Will 172.201A2 put your truck out of service? What are the CSA points? Get answers backed by 13M+ roadside inspection records.
Ranks #1,803 of 3,146 FMCSR codes by citation frequency • OOS rate of 3.1% is below the FMCSR-wide average of 33.3%.
Hazardous Materials description not printed legibly in English
Direct answers grounded in TruckCodex inspection data
No. Across our 13 million inspection records, 172.201A2 citations resulted in out-of-service placements only 3.3% of the time (1 OOS out of 30 all-time citations). This is dramatically lower than the 31.4% average OOS rate across all FMCSR codes. While you won't be immediately sidelined, the citation still triggers a compliance record you need to address before your next inspection.
This violation carries a CSA severity weight of 4 points. The actual CSA points added to your record depend on the 30-day look-back period and your carrier's overall violation history. A single citation at this weight is typically moderate—serious enough to monitor but not an immediate disqualification trigger. Check your carrier's CSA profile to see cumulative impact across your fleet.
First, obtain a copy of the inspection report and review the exact format deficiency cited. Second, correct your shipping papers to meet FMCSR hazmat description format requirements. Third, if your load is still en route, contact your dispatcher—you may need to stop and remediate before proceeding. Our data shows 172.201A2 frequently co-occurs with placard and emergency response information violations (2 shared inspections in the last 90 days), so audit those areas too. Document your corrective action for your carrier's safety file.
Relative to similar hazmat violations, 172.201A2 is low-severity. Peer codes in the same hazardous materials category show vastly higher enforcement: placard violations (172.517(e)) trigger out-of-service 1.6% of the time; general loading/unloading violations (177.834A-HMC) push 99.2% OOS rates. Our inspection records show 172.201A2 at just 30 all-time citations nationally—ranked #1799 of 3,036 FMCSR codes. It's documentation-focused, not equipment-focused, which is why the OOS rate stays low.
Yes, you can file a DataQs (FMCSA Research and Development Review System) challenge if you believe the citation is factually or legally incorrect. Since 172.201A2 is a documentation violation—shipping paper format—your challenge is strongest if you can prove your papers actually met format requirements or if there was an inspection error. Gather the original shipping papers, shipper/receiver documentation, and a clear photo or copy showing compliance. Submit through FMCSA's official DataQs portal. Documentation violations are more contestable than equipment defects.
Texas dominates enforcement for this violation. In the last 180 days, our inspection records show 16 citations in Texas with 1 out-of-service placement (6.3% OOS rate). Texas accounts for all other citations in our top-state breakdown for this code. If you run hazmat into or through Texas, tighten your shipping paper format review process—this is where DOT inspectors are catching this violation most frequently.
Moderate urgency. Our inspection data shows only 4 citations in the last 90 days and 19 in the last 12 months, indicating low overall enforcement pressure. However, the violation trend is not declining—January 2026 saw 5 citations, the highest single month in the past year. If you operate hazmat routes, correct your shipping paper format now before the next roadside stop. A second citation within 12 months will amplify your CSA impact and increase the likelihood of carrier-level scrutiny.
FMCSA violations affect both you and your carrier. The citation appears on your personal driver record and your carrier's safety profile. A 172.201A2 citation indicates a documentation process failure—typically a carrier training or compliance gap—so your carrier is accountable for preventing it fleet-wide. If you've been cited, ensure your carrier updates hazmat training and paper-preparation procedures. A repeated pattern at your carrier will trigger FMCSA audits and potential enforcement action against the motor carrier authority.
Where 172.201A2 is most commonly cited (last 180 days)
Other violations commonly found on the same inspection (last 90 days)
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.