Tire Violations – FAQ

1. What is a tire violation in trucking?
A tire violation occurs when a commercial vehicle’s tires do not meet federal safety standards, including tread depth, exposed cords, cuts, or other damage. These are enforced under 49 CFR §393.75.

2. What FMCSA code applies to tire violations?
49 CFR §393.75 – Tires: condition, tread depth, repair, and maintenance standards.

3. Why are tire violations important?
Tires are critical for vehicle control, stopping distance, and load support. Defective tires are a common cause of Out-of-Service (OOS) orders and can lead to accidents.

4. What are the most common tire violations?
Tread depth below legal minimum: 2/32 inch for steering tires, 4/32 inch for drive tires (49 CFR §393.75)
Exposed cords or fabric
Cuts, cracks, or bulges in the sidewall
Improper inflation or mismatched tires
Dual tires touching or rubbing

5. What happens if a tire violation is found during inspection?
The vehicle can be placed Out-of-Service (OOS) immediately (49 CFR §393.75) until the tire issue is corrected. Driving with a defective tire is illegal and unsafe.

6. How do inspectors check tires during a DOT inspection?
Measure tread depth with a gauge (49 CFR §393.75)
Inspect sidewalls for cuts, bulges, or exposed cords
Check inflation and wheel alignment
Examine dual tires for proper spacing

7. How can I prevent tire violations?
Inspect tires before every trip (49 CFR §393.75)
Maintain correct tire pressure and check it regularly
Replace tires that are worn, damaged, or exposed
Ensure proper dual tire spacing

8. What is the minimum legal tread depth?
Steering tires: 2/32 inch
Drive tires: 4/32 inch (49 CFR §393.75)

9. Can I drive with a slightly worn tire?
No. Even slightly defective tires that fail inspection can lead to an OOS order under 49 CFR §393.75.

10. How often should I inspect my tires?
Daily pre-trip inspections (driver responsibility, 49 CFR §393.75)
Regular maintenance checks by the fleet (carrier responsibility)