FMCSR 393.87A: Warning Flags on Projecting Loads — Q&A

Yes, but not automatically. Across our inspection records, 393.87A citations result in an out-of-service placement 47.1% of the time. That's significantly higher than the all-FMCSR average OOS rate of 31.4%, so inspectors treat this violation seriously. Whether you're placed OOS depends on the severity of the load projection and the inspector's assessment. If you're cited, ask what specific condition triggered the violation so you can address it immediately.

A single 393.87A citation carries a CSA severity weight of 3 points. Your total CSA impact scales with the 30-day rolling window: one citation = 3 points, but if you rack up multiple violations within 30 days, they stack. The points contribute to the Vehicle Maintenance BASIC, which carriers and insurers monitor closely. Even one citation can nudge your fleet's BASIC score, so prevent recurrence by implementing load-securing checks before every haul.

First, document the exact condition the inspector cited—take photos of how your load was flagged and what was missing. Second, inspect all warning flags, reflectors, and lighting on your trailer immediately; our data shows 393.87A frequently appears alongside inoperable lamps (35 shared inspections in the last 90 days). Third, verify you have current proof of periodic inspection on file. Finally, contact your carrier's safety team and request a load-securing refresher. Don't haul another load with projecting cargo until flags are confirmed present and operational.

Yes. While 393.87A ranks #746 out of 3,036 FMCSR codes by total citation volume (891 all-time), its 47.1% OOS rate puts it well above peers in the same Vehicle Maintenance category. For example, inoperable lamps (393.9) sit at only 6.9% OOS, and windshield defects (393.78) at 0.3%. Only general inspection/repair failures (396.3) exceed 393.87A's severity at 45.3% OOS. This code signals a load control risk that inspectors and enforcement take seriously.

Over the last 180 days, our inspection data shows 393.87A enforcement is heaviest in three states: Texas (146 citations), North Carolina (64 citations), and Illinois (18 citations). Notably, North Carolina has the strictest enforcement outcome—a 93.8% OOS rate—meaning if you're cited there, placement is nearly certain. Texas follows at 30.8% OOS. If you operate in these regions hauling projecting loads, add extra pre-trip flagging checks to your routine.

Very urgent. Our 90-day trend shows 393.87A citations remain steady and elevated—114 citations in the last 90 days, averaging 38 per month. More importantly, the OOS rate stays consistently high (ranging 50–60% per month), meaning every citation carries real risk of truck downtime. Do not delay repairs: replace missing or damaged flags, confirm reflector visibility, and verify all required signage before your next inspection. The longer you defer compliance, the higher your CSA exposure and the risk of repeat citations.

Yes, you can request a DataQs (Motor Carrier Safety Management System Records) review. The contestability depends on the type of finding: if the inspector's notation is incomplete, inaccurate, or contradicts photographic evidence, you have grounds to challenge it. Submit your appeal within 90 days with documentation (photos of proper flags, maintenance records, load photos). Because 393.87A is an equipment/condition violation (not a regulatory interpretation), focus your challenge on factual accuracy. Work with your safety manager or a compliance consultant to build a strong case.

393.87A violations follow both. The citation attaches to your carrier's USDOT number in the Vehicle Maintenance BASIC, which factors into your company's CSA score. Your personal driver record also reflects the violation if you were the operator at the time of inspection. Fleet managers: enforce load-securing protocols across your entire roster—our data shows RIG RUNNERS LLC and other carriers recur multiple times, indicating systemic training gaps. Individual drivers: take ownership of pre-trip load checks regardless of who loaded the cargo.