What 393.67C7 means in plain language
FMCSR 393.67C7 targets tires on commercial motor vehicles that have visible structural damage or deterioration. The regulation covers tires with exposed fabric, bumps, bulges, or cuts. Inspectors are looking for physical defects that compromise the tire's integrity—not just tread wear or minor cosmetic damage.
If an inspector spots these conditions during a roadside check, they will cite you. The defect must be observable: fabric showing through the rubber, a bulge in the sidewall, or a cut deep enough to expose inner material. This is strictly a tire condition violation, separate from tread depth or pressure issues.
What our enforcement data actually shows
Across our 13 million roadside inspection records, 393.67C7 accounts for 1,188 all-time citations. In the last 12 months, we recorded 742 citations, and in the last 90 days, 181 citations. This code ranks 672nd out of 3,036 FMCSR codes by enforcement volume.
The out-of-service rate tells an important story: 104 of those 1,188 citations (8.8%) resulted in a vehicle being placed out of service. That is substantially lower than the all-FMCSR average OOS rate of 31.4%. In practical terms, most 393.67C7 citations do not immediately ground your truck—1,084 vehicles were allowed to continue operating. However, an 8.8% OOS rate means roughly 1 in 11 inspectors will make you sit down for this violation, so it remains a genuine risk.
The citation trend over the past year shows seasonal consistency. Monthly counts stayed in the 55–85 range from May 2025 through March 2026, suggesting that tire defects are cited year-round regardless of weather.
Who gets cited most
Our inspection records show Texas leads by volume: 282 citations in the last 180 days with a 3.5% OOS rate. New Mexico follows with 39 citations and a 7.7% OOS rate. Iowa recorded 26 citations with an 11.5% OOS rate. These three states account for the majority of recent enforcement.
OOS rates vary meaningfully across regions. Texas inspectors appear to issue warnings more often, while North Carolina (13 citations, 46.2% OOS rate) and Illinois (20 citations, 40% OOS rate) are far more likely to sideline trucks for this violation. If you operate in the Southeast or Midwest, the stakes of a tire defect citation are materially higher.
Our data shows fleets such as New Prime Inc with 8 all-time citations and Swift Transportation Co of Arizona LLC with 6 citations receiving multiple citations for this code. This suggests that carriers operating high-volume networks encounter this violation more often simply due to fleet size and exposure, not necessarily elevated risk.
How severe is this compared to similar codes
In the Vehicle Maintenance category, 393.67C7 occupies a middle tier. The most-cited code in the same category is 393.9(a)—Inoperable required lamps—with 660,737 citations and a 15.4% OOS rate. That code is cited roughly 556 times more often than 393.67C7 and carries a higher out-of-service risk.
Another peer code, 393.78 (Windshield condition defective), generated 157,894 citations with only a 0.3% OOS rate—far less enforcement outcome despite higher volume. By contrast, 396.3(a)(1) (Inspection/repair/maintenance general) shows 236,919 citations and a 45.3% OOS rate, meaning that code is a genuine enforcement priority. At 8.8% OOS, 393.67C7 sits well below both the category average and the all-FMCSR average, placing it in the lower-to-moderate enforcement severity band.
How to avoid it
Tire defects are fully within your control on pre-trip inspection. Here are concrete steps:
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Walk the entire tire perimeter at every stop. Run your hand along the sidewall and tread of all tires before departure and during fuel breaks. Feel for bumps, bulges, or soft spots. This takes two minutes and catches damage early.
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Replace tires showing visible cuts or fabric exposure immediately. Do not defer this. Once fabric is visible, the tire fails this violation on sight. Carry a spare or have a roadside tire service number programmed in your phone.
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Inspect tires after rough terrain or pothole contact. Our data shows 393.47E (Slack adjuster defective) and 396.5B (Fuel system leak) co-occur frequently with 393.67C7, suggesting that vehicle trauma—hitting a pothole or debris—can cause multiple damage points. After impact, get out and check all four corners.
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Monitor tire pressure regularly. Under-inflation accelerates sidewall flexing and can contribute to bulge formation. Check pressure at least once per week and before long hauls.
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Pay attention to the road. Avoid potholes, debris, and rough shoulders when possible. We see 393.78 (Windshield defects) and 393.9 (Inoperable lamps) frequently paired with tire citations, indicating that careless positioning or maintenance neglect clusters these violations.
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Document tire age and mileage. Older tires (over 6 years) degrade faster. If your truck is running tires near their service life, replace them proactively rather than waiting for an inspector to catch a defect.
Frankly, this citation is one of the easiest to prevent. Tires telegraph their problems. A 10-second touch on each sidewall before every drive eliminates almost all 393.67C7 risk.