What 393.62 means in plain language
Windshield wipers are a basic safety requirement on every commercial motor vehicle. Code 393.62 citations are issued when an inspector finds that your wipers are either completely missing or not working properly. This is a straightforward maintenance violation—if you're operating a truck or bus, functional wipers are mandatory.
The regulation itself is simple: your vehicle's windshield wipers must be in working condition and ready to use. There's no grey area here. Either the wipers operate when activated, or they don't. Either they're installed, or they're not.
What our enforcement data actually shows
Our inspection records show that 393.62 is one of the most heavily enforced vehicle maintenance codes in the roadside inspection system. Across our 13 million+ inspection records, we've logged 285 all-time citations for this violation. What stands out immediately is the out-of-service rate: 98.6% of 393.62 citations result in the vehicle being placed out of service on the spot.
To put that in perspective, the all-FMCSR average out-of-service rate is 31.4%. This code's 98.6% OOS rate is exceptionally high—meaning inspectors treat inoperative wipers as a serious safety defect that keeps vehicles off the road.
In the last 12 months and last 90 days, our database shows 0 citations. This is notable: it suggests that most carriers and drivers have resolved the wiper issue through widespread adoption of basic pre-trip inspections. The citation volume peaked historically and has since stabilized at near-zero.
Nationally, 393.62 ranks #1107 out of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume, placing it in the lower-volume enforcement tier. However, the near-universal out-of-service outcome means that even a single citation carries serious operational consequences.
Who gets cited most
Our data shows fleets such as Autobuses Ejecutivos LLC and TPS Parking Management LLC, each with 6 citations, account for a notable share of historical enforcement. Apple Commuter Inc, Crossroads Travel Inc, Windstar Lines Inc, and Gonzalez Shuttles LLC each recorded 5 citations. These patterns suggest that smaller passenger and shuttle operations represent a concentration point in 393.62 enforcement, though the overall citation count remains low.
Among vehicle makes, Ford leads with 78 citations, followed by Van Hool B with 26 citations and Freightlin with 20 citations. The presence of coach and bus manufacturers (Prevost with 16, Thomas Bus with 10, Motor Coach with 8) in the top makes indicates that passenger-carrying vehicles are cited more frequently than tractor-trailers for this violation. This likely reflects higher-duty wiper use in weather and the visibility demands of passenger operations.
How severe is this compared to similar codes
To understand where 393.62 sits in the maintenance enforcement landscape, compare it to related codes in the Vehicle Maintenance category:
393.9(a) — Inoperable required lamps has logged 660,737 citations with a 15.4% out-of-service rate. Despite vastly higher citation volume, the OOS rate is much lower, suggesting that many lamp defects are correctable on-site or cited as written warnings.
396.3(a)(1) — Inspection/repair/maintenance (general) shows 236,919 citations and a 45.3% OOS rate—still substantially lower than 393.62's 98.6%.
393.78 — Windshield condition defective recorded 157,894 citations but only a 0.3% out-of-service rate. This reveals a critical distinction: a cracked or dirty windshield is usually correctable and rarely grounds for immediate removal. Inoperative wipers, by contrast, are treated as an immediate safety hazard that prevents safe operation.
The data shows that 393.62 enforcement is among the most strict in the maintenance category. An inoperative wiper citation is almost certain to stop your vehicle.
How to avoid it
The fix for 393.62 is straightforward and low-cost. Here's what drivers and fleet managers should do:
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Check both wipers during pre-trip inspection. Activate them on your windshield in dry conditions first. Listen for the motor and watch the blades sweep across the entire glass. If either blade doesn't move or moves slowly, flag it immediately.
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Replace worn blade inserts proactively. Wiper blades wear out and harden over time. If the rubber is cracked, split, or no longer grips the glass, replace the blade assembly before it fails. Cost is typically $20–$60 per side.
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Test your wiper motor with the windshield wet. Moisture helps you feel whether the blades are making good contact and moving with normal pressure. A motor that runs but blades don't move suggests a mechanical linkage failure—repair it before inspection.
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Replace missing wiper arms or blades immediately. If a wiper is visibly absent or damaged, do not operate the vehicle in rain or low-visibility conditions. Carry spare blades and know how to install them in under five minutes.
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Document your maintenance. Keep records of when you replaced wiper blades. This creates a clear maintenance trail and helps fleet safety managers identify vehicles due for wiper service.
Given that this code results in a 98.6% out-of-service rate when cited, the best strategy is prevention: a two-minute pre-trip wiper check and annual blade replacement will eliminate your risk almost entirely.