What 393.87A means in plain language
When cargo extends beyond the rear or sides of your truck, federal regulations require you to mark those projections with warning flags so other drivers can see them. A 393.87A citation means an inspector found that your load was sticking out but lacked proper warning flags—or the flags that were there were inadequate.
This isn't about whether your load is properly secured or balanced. It's specifically about visibility and communication: making sure that any part of your cargo extending past the truck's edges is clearly marked so motorists behind and beside you know the load is there. Red or orange flags, reflective tape, or other high-visibility markers serve this purpose.
The regulation applies to any projecting load—pallets, lumber, equipment, containers, or anything else that extends beyond the vehicle's footprint. If it sticks out, it needs to be flagged.
What our enforcement data actually shows
Across our 13 million+ inspection records, we've documented 891 all-time citations for 393.87A, with 497 citations in the last 12 months and 114 in the last 90 days. This code ranks #746 out of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume—a mid-range enforcement focus.
What stands out is the out-of-service rate. Our data shows that 47.1% of 393.87A citations result in the vehicle being placed out of service. That's significantly higher than the all-FMCSR average OOS rate of 31.4%. In practical terms: you're nearly 1.5 times more likely to be sidelined by this violation than the typical FMCSR code.
Monthly trends over the past 12 months show enforcement has been relatively consistent, with peaks in August 2025 (59 citations) and February 2026 (56 citations), and a slight dip in April 2026 (1 citation, reflecting the most recent snapshot).
Who gets cited most
Our inspection records show the highest concentration of 393.87A citations in three states over the last 180 days:
Texas leads with 146 citations, of which 45 resulted in out-of-service placement (30.8% OOS rate). North Carolina follows with 64 citations but a markedly higher OOS rate of 93.8%—meaning inspectors in NC are placing nearly all flagged vehicles out of service, compared to fewer than one-third in Texas. Illinois recorded 18 citations with a 77.8% OOS rate, also well above the national average.
The variation across these states is material. If you operate in North Carolina, you face a substantially higher risk of immediate out-of-service status for this violation compared to Texas, where the citation rate is higher but OOS placement is less frequent.
Our data shows fleets with higher citation counts for 393.87A include RIG RUNNERS LLC (USDOT 1014498) with 6 citations and RAFAEL ARZATE TORRES (USDOT 4187539) with 5 citations. This reflects the distribution of citations across the industry; it does not imply systemic negligence but rather that certain carriers operate in geographies or with load types that encounter more frequent inspection.
How severe is this compared to similar codes
In the Vehicle Maintenance category, 393.87A sits between codes with vastly different enforcement profiles. Compare:
- 393.9 (Inoperable Required Lamp): 660,737 all-time citations but only a 15.4% OOS rate—far more common but much less likely to ground your truck.
- 396.3(a)(1) (Inspection/repair/maintenance - general): 236,919 citations with a 45.3% OOS rate—similar severity to 393.87A but cited roughly 265 times more often.
- 393.78 (Windshield condition defective): 157,894 citations with just a 0.3% OOS rate—far more frequent but almost never results in out-of-service placement.
In this peer group, 393.87A is moderately cited but carries one of the higher OOS risk profiles, placing it in the top tier for enforcement consequence despite lower raw citation volume.
How to avoid it
Our data on co-occurring violations provides insight into what inspectors find alongside 393.87A citations. In the last 90 days, the most common simultaneous violations were inoperable lamps (393.9, 35 shared inspections) and defective windshield conditions (393.78, 10 shared inspections)—suggesting that poor vehicle condition overall often correlates with missing load flags. Here's what you can do:
- Before every trip, walk around your loaded vehicle. Check the rear and both sides. If any cargo extends beyond the truck's perimeter, mark it immediately with red or orange flags. Don't assume it's already flagged.
- Carry flagging material on your truck. Keep spare warning flags, reflective tape, or equivalent markers within reach. If you need to reposition or adjust a load at a rest stop or shipper, you can flag it on the spot instead of risking citation.
- Inspect your flagging in daylight and at night. Poor lighting or reflectivity matters. If flags are faded, torn, or barely visible, replace them. Inspectors look for visibility, not just presence.
- Document compliance with photos when applicable. If you're hauling specialty or oversize loads, a quick photo of proper flagging before departure can protect you in a dispute.
- Schedule a pre-trip vehicle inspection that includes load security and visibility. Our data shows that 393.87A citations often occur alongside defective lamps and windshield issues. A comprehensive walk-around catches all three categories.
The top vehicle makes cited for this violation—Peterbilt (194), Freightliner (155), and Kenworth (112)—represent the industry standard, so your truck model is no shield. The violation depends entirely on how you prepare your load, not on the truck itself.