Two articles are secured side by side with transverse tiedowns. What does the general federal rule require about the space between them?
Correct answer: Place them in contact or prevent them from shifting toward each other.
If articles move toward each other, the securement can lose effectiveness. The rule calls for direct contact or another arrangement that prevents that inward movement.
Source: 49 CFR 393.106(c)(2); eCFR title 49 displayed current through September 10, 2026; reviewed September 14, 2026. ↗
A tiedown touches a cargo edge that can cut or abrade it. What is required?
Correct answer: Suitable edge protection that resists abrasion, cutting and crushing.
Use edge protection when contact with the cargo could abrade or cut the tiedown. The protector itself must be able to resist abrasion, cutting and crushing.
Source: 49 CFR 393.104(f)(4); eCFR title 49 displayed current through September 10, 2026; reviewed September 14, 2026. ↗
A strap has a cut that reduces its securement performance. Can it be used merely because several undamaged straps are nearby?
Correct answer: No. A performance-reducing damaged component is not acceptable.
Securement devices must be in proper working order without damage that adversely affects performance. Other equipment does not make a defective component sound.
Source: 49 CFR 393.104(b); eCFR title 49 displayed current through September 10, 2026; reviewed September 14, 2026. ↗
A driver proposes shortening a tiedown by tying a knot in it. What does the federal securement-device rule say?
Correct answer: Tiedowns and securing devices must not contain knots.
The rule prohibits knots in tiedowns and securing devices. Use the appropriate equipment and adjustment method rather than modifying a restraint with a knot.
Source: 49 CFR 393.104(f)(1); eCFR title 49 displayed current through September 10, 2026; reviewed September 14, 2026. ↗
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. ↗
