What 393.65F means in plain language
A 393.65F citation means a DOT inspector found your truck operating with a tire that is flat or has an audible air leak. This is a straightforward vehicle maintenance violation—your tire was not maintaining proper pressure or integrity.
The regulation applies whenever you're driving a commercial motor vehicle. It doesn't matter if you didn't notice the leak, didn't have time to fix it, or thought you could limp to the next stop. If an inspector can see or hear the defect, you're in violation. The intent is simple: unsafe tires create risk of blowout, loss of control, and accidents.
Unlike some tire violations, 393.65F doesn't automatically pull you out of service. But that doesn't mean the violation is minor—it still gets recorded on your safety record and factors into your CSA profile.
What our enforcement data actually shows
Across our 13 million+ inspection records, 393.65F ranks #649 of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume. We've recorded 1,310 citations all-time, with 1,014 in the last 12 months and 373 in the last 90 days.
The out-of-service rate for 393.65F is 0.2%—meaning only 3 of the 1,310 citations resulted in the vehicle being removed from service. That's dramatically lower than the all-FMCSR average of 31.4%. Why? Because flat or leaking tires are usually fixable on the spot or within hours. Inspectors don't need to ground the truck; they cite you and you repair it.
What's notable is the recent trend. Over the last 12 months, citations have been climbing. In April 2025 we saw 21 citations; by March 2026 that had grown to 158. February 2026 hit 160 citations—the highest single month in our data. This suggests either increased roadside inspection focus on tire condition or a seasonal uptick in tire failures during winter-to-spring transitions.
Who gets cited most
Our enforcement data shows Texas dominates 393.65F citations. In the last 180 days, Texas accounted for 676 citations with a 0.1% out-of-service rate. No other state in our top-states list appears for this violation, indicating a strong geographic concentration.
Among carriers with multiple citations, our data shows fleets such as Jorge Antonio Sepulveda (USDOT 2472739) with 50 all-time citations, and Mantenimiento Limosa SA de CV (USDOT 4182303) with 28 citations. These carriers show patterns of repeated tire maintenance challenges, which typically reflects either aging fleet hardware, inadequate pre-trip inspection discipline, or high-mileage operation in demanding conditions.
Freight/Holland (FRHT) tractors are the most cited vehicle make with 290 citations. Kenworth (KW) follows with 249 citations. Smaller-volume makes like International (INTL) and various utility units also appear frequently, suggesting tire defects are not limited to one manufacturer or class.
How severe is this compared to similar codes
To understand where 393.65F sits in the vehicle maintenance universe, compare it to related tire and structural codes:
- 393.9 (Inoperable Required Lamp) has 180,097 citations with a 6.9% OOS rate. Lighting violations are far more common and carry higher OOS risk.
- 393.78 (Windshield condition defective) has 157,894 citations with a 0.3% OOS rate. Windshield violations are nearly as common as tire-flat/leak violations, but the OOS rate is roughly the same.
- 396.3(a)(1) (Inspection/repair/maintenance—general) is the heaviest-hit code in vehicle maintenance with 236,919 citations and a 45.3% OOS rate. General maintenance violations are far more likely to ground a truck.
393.65F is a low-severity, rarely-out-of-service citation. You won't be pulled from revenue immediately, but it will appear on your record and can contribute to a pattern if you accumulate multiple tire citations.
How to avoid it
Flat and leaking tires are almost entirely preventable with disciplined pre-trip inspection and prompt maintenance:
- Check tire pressure every morning before rolling. Use a calibrated gauge at ambient temperature. Don't rely on visual inspection—low-pressure tires may look normal. Compare your readings to the placard on the driver door jamb. A tire losing pressure over days or weeks often leaks; catch it early.
- Walk around the truck and listen. A slow air leak produces a faint hissing sound. Spend 30 seconds near each tire during your pre-trip. If you hear any sound or see any seepage around the sidewall or bead, pull over and inspect or report it.
- Inspect the tire itself for damage. Look for cuts, punctures, foreign objects, bulges, or separating sidewalls. 393.67 (Tires—other defects) appears in our co-occurring data 73 times with 393.65F, suggesting that flat/leak citations often accompany broader tire deterioration.
- Address brake and suspension issues promptly. Our data shows 393.45B2UV (Brake tubing/hoses inadequate) co-occurs with 393.65F in 116 shared inspections. Brake problems and tire stress are linked; a truck with weak brakes or worn suspension puts uneven load on tires.
- Maintain inspection and repair logs meticulously. 396.3A1 (Inspection repair and maintenance of parts and accessories) co-occurs 121 times with 393.65F. Document every tire check, patch, rotation, and pressure adjustment. This creates a defense if you're cited and shows your fleet manager you're proactive.
- Don't defer tire maintenance. If a tire is slow-leaking, don't wait for the next scheduled service. Repair or replace it within 24 hours. A small leak becomes a blowout at highway speed.
Freight/Holland and Kenworth tractors represent the bulk of 393.65F citations. If you operate one of these, be especially diligent—your equipment may have higher mileage or harder-use history. Check tires before every shift, not once a week.
The good news: 393.65F is entirely within your control. It requires no special tools, no downtime, just attention. Every citation you prevent is a cleaner safety record, lower insurance risk, and less CSA burden for your carrier.