What 393.88 means in plain language
FMCSR 393.88 addresses the placement of television or video display devices in your commercial vehicle. The regulation specifies where these devices can and cannot be positioned to avoid distracting the driver or obstructing their view of the road.
If you received a citation for 393.88, an inspector determined that a display device in your truck—whether a dash cam, navigation screen, entertainment monitor, or other video equipment—was installed or mounted in a way that violates the rule. The violation is about location, not whether the device itself is safe or functional.
This is a vehicle maintenance category violation, which means it focuses on the physical condition and configuration of your truck rather than your driving behavior or hours-of-service compliance.
What our enforcement data actually shows
Across 13 million inspections in our database, 393.88 is cited infrequently. All-time, we show 1,551 total citations for this code, ranking it #595 out of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume. In the last 12 months, enforcement hit 629 citations, and in the last 90 days, 122 citations.
The most striking feature of this violation: it is almost never enforced as an out-of-service defect. Our data shows a 0.1% out-of-service rate across all 1,551 citations on record. Only 1 truck was placed out of service; 1,550 were allowed to continue. This contrasts sharply with the all-FMCSR average out-of-service rate of 31.4%. Inspectors treat 393.88 as a correctable, non-safety-critical citation in the vast majority of cases.
The monthly trend over the past 12 months shows consistent enforcement between 45 and 70 citations per month, with a slight uptick in the fall of 2025 (September peaked at 68 citations). April 2026 data is partial (5 citations as of mid-month) and should not be interpreted as a trend shift.
Who gets cited most
Our data from the last 180 days identifies three states leading in citation volume:
- Texas: 68 citations, 0 out-of-service orders (0.0% OOS rate)
- California: 53 citations, 0 out-of-service orders (0.0% OOS rate)
- Pennsylvania: 39 citations, 0 out-of-service orders (0.0% OOS rate)
All three states maintain a 0.0% out-of-service rate for 393.88, indicating consistent enforcement philosophy: citation and correction, not removal from service.
Looking at carrier data, our records show fleets such as Western Express Inc (USDOT 511412) with 10 citations, New Prime Inc (USDOT 3706) with 7 citations, and Swift Transportation Co of Arizona LLC (USDOT 54283) with 7 citations. These numbers reflect the scale of operations and inspection exposure rather than systemic non-compliance.
How severe is this compared to similar codes
Within the vehicle maintenance category, 393.88 sits at the lower end of enforcement frequency and severity. Consider these peer codes:
- 393.9(a) — Inoperable required lamps: 660,737 citations with a 15.4% out-of-service rate. Lamp violations are cited roughly 425 times more often than 393.88 and carry meaningful out-of-service risk.
- 393.78 — Windshield condition defective: 157,894 citations with a 0.3% out-of-service rate. Windshield violations occur about 100 times more frequently but carry similarly low out-of-service consequence.
- 396.17C-PI — No proof of periodic inspection: 212,081 citations with a 0.0% out-of-service rate. This administrative violation is cited far more often but carries zero out-of-service enforcement.
393.88 is a minor citation by volume and severity standards. You are not facing a serious enforcement action or a defect likely to ground your truck.
How to avoid it
Before your next inspection, check device placement:
- Verify dashboard and windshield mounting positions: Any video display mounted on or near your windshield, dashboard, or A-pillar may be flagged if it obstructs your sightline or is positioned where a driver might be distracted. Ensure screens are mounted low, to the side, or completely out of the direct forward view.
- Secure all devices firmly: Loose or dangling displays are easier to cite as improperly positioned. Use professional mounts that keep devices stable and in a fixed, compliant location.
- Keep cords and cables out of sight: Wiring should not hang across the windshield or create visual clutter that an inspector might interpret as poor device placement.
- Review manufacturer guidance for your vehicle make: Our data shows Freightliner (316 citations), Peterbilt (79 citations), and Volvo (112 citations) vehicles are most frequently cited for 393.88. If you operate one of these models, pay extra attention to factory-installed or aftermarket screen locations.
- Avoid mounting displays in positions that require driver head-turning: The regulation prioritizes minimizing distraction. Position screens so a driver's eyes don't leave the forward road view.
- If you operate with dash cams, GPS, or infotainment systems: Ensure they are mounted according to the device manufacturer's recommendations and in a way that does not obstruct your view or windshield.
Our co-occurring violation data shows 392.2 (operating while ill or fatigued) appears with 393.88 in 27 shared inspections over the past 90 days. While these violations don't cause each other, it suggests that when inspectors conduct thorough examinations—often prompted by driver fatigue concerns—they notice device placement issues. Pre-trip inspections that include verifying your display devices are properly positioned can help you catch and correct this before roadside.
This citation is correctable, carries minimal enforcement consequence, and is entirely within your control to prevent.