393.62B Windshield Wipers Inoperative — Q&A

Yes, there's a 75.0% chance—across our inspection records, 3 out of 4 citations for inoperative windshield wipers resulted in out-of-service placement. This rate is significantly higher than the all-FMCSR average of 31.4%, meaning inspectors treat this violation seriously. Even though 393.62B itself is not technically OOS-eligible under the regulation, the practical enforcement data shows most violations trigger an OOS order. Check your inspection report immediately to confirm your vehicle's status.

This violation carries a CSA severity weight of 4 points. The 30-day multiplier rule applies: if you receive multiple citations within 30 days, the CSA points stack. A single 393.62B hit adds 4 points to your Vehicle Maintenance BASIC score. Over time, accumulating points in this category can trigger CSA alerts and increased scrutiny on future roadside inspections. Track your inspection history to avoid repeat violations in the same period.

First: Check your out-of-service status. If you've been placed OOS, do not operate the vehicle until wipers are repaired and re-inspected. Second: Document the current wiper condition with photos before any repair. Third: Have windshield wipers inspected and replaced by a qualified technician—this is a simple fix, typically $50–$150. Fourth: Request a re-inspection at the roadside or at a certified repair facility. Fifth: Keep all repair receipts and re-inspection paperwork for your safety records and CSA documentation.

Relative to peer codes in vehicle maintenance, 393.62B sits in the middle. Inoperable required lamps (393.9) has been cited 660,737 times with a 15.4% OOS rate, and defective windshield condition (393.78) appears in 157,894 inspections with only 0.3% OOS rate. Our inspection records show 393.62B has triggered OOS placement in 75.0% of cases—a much higher enforcement rate than lighting violations. This suggests inspectors prioritize wiper functionality as a safety-critical item, even though absolute citation volume remains low at 4 all-time cases.

Yes. Equipment-based violations like inoperative wipers are contestable through the FMCSA's DataQs (Crash and Roadside Data Quality System) if you believe the inspector's finding was factually wrong—for example, if wipers were functional at the time of inspection but marked inoperative, or if the inspector failed to observe them working. File a DataQs challenge within 90 days of the citation. Provide evidence: photos, repair records, or witness statements. Documentation violations (missing proofs, logbooks) are harder to contest; equipment conditions are easier if you have contemporaneous evidence.

Across our 13 million inspection records, Texas leads with 2 citations in the last 180 days, representing a 50.0% OOS rate. Enforcement volume is sparse nationally—only 4 citations on record all-time, with 0 citations in the last 90 days. This suggests 393.62B is an infrequent violation overall, likely because most fleets maintain wipers as routine maintenance. When it does appear, Texas shows heightened enforcement relative to citation count.

Extremely urgent if you've been placed out of service. The data shows 75.0% of citations result in OOS status, and you cannot legally operate until wipers are fixed and re-inspected. Practically, windshield wiper repair is one of the fastest fixes in vehicle maintenance—typically 30 minutes to 2 hours. Do not delay. Our inspection records show sporadic enforcement (0 citations in the last 90 days), but when it happens, it stops your operation immediately. Prioritize repair above all other tasks.

FMCSA citations are recorded against both the driver and the carrier (motor carrier). The violation appears in your personal Crash Indicator BASIC under Vehicle Maintenance and in your carrier's Safety Management BASIC. If you're an owner-operator, it follows you as both. This is why repeat violations in the same category are costly—they can trigger escalated enforcement and CSA alerts for both parties. Communicate the citation and repair status to your carrier immediately, and ensure it's resolved before your next inspection.