What happens when cited for incorrect bulk package marking size? Direct answers backed by 13M+ inspection records.
Ranks #2,428 of 3,146 FMCSR codes by citation frequency • OOS rate of 0.0% is below the FMCSR-wide average of 33.3%.
Bulk package marking incorrect size
Direct answers grounded in TruckCodex inspection data
No. A citation for bulk package marking incorrect size will not result in an out-of-service order. Across our 13 million inspection records, the 0.0% out-of-service rate for this violation means every single citation on record resulted in the vehicle remaining in service. This is significantly lower than the 31.4% all-FMCSR average, making this one of the least severe enforcement actions in hazardous materials compliance.
No, this is among the least serious hazmat citations. While peer violations like general loading/unloading hazmat (177.834A-HMC) carry a 99.2% out-of-service rate and placarding violations (177.817(a)) hit 75.1%, our inspection records show 172.302(b) has placed zero vehicles out of service in all documented cases. Even within marking and placarding rules, similar codes like placard damage (172.516(c)(6)) only reach 1.6% OOS rate. This citation signals a documentation issue, not an immediate safety threat.
Very rare. Across our entire database, only 5 citations for bulk package marking incorrect size have been recorded all-time, with 0 citations in the last 12 months and 0 in the last 90 days. This ranks 172.302(b) at #2406 out of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume. The enforcement silence in recent months suggests this violation is either infrequent in practice or heavily prevented through hazmat training and packaging standards.
Yes, you can challenge this citation through the FMCSA's Records Data Quality System if you believe it is factually incorrect. DataQs allows drivers and carriers to formally dispute violations that involve factual errors—such as claims about marking size that weren't accurate at the time of inspection. Your challenge must include evidence (photos, shipping documentation, or marking specifications) that contradicts the citation. Decisions typically take 30–60 days. Success depends on providing clear proof that the bulk package marking met the regulatory size requirements.
Our inspection records show citations distributed across five carriers, each with 1 citation: TForce Freight Inc (USDOT 121058), Pro Ject Chemicals LLC (USDOT 898781), Select Water Solutions LLC (USDOT 1609544), High Pressure Transports LLC (USDOT 1658917), and Square G Incorporated (USDOT 2006388). The extremely low citation volume across the board suggests this violation is not concentrated in any single carrier or region—it appears as an isolated finding tied to specific shipments rather than systemic compliance failures.
Low urgency for immediate compliance action, but address it before your next hazmat load. Since zero trucks have been placed out of service and enforcement is rare (0 citations in the last 90 days), this citation does not trigger an emergency repair requirement. However, correct your bulk package marking procedures within your normal maintenance cycle to avoid repeat violations. The lack of recent enforcement volume means inspectors are not actively looking for this—but when they do find it, they document it, so prevention through proper labeling is the best approach.
The citation is assigned to the carrier (the trucking company or hazmat shipper responsible for the package). Your FMCSA Safety Management Analysis (SMS) record and Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) profile are maintained at the carrier level, not the driver level, so this violation will appear on your carrier's safety record. However, as the driver, you are also expected to inspect and verify that hazmat packages meet marking requirements before transport, making compliance awareness part of your personal professional responsibility.
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.