FMCSR 172.315 Citations & Enforcement Data

No. Across our inspection records, 172.315 citations have never resulted in an out-of-service order. All 6 all-time citations were issued without placing the vehicle out of service, giving this code a 0.0% OOS rate. This is far lower than the 31.4% average OOS rate across all FMCSR codes, and significantly different from peer hazmat violations like 177.834A (99.2% OOS rate) and 177.817(a) (75.1% OOS rate). You can likely continue operating while resolving the citation.

172.315 is among the least severe hazmat citations in enforcement records. It ranks #2357 out of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume, with only 6 all-time citations in our 13 million inspection database. Compare this to related hazmat codes: 177.834A has 3,954 citations with a 99.2% OOS rate, and 172.602(c)(1) has 1,464 citations with a 0.0% OOS rate. The rarity of 172.315 citations suggests it addresses a narrowly defined or infrequently violated requirement.

Immediate steps:

1. Document the citation. Note the date, inspector name, and specific deficiency from the inspection report.
2. Review the requirement. 172.315 falls under hazardous materials regulations; ensure your load documentation, placarding, or packaging complies with current DOT rules.
3. Contact your carrier or compliance manager. They may have already flagged similar violations across the fleet.
4. Request the inspection report. Obtain the full DVIR or inspection record to understand the exact violation.
5. Correct the deficiency before your next hazmat load.
6. Consider DataQs appeal if you believe the citation was issued in error or if documentation was misread during inspection.

Since no 172.315 citations resulted in OOS orders, you are not immediately sidelined.

No enforcement activity in the last 12 months or 90 days. Our records show 6 all-time 172.315 citations, but none issued since at least the past year. This suggests either the violation has become rare, carriers have improved compliance with the underlying requirement, or inspectors rarely cite it. Unlike hazmat codes such as 177.834A and 177.817(a)—which continue to accumulate hundreds of citations annually—172.315 appears dormant in current enforcement patterns.

Yes, you can file a DataQs (Roadside Data Quality Form) challenge if you believe the citation is inaccurate. DataQs allows drivers and carriers to dispute inspection records within a set timeframe. For 172.315—a documentation and compliance-based hazmat violation—your challenge should focus on whether the inspector correctly identified the deficiency, whether you possessed the required documentation, or whether the violation was already corrected before the inspection. Provide supporting evidence such as bills of lading, placards, or shipping papers. Success depends on the specifics of the citation and your documentation.

Our 13 million inspection records show only 6 all-time 172.315 citations across the country, too few to identify a clear state concentration. The citations are distributed among six different carriers (Transport Bourassa Inc, Savannah Transport Inc, Adirondack Energy Products Inc, Leedstone Inc, White Wolf Transportation LLC, and S&G Express LLC), each with one citation. This sparse geographic and carrier distribution suggests 172.315 violations are either highly specific, quickly corrected, or reflect a narrow operational scenario that few carriers encounter.

While 172.315 falls under the hazardous materials category—a regulated BASIC in the CSA system—the citation itself carries weight proportional to the violation's severity. Hazmat violations typically impact your Safety Management and Vehicle Maintenance BASICs. The 0.0% OOS rate and rarity of 172.315 citations (6 all-time, none in 12 months) suggest this is a lower-severity finding than peer codes like 177.834A. However, any hazmat citation can increase scrutiny. Your exact CSA point impact depends on the specific deficiency and your carrier's prior violations. Review your SAFER profile for the full picture.

Across all-time enforcement, 172.315 citations touched four vehicle makes: GREAT DANE, KW, MANA, and PETERBILT—each with one citation. These data points are too sparse to suggest a pattern or vehicle-type risk. The citation appears randomly distributed across trailer and tractor manufacturers. Vehicle type alone does not predict 172.315 enforcement; the violation is tied to specific hazmat handling or documentation practices that can occur on any truck or trailer.