FMCSR 172.201C: Hazmat Shipping Paper Format — Driver Q&A

No. Across our 13 million inspection records, 172.201C has never resulted in an out-of-service order. The OOS rate for this violation is 0.0%—all 5 citations in our database resulted in a citation only, not a roadside removal. This is significantly more lenient than the all-FMCSR average OOS rate of 31.4%, making it one of the least severe hazmat documentation violations you can receive.

This violation carries a CSA severity weight of 4. The actual points added to your Safety Management System record depend on when the citation was issued and your carrier's violation history in the prior 12 months. Severity weight 4 is moderate—it triggers the CSA point calculation, but the final tally varies by your company's safety profile and the inspection month. Contact your carrier's safety manager for the exact point impact on your specific record.

First, do not leave the roadside until the inspector completes the form. Request a copy of the inspection report. Second, photograph your shipping papers as they appear in your vehicle—this creates your own record. Third, contact your carrier's compliance or safety department within 24 hours with the inspector's name, state, and the specific format issue cited. Fourth, if your carrier disputes the citation, they can file a DataQs challenge with FMCSA within 90 days of the inspection. Document any corrective action you take with your company.

172.201C is among the least serious hazmat violations. Our data shows that peer hazmat codes like 177.834A (general loading/unloading) have a 99.2% out-of-service rate and 177.817(a) (placarding violations) have a 75.1% OOS rate. By contrast, 172.201C's 0.0% OOS rate places it in the documentation-error category rather than the equipment-failure category. It is also significantly less severe than the all-FMCSR average OOS rate of 31.4%.

Yes. If you believe the citation is inaccurate—for example, if your shipping papers actually did meet the format requirements, or if the inspector misread the regulation—your carrier can file a DataQs challenge with FMCSA within 90 days of the inspection. DataQs (the FMCSA's online driver record correction system) accepts documentation evidence. Gather photos of the original shipping papers, the regulation text, and any company procedures showing compliance. Your carrier's safety or compliance office will file the RDR (Request for Data Review).

Very rare. Across our 13 million roadside inspection records, only 5 citations for 172.201C have been issued all-time, with just 2 in the last 12 months and 0 in the last 90 days. This code ranks #2406 out of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume, placing it in the bottom 20% of enforcement. It is cited infrequently and sporadically—most hazmat companies never encounter it.

Our records show only five carriers cited for this violation all-time: TRIMAC Transportation Inc, Estes Express Lines, Eagle Tech LLC, Sergio Pacheco Ortega, and Aquarius Chemical LLC. Each received a single citation. The distribution is so thin that no single company stands out as a repeat violator. This reflects how uncommon the citation is across the industry.

There is moderate urgency, but not emergency-level. Because 172.201C carries a 0.0% out-of-service rate, you will not be pulled from service. However, the violation remains on your record and contributes to your CSA score. Review your hazmat shipping paper format immediately with your carrier's compliance team and correct it before your next shipment. The fact that we have seen 0 citations in the last 90 days suggests inspectors are not currently focusing heavily on this violation, but it should still be corrected to avoid a second citation.