What 395.24C2II means in plain language
When you operate under electronic logging devices (ELDs), the regulation requires that you manually record the trailer number in your ELD record. This is a specific data field that documents which trailer you were pulling during a particular duty period or trip segment. The requirement exists because dispatchers, safety managers, and enforcement officers need to know exactly which trailer was associated with your driving hours—especially in cases where a carrier operates multiple trailers or when trailers are swapped between tractors.
If an inspector reviews your ELD records during a roadside inspection and finds that the trailer number field is missing or incomplete, that's what triggers this citation. It doesn't matter whether the omission was accidental or intentional—the regulation simply requires that you fill it in.
What our enforcement data actually shows
Across our 13 million+ inspection records, we've seen 1,739 all-time citations for 395.24C2II, with 974 citations in the last 12 months and 249 in the last 90 days. This ranks the code at #568 out of 3,036 FMCSR codes by overall citation volume—a relatively low-frequency violation overall.
The out-of-service (OOS) rate for this code is 0.7%, meaning only 12 of 1,739 drivers were placed out of service following this citation. By comparison, the all-FMCSR average OOS rate is 31.4%, so this violation is far less likely to result in an immediate roadside removal. In practical terms: you'll almost certainly be allowed to continue your trip after the citation is written.
Over the last 12 months, citations have been relatively steady, ranging from a low of 39 in April 2025 to a high of 115 in March 2026. The data suggests this is a consistent enforcement priority, not a seasonal spike.
Who gets cited most
Our inspection records show Texas leads by a wide margin with 361 citations over the last 180 days, followed by Illinois with 100 citations and New Mexico with 24 citations. The OOS rate variation across these states is notable: Texas sits at 0.3% (1 OOS out of 361 citations), while Illinois is significantly higher at 4.0% (4 OOS out of 100 citations). This suggests that while the violation itself is low-frequency for OOS outcomes nationally, Illinois inspectors may be treating incomplete trailer number entries more seriously.
When we examine the carriers with the highest citation counts, our data shows fleets such as KML Carriers LLC with 9 citations and Sierra Carriers LLC with 8 citations appearing most frequently in our records. This doesn't imply systematic negligence—it likely reflects inspection exposure and fleet size—but it underscores that this violation crosses all carrier types and scales.
How severe is this compared to similar codes
Within the Hours of Service category, 395.24C2II sits alongside several related ELD recording violations. The parent code 395.24 (HOS ELD Form and Manner) has generated 106,486 citations all-time with a 0.0% OOS rate, suggesting that many ELD documentation issues are treated administratively. By contrast, 395.8E (False record of duty status) shows 83,660 citations with a 9.6% OOS rate—nearly 14 times higher than 395.24C2II—indicating that falsifying records is treated much more severely than simply omitting data.
Another instructive comparison is 395.8A1-HOSP (Failing to have a record of duty status), which carries a 92.9% OOS rate and 52,266 citations. That code punishes the complete absence of records, whereas 395.24C2II is triggered by an incomplete field within otherwise-present records. The enforcement data clearly distinguishes between "missing records" (major severity) and "incomplete ELD fields" (administrative).
How to avoid it
Preventing this citation is straightforward but requires discipline:
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Verify trailer number entry before you log into duty status. Make it part of your pre-trip checklist. Even if your ELD auto-populates or suggests a number, confirm it matches the trailer you're actually coupling or already pulling. Don't assume the system has it right.
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Reconcile your trailer number when you hook or drop. Our data shows 141 co-occurring citations with 395.24C2III (shipping document number omission) in the same inspection window, suggesting that trailers and documents are often reviewed together. Every time you couple or drop a trailer, manually update your ELD with the correct VIN or trailer identification number.
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Use your vehicle's pre-trip inspection form as a cross-check. Freightliner (552 citations in our records), Utility (290 citations), and Wabash (220 citations) tractors and trailers represent the largest share of vehicles cited for this violation. Regardless of your equipment, write down the trailer number on your paper inspection sheet and compare it to your ELD entry before you hit the road.
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Don't skip the ELD review and certification step. Our data shows 395.30B1-ELDDFR (Driver failing to review records) is a separate violation, but the disciplines overlap. Spend 30 seconds at the end of your shift scanning for blank or obviously wrong fields. An inspectors will spot missing trailer numbers in seconds.
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Flag it immediately if your ELD system crashes or defaults. Because 395.24D (ELD cannot transfer ELD records electronically) co-occurs in 25 inspections from the last 90 days, we know some drivers are struggling with system glitches. If your ELD loses data or fails to save the trailer number, document it and notify your safety manager before the next inspection.
Bottom line: This citation is low-severity and rarely results in roadside removal, but it's easy to prevent with a pre-trip trailer verification habit. Make it automatic, and you'll stay clear of inspectors' scrutiny on this particular violation.