Violation code

396.7A-LT

Solid item lodged between dual tires

Vehicle Maintenance8Non-OOS· SMS Appendix A v3.20

396.7A-LT is a Tires violation under 49 CFR §396.7A-LT. It falls in the Vehicle Maintenance BASIC with a severity weight of 8/10. Nationally it was cited 204 times in the last five years, with an OOS rate of 97.5%.

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National roadside inspection stats

as of 9/20/2026

Inspections

197

that found this code

Violations

204

total written

OOS rate

97.5%

199 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 §: 396.7A-LT
Severity weight: 8
Used in SMS: Yes
Status: Active
Updated: 9/20/2026

Last updated September 2026

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Notes

DSMS: Y | Comment: Added in 3.11 | Footnote: This violation was added to SMS with the September 25, 2020 snapshot.

What 396.7A-LT means — and how to avoid it

In plain English

In plain terms, 396.7A-LT is cited for solid item lodged between dual tires. It falls under the FMCSA rules on inspection, repair, and maintenance.

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

up to 24 pts (fresh)

Severity 8/10. A fresh citation counts at the 3× time weight — up to 24 points toward the Vehicle Maintenance BASIC — then tapers to 2× after 6 months and 1× after a year, dropping off the score at 24 months.

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 396.7A-LT through FMCSA DataQs

If this violation was written incorrectly, here are the angles trucking-safety managers use to contest it. Playbook: Tires.

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

⚡ Draft a challenge for 396.7A-LT →Read the DataQs guide first

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Codes under the same FMCSA violation group

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Frequently asked questions about 396.7A-LT

What does violation 396.7A-LT mean?

396.7A-LT is the FMCSA roadside-inspection violation code for "Solid item lodged between dual tires", part of the Tires group, cited under 49 CFR §396.7A-LT.

What BASIC does 396.7A-LT affect?

396.7A-LT falls under the Vehicle Maintenance BASIC in the FMCSA Safety Measurement System (SMS).

What is the CSA severity weight of 396.7A-LT?

396.7A-LT 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 396.7A-LT an out-of-service (OOS) violation?

No. 396.7A-LT 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 396.7A-LT add to a carrier's score?

The point contribution of 396.7A-LT 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.

How can a driver prevent 396.7A-LT?

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 396.7A-LT be challenged through DataQs?

Yes. If you believe 396.7A-LT 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 396.7A-LT Vehicle Maintenance BASIC Carrier CSA lookup CSA glossary

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