Violation code

396.3A1TARPSWT

Tires - Presence of rubber-coated cord or cured rubber plug in the sidewall of a tire.

Not in SMSOOS· FMCSA A&I All Violations

396.3A1TARPSWT is a Vehicle violation under 49 CFR §396.3A1TARPSWT. It is an out-of-service violation; it is not scored in the SMS. Nationally it was cited 49 times in the last five years, with an OOS rate of 100.0%.

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National roadside inspection stats

as of 9/20/2026

Inspections

that found this code

Violations

total written

OOS rate

100.0%

49 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: Vehicle
Regulation §: 396.3A1TARPSWT
Severity weight: N/A
Used in SMS: No
Status: Active
Updated: 9/20/2026

Last updated September 2026

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What 396.3A1TARPSWT means — and how to avoid it

In plain English

In plain terms, 396.3A1TARPSWT is cited for tires - Presence of rubber-coated cord or cured rubber plug in the sidewall of a tire. It falls under the FMCSA rules on inspection, repair, and maintenance. 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

•Tread depth (4/32" steer, 2/32" others) and even wear
•Cuts, bulges, sidewall damage, or exposed cord/ply
•Proper inflation and matched duals
•Flat/audible-leak tires — an automatic out-of-service item

How to prevent it

✓Thump or gauge every tire on the pre-trip, including inside duals
✓Replace before tread hits the limit, not after
✓Keep a working gauge in the truck and correct low pressure immediately

How it affects your CSA

0 CSA points

396.3A1TARPSWT 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 396.3A1TARPSWT 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.

Relevant 49 CFR49 CFR § 396.3

Inspection, repair, and maintenance

“Every motor carrier and intermodal equipment provider must systematically inspect, repair, and maintain, or cause to be systematically inspected, repaired, and maintained, all motor vehicles and intermodal equipment subject to its control.”

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 396.3A1TARPSWT →Read the DataQs guide first

Other Vehicle codes

Codes under the same FMCSA violation group

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Frequently asked questions about 396.3A1TARPSWT

What does violation 396.3A1TARPSWT mean?

396.3A1TARPSWT is the FMCSA roadside-inspection violation code for "Tires - Presence of rubber-coated cord or cured rubber plug in the sidewall of a tire.", part of the Vehicle group, cited under 49 CFR §396.3A1TARPSWT.

What BASIC does 396.3A1TARPSWT affect?

396.3A1TARPSWT 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 396.3A1TARPSWT an out-of-service (OOS) violation?

Yes. 396.3A1TARPSWT 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 396.3A1TARPSWT add?

396.3A1TARPSWT adds 0 CSA points because it is not used in SMS scoring, even when written out of service.

How can a driver prevent 396.3A1TARPSWT?

Thump or gauge every tire on the pre-trip, including inside duals; Replace before tread hits the limit, not after; Keep a working gauge in the truck and correct low pressure immediately.

Can 396.3A1TARPSWT be challenged through DataQs?

Yes. If you believe 396.3A1TARPSWT 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 396.3A1TARPSWT Carrier CSA lookup CSA glossary

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