What happens when you're cited for inoperative windshield wipers? See the OOS rate, CSA points, and what to do next based on 13M+ real inspections.
Ranks #1,768 of 3,146 FMCSR codes by citation frequency • OOS rate of 80.0% is above the FMCSR-wide average of 33.3%.
Windshield wipers on commercial motor vehicle are inoperative or missing.
Direct answers grounded in TruckCodex inspection data
Yes, likely. Across our inspection records, 393.62C citations result in an out-of-service placement 81.8% of the time—far higher than the 31.4% average across all FMCSR codes. Of 33 all-time citations in our database, 27 resulted in OOS placement. If you're cited, expect the vehicle to be removed from service until wipers are repaired or replaced and re-inspected.
This violation carries a severity weight of 4 CSA points. The actual points added to your 30-day rolling CSA Safety Measurement System score depend on when the violation occurs—points accumulate over a rolling 30-day window, then age off after 34 days. A single 393.62C citation will add 4 points during that active period. Check your profile at fmcsa.dot.gov to see your current total.
393.62C is less frequently cited than similar codes but has a significantly higher OOS rate. Inoperable required lamps (393.9) appear 660,737 times in our database with only a 15.4% OOS rate, while defective windshield condition (393.78) has 157,894 citations at just 0.3% OOS. Our records show 393.62C at 33 all-time citations with 81.8% OOS—making it rare but severe when enforcement occurs.
Yes. If you believe the citation was issued in error—for example, the wipers were functional at the time of inspection, or the inspector documented them incorrectly—you can file a DataQs (Crash and Roadside Data Quality) challenge with FMCSA within 120 days of the inspection. Submit your appeal through the FMCSA Portal with supporting evidence (photos, repair records, maintenance logs). Equipment defect findings require documented proof that the condition did not exist.
In the last 180 days, our records show Texas leads with 9 citations (55.6% OOS rate), followed by Illinois with 2 citations (100% OOS rate). Texas accounts for the majority of 393.62C enforcement in our database. If you operate in these states, prioritize wiper maintenance and pre-trip checks, especially during inspection season.
Fix it immediately—wipers are non-negotiable for safe operation in wet conditions. Over the last 90 days, we've seen 7 citations for 393.62C. March 2026 alone recorded 7 citations with 6 OOS placements, suggesting enforcement intensity can spike. The violation is relatively uncommon (ranked #1763 of 3,036 FMCSR codes), but when cited, it almost always triggers out-of-service status, so repair cannot wait.
Yes. FMCSA assigns violations to both driver and carrier Safety Management System (SMS) records. A 393.62C citation flags vehicle maintenance defects, which roll up into your carrier's Unsafe Driving and Vehicle Maintenance BASICs. If your carrier operates a fleet, repeated or unresolved wiper issues across vehicles can elevate their audit risk. Stay on top of pre-trip inspections to protect your own record and your company's.
Where 393.62C is most commonly cited (last 180 days)
TruckCodex aggregates official public-sector datasets. See the Source registry for dataset-level coverage and the Freshness log for last-import timestamps.
Census, SAFER, SMS, Licensing & Insurance (L&I), roadside inspections, crashes, and authority history.
Vehicle recall campaigns, defect investigations, and consumer safety complaints (SCRS).
Cross-border carrier registry and Canadian recall campaigns where applicable.
TruckCodex is an independent aggregator; it is not affiliated with FMCSA, NHTSA, EIA, or Transport Canada. Always verify compliance-critical information directly with the originating agency.