Violation code

390.17

Carrier - Operating a CMV with additional equipment/accessories which decreases the safe operation of the CMV. Explain:

Not in SMSOOS· FMCSA A&I All Violations

390.17 is a Other violation under 49 CFR §390.17. It is an out-of-service violation; it is not scored in the SMS. Nationally it was cited 6,405 times in the last five years, with an OOS rate of 0.1%.

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National roadside inspection stats

as of 8/20/2026

Inspections

6,395

that found this code

Violations

6,405

total written

OOS rate

0.1%

6 OOS

Source: FMCSA roadside inspection data (last 5 years). The OOS rate is the share of these violations that led the officer to mark the driver or vehicle out of service.

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Not used in SMS BASIC scoring

Recorded on your inspection report and visible on the PSP, but contributes 0 points to CSA BASIC scores — even if cited Out-of-Service.

Violation group: Other
Regulation §: 390.17
Severity weight: N/A
Used in SMS: No
Status: Active
Updated: 8/20/2026

Last updated August 2026

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What 390.17 means — and how to avoid it

In plain English

In plain terms, 390.17 is cited for carrier - Operating a CMV with additional equipment/accessories which decreases the safe operation of the CMV. Explain:. It falls under the FMCSA rules on general FMCSR compliance and marking. Because it’s an out-of-service condition, an inspector can put the driver or vehicle out of service on the spot until it’s corrected.

What the inspector checks

•Required markings/USDOT number and general compliance items

How to prevent it

✓Keep registration, marking, and required records current

How it affects your CSA

0 CSA points

390.17 is not scored in the SMS. It adds 0 CSA points — even if written out-of-service — but it still appears on the inspection report and the driver’s PSP.

General guidance from the violation’s FMCSA classification — not legal advice, and not a substitute for the inspector’s findings or 49 CFR.

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Challenging 390.17 through FMCSA DataQs

If this violation was written incorrectly, here are the angles trucking-safety managers use to contest it. Playbook: Codes not used in SMS scoring.

Common ways to challenge this code

Not used in SMS — should not affect BASIC
This code is on the inspection report but is excluded from SMS BASIC scoring per Appendix A. Use DataQs to correct the underlying data quality issue if the code was written in error, but understand it does not affect the CSA percentile.
Evidence that wins
- ✓FMCSA SMS Methodology Appendix A reference
- ✓Underlying inspection report

Common pitfalls — avoid these

⚠These codes still appear on PSP — challenge the data if the cite was wrong

⚡ Draft a challenge for 390.17 →Read the DataQs guide first

Other Other codes

Codes under the same FMCSA violation group

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Frequently asked questions about 390.17

What does violation 390.17 mean?

390.17 is the FMCSA roadside-inspection violation code for "Carrier - Operating a CMV with additional equipment/accessories which decreases the safe operation of the CMV. Explain:", part of the Other group, cited under 49 CFR §390.17.

What BASIC does 390.17 affect?

390.17 is not scored in any CSA BASIC. It is recorded on the inspection report and appears on the PSP, but it contributes 0 points to a carrier's SMS BASIC percentiles.

Is 390.17 an out-of-service (OOS) violation?

Yes. 390.17 is an out-of-service violation, meaning the driver or vehicle can be placed out of service at the roadside until the issue is corrected. OOS violations also add an extra severity point in SMS scoring.

How many CSA points does 390.17 add?

390.17 adds 0 CSA points because it is not used in SMS scoring, even when written out of service.

How can a driver prevent 390.17?

Keep registration, marking, and required records current.

Can 390.17 be challenged through DataQs?

Yes. If you believe 390.17 was recorded in error, you can file a Request for Data Review (RDR) through the FMCSA DataQs system with supporting evidence. A successful challenge can remove or correct the violation on your record.

Keep going

CSA points calculator How to challenge a violation Draft a DataQs letter for 390.17 Carrier CSA lookup CSA glossary

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