Direct answers about 171.2(f) citations, out-of-service risk, severity, and next steps based on 13M+ inspection records.
Ranks #1,704 of 3,146 FMCSR codes by citation frequency • OOS rate of 0.0% is below the FMCSR-wide average of 33.3%.
Transporting Hazardous Materials not in accordance with this part
Direct answers grounded in TruckCodex inspection data
No. Across our inspection database, the 0.0% out-of-service rate for 171.2(f) means this violation does not trigger an immediate OOS placement. Compare this to the all-FMCSR average of 31.4%—171.2(f) is significantly less likely to ground your truck on the spot. That said, the violation still appears on your record and requires compliance correction.
171.2(f) ranks #1680 out of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume. Among peer hazmat codes, it's on the lower end: the category average includes codes with 3.6% OOS rates and others with 1.6%. Our records show 42 all-time citations for 171.2(f), compared to 255 citations for a similar general hazmat requirements code. This suggests it's less frequently cited but still actively enforced.
Immediate steps:
Do not ignore this; it stays on your carrier's safety record.
You're not alone, but it is uncommon. Our inspection database records zero citations for 171.2(f) in the last 12 months and zero in the last 90 days, despite covering 13 million+ roadside inspections. The 42 all-time citations suggest this violation is either caught infrequently or compliance is high. When it does occur, it's typically linked to improper documentation or classification of hazardous goods.
Across our records, Atom Transportation Corp (USDOT 3540544), Safe Transport LLC (USDOT 2485172), Brightview Landscapes LLC (USDOT 362827), and Berner Trucking Inc (USDOT 268464) each show 2 citations for 171.2(f). Several other carriers have single citations. If you work for one of these carriers, ask your safety team what corrective action was taken and ensure you're following updated hazmat procedures.
Yes. FMCSA's DataQs portal lets you contest roadside inspection records if the citation is inaccurate, unclear, or based on inspection error. You have 90 days from the inspection date to file. For 171.2(f), focus your challenge on whether the hazmat was actually non-compliant—if paperwork, labeling, or classification was misinterpreted, document the correct procedure and submit evidence. Success depends on the specifics of your case.
Both. The violation appears on your carrier's safety record and affects their CSA scores and FMCSA profile. It also stays on your driver record within your carrier's internal systems and may be reviewed if you apply to other carriers. Hazmat violations are treated seriously by safety-conscious fleets and insurers because they indicate a gap in hazmat knowledge or compliance discipline.
Ford leads with 5 all-time citations for 171.2(f), followed by Peterbilt, Volvo, and Utility trailers with 3 each. Freightliner and International have 2 each. This distribution suggests hazmat violations are spread across truck types rather than concentrated in one make, so vehicle choice alone doesn't predict risk.
TruckCodex aggregates official public-sector datasets. See the Source registry for dataset-level coverage and the Freshness log for last-import timestamps.
Census, SAFER, SMS, Licensing & Insurance (L&I), roadside inspections, crashes, and authority history.
Vehicle recall campaigns, defect investigations, and consumer safety complaints (SCRS).
Cross-border carrier registry and Canadian recall campaigns where applicable.
TruckCodex is an independent aggregator; it is not affiliated with FMCSA, NHTSA, EIA, or Transport Canada. Always verify compliance-critical information directly with the originating agency.