FMCSR 172.336(b): ID Numbers Not Displayed on Hazmat

Maybe. Across our inspection database, 172.336(b) citations result in an out-of-service placement 31.3% of the time. That's slightly lower than the all-FMCSR average OOS rate of 31.4%, so this violation sits right at the national average for severity. Whether your truck gets placed OOS depends on the inspector's assessment of the specific hazmat identification issue and the cargo you're carrying.

Immediate steps:

1. Document the citation. Get a copy of the inspection report with the specific finding.
2. Identify the problem. Confirm which ID number (UN/NA number or product name) wasn't properly displayed and where it should have been.
3. Correct it immediately. Replace or repair the missing or illegible identification marking before your next load.
4. Report to your carrier/dispatcher. Flag this to your safety team so they can check other vehicles.
5. Review your placarding procedure. Hazmat ID requirements are strict—ensure you understand the display location and visibility standards for your cargo type.

172.336(b) is far less serious than most other hazmat violations. Our records show general loading/unloading hazmat violations (177.834A-HMC and 177.834(a)) carry OOS rates of 99.2% and 97.9% respectively. Placarding violations (177.817(a)) reach 75.1% OOS. By contrast, 172.336(b)'s 31.3% OOS rate puts it in the lower-severity category. It's a documentation/display issue, not an improper loading or dangerous goods mishandling situation.

Yes, you can request a DataQs review. The DataQs process (managed by FMCSA's Roadside Data Verification & Correction initiative) allows you to challenge inspection findings you believe are inaccurate or unfair. Since 172.336(b) is an observable equipment/display issue, your case will hinge on documentation: do you have photos, maintenance records, or evidence that the ID number was properly displayed at the time of inspection? Gather evidence and file within the allowable window through your carrier's CSA account.

172.336(b) is quite rare. Across our database of 13 million+ inspections, we've recorded only 16 all-time citations for this code. In the last 12 months, there were zero citations, and zero in the last 90 days. This ranks 172.336(b) at #2026 out of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume, making it one of the least-enforced violations in the hazmat category.

Because 172.336(b) citations are so infrequent (only 16 all-time), they're spread thinly across the country. No single state dominates the enforcement pattern, and the low citation count means you're statistically unlikely to encounter this violation on your record. The rarity of citations suggests this is typically caught and corrected at the dock or pre-trip inspection level, before it reaches a roadside inspection.

Enforcement has slowed significantly. Our data shows zero citations for 172.336(b) in the last 12 months and zero in the last 90 days. While the regulation remains active and technically enforceable, the lack of recent citations suggests inspectors are either not encountering this issue frequently, or it's being caught during pre-trip or shipper-side compliance checks. Don't let rarity breed complacency—proper hazmat ID display is a legal requirement and a safety imperative.

Both. FMCSA's Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) system captures violations under both the driver's record and the carrier's record. This citation will appear on your carrier's hazmat safety BASIC, which affects their insurance premiums, audit ratings, and FMCSA safety profile. It also impacts your personal safety record as a driver, especially if you're an owner-operator. Encourage your carrier to review its hazmat documentation and training procedures to prevent future citations.