FMCSR 393.86A4: Rear End Protection (ICC Bumper) Citations & FAQs

No. A 393.86A4 citation will not result in an out-of-service order. Across our inspection records, the 0.0% out-of-service rate for this code shows that inspectors consistently allow trucks with missing or defective ICC bumpers to continue operating. All 38 all-time citations in our database resulted in zero out-of-service placements. You'll receive a violation notice, but your truck will not be taken off the road on the spot.

A 393.86A4 citation carries a severity weight of 5 CSA points. The actual points added to your driving record depend on how many times this violation appears within a rolling 12-month window—FMCSA applies a multiplier based on citation frequency in that period. One citation adds 5 points; multiple citations within 12 months increase the total. Check your FMCSA Safety Management System (SMS) account to see your current point total and BASIC category breakdown.

First, inspect your ICC bumper (rear impact guard) for damage or loose mounting. Second, review the inspection report for any co-occurring violations—our data shows that when 393.86A4 is cited, brake tubing/hose issues (393.45B2UV, 393.45DLPC, 393.45A-AJS) appear in 3 out of the last 90 days of citations, so have your brakes checked too. Third, schedule repair immediately with a qualified technician. Fourth, keep documentation of the repair (receipts, photos, inspection notes) in case you need to contest the citation through the DataQs RDR system.

No, 393.86A4 is relatively minor. Its 0.0% out-of-service rate is significantly better than the all-FMCSR average of 31.4%. Compared to related codes: inoperable lamps (393.9) have a 15.4% OOS rate, brake maintenance (396.3) hits 45.3%, and windshield defects (393.78) sit at 0.3%. 393.86A4 ranks #1712 of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume, meaning it's rarely enforced. The low citation frequency and zero OOS rate indicate inspectors view this as a lower-priority defect.

Yes, you can file a DataQs Request for Roadside Review (RDR) to contest the citation. The FMCSA DataQs system allows drivers and carriers to challenge violations they believe were issued in error. For an equipment defect like a missing or defective ICC bumper, contestability depends on whether the inspector's finding was factually accurate—if you have evidence the bumper meets specifications or was installed properly, document it with photos and repair records before submitting your RDR. FMCSA has 30 days to respond.

Texas leads with 3 citations, followed by North Carolina with 1 citation. Our inspection records show these are the only two states with recorded 393.86A4 citations in the last 180 days. Both citations in these states resulted in zero out-of-service orders. The extremely low citation count nationwide (only 3 in the past 90 days) means this violation is not a widespread enforcement focus in any region.

Repair should be completed within 10 business days to avoid a second citation and accumulating CSA points. Our monthly data shows citations are scattered throughout 2025-2026 with no spike in any single month, indicating ongoing (not seasonal) enforcement. The 19 citations in the last 12 months represent steady, low-level enforcement. Delaying repair increases your risk on the next roadside inspection, and a repeat citation within 12 months will compound your CSA point total due to FMCSA's frequency multiplier.

Freightliner (FRHT) and other manufacturers (OTHR) each account for 10 citations all-time, followed by Peterbilt (PTRB) with 9. Utility vehicles (UTIL) have 7 citations. This pattern reflects the prevalence of these vehicle types in commercial fleets. No single brand is significantly more susceptible to ICC bumper defects—the distribution suggests the violation is tied to inspection rigor rather than design flaw, and repair is straightforward regardless of make.