FMCSR 393.62E: Windshield Wipers Inoperative – Citations & OOS

Not automatically, but it happens about one-third of the time. Across our inspection records, 393.62E resulted in out-of-service placement in 42 cases out of 129 all-time citations, for a 32.6% OOS rate. This is slightly above the 31.4% all-FMCSR average, meaning inspectors place trucks out of service for inoperative wipers more often than they do for violations overall. Whether you get placed OOS depends on road conditions, the inspector's judgment, and your state: Texas saw a 29.4% OOS rate, while Illinois hit 100% on a single citation.

This violation carries a severity weight of 4, which means 4 points are assessed. The total points you rack up in a 30-day rolling period determine your standing in the Vehicle Maintenance BASIC. A single 393.62E citation won't tank you, but stacked with other maintenance violations—like inoperative lamps (393.9) or windshield defects (393.78)—your BASIC score climbs fast. Track your 30-day rolling total; most carriers and auditors flag BASIC scores above 65 as elevated risk.

First, if you were not placed out of service, fix the wipers before your next inspection or deadline set by your state. Second, inspect related systems: our data shows inoperative wipers frequently co-occur with glazing obstructions (393.60C), defective windshields (393.78), and fuel system leaks (396.5B) in the same roadside inspection. Walk your vehicle and check windshield clarity, seals, and fuel lines. Third, if you were placed OOS, do not operate the vehicle until wipers are repaired and reinspected. Keep repair receipts for your record.

It's moderately serious. At a 32.6% OOS rate, 393.62E sits above the all-FMCSR average (31.4%), but well below major codes like brake defects or lighting failures. For context: inoperative required lamps (393.9) have 660,737 citations and a 15.4% OOS rate—far more common but less likely to ground you. Windshield defects (393.78) are cited 157,894 times with only a 0.3% OOS rate. Wipers split the difference: rarer than lighting but more likely to sideline you than windshield cracks.

Yes. DataQs is FMCSA's online dispute resolution system for roadside inspection records (RDR). You can contest if you believe the violation was cited in error—for example, if wipers were functional or repaired before inspection. Submit your challenge with supporting evidence (photos, repair records, witness statements) within 90 days of the citation. Equipment violations like this are easier to dispute than driver violations because physical evidence is concrete. File promptly; delays reduce your chances of correction.

Over the last 180 days, Texas dominates: 17 citations with a 29.4% OOS rate. Iowa follows with 3 citations (0% OOS rate), and Illinois with 1 citation (100% OOS rate). Texas accounts for the bulk of enforcement and shows a middle-ground OOS pattern—some trucks get placed out of service, others don't. If you operate primarily in Texas, prioritize wiper maintenance checks as part of your pre-trip routine.

Very urgent. Over the last 90 days, we recorded 7 citations for 393.62E, with activity spiking in May (12 citations, 4 OOS) and October (8 citations, 6 OOS). This is a fast-turnaround defect: inoperative wipers are obvious at any roadside stop and dangerous in rain or snow. Repair them within 24 hours. Don't wait. If you were placed OOS, the vehicle cannot move until wipers are functional and reinspected by an authorized inspector.

Both. The citation goes on your carrier's USDOT record and affects the carrier's Vehicle Maintenance BASIC score and CSA percentile. Top carriers cited for 393.62E include Ideal Enterprises LLC (10 citations), First Student Inc (8 citations), and Roadrunner Charters Inc (5 citations). Your individual violation also stays on the roadside inspection record linked to your name and license. If you're an owner-operator, the citation is directly on your USDOT file. Either way, repeated maintenance violations hurt your hiring prospects and your carrier's safety rating.