FMCSA Enforcement Segues
1:20 You can easily spot the following issues on flatbed trucks on the road: 392.9
1:21 • When they do not have enough straps for length, or 393.11
1:22 • When they do not have enough straps for weight. 393.106(d)
2 Cargo Securement
2:1 A vehicle cannot be driven unless all equipment has been fastened and secured. 392.9(a)(2)
2:2 If anything blocks the view or movement, or prevents the use of emergency equipment or exit, the vehicle should not be driven. 392.9(a)(3)
2:3 Insight: Although this paragraph says drivers do not have to check "sealed loads", most enforcement personnel can only cite the driver, because they do not have the means to cite the shipper. 392.9(b)(4)
2:4 Prevention Against Loss or Shifting of Loads.
2:5 When hauling cargo, drivers must make sure it is properly secured to prevent leaking, spilling, blowing, or falling from the vehicle. 393.100(b)
2:6 Cargo must be contained and secured to prevent shifting that would affect a vehicle's stability or maneuverability. 393.100(c)
2:7 All the devices used to secure cargo must meet the requirements of §393.102. 393.104(a)
2:8 Drivers must ensure all tiedowns and parts used to secure cargo are working properly and have no damage, such as cracks or cuts, that could cause failure. 393.104(b)
4 Operator Safety
4:1 Drivers should not operate a CMV if they are fatigued, ill, or impaired by any other cause that would make it unsafe to continue driving. 392.3
4:2 Drivers should use extreme caution when driving vehicles in hazardous conditions that could cause problems with visibility or traction. 392.14
4:3 An individual cannot drive a CMV unless properly restrained by a seat belt. 392.16(a)
4:4 Drivers are not allowed to operate a non-passenger-carrying CMV unless all occupants are properly restrained by seat belts. 392.16(b)
4:5 A CMV should not be operated if any of its lamps or reflectors are covered by the tailboard, part of the load, coverings, dirt, equipment, or otherwise blocked from view. 392.33
4:6 Drivers can not text while driving. 392.80(a)
4:7 Drivers can not use a hand-held mobile device (e.g., a cell phone or smartphone), tablet, or laptop computer while driving. 392.82(a)(1)
4:8 Two-way and CB radios are permitted. 392.82(a)(1)
4:9 Drivers should not use a radar detector or operate a CMV that is equipped with or contains a radar detector. 392.71(a)
4:10 Stopped Vehicles on the Road or Shoulder:
4:11 Hazard warning flashers must be on. 392.22(a)
4:12 They must be left on until other warning devices are in place. 392.22(a)
4:13 Warning flashers must be used when picking up warning devices and before the CMV is moving again. 392.22(a)
FMCSA Enforcement Segues
4:14 Placement of Warning Devices For a Stopped Vehicle
Within 10 Minutes of the Time The Vehicle Stopped.
4:15 Warning Device 1: 392.22(b)
4:16
4:17
4:18
• The device faces approaching traffic. 392.22(b)(1)(i)
• Place the device on the traffic side of the vehicle.
392.22(b)(1)(i)
• Place the device ten feet from the vehicle. 392.22(b)
4:19 Warning Device 2: 392.22(b)
4:20
4:21
4:22
• The device faces approaching traffic. 392.22(b)(1)(ii)
• Place the device 100 feet from the vehicle. 392.22(b)(1)(ii)
• Place the device in the center of the traffic lane or the shoulder where the vehicle is parked. 392.22(b)(1)(ii)
4:23 Warning Device 3: 392.22(b)
4:24
4:25
4:26
• Face the device away from approaching traffic. 392.22(b)(1)(iii)
• Place the device 100 feet from the vehicle. 392.22(b)(1)(iii)
• Place the device in the center of the traffic lane or the shoulder where the vehicle is parked. 392.22(b)(1)(iii)
4:27 Unauthorized Passengers.
4:28
4:29
4:30
4:31
4:32
Drivers should not give anyone a ride in their vehicle unless the motor carrier has given written authorization. 392.60(a)
The authorization will state the person's name, their pick-up and drop-off points, and when the authorization expires. 392.60(a)
Written authorization is not needed if: 392.60(a)
• The rider is assigned to the vehicle by the motor carrier. 392.60(a)(1)
• The rider needs aid due to an accident or emergency.
392.60(a)(2)
Lamps, Reflectors, & Conspicuity Treatment
4:33 • The rider is taking care of livestock. 392.60(a)(3)
4:34 Railroad Grade Crossings.
4:35 Drivers must stop at a railroad crossing if driving a: 392.10(a)
4:36 • Bus transporting passengers. 392.10(a)(1)
4:37 • CMV transporting Division 2.3 chlorine. 392.10(a)(2)
4:38 • CMV that must be marked with a Hazmat ID number or is required to be placarded. 392.10(a)(3)
4:39 • Loaded or empty cargo tank motor vehicle transporting any hazardous material. 392.10(a)(4)
4:40 When a driver approaches a railroad crossing, they should drive at a speed that allows them to stop their vehicle before reaching the nearest rail. 392.11
4:41 They should not cross a railroad until it is safe to do so. 392.11
5 Lamps, Reflectors, & Conspicuity Treatment
5:1 All required lamps must be in working order at all times. 393.9
5:2 Lamps and reflectors cannot be covered by the tailboard, any part of the load, dirt, equipment, or otherwise blocked from view. 393.9
5:3 Lamps or reflectors listed in Table 1 or §393.17 must be working at all times. 393.11(a)(1)
5:4 Reflective Sheeting.
5:5 Retroreflective sheeting must be in good shape and in its proper location. 393.11(b)
FMCSA Enforcement Segues
5:6 Tape on the back of truck tractors is only required for model years newer than 1997. 393.11(b)
5:7 All trailers and semitrailers manufactured before December 1, 1993, must have been equipped with retroreflective sheeting by June 1, 2001. 393.13(b)
5:8
5:9
5:10
5:11
5:12
5:13
5:14
Reflective sheeting should be applied horizontally to each side of a trailer. 393.13(c)(1)
• Sheeting should begin as close to the front and end as close to the rear as possible. 393.13(c)(1)
• The gaps between the strips should be as even as possible. 393.13(c)(1)
• The sum of the lengths of all the strips should be at least half the length of the trailer. 393.13(c)(1)
• The centerline for each strip should be between 15 and 60 inches above the road surface. 393.13(c)(1)
Reflective sheeting should be applied to the lower rear of a trailer. 393.13(c)(2)
• Sheeting should be placed as horizontally as possible, across the full width of the trailer, and as close to the edges as possible. 393.13(c)(2)
5:15
5:16
5:17
5:18
• The centerline for each strip should be between 15 and 60 inches above the road surface. 393.13(c)(2)
Two pairs of 12-inch-long white strips of reflective sheeting should be applied to the upper right and left rear of the trailer. 393.13(c)(3)
• The strips should run horizontally and vertically. 393.13(c)(3)
• The strips should be as close to the top of the trailer and as far apart as possible. 393.13(c)(3)
5:19 Driveaway-towaway Lamps and Reflectors.
5:20 In a driveaway-towaway operation with multiple vehicles, the towing vehicle must have at least the following: 393.17(a)
5:21
5:22
5:23
• Two headlamps, two turn signals, and two clearance lamps, one on each side. 393.17(a)(1)
• One side-marker lamp near the front of the vehicle on each side. 393.17(a)(2)
• Two taillamps and two stop lamps on the rear. 393.17(a)(3)
5:24 In a driveaway-towaway operation with multiple vehicles, the rear vehicle being towed must have at least the following: 393.17(b)
5:25
5:26
5:27
• One side-marker lamp near the rear of the vehicle on each side. 393.17(b)(1)
• On the rear, two tail lamps, two stop lamps, two turn signals, two clearance lamps, and two reflectors, with one of each type on both sides. 393.17(b)(2)
• Three identification lamps on the rear of any vehicle in the tow combination that is 80 inches or wider. 393.17(b)(2)
5:28 All required lamps must be powered by the vehicle's electrical system. 393.23
5:29 Headlamps need to have high and low beams and must be steady-burning (e.g., cannot flash). 393.24(a)
5:30 Drivers can have fog and/or other auxiliary driving lights (must be white or amber), but these auxiliary lights cannot be used to replace headlamps. 393.24(b)
5:31 Lamps other than headlamps must be securely mounted to a solid part of a vehicle. 393.25(a)
7:1
7:2
7:3
7:4
7:5
No fuel system can leak. 396.3(a)(1)
Each CMV fuel system must be located so that: 393.65(b)
• No part of the system goes beyond the widest part of the vehicle. 393.65(b)(1)
• No part of the system is forward of the front axle of a power unit. 393.65(b)(2)
• If fuel is spilled while filling a tank, the fuel will not contact any part of the vehicle's exhaust or electrical systems. 393.65(b)(3)
7:6
7:7
7:8
7:9
• Fill pipe openings are located outside the vehicle's passenger and cargo compartments. 393.65(b)(4)
• A fuel line cannot extend between the vehicle and a towed vehicle while in motion. 393.65(b)(5)
• Fuel systems on buses manufactured after January 1, 1973, are not located above or within the passenger compartment. 393.65(b)(6)
Each fuel tank must be securely and properly attached to the vehicle. 393.65(c)
7:10 Fuel Lines.
7:11
7:12
Any fuel line (apart from diesel fuel) on a vehicle cannot protrude further than 2 inches below the fuel tank or its sump if it is not entirely enclosed by a protective housing. 393.65(f)
Diesel fuel crossover, return, and withdrawal lines have to be protected against damage if they extend below the bottom of the fuel tank or sump. 393.65(f)
7:13
All fuel lines must be long enough and flexible enough to move with the parts they are attached to without getting damaged. 393.65(f)(1)
8
Coupling Devices & Safety Chains
7:14 All fuel lines should be protected against chafing, kinking, or other causes of damage. 393.65(f)(2)
7:15 Liquid fuel tanks have to meet the requirements of the regulations at the time of manufacture. 393.67
7:16 All liquid fuel tank fill pipes need a fuel cap. 393.67(c)(7)(v)
7:17 Compressed natural gas fuel systems have to meet the requirements of the regulations at the time of manufacture. 393.68(b)
7:18 Liquefied petroleum gas or propane fuel systems have to meet the requirements of the regulations at the time of manufacture. 393.69(a)
8 Coupling Devices & Safety Chains
8:1 The vehicles and connectors in a tow must keep the towed vehicle within 3 inches of the towing vehicle's path when driving straight on a smooth, level surface. 393.70(a)
8:2 Fifth Wheel Assemblies.
8:3 Proper fifth wheel mounting: 393.70(b)(1)
8:4
8:5
• The lower half of a fifth wheel has to be fastened to the CMV with the proper brackets, mounting plates, and bolts. 393.70(b)(1)(i)
• Installation cannot cause any cracking, warping, or deformities of the frame, and a device to prevent the lower half from shifting must be used. 393.70(b)(1)(i)
8:6 The upper half of a fifth wheel must be fastened to the CMV with the same security required for the installation of the lower half of the fifth wheel. 393.70(b)(1)(ii)
FMCSA Enforcement Segues
8:7 Every fifth wheel assembly needs a locking mechanism preventing separation of the upper and lower halves unless a manual release is applied. 393.70(b)(2)
8:8 The release may be located so it can be operated from the driving position in the cab. 393.70(b)(2)
8:9 To effectively distribute the weight and prevent driving interference, the lower half of a fifth wheel should be mounted between the kingpin and back axle of the towing vehicle. 393.70(b)(3)
8:10 The upper half of a fifth wheel should be located so that its weight is properly distributed on its axles and a combination of vehicles can be towed safely. 393.70(b)(3)
8:11 Towing Full Trailers.
8:12 Towing a full trailer requires a tow bar and attachment items for the vehicles. 393.70(c)
8:13 The tow bar must: 393.70(c)
8:14
8:15
8:16
8:17
• Be structurally capable of towing the weight of the tailer. 393.70(c)(1)
• Be properly and securely mounted. 393.70(c)(2)
• Have an adequate coupling without excessive slack. 393.70(c)(3)
• Have a locking device to prevent accidental separation of the vehicle and the trailer. 393.70(c)(4)
8:18 The trailer hitch mounting on the vehicle must have reinforcing or bracing of the frame to prevent warping. 393.70(c)(4)
8:19 Tow-bar Failure or Disconnection.
8:20 All full trailers have to be connected to the frame of a vehicle with at least one safety device to prevent it from breaking away if the tow bar fails. 393.70(d)
Coupling Devices & Safety Chains
8:21 Two safety chains or cables must be used on opposite sides of the centerline of the towing vehicle. 393.70(d)(8)(i)
8:22 Two safety chains or cables must be used on the towing vehicle, attached at the same point on or near the centerline. 393.70(d)(8)(ii)
8:23 The safety device (not a chain or cable) on the towing vehicle must be attached at a point on or near the centerline. 393.70(d)(8)(iii)
8:24 Driveaway-towaway Coupling Devices and Towing Operations.
8:25 The weight of fullmount and saddlemount vehicles must be evenly distributed to prevent interference with the combination of vehicles. 393.71(b)(2),(3)
8:26 A tow bar, ball-and-socket coupling device, saddlemount connections, or a fifth-wheel must be used when towing a CMV or combination of vehicles. 393.71(g)
8:27 When using a towbar for a driveaway-towaway operation, the coupling devices used must meet the requirements of this section and have proper safety chains. 393.71(h)
8:28 Operators must be provided with sufficient means to securely fasten the tow bar to the towed vehicle and their towing vehicle. 393.71(h)(5)
8:29 Safety Devices for Tow-bar Failure.
8:30 A towed vehicle must be connected to the towing vehicle with a safety device to prevent it from breaking loose in the event of a tow bar failure. 393.71(h)(10)(i)
8:31 If chains or cables are used to connect the towed and towing vehicles, there must be at least two. 393.71(h)(10)(i)
FMCSA Enforcement Segues
8:32 Chains or cables must be crossed and attached to both vehicles near where the bumpers attach to the chassis. 393.71(h)(10)(ii)
8:33 The length of the chains or cables should only be long enough to allow the free turning of the vehicles. 393.71(h)(10)(ii)
8:34 Chains to the tow bar must be as close as possible to where they cross. 393.71(h)(10)(ii)
8:35 Safety devices other than chains or cables: 393.71(h)(10)(iii)
8:36
8:37
• Need the same or greater strength, security of attachment, and directional stability as chains or cables. 393.71(h)(10)(iii)
• Must prevent the tow bar from dropping to the ground in case of failure or disconnection. 393.71(h)(10)(iii)
9 Tires
9:1 No vehicle can be driven if any tire: 393.75(a)
9:2
9:3
9:4
9:5
• Has body ply or belt material exposed through the tread or sidewall. 393.75(a)(1)
• Has tread or sidewall separation. 393.75(a)(2)
• Is flat or has an audible leak. 393.75(a)(3)
• Has a cut that shows any ply or belt material. 393.75(a)(4)
9:6 Any tires on the front wheels of the vehicle must have a tread groove pattern depth of at least 4/32 of an inch. 393.75(b)
9:7 Any tires except those on the front wheels must have a tread groove pattern depth of at least 2/32 of an inch. 393.75(c)
9:8 A bus cannot be driven with regrooved, recapped, or retread tires on the front wheels. 393.75(d)
12 Frame & Body Violations
12:1 A vehicle's frame cannot be cracked, loose, sagging, or broken. 393.201(a)
12:2 The bolts or brackets that secure the cab of a vehicle to the frame cannot be loose, broken, or missing. 393.201(b)
12:3 The frame rail flanges between the axles of a vehicle cannot be bent, cut, or notched aside from the manufacturer's recommendations. 393.201(c)
12:4 Only manufacturer-recommended parts and accessories can be welded to the frame or chassis of a vehicle. 393.201(d)
12:5 Only holes specified by the manufacturers can be drilled in the top or bottom rail flanges. 393.201(e)
12:6 All parts and components of the driver's cab must be secure and safe. 393.203
12:7 The vehicle cab's entry and exit doors cannot be: 393.203(a)
12:8 • Broken or missing. 393.203(a)
12:9
12:10
• Sagging in a way that would prevent a door from opening properly. 393.203(a)
• Wired or blocked shut. 393.203(a)
12:11 The bolts or brackets that secure the cab to the frame cannot be loose, broken, or missing. 393.203(b)
12:12 The vehicle's hood must be securely attached. 393.203(c)
12:13 The vehicle's seats must be securely attached. 393.203(d)
12:14 The front bumper cannot be missing, loosely attached, or extend past the sides of a vehicle. 393.203(e)
12:15 Wheels and rims cannot be cracked or broken. 393.205(a)
12:16 The stud or bolt holes on the wheels of the vehicle cannot be out of round. 393.205(b)
12:17 Any wheel's nuts and bolts cannot be loose. 393.205(c)
FMCSA Enforcement Segues
12:18 Axle positioning parts cannot be cracked, broken, or missing. 393.207(a)
12:19 Axles must be aligned. 393.207(a)
12:20 Any adjustable axles must have locking pins intact and in place. 393.207(b)
12:21 All leaf springs must be intact and in the place where they should be. 393.207(c)
12:22 All coil springs must be intact. 393.207(d)
12:23 Torsion bars and suspensions must be intact. 393.207(e)
12:24 There must be at least 55 psi in the braking system before the valve allows air into the suspension. 393.207(f)
12:25 A vehicle must be level, and air leakage may not be greater than 3 psi in a 5-minute time period if the vehicle's air pressure gauge shows normal. 393.207(f)
12:26 Air suspension exhaust controls cannot take air from just one side axle of a two-axle air trailer unless the controls are located on the trailer or the vehicle is traveling at 10 mph or less. 393.207(g)
12:27 The steering wheel must be properly secured and have all its spokes intact. 393.209(a)
12:28 A steering wheel lash must conform to expectations for its diameter. 393.209(b)
12:29 There cannot be excessive steering wheel free play. 393.209(b)
12:30 The steering column must be securely fastened to the vehicle. 393.209(c)
12:31 All components of a steering system should be intact and in place securely. 393.209(d)
12:32 The steering wheel should turn freely in both directions. 393.209(d)
12:33 The power steering system must be in good operating condition with no loose or broken parts or frayed, cracked, or slipping belts. 393.209(e)
12:34 There should be no leaks of power steering fluid, and there should be sufficient fluid in the reservoir. 393.209(e)
13 General Violations
13:1 All parts and accessories needed to safely operate the vehicle must be kept in proper operating condition. 396.3(a)
13:2 All vehicles must be properly lubricated. 396.5(a)
13:3 The vehicle must be kept free of any oil or grease leaks. 396.5(b)
13:4 The vehicle cannot be driven if it is likely to break down or cause an accident. 396.7
13:5 A motor carrier cannot allow its drivers to drive an out-of-service vehicle. 396.9(c)
13:6 An out-of-service vehicle cannot be removed or driven unless all out-of-service violations have been corrected. 396.9(c)
13:7 A driver can only operate a vehicle after all defects or necessary repairs noted on the inspection report have been fixed. 396.9(d)(2)
13:8 Drivers are required to do a post-trip inspection at the end of each day. 396.11
13:9 An inspection is ONLY required to be "documented" if a defect (e.g., roadside inspection violation) is discovered or advised of AND not corrected, with documentation, before the end of the shift or day. 396.11
FMCSA Enforcement Segues
13:10 Drivers must always carry the most recent and current documentation for their vehicle's annual inspection in or on their commercial vehicle. 396.17(c)
14 Commercial Driver's License Violations
14:1 Commercial Driver's License (CDL).
14:2 Only one commercial driver's license is allowed while operating a commercial motor vehicle (CMV). 383.21
14:3
14:4
14:5
14:6
14:7
14:8
14:9
Drivers can only drive vehicles from the vehicle group on their CDL. 383.23(a)(1)
Group A: any vehicle combination with: 383.91(a)(1)
• A gross combination vehicle weight (GCVW) of 26,001 pounds or more; and 383.91(a)(1)
• A gross vehicle weight rating of the vehicle being towed is more than 10,000 pounds. 383.91(a)(1)
Group B: any single vehicle with: 383.91(a)(2)
• A GCVW of 26,001 pounds or more; or 383.91(a)(2)
• A combination vehicle where the vehicle being towed has a GVWR of less than 10,000 pounds. 383.91(a)(2)
14:10
14:11
14:12
Group C: any vehicle or vehicle combination that: 383.91(a)(3)
• Is not Group A or Group B; and 383.91(a)(3)
• Is designed to transport 16 or more passengers (including the driver) or used to transport hazardous materials. 383.91(a)(3)
Commercial Driver's License Violations
14:13 Required CDL Endorsements:
14:14 Hazardous Materials Endorsement (H): Driving anything that requires placards. 383.23(a)(1)
14:15 Tanker Endorsement (T): Hauling totes, portable tanks, and/or driving a tank truck and the combined capacity is 1,000 gallons or more. 383.23(a)(1)
14:16 Passenger Endorsement (P): transporting 15 or more people. 383.23(a)(1)
14:17 School Bus Endorsement (S): Transporting schoolchildren in a school bus. 383.23(a)(1)
14:18 Drivers who have a prescription for glasses or hearing aids on their CDL must wear them while driving. 383.23(a)(1)
14:19 Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP).
14:20 Individuals driving with a commercial learner's permit (CLP) must have a commercial driver's license holder with them in the vehicle at all times. 383.25(a)(1)
14:21 A commercial learner's permit must be from the same state as an individual's driver's license. 383.25(a)(2)
14:22 CLP holders cannot drive the following: 383.25(a)
14:23 • A passenger-carrying public bus or school bus. 383.25(a)(5)(i)
14:24 • A loaded tank vehicle. 383.25(a)(5)(iii)
14:25 • Any vehicle required to be placarded. 383.25(a)(6)
14:26 Disqualification.
14:27 A person cannot operate a CMV if they are ineligible for a commercial learner's permit or a commercial driver's license. 383.51(a)
14:28 Disqualification is defined as having any of the following occur: 383.5
14:29
14:30
14:31
FMCSA Enforcement Segues
• A commercial learner's permit or commercial driver's license has been suspended, revoked, or canceled. 383.5
• Privileges to operate a CMV have been revoked because a traffic law was broken. 383.5
• The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has determined a driver is not qualified. 383.5
14:32 Driver Application and Certification Procedures.
14:33 A current medical examiner's certificate submitted to the driver's licensing state is required. 383.71(h)(2)
14:34 Failure to submit the medical examiner's certificate results in the following: 383.71(h)(2)
14:35
14:36
• A "downgraded" status of "non-certified" on the commercial driver's record. 383.71(h)(2)
• A downgrade of their CDL to a non-CDL license of the same class. 383.71(h)(2)
14:37 Operating Authority.
14:38 Drivers cannot operate a motor vehicle hauling people, products, or equipment as a business unless they are authorized. 392.9a(a)(1)
14:39 Drivers cannot operate a motor vehicle to provide transportation outside the limits of their authority. 392.9a(a)(2)
14:40 Prohibited Transportation.
14:41 Drivers cannot operate a CMV in interstate commerce without a valid and active USDOT number. 392.9b(a)
14:42 If a driver operates a CMV without a valid and active USDOT number, the motor carrier may be penalized. 392.9b(a)