What 393.62D means in plain language
Windshield wipers are a basic safety requirement on every commercial motor vehicle. When you're driving a truck, visibility during rain, snow, or wet conditions is critical—not just for you, but for every vehicle around you. FMCSR 393.62D covers the situation where your wipers don't work or are missing entirely.
This isn't about worn blades that smear a little. The violation fires when inspectors find that your wipers are completely inoperative or absent. If only one side works, or if they move but don't actually clear the windshield, that's a citation. The regulation requires that your windshield wipers function as designed so you can maintain safe sight lines in adverse weather.
It's straightforward: before you roll, test both wipers on your vehicle. If they don't work, you fix them or you don't drive until they're fixed.
What our enforcement data actually shows
Across our database of 13 million+ roadside inspection records, we've logged 11 citations for 393.62D since records began. Over the last 12 months, that's 7 citations, with 1 citation in the last 90 days. This code ranks #2167 of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume, making it relatively uncommon in the grand scheme of enforcement.
The out-of-service rate for 393.62D is 9.1%—meaning inspectors placed 1 vehicle out of service out of 11 total citations. This is substantially lower than the all-FMCSR average OOS rate of 31.4%, indicating that inspectors rarely deem inoperative wipers serious enough to remove a truck from service on the spot. In most cases, you receive a citation but are allowed to continue once wipers are repaired or you acknowledge the defect.
Monthly patterns over the past year show sporadic enforcement: citation counts ranged from zero in some months to 2 in October 2025. The single out-of-service placement occurred in July 2025.
Who gets cited most
Our inspection records show citations for 393.62D concentrated in Kentucky and Texas. In the last 180 days, Kentucky had 1 citation (0.0% OOS rate) and Texas had 1 citation (0.0% OOS rate). Neither state resulted in an out-of-service placement for this violation.
No single carrier dominates the enforcement pattern. Our data shows fleets such as Transportes Especializados Antonio Garza Ruiz SA de CV, Regent Coach Line Ltd, and CPL Trucking LLC each with 1 citation in the all-time record. The distribution is extremely dispersed, suggesting this violation occurs unpredictably across the industry rather than clustering in a particular fleet or operation type.
How severe is this compared to similar codes
Within the Vehicle Maintenance category, 393.62D sits at the lower end of severity. Compare it to related codes:
393.9(a) — Inoperable required lamps has logged 660,737 citations with a 15.4% OOS rate. Lighting defects generate far more enforcement volume and are placed out of service more frequently than wiper issues.
393.78 — Windshield condition defective (cracked or obstructed glass) shows 157,894 citations with a 0.3% OOS rate. Windshield condition violations are cited much more often but almost never result in an out-of-service order.
396.3(a)(1) — Inspection/repair/maintenance - general represents 236,919 citations with a 45.3% OOS rate. This broad maintenance code is cited even more frequently than lamp codes and results in out-of-service placement nearly half the time.
In this context, 393.62D is both uncommon and rarely escalates to out-of-service status. Inspectors treat it as a citation-worthy defect but not an immediate safety emergency.
How to avoid it
Preventing a 393.62D citation requires one simple habit: testing your wipers as part of pre-trip inspection.
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Spray and wipe during your walk-around. Before you leave the yard or fuel stop, activate your windshield washers and run the wipers through a full cycle on both sides. If they don't move smoothly or leave streaks, address it before you're on the road.
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Check wiper blade condition before winter. Wiper blades degrade faster in cold weather and are more likely to fail when you need them most. Replace them annually or whenever you notice chattering, skipping, or incomplete clearing.
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Verify both driver and passenger side function independently. Don't assume that because one side works, the other will. Test each separately during your pre-trip.
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Replace missing or detached blades immediately. If one blade is gone or partially loose, it will be cited. Replacement blades cost $15–$40 and take five minutes to install; the citation and downtime cost far more.
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Document your pre-trip inspection. If you perform a wiper check and log it, you create a record that supports your maintenance posture. In the event of a citation, this history may be relevant to your carrier's compliance profile.
Our data shows this violation is rare enough that it's almost entirely preventable through basic diligence. A quick wiper test takes 30 seconds and eliminates the risk.