393.75(a)(3) is a Tires violation under 49 CFR §393.75(a)(3). It falls in the Vehicle Maintenance BASIC with a severity weight of 8/10. Nationally it was cited 318,547 times in the last five years, with an OOS rate of 96.6%.
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National roadside inspection stats
as of 6/20/2026
Inspections
282,961
that found this code
Violations
318,547
total written
OOS rate
96.6%
307,638 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.
Violation group
Tires
Regulation §
393.75(a)(3)
Severity weight
8
Used in SMS
Yes
Status
Active
Updated
6/20/2026
Last updated June 2026
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Think this violation was written incorrectly?
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If this violation was written incorrectly, here are the angles trucking-safety managers use to contest it. Playbook: Tires.
Relevant 49 CFR49 CFR § 393.75
Tires
“No motor vehicle shall be operated on any tire that has body ply or belt material exposed through the tread or sidewall, has any tread or sidewall separation, is flat or has an audible leak, or has a cut to the extent that the ply or belt material is exposed.”
Common ways to challenge this code
Tread measurement disputed
The tread depth measurement was taken at a worn point that is not representative, contrary to NHTSA/FMCSA measurement standards.
Evidence that wins
✓Independent tread gauge reading from same tire (multiple positions)
✓Photograph of the tire with a reference scale
Inflation context — recent stop or temperature
The under-inflation reading was taken immediately after a long-distance high-temperature run or before warm-up, not at the FMCSA standard measurement state.
Evidence that wins
✓Tire-pressure-monitoring system log (TPMS)
✓Service receipt showing inflation at start of trip
Common pitfalls — avoid these
⚠Inflation readings can't be challenged with a re-inflation done after the stop — must show original-state evidence
393.75(a)(3) is the FMCSA roadside-inspection violation code for "Tire-flat and/or audible air leak", part of the Tires group, cited under 49 CFR §393.75(a)(3).
What BASIC does 393.75(a)(3) affect?
393.75(a)(3) falls under the Vehicle Maintenance BASIC in the FMCSA Safety Measurement System (SMS).
What is the CSA severity weight of 393.75(a)(3)?
393.75(a)(3) carries a severity weight of 8 out of 10. Higher weights indicate violations more closely tied to crash risk, and they count more toward a carrier's Vehicle Maintenance score.
Is 393.75(a)(3) an out-of-service (OOS) violation?
No. 393.75(a)(3) is not an out-of-service violation, so on its own it does not trigger an out-of-service order at the roadside.
How many CSA points does 393.75(a)(3) add to a carrier's score?
The point contribution of 393.75(a)(3) depends on its severity weight (8/10) multiplied by a time weight of 3, 2, or 1 based on how recent the inspection is. You can calculate the exact contribution with the CSA points calculator.
Can 393.75(a)(3) be challenged through DataQs?
Yes. If you believe 393.75(a)(3) 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.