FMCSR 393.65(b): Flat or Leaking Tires—Driver Q&A

No, it very rarely does. Across our 13 million inspection records, only 1 out of 30 all-time citations for 393.65(b) resulted in an out-of-service placement—a 3.3% OOS rate. This is far below the 31.4% all-FMCSR average, meaning inspectors typically allow you to repair the tire and continue rather than ground your vehicle on the spot. However, if the tire poses an immediate safety hazard (severe air loss, exposed cords), expect a stricter interpretation.

A 393.65(b) citation carries a CSA severity weight of 8 points. Your actual 30-day point total depends on how many violations you accumulate in that window and whether any are repeated violations (weighted higher). A single citation for a flat or leaking tire is a moderate violation—serious enough to address immediately, but not in the same league as brake or lighting defects, which carry heavier weights.

First: Stop and inspect the cited tire for the source of the leak or flat. Second: Repair or replace it before moving the vehicle if possible. Third: Document the repair (photo, receipt, or inspector note) to show compliance. Fourth: Check all other tires for similar issues—if one is flat or leaking, others may follow. Fifth: Add tire pressure checks to your pre-trip routine. The fact that only 0 citations appeared in the last 90 days in our database suggests this violation is relatively uncommon when drivers stay vigilant.

It's less serious than most vehicle maintenance citations. Our inspection data shows 393.65(b) has a 3.3% OOS rate, while similar-category violations like inoperable lamps (393.9(a)) hit 15.4% OOS and general maintenance failures (396.3(a)(1)) reach 45.3% OOS. That said, it still signals poor pre-trip inspection habits. The low citation volume (30 all-time, ranked #1799 of 3,036 codes) reflects that most drivers catch and fix tire issues before inspection.

Yes. If you believe the citation is inaccurate—for example, the tire was not flat or leaking at the time of inspection, or the inspector miscounted tire condition—you may file a DataQs (Data Quality System) challenge with FMCSA within 90 days. Document your evidence: photos of the tire after repair, maintenance logs, or inspector notes contradicting the finding. Equipment-based violations like this one are contestable if you can prove the tire met standards at the time cited.

Our all-time citation data shows the highest concentration among carriers in agricultural and small logistics operations. The top cited carrier is Adrian Ives Portales Aguilar (USDOT 2456389) with 2 citations. Vehicle makes most frequently cited include Freightliner (4 citations) and International (3 citations). Because the all-time total is only 30 citations across our 13 million records, cite patterns by state are too sparse to rank reliably.

Immediate. Do not drive the vehicle in unsafe condition. A flat or audibly leaking tire reduces braking effectiveness, increases blowout risk, and violates roadworthiness standards. While only 3.3% of these citations result in OOS placement, the next inspector may be stricter. Repair or replace before your next trip. The zero citations in the last 90 days and last 12 months suggests this violation is caught early by diligent drivers—be one of them.

Both. The citation is recorded on the vehicle and the carrier's FMCSA profile under the Vehicle Maintenance BASIC, affecting roadside safety inspection (RSI) percentiles and carrier safety ratings. However, your driving record reflects the citation as well, especially if multiple carriers cite similar violations. As a driver, this underscores the importance of thorough pre-trip inspections across any vehicle you operate—it protects your safety record and the carrier's compliance posture.