Direct answers on citations for incomplete hazmat shipping paper descriptions. OOS rates, CSA points, state enforcement patterns, and what to do next.
Ranks #1,111 of 3,146 FMCSR codes by citation frequency • OOS rate of 2.0% is below the FMCSR-wide average of 33.3%.
No or improper Shipping Name
Direct answers grounded in TruckCodex inspection data
No. Across our 13 million inspection records, 172.202A2 citations result in an out-of-service order only 2.0% of the time. Of 294 all-time citations for this violation, just 6 trucks were placed out of service. This is significantly below the national average OOS rate of 31.4% across all FMCSR codes. Most inspectors issue this as a warning or non-OOS citation, meaning you can typically continue operating while correcting the paperwork.
This violation carries a CSA severity weight of 5 points. Your total CSA impact depends on the 30-day rolling window—if you receive multiple citations within 30 days, each one counts separately toward your Safety Management Cycle. A single 172.202A2 citation is relatively minor on the point scale, but multiple hazmat documentation issues stacked together can escalate scrutiny from regulators and your own fleet.
It is relatively minor in enforcement severity. Our inspection database ranks 172.202A2 at #1097 out of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume—meaning it is cited less frequently than most violations. More importantly, its 2.0% OOS rate is far lower than related hazmat offenses: general loading/unloading hazmat violations (177.834A-HMC) carry a 99.2% OOS rate, placarding violations (177.817(a)) hit 75.1%, and hazmat package movement infractions (177.823(a)) reach 51.8%. Incomplete paperwork is treated as documentary rather than structural or safety-critical.
Yes, you can file a DataQs appeal if you believe the citation is factually incorrect. The FMCSA's DataQs system allows drivers and carriers to challenge roadside inspection records. For 172.202A2, your case is strongest if you can prove the shipping paper was actually complete at the time of inspection—missing fields, illegible entries, or incorrect hazard class codes are the inspection officer's typical reasons for citation. Gather copies of the original paperwork, the inspection report, and any supporting documentation, then submit through the official DataQs portal. Appeals can take 30–60 days to process.
Texas leads significantly. Over the last 180 days, our inspection records show Texas issued 72 citations for 172.202A2, with 1 resulting in an out-of-service order (1.4% OOS rate). New Mexico follows distantly with just 3 citations and 0 OOS placements. The concentration in Texas reflects higher hazmat shipment volume and more frequent border-zone inspections, where documentation accuracy is scrutinized more closely. If you operate in Texas carrying hazardous materials, expect stricter paperwork review.
Moderate urgency. While the 2.0% OOS rate means you are unlikely to be shut down immediately, incomplete hazmat paperwork is a compliance red flag that can trigger follow-up audits and increased scrutiny at future inspections. Our 90-day trend shows 34 citations in the most recent quarter, with citation frequency stable month-to-month (ranging 7–17 per month). Correct the shipping paper deficiency within 2–3 business days and retain proof of correction. Repeat violations on your record can lead to carrier-level enforcement action, fines, and mandatory corrective action plans.
Freightliners dominate the citation list. Across all 172.202A2 citations in our database, Freightliner (FRHT) trucks account for 91 citations, Kenworth (KW) for 46, and Peterbilt (PTRB) for 40. This distribution mirrors general heavy-duty truck prevalence on highways, not a specific risk profile by manufacturer. The violation is documentation-based, not vehicle-equipment-based, so the make cited reflects carrier fleet composition and operating patterns rather than mechanical risk.
Where 172.202A2 is most commonly cited (last 180 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.
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