FMCSA BASIC43 codes
Vehicle Maintenance Violation Codes
Brakes, lights, tires, and inspection violations under 49 CFR Parts 393 and 396 — the FMCSA Vehicle Maintenance BASIC, the largest group of roadside violation codes. Severity, OOS criteria, and prevention for each.
- §392.7No or improper driver pre-trip inspectionSev 1
- §393.100Cargo securementSev 5
- §393.11Clearance lamps missing or not indicating overall widthSev 2
- §393.11Inadequate or defective conspicuity treatmentSev 1
- §393.201FramesSev 5
- §393.205Wheels and rimsSev 3
- §393.207Suspension systemsSev 3
- §393.209Steering wheel systemsSev 3
- §393.24Head lamps missing, inoperative, or not aimableSev 6
- §393.25(f)Stop lamps inoperative or not activated by the service brakesSev 6
- §393.30Battery installationSev 2
- §393.41Parking brake systemSev 4
- §393.42Brakes required on all wheelsSev 4
- §393.43Breakaway and emergency brakingSev 6
- §393.45Brake tubing and hose adequacySev 4
- §393.47Brakes out of adjustmentSev 4
- §393.48Brakes must be operativeSev 4
- §393.51Low-air-pressure warning signalSev 4
- §393.52Brake performanceSev 7
- §393.53Automatic slack adjuster inoperativeSev 4
- §393.55Antilock brake system inoperativeSev 1
- §393.60Glazing in specified openingsSev 1
- §393.62Bus emergency exits missing, inoperative, or unmarkedSev 1
- §393.65Fuel system leak or defectSev 3
- §393.70Coupling devices and towing methodsSev 5
- §393.71Coupling devices and towing methods, driveaway-towaway and longer combinationsSev 5
- §393.75Tires defectiveSev 8
- §393.78Windshield wipers inoperativeSev 1
- §393.79Defrost and defogging deviceSev 1
- §393.80Rearvision mirrors requiredSev 1
- §393.81HornSev 1
- §393.82SpeedometerSev 1
- §393.83Exhaust system defectiveSev 3
- §393.86Rear impact guard missing or defectiveSev 2
- §393.87Warning flags on projecting loadsSev 1
- §393.9Inoperative required lampsSev 6
- §393.93Seats, seat belt assemblies, and seat belt assembly anchoragesSev 4
- §393.95Missing or defective emergency equipmentSev 1
- §396.11Driver vehicle inspection report violationsSev 4
- §396.17Periodic (annual) inspection violationsSev 4
- §396.3Inadequate inspection, repair, and maintenanceSev 1
- §396.5Oil and grease leakSev 1
- §396.7Unsafe operations forbiddenSev 5
Other categories
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Roadside findings link to the driver and vehicle, with corrective action documented and surfaced in the audit binder.
Free toolCompliance Deadline Calculator →Inspection citations are dated events — put every §396.17 cycle and medical card on one dated board.Not legal advice · CFR is the authoritative source · SMS Appendix A publishes current severity weights