A tiedown's hook can open or release as the truck moves. What must be changed?
Correct answer: Attach and secure it so it cannot unintentionally loosen or release in transit.
A tiedown must remain attached and secured throughout transport. An arrangement that can loosen, open or release while moving does not meet that requirement.
Source: 49 CFR 393.104(f)(3); eCFR title 49 displayed current through September 10, 2026; reviewed September 14, 2026. ↗
A tiedown has a 5,000-lb strap, a 3,300-lb tensioner and 4,400-lb anchor points. Assuming these are the relevant WLL ratings, what limits the assembly's WLL?
Correct answer: 3,300 lb, the lowest component or anchor rating.
The assembly is limited by the lowest component rating, including its tensioner, or the anchor-point rating, whichever is lower. Adding ratings or choosing the strongest part overstates the safe limit.
Source: 49 CFR 393.108(a); official eCFR XML retrieved for September 10, 2026; reviewed September 14, 2026. ↗
For federal WLL determination, how is welded steel chain treated when neither its grade nor its WLL can be identified by markings?
Correct answer: Use the value for grade 30 proof coil chain of its size.
The rule assigns unidentified welded chain the grade 30 proof-coil WLL. This is a rating rule, not a guarantee that a damaged chain is usable or that any chain is adequate for the load.
Source: 49 CFR 393.108(d); official eCFR XML retrieved for September 10, 2026; reviewed September 14, 2026. ↗
An 8,000-lb article is secured with tiedowns under the general federal cargo rule. What minimum aggregate WLL is required, apart from other securement requirements?
Correct answer: 4,000 lb.
The aggregate tiedown WLL must be at least half the article's weight: 8,000 ÷ 2 = 4,000 lb. Calculate each tiedown's contribution correctly and also meet the applicable number, arrangement and performance requirements.
Source: 49 CFR 393.106(d); eCFR title 49 displayed current through September 10, 2026; reviewed September 14, 2026. ↗
A tiedown with a 3,000-lb WLL runs from an anchor on the vehicle directly to an anchor on the cargo. How much does it contribute to aggregate WLL?
Correct answer: 1,500 lb.
A direct vehicle-to-cargo tiedown contributes one-half of its WLL to the aggregate. Here 3,000 ÷ 2 = 1,500 lb. This contribution is different from the tiedown's own rated WLL.
Source: 49 CFR 393.106(d)(1); eCFR title 49 displayed current through September 10, 2026; reviewed September 14, 2026. ↗
A 4,000-lb-WLL tiedown passes around the cargo and attaches to vehicle anchors on the same side. What is its aggregate-WLL contribution?
Correct answer: 2,000 lb.
A tiedown that returns to the same side of the vehicle contributes half its WLL. Do not count it as an opposite-side, over-the-load arrangement merely because it passes around the cargo.
Source: 49 CFR 393.106(d)(2); eCFR title 49 displayed current through September 10, 2026; reviewed September 14, 2026. ↗
A 6,000-lb-WLL tiedown passes over the cargo from a vehicle anchor to another anchor on the opposite side. How much does it contribute to aggregate WLL?
Correct answer: 6,000 lb.
This opposite-side arrangement contributes the tiedown's full WLL. It does not double the rating, and the assembly's own rating must already reflect its limiting components and anchors.
Source: 49 CFR 393.106(d)(3); eCFR title 49 displayed current through September 10, 2026; reviewed September 14, 2026. ↗
A load has the minimum number of tiedowns required for its length, but their aggregate WLL is too low. Is it adequately secured under the federal rules?
Correct answer: No. Minimum tiedown count and adequate WLL must both be met.
The minimum-number requirements apply in addition to the general securement requirements. Enough tiedowns by count is not enough if their properly calculated aggregate capacity is insufficient.
Source: 49 CFR 393.110(a), referring to 393.106; eCFR title 49 displayed current through September 10, 2026; reviewed September 14, 2026. ↗
Under the general tiedown-count rule, a 4-foot, 1,000-lb article is not blocked against forward movement and has no special-purpose exception. What is the minimum number of tiedowns?
Correct answer: One, while still meeting strength and other securement requirements.
For an unblocked article no longer than 5 feet and no heavier than 1,100 lb, the minimum is one tiedown. This is only the count rule; the complete system must still satisfy the other applicable requirements.
Source: 49 CFR 393.110(b)(1); eCFR title 49 displayed current through September 10, 2026; reviewed September 14, 2026. ↗
A 4-foot article weighs 1,400 lb and is not blocked against forward movement. With no special-purpose exception, what minimum tiedown count applies?
Correct answer: Two.
An unblocked article 5 feet or shorter needs at least two tiedowns when its weight exceeds 1,100 lb. Its short length does not qualify it for the short-and-light one-tiedown case.
Source: 49 CFR 393.110(b)(2)(i); eCFR title 49 displayed current through September 10, 2026; reviewed September 14, 2026. ↗
An article is exactly 10 feet long, not blocked against forward movement and covered by the general tiedown-count rule. What is the minimum count?
Correct answer: Two.
The two-tiedown length category includes articles longer than 5 feet and up to and including 10 feet, regardless of weight. The phrase 'including 10 feet' matters at this boundary.
Source: 49 CFR 393.110(b)(2)(ii); eCFR title 49 displayed current through September 10, 2026; reviewed September 14, 2026. ↗
A 21-foot article is not blocked against forward movement and has no special-purpose exception. Under the general count rule, how many tiedowns are required at minimum?
Correct answer: Four.
Use two tiedowns for the first 10 feet, one for the next 10 feet and one for the remaining fraction: four total. Do not round the final foot down to zero.
Source: 49 CFR 393.110(b)(3); eCFR title 49 displayed current through September 10, 2026; reviewed September 14, 2026. ↗
A 21-foot article is adequately blocked against forward movement and is subject to 49 CFR 393.110(c). What is the minimum tiedown count?
Correct answer: Three.
For the stated forward-blocked situation, use at least one tiedown for each 10 feet or fraction. Twenty-one feet therefore needs three. Blocking and tiedown strength must also be adequate.
Source: 49 CFR 393.110(c); eCFR title 49 displayed current through September 10, 2026; reviewed September 14, 2026. ↗
An unusually shaped machine must be fastened by special methods and falls within 49 CFR 393.110(d). What does that exception mean?
Correct answer: The usual count formula does not apply, but the machine must still be securely fastened.
The special-purpose exception changes the application of the minimum-count formula. It does not remove the obligation to fasten the article securely and adequately or any other applicable requirements.
Source: 49 CFR 393.110(d); eCFR title 49 displayed current through September 10, 2026; reviewed September 14, 2026. ↗
Which load is within the bulk-commodity exception to 49 CFR 393.106's article-securement provisions?
Correct answer: Loose grain in a hopper that forms part of the CMV's structure.
The stated exception concerns bulk material without a fixed shape transported in a structural tank, hopper, box or similar device. It is not a general permission for spillage or unsafe loading, and bagged articles are a different situation.
Source: 49 CFR 393.106(a); eCFR title 49 displayed current through September 10, 2026; reviewed September 14, 2026. ↗
Cargo rests against a front-end structure used for securement. A gap is large enough for a contacting article to pass through. Does that satisfy the federal penetration-resistance requirement?
Correct answer: No. The structure must not have an opening that lets that article pass through.
The applicable front-end structure must resist penetration and have no aperture large enough for a contacting cargo article to pass through. A label or appearance does not establish the required protection.
Source: 49 CFR 393.114(a) and (d); eCFR title 49 displayed current through September 10, 2026; reviewed September 14, 2026. ↗
