What 172.304A2 means, OOS risk, CSA points, and how to fix it. Data from 13M+ roadside inspections.
Ranks #1,608 of 3,146 FMCSR codes by citation frequency • OOS rate of 0.0% is below the FMCSR-wide average of 33.3%.
Marking not on sharply contrasting color
Direct answers grounded in TruckCodex inspection data
No. Across our inspection records, this violation has never resulted in an out-of-service order. Out of 57 all-time citations for 172.304A2, the OOS rate is 0.0%—meaning 57 citations, 0 OOS placements. By contrast, the national average OOS rate across all FMCSR codes is 31.4%, so this citation is significantly less severe than most violations. You will not be pulled off the road for this.
This violation carries a CSA severity weight of 3. That weight is multiplied by the number of violations found during a 30-day period to calculate your final CSA point impact. If you received one citation for 172.304A2, multiply 1 × 3 = 3 points added to your CSA record. Multiple citations in the same inspection window will compound that total. Check your FMCSA Safety Portal to confirm your exact CSA score after the inspection.
First, photograph the specific markings or labels that the inspector cited as non-durable. Second, inspect all hazmat placards and labels on your vehicle for fading, peeling, smudging, or damage—hazmat markings must be legible, durable, and in English. Third, if any markings are deteriorated, remove and replace them before your next trip. Our data shows that when this violation appears, it often co-occurs with mechanical issues (suspension, steering, wheel fasteners), so conduct a full pre-trip inspection. Fourth, request the inspection report and photographs from the inspector.
No—this is one of the least severe hazmat violations. Our records rank 172.304A2 at #1588 of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume (57 all-time), with a 0.0% OOS rate. Compare that to similar hazmat codes: placarding violations (177.817a) have a 75.1% OOS rate, general loading/unloading violations (177.834A-HMC) hit 99.2% OOS, and even the related placard-damaged code (172.516c6) has a 1.6% OOS rate. Hazmat marking durability is a lower-tier documentation issue, not an equipment or operational emergency.
Yes, you can file a DataQs record dispute through FMCSA's online portal at SafetyData.FMCSA.DOT.gov. This violation is a roadside inspection finding (marking durability is observable on-scene), so your contestation must challenge either the accuracy of the inspector's observation or whether the marking truly failed the durability standard. Gather clear photographs showing the marking's condition before the citation and any supporting documentation of when the marking was applied. File within 90 days of the inspection for the fastest resolution.
Texas leads by a wide margin. Our data from the last 180 days shows Texas with 13 citations for 172.304A2—far outpacing any other state in our records. This concentration likely reflects Texas's high hazmat transport volume and active inspection frequency. If you operate in or through Texas with hazmat loads, verify all markings are crisp, fully adhered, and clearly legible before departure.
Not emergency-urgent, but handle it before your next hazmat load. Our 90-day trend shows 2 citations recently (low frequency), but the 12-month trend averaged 2.8 per month, indicating a steady baseline. Because the violation is marking durability—not a mechanical defect—inspectors are checking compliance rather than safety. You have time to source correct replacements and install them properly, but do not transport hazmat cargo with faded, peeling, or illegible markings. Replace any deteriorated marking and photograph the result for your records.
This violation attaches to the carrier (your company's USDOT number), not the driver. FMCSA assigns all moving-violation citations to the carrier safety profile and CSA record, even though the driver is physically operating the vehicle. Both the carrier and the driver may see the citation in separate FMCSA reports, but the CSA points accumulate against your carrier's safety metrics. If you are an independent owner-operator, you are the carrier, so the points apply directly to your profile.
Where 172.304A2 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.