Is violation 393.11 serious?

It is a lighting citation that rarely results in an out-of-service order. Historical violations do not prove a current defect, but they tell you exactly what to verify before buying.

Can I check if a truck's VIN has violation 393.11?

Yes — if the VIN appears in FMCSA roadside records, TruckWhere shows its violations (including codes like 393.11), out-of-service events, and the inspection timeline for that exact VIN.

DOT violations › 393.11

FMCSA Violation 393.11: Lamps and reflective devices — required equipment

Cited when required lamps or reflective devices are missing, damaged, or not the proper type/placement.

Last updated: June 2026 · Data sources: NHTSA vPIC (live) and FMCSA public inspection records (periodic refresh).

Quick answer

FMCSA roadside violation 393.11 (lamps and reflective devices — required equipment) is a lighting citation that rarely results in an out-of-service order. On a used truck, a past 393.11 citation does not prove a current defect — it tells you exactly what to verify before you buy. If the VIN appears in FMCSA roadside records, TruckWhere shows whether it has this or other violations.

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Is 393.11 serious?

This is a Lighting violation. It rarely results in an out-of-service order. An out-of-service order means the vehicle could not continue until the condition was corrected at that time — it does not prove the defect remains today.

What a buyer should ask the seller

Ask whether all required lamps and reflectors are present and correct.

What a mechanic should inspect

Confirm placement, color, and operation of all required lamps and reflectors.

How 393.11 appears in a TruckWhere report

In a TruckWhere DOT Buyer Report, a 393.11 citation shows up in the roadside timeline with its date, state, unit attribution, out-of-service status, and a plain-English explanation — plus a Lighting entry in repeated-system detection if it occurred more than once.

Check a VIN for 393.11 →

Related lighting violations

393.9 — Inoperative required lamps

Learn more

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Frequently asked questions

What does FMCSA violation 393.11 mean?: Cited when required lamps or reflective devices are missing, damaged, or not the proper type/placement. It rarely results in an out-of-service order.
Is violation 393.11 serious?: It is a lighting citation that rarely results in an out-of-service order. Historical violations do not prove a current defect, but they tell you exactly what to verify before buying.
Can I check if a truck's VIN has violation 393.11?: Yes — if the VIN appears in FMCSA roadside records, TruckWhere shows its violations (including codes like 393.11), out-of-service events, and the inspection timeline for that exact VIN.