What happens if you're cited for 172.203C2? Our 13M inspection records show this hazmat violation is rarely out-of-service. Get answers on consequences, next steps, and peer comparison.
Ranks #1,726 of 3,146 FMCSR codes by citation frequency • OOS rate of 0.0% is below the FMCSR-wide average of 33.3%.
RQ not on shipping paper
Direct answers grounded in TruckCodex inspection data
No. Across our inspection records, 172.203C2 has resulted in zero out-of-service citations in all-time enforcement—a 0.0% OOS rate. This is substantially lower than the 31.4% national average OOS rate across all FMCSR codes, and far lower than peer hazmat violations like 177.834A (99.2% OOS rate) or 177.817(a) (75.1% OOS rate). While the violation will be cited, your truck will not be removed from service for this infraction alone.
First, document the citation details and inspect your hazardous materials shipping papers immediately. Our data shows that when 172.203C2 is cited, it often co-occurs with other hazmat documentation issues: incomplete hazmat descriptions (172.202A4, A3, B) appear in 3 of the last 90 days' shared inspections, and labeling violations (172.400A) appear in 1. Check that the Required Quantity (RQ) notation is clearly present on all shipping papers. Contact your dispatcher or hazmat coordinator to ensure your next loads comply. If you received this citation, request a copy of the inspection report detailing exactly which shipment or papers were non-compliant.
It is relatively low-severity in the hazmat category. Our inspection database shows 172.203C2 ranks #1735 out of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume—with only 35 all-time citations and 14 in the last 12 months. In contrast, peer violations like 177.834A-HMC (general loading/unloading hazmat) have 3,954 citations and a 99.2% OOS rate, and 177.817(a) (placarding violations) have 2,274 citations with a 75.1% OOS rate. Your citation reflects a documentation error, not a critical safety defect, but it still signals a hazmat compliance gap that must be corrected.
Texas leads enforcement volume. In the last 180 days, Texas accounted for 9 citations of 172.203C2—the only state in our top-states list for this violation. This reflects Texas's high volume of hazmat transportation and border-zone activity. If you operate in Texas or the Southwest, pay extra attention to shipping paper compliance. All 9 Texas citations in the period resulted in 0 out-of-service placements.
This is a carrier and driver responsibility. Under FMCSA CSA scoring, hazmat violations like 172.203C2 are recorded against both the driver's HOS (Hazardous Materials BASIC) and the carrier's Safety Management BASIC. The citation ties to your personal safety record; it also appears in your carrier's profile. If you drive for a carrier, ensure your company has a hazmat compliance program and that dispatch reviews shipping papers before load assignment. If you are an owner-operator, the violation stays with you and your USDOT number.
Enforcement has been increasing. Our 12-month trend shows low but growing activity: 1 citation in May 2025, climbing to 4 in March 2026. In the most recent 90 days, 7 citations were recorded. While still rare—only 14 citations in the past 12 months—the upward trajectory suggests inspectors are paying closer attention to shipping paper completeness. This may reflect FMCSA regional focus initiatives or a shift in hazmat transport patterns. Stay proactive on documentation to avoid joining these citations.
Yes, you can submit a DataQs (Identification of Incorrect Records) challenge through FMCSA if you believe the citation is factually wrong. DataQs is the formal process to dispute roadside inspection findings. Because 172.203C2 is a documentation violation (the RQ marking on shipping papers), your challenge should include evidence—such as photos of compliant shipping papers, carrier dispatch records, or hazmat coordinator certification—proving the RQ was properly marked. Documentation violations are contestable if you can show the required information was present. Consult your carrier's safety department or a hazmat compliance specialist to build your DataQs case.
Greenwood Motor Lines Inc (USDOT 63391) leads with 3 all-time citations. Several carriers—Cannonball Trucking Inc, Trafico Transportaciones SA de CV, Transportes de Carga FEMA SA de CV, Hobbs Rental LLC, and Federal Express Corporation—each have 2 citations. These patterns suggest that hazmat carriers with higher volumes or mixed compliance practices are more exposed to 172.203C2 enforcement. If you drive for one of these carriers, request refresher training on shipping paper requirements and RQ notation standards.
Where 172.203C2 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.
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.