DOT Emergency Equipment Requirements for Commercial Vehicles (49 CFR 393.95)

Every truck, truck tractor, and bus operated in interstate commerce must carry specific emergency equipment under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, 49 CFR 393.95. Here's what the regulation actually requires.

Fire Extinguisher

• Power units hauling hazardous materials that require placarding need a fire extinguisher rated 10 B:C or higher.
• All other power units need either one extinguisher rated 5 B:C or higher, or two extinguishers each rated 4 B:C or higher.
• The extinguisher must be labeled with its UL rating, kept fully charged with a visible charge indicator, and securely mounted so it can't slide, roll, or shift.

Warning Devices for Stopped Vehicles

Drivers must carry one of the following:

• Three bidirectional reflective triangles meeting FMVSS No. 125, or
• At least 6 fusees, each capable of burning for 30 minutes (plus any additional fusees required to comply with 49 CFR 392.22).

Flame-producing devices like fusees are prohibited on vehicles carrying explosives, flammable gas or liquid cargo tanks, or vehicles running on compressed gas as fuel — those vehicles must use reflective triangles or red flags instead.

Red Flags

Where used, red flags must be at least 12 inches square, mounted on a standard sturdy enough to keep the flag upright.

Who This Applies To

49 CFR 393.95 applies to trucks, truck tractors, and buses — it does not apply to a towed unit in a driveaway-towaway operation. Fleet managers and owner-operators are responsible for confirming every power unit carries compliant equipment before it's on the road; DOT roadside inspections check for exactly this.

For the full, current regulatory text, refer to the eCFR listing for 49 CFR 393.95, which reflects the most recent amendments.

Staying Compliant

Our DOT truck safety kits are built around these exact requirements — fire extinguisher, triangles, and the rest of the mandated emergency equipment in one kit.