Direct answers about 396.15(b) violations, out-of-service risk, what to do next, and how this compares to other maintenance codes.
Ranks #2,259 of 3,146 FMCSR codes by citation frequency • OOS rate of 0.0% is below the FMCSR-wide average of 33.3%.
Direct answers grounded in TruckCodex inspection data
No. Across our inspection records, 396.15(b) has never resulted in an out-of-service placement. In 9 all-time citations in our database, the OOS rate is 0.0%. This is significantly safer than the all-FMCSR average OOS rate of 31.4%, making this one of the least severe vehicle maintenance violations you can receive.
You've received a non-OOS citation, meaning your truck can continue operating. Immediately: (1) review the specific defect noted on the citation, (2) photograph or document the condition if safe, (3) retain the citation and any written repair orders, (4) schedule repair within your carrier's maintenance cycle, and (5) keep proof of correction. Because this violation does not trigger out-of-service status, you have flexibility in repair timing—but do not ignore it.
This is among the least serious maintenance violations. Our records show 396.15(b) has a 0.0% OOS rate, compared to peer codes like 396.3(a)(1) (Inspection/repair/maintenance - general) at 45.3% OOS rate and 393.9(a) (Inoperable required lamps) at 15.4% OOS rate. The violation is documented but rarely escalates to roadside enforcement action.
Enforcement of 396.15(b) is extremely rare. Our database shows zero citations in the last 12 months and zero in the last 90 days, despite 9 all-time citations on record. This suggests the violation is either resolved in the industry or inspectors are prioritizing more prevalent maintenance codes. Do not assume this violation has been removed—remain compliant—but understand it is a low-frequency citation.
Across 9 citations in our records, Ford vehicles account for 3 citations, followed by Great Dane and International with 2 each, and Big Tex with 2. Single citations appear on Peterbilt, Volvo, Dodge, and utility trailers. This violation spans light and heavy equipment, so compliance requirements apply regardless of your vehicle make.
Yes. The FMCSA DataQs (DataQ Request) process allows you to challenge factual errors in roadside inspection records. You can contest if the violation was not actually observed, was incorrectly coded, or if documentation was misread. Submit your DataQ within 90 days of the citation through your carrier's Safety Management System (SMS) account. Success depends on whether you have photographic evidence or repair records that contradict the finding.
In our 13 million+ inspection records, 396.15(b) citations are distributed across nine carriers with exactly 1 citation each: ABC TOWING INC, GILTNER TRANSPORTATION INC, SHADE 'N NET OF ARIZONA INC, TLG TRANSPORT INC, ADVANCED LANDSCAPING INC, MCWILLIAMS COMMUNICATIONS GROUP LLC, SK TOWING & RECOVERY LLC, YUDITH TRUCKING INC, and LIGHTSPEED NTW LLC. No single carrier shows a pattern, indicating this is an isolated, random finding rather than a systemic issue.
Medium urgency. While 396.15(b) does not place your truck out of service and has zero citations in the past 90 days, leaving it uncorrected creates liability for your carrier and yourself if a future inspection re-cites the same defect. Schedule repair within your next planned maintenance window, document completion, and keep records. The violation is not emergency-level, but it must be resolved to maintain a clean safety profile.
TruckCodex aggregates official public-sector datasets. See the Source registry for dataset-level coverage and the Freshness log for last-import timestamps.
Census, SAFER, SMS, Licensing & Insurance (L&I), roadside inspections, crashes, and authority history.
Vehicle recall campaigns, defect investigations, and consumer safety complaints (SCRS).
Cross-border carrier registry and Canadian recall campaigns where applicable.
TruckCodex is an independent aggregator; it is not affiliated with FMCSA, NHTSA, EIA, or Transport Canada. Always verify compliance-critical information directly with the originating agency.