What 393.62B means in plain language
You've been cited under FMCSR 393.62B because an inspector found that your windshield wipers were either not working or missing entirely. This is a straightforward vehicle maintenance violation—wipers are required safety equipment on every commercial motor vehicle.
Windshield wipers are critical for visibility in rain, snow, sleet, and other weather conditions. When they fail, your ability to see the road and respond to hazards drops dramatically. Inspectors check wiper function as part of standard roadside vehicle inspections, and if the blades don't move across the windshield or aren't present at all, you get cited.
What our enforcement data actually shows
Across 13 million inspection records in our database, 393.62B is a rare citation. We've recorded 4 total citations for this code, with 4 citations issued in the last 12 months and 0 in the last 90 days. Ranked #2480 of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume, this violation sits well below the national enforcement average in terms of frequency.
However, when 393.62B is cited, the enforcement response is notably strict. Our data shows a 75.0% out-of-service rate—meaning that in 3 out of 4 cases, the vehicle was placed out of service. This is significantly higher than the all-FMCSR average of 31.4%, even though 393.62B itself is not classified as an OOS-eligible violation. The high OOS rate suggests that inspectors are making a safety judgment call: if your wipers aren't working, the vehicle isn't safe to operate on public roads, period.
Who gets cited most
Our inspection records show Texas accounted for 2 citations over the last 180 days, with an out-of-service rate of 50.0% in that state. The enforcement footprint for this violation is extremely small—only one state appears in our top-cited jurisdictions—which reflects how uncommon these citations truly are.
When we look at carriers involved, our data shows fleets such as Ashraf Botros (USDOT 2148686) with 2 all-time citations for 393.62B. Steel Wheel Transportation LLC and American Safety Transit LLC each recorded 1 citation. This spread across multiple carriers suggests no systemic pattern—these are isolated incidents rather than fleet-wide compliance failures.
How severe is this compared to similar codes
393.62B sits in the Vehicle Maintenance category alongside many other lighting and equipment standards. To put its rarity in context: the peer code 393.9(a), Inoperable Required Lamps, generated 660,737 citations—a volume roughly 165,000 times larger than 393.62B. Even 393.78, Windshield Condition Defective, produced 157,894 citations. The massive gap in citation frequency tells you that inoperable wipers are caught and corrected far less often than other maintenance defects.
When citations do occur, however, the enforcement intensity is different. 393.62B's 75.0% OOS rate vastly exceeds 393.78's rate of 0.3%, meaning inspectors treat non-functioning wipers as an immediate safety hazard warranting vehicle removal from service, whereas windshield defects (cracks, damage) are typically cited but allow the driver to continue.
How to avoid it
Before every trip:
- Activate your wipers and watch them move across the entire windshield in both high and low speed. If they're slow, jerky, or leave streaks, replace the blades or refill the washer fluid.
- Visually inspect both wiper blades for cracks, missing rubber, or visible damage. Worn blades are a sign replacement is due soon.
- Test the washer fluid spray to confirm it reaches the windshield. Low fluid can cause the system to appear inoperative.
- Check that both blades are seated firmly at the base where they attach to the arms. Wipers can slip off during winter or after carwashes.
During your pre-trip inspection:
- Don't just glance—actually move the blades by hand to confirm they pivot freely and return to the parked position.
- Ensure the wiper arms themselves aren't bent or cracked, which can prevent proper blade contact.
- On older vehicles, verify the motor is audibly running when you flip the switch; a silent switch may indicate electrical failure.
The data shows this violation is rare, which means most drivers catch and fix wiper issues before an inspector does. A 75.0% out-of-service rate also means roadside enforcement is zero-tolerance: if your wipers don't work, you will likely be sidelined until they do. Spending $20–$40 on replacement blades during a scheduled maintenance stop eliminates this risk entirely.