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FMCSA Violation Code

393.82 — Speedometer inoperative

49 CFR 393 • Vehicle Maintenance BASIC • Severity 1/10

Vehicle citation CSA weight 1
Low severity
Code
393.82
CFR section
49 CFR 393
BASIC
Vehicle Maintenance
Severity
1/10
Out-of-Service
No
Unit type
Vehicle
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What this violation means

A speedometer that does not function is a 49 CFR 393.82 violation — severity 1/10 in SMS scoring, not OOS-eligible. The fix is usually a sensor or cable replacement ($80-$300 typical). However, the underlying problem matters more than the citation: without a working speedometer, drivers cannot verify compliance with posted speed limits, which is a much bigger CSA exposure (Unsafe Driving BASIC). Fix at the next PM service.

How often this is cited (last 24 months)

In the last 24 months, 393.82 was cited 1,219 times at roadside inspections against 882 carriers, with no out-of-service results. It ranks #44 among the violation codes in our records by citation count. Most recent citation on record: Aug 24, 2026.

Why this gets cited

Speedometer sensor (VSS) failure, broken speedometer cable on older trucks, cluster gauge electrical failure, instrument cluster software glitch.

How to fix / prevent

Diagnose with scan tool (look for VSS-related DTC codes). Replace VSS sensor on rear axle housing or transmission tail-housing. On newer trucks with digital clusters, check J1939 CAN bus communication. Verify against GPS speed during road test after repair.

Out-of-service criteria

No — this violation is not typically out-of-service eligible. The inspector will note 393.82 on the inspection report (form MCS-63), but the truck/driver can usually continue after the inspection ends. It still counts against the carrier in CSA scoring (severity 1/10 weight, time-weighted over 24 months) and shows on the driver's PSP record. A pattern of these non-OOS violations across multiple inspections is what triggers FMCSA intervention — a single citation rarely does.

CSA / SMS impact

393.82 carries a severity weight of 1/10 in FMCSA's Safety Measurement System (SMS). Higher weights mean faster CSA percentile movement. Combined with a time-weighting factor (1× for citations within the last 6 months, decaying over 24 months), this violation can move your Vehicle Maintenance BASIC percentile significantly if it stacks with similar citations across your fleet. The threshold for FMCSA intervention is the 65th percentile for most BASICs (50th for Hazmat and Passenger Carrier). Once you cross that, FMCSA can send a Warning Letter, Off-Site Investigation, or full Compliance Review.

How to read this: a single citation rarely puts you over threshold — it's the pattern. Track your inspection rate per power unit and aim for OOS rate under 5% (industry average is 21%).

Carriers recently cited (last 24 months)

Carriers most-recently cited for 393.82 in FMCSA inspection records (rolling 24-month window).

  • JOSE ALFREDO JIMENEZ CAMACHO
    DOT #3586792 • last cited 2026-08-07
    16×
  • JESUS MA VALDEZ GARCIA
    DOT #2534784 • last cited 2026-07-27
    16×
  • YOLANDA GUILLEN SOLIS
    DOT #3338612 • last cited 2026-08-03
    15×
  • VALENTIN CASTILLO REQUENA
    DOT #2903428 • last cited 2026-08-04
    10×
  • PEDRO ESPINO DIAZ
    DOT #2937836 • last cited 2026-04-30
    9×
  • LETICIA GRIMALDO GONZALEZ
    DOT #2970051 • last cited 2026-04-21
    9×
  • ANTONIO MEZA VIDAURI
    DOT #2309178 • last cited 2026-07-17
    7×
  • EIMY RODRIGUEZ MENDOZA
    DOT #1554742 • last cited 2026-07-06
    7×
  • SANDRA PATRICIA CASANOVA GUILLEN
    DOT #925581 • last cited 2026-05-29
    7×
  • ABEL GOMEZ REYNA
    DOT #3015361 • last cited 2026-05-08
    7×
Other violations in Vehicle Maintenance
396.9C2OOS
Operating vehicle declared out-of-service
393.75AOOS
Flat tire or audible air leak
393.75A1OOS
Tire ply or belt material exposed
393.75A3OOS
Tire with fabric exposed
393.75FOOS
Tire on steering axle under 4/32 inch tread
393.75GOOS
Tire on non-steering axle under 2/32 inch tread
393.83A2OOS
Exhaust discharges into cab/sleeper
393.5AOOS
Coupling device defective (fifth wheel, pintle, kingpin)

Related

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I be placed out of service for 393.82?
No — 393.82 is not on the standard OOS criteria for most inspectors. You'll be cited on the inspection report (MCS-63), the violation will hit your CSA scores, and the driver's PSP record, but you can usually continue the trip after the inspection wraps. Caveat: an inspector has discretion to escalate to OOS if they observe a separate, more serious condition during the same inspection. If they find 393.82 plus a brake violation, they're putting you OOS for the brake issue, not this one.
How long does 393.82 affect my CSA score?
393.82 stays in your CSA Vehicle Maintenance BASIC for <strong>24 months</strong> from the inspection date. The impact is time-weighted: 3× points during months 0-6, 2× during months 7-12, 1× during months 13-24, then it drops off. Severity weight is 1/10, so each citation contributes 3 points in the first 6 months and decays from there. On the driver's PSP report, the same citation stays visible for <strong>36 months</strong> — and a 5-year history of driver violations is available to motor carriers performing a hire review. If the citation is later dismissed in court (DataQs challenge succeeds, or the underlying ticket is dropped), the SMS record can be removed via FMCSA's DataQs portal — but you have to actively file the challenge.
What's the difference between 393.82 and similar codes?
393.82 is in the 8-code group sharing the same BASIC. The closest siblings are: <strong>396.9C2</strong> (Operating vehicle declared out-of-service); <strong>393.75A</strong> (Flat tire or audible air leak); <strong>393.75A1</strong> (Tire ply or belt material exposed). Inspectors often cite multiple sibling codes from the same inspection — for example, a tire condition violation can simultaneously trigger codes for tread depth, sidewall, and inflation pressure. When you get cited under one sibling, check the report for the others before signing — they all count separately against CSA scoring.
How often is 393.82 cited?
In the last 24 months, 393.82 was cited 1,219 times at roadside inspections against 882 carriers, with no out-of-service results. It ranks #44 among the violation codes in our records by citation count. Most recent citation on record: Aug 24, 2026.

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