The top three states by citation count over the last 180 days are:
- US (19 citations, 0% OOS rate)
- CA (17 citations, 70.6% OOS rate)
- NJ (9 citations, 55.6% OOS rate)
California and New Jersey show dramatically higher out-of-service rates—70.6% and 55.6% respectively—compared to the national baseline of 15.9%. If you operate in California or New Jersey, expect stricter enforcement: a wiper citation there is far more likely to result in your vehicle being taken off the road. Puerto Rico and Georgia each recorded 9 and 8 citations respectively, but with 0% OOS rates.
Across our database, certain carriers have accumulated multiple citations for this violation. Our data shows fleets such as JET TOURS USA INC (USDOT 519856) with 8 citations and TORNADO BUS COMPANY (USDOT 565859) with 7 citations. This pattern does not indicate negligence—fleet size and mileage exposure affect citation frequency—but it does underscore that wiper maintenance can be a systemic issue if overlooked.
How severe is this compared to similar codes
In the Vehicle Maintenance category, 393.62-BEND sits well below the enforcement frequency and severity of closely related codes. For comparison:
- 393.9(a) — Inoperable required lamps: 660,737 citations with a 15.4% OOS rate. Lamps draw far more citations but show comparable OOS severity.
- 393.78 — Windshield condition defective: 157,894 citations with a 0.3% OOS rate. While this defect code sees more citations overall, its OOS rate is nearly 50 times lower, suggesting inspectors view wiper inoperability as a more serious safety concern.
- 396.17C-PI — No proof of periodic inspection: 212,081 citations with a 0.0% OOS rate. Documentation violations almost never result in OOS placement, unlike mechanical failures.
How to avoid it
Inoperative wipers often occur alongside other maintenance lapses. Our data over the last 90 days shows that wiper citations frequently co-occur with inoperable lamp violations (7 shared inspections) and occasionally with brake and emergency equipment issues. Here's what you can do:
- Pre-trip inspection routine: Test both wipers on your truck before each shift. Spray washer fluid and activate them to ensure full blade travel with no chattering or stuck areas. Don't wait for an inspector to find it.
- Replace blades proactively: Wiper blades wear out every 6–12 months depending on climate and use. Ford vehicles dominate our citation data (124 citations), followed by Volvo (31), Prevost (28), and Van Hool (25) coaches. If you operate one of these makes, add blade replacement to your quarterly maintenance calendar.
- Check for debris and ice: Before winter months, clear any ice, leaves, or buildup from the blade track and hinge area. A frozen or blocked blade will fail inspection.
- Document your maintenance: Keep records of wiper blade replacements and functional tests. If you're cited, proof of recent service can support your defense and helps your fleet safety manager track compliance.
- Address lighting together: Since inoperable lamps often appear in the same inspection as wiper failures, treat light and wiper checks as a paired task during pre-trip walkthrough.
This violation carries a CSA severity weight of 4, which is relatively modest on the FMCSR scale. It will not automatically end your career or trigger major penalties—but in high-enforcement states like California, it can ground your truck. The simplest prevention is a 30-second pre-trip wiper test.