393.9B-LCL (Clearance Lamp Obscured) — Driver Q&A

No. Across our inspection records, the out-of-service rate for 393.9B-LCL is 0.0%—none of the 689 citations in our database resulted in an OOS placement. This is far lower than the national FMCSR average OOS rate of 31.4%, meaning inspectors cite this violation but do not typically remove your truck from service for obscured clearance lamps alone.

First, document the citation and review the inspector's notes on which clearance lamp(s) were obscured. Second, fix the obstruction immediately—dirt, ice, mud, or obstructed wiring is the typical cause. Third, keep the repair receipt. Our data shows 392.2-SLLSR (operating while ill/fatigued) appears in 18 shared inspections with 393.9B-LCL, suggesting driver fatigue and skipped pre-trip inspections correlate with this violation. Build this into your daily walk-around.

It's significantly less serious than most lighting codes. The broader 393.9(a)—Inoperable required lamps—has a 15.4% OOS rate with 660,737 total citations. The 393.9B-LCL variant (obscured, not inoperable) has zero OOS placements. Our data shows 393.9A-LIL (inoperable identification lamps) co-occurs in 15 inspections with your code, confirming that obscuration is lower-severity than actual lamp failure.

CSA points depend on whether this is your first violation and the 30-day multiplier applied by your state. A single 393.9B-LCL citation typically carries fewer points than more serious violations like brake defects or inoperable lamps, but the exact count varies by state and your violation history. Check your state DOT website or your company's CSA portal for the specific point value assigned to your citation date.

In the last 180 days, California leads with 41 citations, followed by New York with 19 and Florida with 11. Our inspection records show these three states account for a large share of 393.9B-LCL citations nationally. If you operate in California or the Northeast, you're statistically more likely to encounter an inspector checking clearance lamp visibility.

The trend is stable. Over the last 12 months, our database shows 367 total citations for 393.9B-LCL, averaging about 31 per month with no clear spike. Monthly counts ranged from 9 (April 2025) to 40 (August 2025), indicating consistent but not accelerating enforcement. This suggests it's a routine maintenance check rather than a new enforcement focus.

Yes, you can submit a DataQs (Crash and Roadside Inspection Eligibility) challenge through the FMCSA portal if you believe the citation was issued in error. Since 393.9B-LCL is an equipment finding (obscured lamps), you can contest it by proving the lamp was not obscured at the time of inspection—for example, with photos from before the stop or evidence the obstruction was temporary debris. Submit your RDR (Roadside Inspection Report) number and supporting evidence within your state's deadline.

Freightliner trucks lead with 88 citations, followed by FRHT (73), and Ford (48) in our all-time records. Kenworth (32), Hino (30), and Utility (28) also appear frequently. If you drive a Freightliner or FRHT, inspect your clearance lamps carefully during pre-trip—these makes may have design quirks or common obscuration points that inspectors check.