Violation codes / 393.81-H
49 CFR 393 · Parts and accessories393.81-H
Horn - Inoperative or defective
What the rule actually says
This violation cites 49 CFR 393.81, horn. The regulation reads:
Every bus, truck, truck-tractor, and every driven motor vehicle in driveaway-towaway operations shall be equipped with a horn and actuating elements which shall be in such condition as to give an adequate and reliable warning signal.
49 CFR 393.81, Horn. Read the full section on eCFR
Quoted verbatim from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Nothing here is a paraphrase, and nothing here is legal advice on a citation.
How often this comes up
This violation was recorded 15,346 times across the roadside inspections in the FMCSA file, making it the 184th most frequently cited code. Whether a given instance puts a vehicle or driver out of service is decided at the roadside by the inspector, not by the code itself, so the same violation can end a trip or simply be noted.
It sits under 49 CFR Part 393, which covers parts and accessories. To see it in context, look up a carrier and read its inspection history: the same code appearing repeatedly is a different signal from a single occurrence.
Look up a carrier's inspection record
Other parts and accessories violations
- 393.9 Inoperable Required Lamp
- 393.47E Brake Out of Adjustment - Roto, Clamp (Short…
- 393.75A3-TAOL Tires - All others, leaking or inflation les…
- 393.78 Wipers - Inoperative / missing / damaged wip…
- 393.9TS Inoperative turn signal
- 393.9A-LIL Lighting - Identification lamp(s) inoperativ…
- 393.75A3 Tire-flat and/or audible air leak
- 393.95A No/discharged/unsecured fire extinguisher
- 393.95F Emergency Equipment - Stopped vehicle warnin…
- 393.60C Windshield - Damaged or Discolored
- 393.55E-B Air Brake - ABS malfunction lamp defective o…
- 393.45B2UV Brake Hose or Tubing Chafing and/or Kinking …
Counts are from the FMCSA Inspections and Violations file via data.transportation.gov. This describes how the violation is recorded, and is not legal advice on a citation.